Wednesday Excerpts #6
I submitted three scenes for the 52 Scenes challenge today. Two were delinquent and one was on time. I’m also considering changing the name of Book 2 from Salty Paws to Salty Pause. The original title, Paws, reflected the main character’s original story goal of starting a dog rescue operation. But before she gets very far, a number of obstacles occur which put those plans on Pause. This is still only a working title, but I kind of like it.
The excerpt I’m sharing here today is from a different point of view than the rest of the book so far. Donnie is the the main character’s cousin. This is the only segment of the book so far where I’ve had a reason to hop into Donnie’s head, so I’ll probably have to do away with it to make the book consistent. But it was fun to try to write from inside a guy’s head. Hope you enjoy reading it!
A Spur of the Moment Visit from Tiffany
On his condo balcony a few blocks away, Donnie lowered the camera when his phone pinged with a text from Tiffany. Walking over, on her way. Just as well; he wasn’t having any luck photographing the Milky Way. Still a lot to learn about his new photography hobby.
Wonder why she’s stopping by on a Monday night? Not their usual routine, but he didn’t mind at all. After two years of expecting her to leave him for someone her own age, he’d finally ginned up the nerve to think long-term. As in forever. So maybe her unexpected visit meant she felt the same, that she couldn’t stay away from him.
Maybe he’d broach the subject tonight. Not get down on one knee or anything; he’d need a ring, a more scenic location than his condo and a professional photographer for that. Seems to be what’s expected nowadays. And the young guys at work all say he shouldn’t just go pick a ring himself. No, she has to pick it out, or at least give him a couple choices or tell him exactly what she likes. Or has she already told him? Shouldn’t have tuned her out when she talked about her friends’ rings. He hadn’t quite worked out yet how he’s supposed to acquire the perfect ring but still surprise her with a formal proposal. One step at a time.
Inside the condo, he scooped up the clothes, shoes and unopened mail that was laying about and tossed it all into a laundry basket in his closet. He moved dishes from the counters and sink to the dishwasher without rinsing them, could do that later. Okay, now it looks more like what she sees on her usual Wednesday night visits. Only thing missing is the champagne, but he usually waits until Wednesday afternoon to pick that up. No wine on hand, either. Well, maybe she’ll enjoy a shot of tequila for a change. He positioned the bottle and two shot glasses on a clean dish towel on the counter.
He dimmed the lights in both the living room and bedroom and made the bed even though it would just get messed up again. Right? Why else would she be coming over? Definitely should take advantage of this unscheduled visit, proof of her unquenchable love and desire, to bring up the future. Smoothing the bedspread, he frowned. Should he bring it up before or after they—
— leave it to your imagination what happens next!—