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| Mitzu & Earl |
Today’s
snippet comes from my contemporary adult Christmas novella (WIP). Derek &
Meredith are on the tail end of their divorce. She’s moved out of the house. To
help her heal her heart she decided to volunteer at the local civic theater as
a make-up artist—something she used to love to do, but has forgotten over the
years as life seemed to carry her in a different direction. While she’s taking
inventory of the make-up and wardrobe room, in walks Derek. He’s accepted the
lead role of the Christmas play they are putting on in a couple of months. He
hasn’t done theater since college. This is the first time they’ve seen each
other in a month.
***
“This isn’t a game.” She stepped around him, but he caught
her arm and whirled her around to face him.
“You’re the one who always runs away from things, but this
time, I’m not going to let you use me as an excuse.” He paused for a moment as
his hand warmed from the heat of her flesh only separated by the thin cashmere
sweater. “I will leave.”
“Who’s leaving?” A shrill voice came from the door. Both of
them turn to find Silva, the theatre director, standing in the open doorway.
“I-.” Meredith began, but Derek cut her off.
“No, I’m going to decline my role. I’m sorry. Something came
up.”
“Excuse me?” Silva put her fists on her hips. Her tight bun
and cat-rimmed rhinestone encrusted glasses reminded him of his second grade
teacher. “You practically spent the last hour begging me for the part and now
you want to leave? I don’t think so. Unless there’s family dying, no.”
He noticed Meredith take a jarred gulp. He was about to say
something, when Silva continued. “And do you two know each other? You both seem
awfully cozy.”
At this Meredith took a step back just out of his reach.
“Yeah, unfortunately. I’m sorry I’m going to leave know. If you can’t find
someone to replace me I’ll help out, but I can’t do this.” She hurried out of
the room as if a smoke bomb had gone off. She nearly knocked over the petite
director in her rush to exit.
As Meredith’s footsteps faded down the hallway, Silvia
turned to Derek and narrowed her eyes. “What did you do to piss her off?”
He shrugged. “I married her.”
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