“Brooke, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Relax, Al. I’m kidding. I rented it through the Hilton. It’s fine, and besides Brice already checked it out. Now can we go? I want to get there before dark.”
“Emma, call me when you get there, and Brooke, don’t call me Al.”
Brooke
“Al, you’re sexy when you’re mad. Kiss your girlfriend so we can go. We’ll see you on Sunday.”
I pull out of the driveway and Emma looks over at me. “Why do you do that?’
“Do what?”
“Mess with him like that?”
“Because it’s fun and he is sexy when he’s mad,” I say, laughing.
Emma and I talk non-stop on the drive to Destin. We pull over at the rest area to call and check on the kids when they get home from school. Once we know they are fine, we hit the road again. We check in at the hotel first and then walk down to the houseboat that is docked in the water behind the hotel.
“Brooke, this place is amazing.”
I look around; it is small and cozy. “I knew when I saw it online that we had to stay here.”
“It’s just so cute. I’m surprised that Brice didn’t want to stay here with you,” Emma says.
“He did — well, he said he did. But if I didn’t stay here this time, I would probably never get another chance.”
Emma looks sad and says, “Brice won’t come back here with you?”
“No, Emma. He may say he will, but he won’t. Don’t be sad, I’m ok with that. This is just something you and I get to experience together.”
“Good, I love it. I’ll come back with you whenever you want.”
“Good, I may hold you to that.”
“What time is the book signing tomorrow?” Emma asks.
“It’s 11 to 4. I bought us VIP tickets, so we’ll get to go in to the signing an hour before the general ticket holders. There is also a meet and greet tonight at the hotel where the authors are staying if you want to go to that.”
“I’m your guest. I’ll do whatever you want to,” Emma says, yawning.
“I kind of want to stay here and relax tonight and then we can hit the signing up hard tomorrow,” I say, yawning, too.
The next morning we have our coffee and bagels outside on the houseboat while sitting at the small bistro table facing the water. Although the houseboat is tied to the dock, it still feels like we are floating in the middle of the water. Because the houseboat belongs to the hotel, we are able to order room service. We take turns getting ready in the small restroom for the book signing. I wait for Emma to collect all of her books she wants to get signed. “It’s a good thing we have VIP tickets because I think you’ll need that extra hour,” I say, nodding at all the books on the table.
Emma laughs, “I can’t help it. I already owned the books, so I didn’t see the need to purchase them again here.”
“I understand. Do you want help?”
“No, I got it. Thanks anyway,” Emma says as she tosses the canvas bag, holding the books, over her shoulder.
We wait in line with the other VIP ticket holders. I swear Emma is just as excited as I am. “This place is packed. It’s a good thing I brought my own books. They might sell out of them.”
“I hope not. I was planning on buying my books here. I’ll be pissed if they sell out.”
The doors open and everyone in line squeals. They collect our tickets and hand us a seating chart of where the authors are sitting. Emma and I have the same taste in books, so I know we’ll be heading in the same direction.
Once we are inside the very large room, everyone scatters in different directions. Long lines are already forming at some of the tables. Emma and I get excited when we see CM Hutton. I love her books, especially Paradise Taken. We wait in line, and Emma gets in her bag and pulls out the book she needs signed. We talk briefly and get our pictures taken with her. I am pleasantly surprised she is as nice as I thought she would be. I buy one of her books and she signs it for me. I also talk to her briefly about writing and publishing and she is very helpful. Before we leave, CM Hutton asks Emma if she wants her to sign her bag. Emma looks shocked and then thinks that is a great idea.
We stop at Savannah Grey’s table. Emma pulls out her book Coming Home as we wait in line to see her. She is so sweet and nice. We take turns and get our pictures taken with her. I buy one of her books, Playing for Keeps, and as she signs it, I take some book swag she has scattered around her table. Emma also has her sign her bag, too. I once read that Savannah Grey also collects signed paperbacks from other authors she signs with. I actually heard that after the book signings, the authors go around and exchange their books that didn’t sell with other authors.
