This is an excerpt from one of my stories about an editor and a book cafe...
BEEP...
BEEP..BEEPBEEPBEEP
Tired. I
was still tired as I scrambled off the bed and walked clumsily to my
bathroom. I showered before my brain was fully functioning resulting
in putting soap in my hair and using conditioner as shaving cream. I
dressed fast and swept out of the house, eager to get to the book
store.
“Right
on time. Did you keep the card?”
“Yes.
So, you're name is Sadie. I'm sorry I had not thought to tell you my
own, David Copper,” I offered my hand over the table and she took
it readily.
“What
do you read here?”
“Everything.
Everything except romance novels and the current rave of the critics
if I can.”
“Current?
I guess you wouldn't be a fan of Gallant then?”
“Ah,
yes well, I have heard much about that book... And the author as
well, a teenager isn't she?”
“Oh
yes, I find her story really inspiring. The book is half decent if
you wanted an unofficial review.”
I cocked
an eyebrow. Half-decent wasn't nearly good enough to invest time in.
I pretended to take interest for conversation's sake.
“And
what is half decent for you?”
“A
nice story with well said logic and a bit of a cliffhanger ending.
That about describes it.”
“Really?
I would say that's a book well on it's way to 'okay'. If the story is
really well thought out and put up the right way.”
“Well,
I didn't say Gallant was all of those traits. Well said logic
yes, but no fantastic ending and not really well put together.”
“Hmm”
I reconsidered the previous thought. “Sounds like you have the
makings of an editor in you.”
“Do
I?” She asked, eyes bright as she leaned in excitedly.
“Yes.
Well, you'd need to know some official guidelines but...”
“Are
you an editor?”
“Yes.”
I was a little taken aback. She was bright, very analytical.
“I
thought so. You look like a book person. Tell me, what are you
working on now?” She said, sounding genuinely interested.
“A
romance novel. Not a great story, no logic at all, and, a very
anticlimactic ending.” She smirked as though reprimanding me for doing what I had just pronounced not worth my time.
“Could
I check it out sometime?”
“You
mean if it ever gets published?” I was heavily doubtful that it would.
“No.
In manuscript form, right now.”
I
paused, cappuccino steaming up my glasses.
“I
can't, sorry. It's a legality thing.”
“That's
okay. Maybe I'll pick it up when it's in store.”
I
checked the time on the cafe clock. I had to go soon.
“Yes,
maybe.”
“Hey,
maybe we could go over to Bailey's, they have a lot of new releases I
want you to see.”
“Sure,
as long as we aren't there for too long. I have a meeting with the
author of the bad romance novel.”
The
street was filled with a strong wind that buffeted trash and small
children down the sidewalks. We walked a few blocks before Sadie
turned suddenly into a corner shop. The sign said closed but the door
was open.
“Sadie?
Is that you? Have you brought the troublemaker again?” A man's
voice called to us as soon as the bells settled.
“No,
Ian's in class today. I brought Mr. Copper, my new friend from the
cafe.”
“The
boy with the glasses?” An elderly man stepped down from a platform
behind the front desk.
“I
know you!” He exclaimed and I pulled a blank. I frowned instead.
“I
always wonder what you're thinking sitting there in the window, what
are you here for?”
“I'm
here for Sadie, she wanted to show me something here.” I reminded
her and she tugged my sleeve over to a small shelf near the front of
the store. The shelf had all new books on it, I could tell by the
binding and shiny enamel. Most of the books were fiction, action or
romance. There was one however, a murder mystery, that looked good.
“I
thought you might like...” Sadie's hand reached for an action novel
and I found my hand crossing her's to get the mystery.
“Sorry...”
“You
like that?”
“Yeah,
I like suspense.” We stood for a second, each holding the selected
book with determined eyes.
“Is
that why you're an editor?” Sadie said, shoulders slouching a
little,
“Is
it for the thrill of a new author to read every month?” Sadie's
tone was friendly again and I seemed to relax a little.
“Maybe,
I never thought of the job that way before.” I smiled.
“Do
you want to buy?” The old man asked.
“What
is it?”
“I'll
give it to you for fifteen, it's actually twenty since it's a new
release but, you're one of Sadie's friends so...”
“How
about ten? If the book is worth twenty I'll give you ten bucks when
I'm done.”
“Deal.
He's a bright one!” The old man shook my hand while looking at
Sadie with a knowing eye.
