Welcome to the Fifteen Minute Novel. Each morning I spend fifteen minutes writing on a singular story line. Each morning starts with the last line of the previous day. The goal is to get a (very) rough draft out of the simple story idea and to avoid letting the story idea languish in limbo forever, actually writing it out. This is the third year I have done this writing experiment and each year I learn just a little bit about myself and the way I write as well as creating a framework for the story. But without further ado…
Day 53: “And Linda is?” Gwen asked.
“And Linda is?” Gwen asked.
“My executive administrative assistant,” George said. “She runs the office and me most of the time. Let’s me do what I’m good at doing while taking care of everything I am not good at. Very helpful God help me if she ever decides to retire.”
“I see,” Gwen replied. She knew that her father had an admin named Natalie. Most of what she knew involved pointed comments Sharron made about her. She suspected Sharron though her father and Natalie were having some sort of affair.
‘Which they might be,’ she thought. It was never something she ever really thought about.
“So what is this I hear about accounting?”
“I took several classes at night at the lo0cal community college,” Gwen answered.
“So you want to be an accountant?”
“I don’t know,” Gwen said. She didn’t feel like explaining Toby or her plans to help him out once they were married yet again. It seemed so silly now. She thought of her dream where Toby couldn’t answer even the smallest question about her. She shook the thought away. “I thought it would be something and I like math,” she said.
“Well it never hurts to know how to balance your own books, even if you don’t go that route those lessons won’t be wasted. Is there anything you like to do aside from math?”
“I like playing games where you hunt for clues as well as word and math based gams I suppose,” Gwen said.
George nodded. “You know we have a division that designs games. It is computer work of course but I think there is a heave math component. Maybe you would like to come in to work with me one day and we can arrange a chat with them. You can see how they apply what they know and if it appeals to you. Then talk to them about the skills they need to do what they do.” George shrugged. “Even if you don’t like what they do and don’t think it’s for you it would help you cross it off the list and maybe lead you to think of other things.”
“That sounds really nice,” Gwen thought.
Margaret came into the room. She was holding a notepad and was smiling as she made notes. “I made a list of the items you have the get full sized versions of,” she said. “And I’ve started a list of places we will need to visit.” She looked up from her list and towards her husband. “You are smirking, why are you smirking?”
“I am not smirking,” George said.
“Yes you are,” she said. “Out with it.”
“Gwen just agreed to stop by the office and talk to a few people about potential careers.” He sipped his coffee and Gwen had to admit he looked smug.
“He gets to show you off at work,” Margaret clarified. “There was a bring your child to work day and he didn’t have anyone to bring so he felt left out.”
“Gwen isn’t a child,” George said. “And Alex brought triplets. Triplets.” He snorted into his coffee. “Show off.”
Gwen smiled. It was nice to have someone feel like showing her off even if it was to show off to someone who brought triplets to work.
Ten til Midnight 