ML Steinbrunn is next. Emma digs into her bag and pulls out ML Steinbrunn’s book Forgive Us Our Trespasses. We anxiously wait in line to get our books signed. ML Steinbrunn is sweet and kind. Emma asks her how her newborn son is, and ML is shocked that Emma knows that fact about her. Emma explains that she follows her on Facebook. We all laugh. ML Steinbrunn has ribbon bookmarks she hands out to fans who purchase her books. I brag to Emma that I have one, and the author also gives Emma one.
Next, we see Arden Aoide. Emma and I both buy her book Tame. Arden has fiery red hair, which does not surprise me. I read her biography online and she is a hoot. Her Bio reads “Obstinate Insomniac, Introverted Anarchist, Juvenile Humorist, Red Lipstick Fetishist, Cat Herder, Lazy Housekeeper, Foodie, Compiler of Lists” — and that’s only a few things about her. We get our picture taken with her and I swear I could stay there all day talking to her. After she signs the books and the bag, we leave.
Emma pulls out several books written by David Bruce, who writes books about anecdotes and good deeds, and he writes easy-to-read retellings of classic plays by William Shakespeare and epic poems by Homer and Virgil. When we are next to see him, Emma hands him three books to sign: The Kindest People Who Do Good Deeds, The Funniest People in Dance, and The Funniest People in Comedy. I buy and have him sign his book William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar: A Retelling in Prose. David Bruce complains, “Currently, someone seems to be buying one of my e-book anecdote collections almost every day, reading it, and then returning it for a refund. I don’t blame him or her; for some people, a dollar is a lot of money. If I ever meet that person, he or she will probably tell me, ‘I’ve read 40 or 50 of your anecdote collections, and not one is worth the time it takes to read it.’” He is a complainer; I like that in a person. We get our picture taken with him before we leave.
“Emma, do you think Brice and Alec would like to come to a book signing?” Brooke asks seriously.
“I think it depends on the genre.”
“Oh, definitely. I think as soon as I self-publish my first book, I’m going to gift Brice and Alec tickets to attend my first book signing.”
Emma says, “That’s a good idea. I think they’ll enjoy a multiple genre book signing. Alec loves to read thrillers, nonfiction, and sci-fi.”
“Brice does, too, but I’m going to make sure it’s strictly steamy romance and erotica, with some BDSM thrown in,” I say, laughing.
“Brooke, that is hilarious, I would love to see them squirm.”
“Did you see some of the swag that is being offered here? Penis candies, penis pens, chocolate penis lollipops. I think they’ll do more than squirm.”
We walk around laughing and look at the seating chart and see that DB Jones and Brenda Kennedy are sharing a table. The line seems to move fairly quickly for DB Jones and for Brenda Kennedy. Emma finds the books in her bag that she wants signed and we move up in line a little more. Emma has three books of DB Jones she wants signed along with her bag: Storms of Winter, Nights of Autumn, and Summer Heat. While I’m talking to Brenda Kennedy, Emma talks to DB Jones.
“So, you’re a fan of cliffhangers, I see.” I look up and Brenda is talking to me. I hand her the three books of her first trilogy — A New Beginning, Saving Angel, and Destined to Love — to sig
n and say, “Yes, I love them. But I am really in love with Mason. I could read about him forever.”
“Good, thank you. While I sign these, why don’t you help yourself to some swag?”
“Thank you, I will. I’m currently writing a book, I was hoping maybe you could give me some pointers,” I say, nervously.
“What is your name?”
“My name is Brooke.”
“Brooke, are you going to write a cliffhanger book for a series?”
“I am. I love them, so I decided I’ll write about what I love.”
“What genre will you write in?” Brenda asks.
“I read romance, so I thought I would write soft romance, not erotic, although I read that, too, on occasion.”
“Good, I think you’re on the right track. I also think you should know, not everyone likes a cliffhanger ending to a book. So be prepared for that. Those one-star reviews can sting.”
