Luckily, my productivity has provided me with a simple solution to my dilemma. For more information on this week's topic, drop by tomorrow for my Next Big Thing post on this WiP!
So now, I'd like to share with you:
Thirteen Paragraphs from Milan, NC
(a Work-in-Progress)
"So? How does he sound? Does he sound cute?"
"You've seen his picture, Dottie. You know he's cute."
"I know, I know – but does he sound cute, too? I mean, you know… What does he sound like?"
Natalie shrugged and fiddled with the stack of books on the counter, lining them up neatly while she pondered her answer. "He sounds… Italian, I guess."
"Mmmmhhh…" Dottie hugged herself, twisting from side to side on the swivel stool where she perched. "So he has the accent and everything?"
Natalie nodded and fought back a yawn as she let her hands fall into her lap, wishing she could just lose herself in the memory of the phone calls the night before. The second call had lasted a little over two hours, ending only when Lorenzo realized he was running late for work. Had it been the weekend, they might have talked even longer.
Might have? It was a sure thing. Neither one of them had wanted to hang up, but no matter how cheap the calls might be, he'd still have a considerable bill to pay if they chatted too long.
She smiled to herself. Remembering Lorenzo's voice made her feel warm all over. At different times throughout the day, she could have sworn she heard him, a soft whispering voice sharing his thoughts on the humdrum, everyday details of her life, from opening the shop in the morning to counting the till. He always sounded interested, genuinely interested, and pleased to be there with her.
For a moment, she wondered if he really would be like that if he visited, and she couldn't help laughing.
"What's so funny? His accent? Is it a funny accent?" Dottie leaned in over the counter and the stool let out an alarming scrick beneath her as it threatened to slide away. She sat up and scooted closer and Natalie leaned toward her, shaking her head.
"No, it was…nice. His voice is really nice, too. I can't describe it, it's just… It makes me feel good."
"That's so romantic."
"Oh, stop it."
Well, hopefully that has whetted your appetite for this novella, which I hope to have out in the late spring/early summer.
If you haven't read anything else about it, would you want to hazard a guess to what the story's about?
Leave your guess in the comments if you'd like to have a go, then come back Friday to see if you're correct!
In the meantime, I hope you'll enjoy this little tidbit: