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 54: . 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.
. 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. After a quick consultation as to what sort of place they were planning to eat before, after or during shopping, Gwen went to her room and chose what she thought would be an acceptable outfit. It was a little too summery as she packed most of her summer clothes for the trip so she added a cardigan to ward off any lingering chills.
She and her grandmother rendezvoused in the living room when they were both dressed and George sent them off with a wave. “Don’t forget you can tell Maggie when you have had your fill of shopping.” He called after them.
“I’m not that bad,” Margaret said as they left the apartment.
As she was a little less travel worn, Gwen felt less scruffy compared to the surroundings. She still couldn’t imagine leaving the apartment and traveling through the lobby while wearing her running gear.
‘well maybe leaving in it,’ she thought. ‘But not returning.’ She knew how sweaty she was after her running and remembered both Lisa and Sharron making fun of her for it.
“Something wrong?” Margaret asked as they crossed the open lobby.
“I was just picturing crossing the lobby in my running clothes after a workout. I don’t suppose there is a back exit.”
“There is but I wouldn’t worry about it,” Margaret said. “This is your home while you are here. If you go out for a run it would be expected you come home sweaty. And since the shower is upstairs you’d have to get there somehow.”
“I suppose,” Gwen said. She was surprised that her grandmother took such an easy approach to it. At the door the doorman opened it for them and outside the same car with Sebastian standing beside it was waiting, door already open.
“Excellent timing,” Margaret said. She handed him a list and had Gwen get into the car first so she could scoot over. “Many places to go,”
Sebastian took the list and closed the door once Margaret was settled. He then got into the car behind the wheel. “Do you have a preference as to where we start?” he asked.
“Let’s stock up on bath and hair care as the necessities first,” Margaret said. “Then we can see if we are hungry or ready to go shopping.”
“The bath and body products aren’t shopping?” Gwen asked as Sebastian pulled the car away from the curb.
“I suppose they are,” Margaret said. “But if you are going to the office with George, even if it is just to shadow some of his employees you will need something a bit more businesslike. Plus I took a look in the closet when I made the list of essentials, I hope you don’t mind?”
“Um no,” Gwen said. “That’s fine.”
“Good,” Margaret said sounding relieved.. “I didn’t want to pry and I won’t ever look in your closet again without permission, I just needed to know what sorts of things you brought. There are a few events that we as a a family have been invited to during your stay and I wanted to make sure you had something appropriate on hand.”
“Oh,” Gwen said. “I didn’t know I’d be attending anything.”
“Oh it is nothing major, just a few little gatherings,” Margaret said. “You’ll get to meet a few people and maybe make a few friends to go out with while you are here.”
“I see,” Gwen said.
“Of course if you don’t like them that it fine too,” Margaret continued. “It’s just an option so you don’t have to spend the entire summer with just me and George. No obligation at all.”
Ten til Midnight 