“I see, I never thought about that. What do you do about that?” I watch as she puts my signed paperbacks into a gift bag and hands it to me.
“What I do when I get a one-star review because my book is a cliffhanger, I write another cliffhanger trilogy.” She laughs and says, “People say they don’t like cliffhangers, but I bet these are the same people who watch soap operas or the Twilight Saga or The Walking Dead. They love the shows that don’t end or that take a long time to end. People also claim they don’t like the band Nickelback and how many albums did they sell?”
“Millions.” I smile.
“Exactly. Nickelback is like that restaurant that Yogi Berra says no one goes to anymore because it is too crowded. Do you know how Nickelback got its name?”
“No.”
“Lead singer Chad Kroeger’s brother worked at a Starbuck’s, where coffee sold for $1.95, so customers got a nickel back. Brooke, you write about what you love and enjoy the ride. Oh yeah, and write trilogies, have Books 1 and 2 end with cliffhangers, and make Book 1 free.”
“Trilogies, cliffhangers, and a free first book. Got it and thank you, I will.”
Emma and I meet up and she takes a drink of a bottle of water with DB Jones’ book cover advertised on it. “What’s that?” I ask.
“Water.”
“Emma I know it’s water, but DB Jones has her own water?”
“Yep and she makes her own wine glass charms.”
“Wow, DB Jones is a rock star.”
Emma and I walk around and Emma asks every author to sign her canvas bag. We use Goodreads to search for information about some authors we aren’t familiar with. After I purchase a few more books, Emma and I head out to do some shopping and sightseeing.
Molly
After I gather up my things, I walk around, saying my goodbyes to the people I have been in recovery with the last 45 days. It is definitely a bittersweet day. I walk back into my room and, Sally, one of the counselors, comes in and tells me my mom and dad are in the lobby waiting for me.
“Thank you. I also wanted to thank you for everything you have done to help me over the past 45 days.” I nervously run my hands up and down my jeans.
Sally walks further into the room. “Molly, you’re very welcome. You have nothing to worry about.”
“The last 45 days I felt like I could do this, but now I’m scared to death to leave.”
“Like we taught you in group, stay focused on what is important, and you’ll do fine. I believe in you, now you have to believe in yourself.”
“Thank you.” I hug her and then I gather my things. We walk to the main lobby where mom and dad are waiting for me. I say my goodbyes and follow my parents out the door and to the car. On the drive home I get a text from Bobby.
Bobby: How are you, Doll?
Molly: Great. On my way home. How are you?
Bobby: Better than ever. I was hoping I could see you when you get home.
Molly: What about your wife? I don’t want to cause problems.
Bobby: Sorry, Doll, Leah’s reading the text with me and she said not to worry about that. She would like to have you, your daughter, and some of your friends over to celebrate. A graduation party for the both of us.
Molly: Sounds like fun and thank you, Leah and Bobby.
Bobby: Good, I’ll text you the time and the address later. Thank care, Doll.
Molly: See you soon.
I get another text from Adam. He sent me an emoticon of an animated person wearing a graduation cap and gown. I laugh out loud before I show my mom the picture on my cellphone. My dad is driving, so I try to explain it to him. Adam, Bobby, my parents, and Raelynn wrote me almost every day. I don’t think a day went by that I didn’t receive mail from someone. The people I left at the facility will be reminded of me for a long time because of all the glitter.
We pull up in the driveway of my parents’ home and I think I’m waiting for a craving to hit me or a memory of a craving to come at me at full force, but nothing happens. I shake off the feeling of doom and help my dad get my things from the trunk.
“I’m glad to have my little girl back,” my dad says.
“Thanks, dad, I’m glad to be back.”
Smiling, we walk into the house. I go into my old bedroom and see that it has all new bedding, lamps, and curtains in it. The flowery bedding with the butterflies has been replaced with a white-and-black zebra-stripe comforter set. A desk in front of the large double window has a wrapped present on it.
“Your father and I thought you may have outgrown the flowers and butterflies.”
“Maybe just a little, although I still liked them in high school.”
“I would have bought you Care Bears if your mother would have let me,” my father says as he walks further into the room. “You know, you’ll always be my little girl.”
“I know and thank you, dad.”
“Molly, we bought you something.”
I look at the beautifully wrapped gift, and then I look back to my mom. “You didn’t have to buy me anything.”
My mom smiles at me and says softly, “We wanted to get you something. We hope you like it.”
“Go ahead, Molly, open it,” my dad says.
I walk over to the gift and set it on my bed. I carefully unwrap it and smile when I see what it is. “Oh, my God, I have always wanted this. This is the best camera out there. You shouldn’t have.”
My dad walks over and picks up the box I am holding. “We know how much photography meant to you. We’re hoping maybe you can get back into it.”
“Dad, this camera is too much. It must have cost you…”
“Molly, we wanted to get it for you. We shopped around, and this is one of the better ones,” my mom says.
“Please, we want you to have it. Let’s see what this baby can do,” my dad says as he removes the camera and lens from the box.
“Oh, dad, I think you need to return that. These cameras are very expensive.” I watch as my dad removes everything from the box and then reads the instructions. “Dad, are you listening to me? I can’t take that.”
“Molly, listen to me.” My dad looks at me and says, “Consider this an investment, not a gift. I know photography at one time was your passion. Your mother and I believe it can be again. In a few months, or even a few years, when you start making this your profession, then that’ll be our repayment.”
I nod and smile. “Thank you, I love it.”
“Here, put this together before I break it.” My dad laughs as he hands me the camera and the many parts.
“I’m going to start dinner while you two play with Molly’s new toy.”
“Hang on, Bridget, I’m coming with you. Molly, do you need anything?”
“No, I’m fine. I’ll be down in a few minutes.”
After dinner I call Alec to make sure it’s still ok that I come over to tuck Raelynn into bed. I invite mom and dad to come with me because I don’t want them to worry about if that’s where I’m really going or if I’ll be right home. They both decline to come, and they tell me to be careful.<
br />
On the drive there I suddenly feel free and scared. If I wanted to screw up, this would be my chance. I turn the music up and focus my attention on Raelynn. I pull up at the gate of their home and push the button and wait to be buzzed through. When the large house comes into view, I can see Raelynn standing on the porch and smiling. I park my car and she runs down the stairs and into my arms. It feels so good to hold my daughter.
“I missed you so much, mommy.”
“Oh, Rae, you have no idea how much I have missed you.”
“Are you all better?”
“I am. I got the cards you and James wrote me.”
“Did you like the glitter?”
“Raelynn, I loved the glitter,” I say, taking her hand and walking up the front porch with her.
“Hi, Molly, please come in.”
“Hi, Emma, thank you.”
Emma shuts the door and says, “Raelynn, why don’t you show your mom your bedroom and then come back down for your bedtime snack.”
“Ok, Emma, can I show her Bubby’s room, too?”
“If she wants to see it, you can,” Emma says, “Alec’s in the shower; he’ll be down in a few minutes.”
“Thank you, Emma,” I say and I hope she knows how much this means to me. Raelynn takes my hand and we walk up the stairs to her bedroom. I am surprised to see that she still has the same bedroom suite that Alec and I had picked out for her. I look around her room, and I recognize a lot of the items in there.
“Mommy, look outside. You can see the water.”
I walk to the large bay window; Raelynn probably has the best view in the entire house. She has a view of the entire backyard and of the lake. “Raelynn, this is absolutely beautiful.”
“Come on, Sissy. It’s snack time.”
I turn around and James is running past the bedroom. “Come on, Rae. Let’s go so you can eat.”
“I want you to see Bubby’s room, too,” Rae says.
“I will, after you eat. I’ll still be here; we have plenty of time.” Raelynn and I walk downstairs and Emma has five cups of milk and some graham crackers out on the dining room table.
“We have snacks with the kids at bedtime. I hope you like graham crackers and milk,” Emma says as she lifts James up onto the chair.
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