Looking for a Love Story

by Louise Shaffer

  Meanwhile, I have two more dog-walking clients, a toy poodle and a Chihuahua. Lancelot isn’t threatened by them because they’re tiny so they can all walk together; he actually loves the company.

  Mom and Chicky are getting to be even better friends, and Sheryl and Chicky adore each other.

  Show Biz has found a fella. I was scared he was going to move out, but Jeff is a sous-chef who has been having trouble finding a job, so for the moment they’re both living in the apartment. Someday Show Biz will go, I know that. I just hope it doesn’t happen for a while. Until it does, Annie and I are soaking up the good times—and snarfing up the homemade cookies.

  And now for the biggie: I’ve had a date. He isn’t going to be the love of my life, but at least neither one of us ran screaming into the night. Sheryl says I’ll find the right man, because now that I realize I’m high maintenance I’ll know what to look for. Chicky says when you want something to happen, there’s only one way to guarantee that it won’t, and that is to quit trying. And yeah, I want it to happen. Meanwhile, I’ll just keep wearing my pink ruffles and soaking. One thing I know, whoever I wind up with, he’s going to have to be my friend. I learned that from Joe and Ellie.

  Yeah, I’m still learning life lessons.

  Acknowledgments

  I don’t know why so many wonderful people are in my life, but I’m finally old enough not to question it anymore and to just say thank you.

  So, thank you first and always to Eric Simonoff, my agent and my friend. It just gets better the longer I know him. To the amazing Laura Ford, who edited this book with such smarts and humor. Publishing will miss you, Laura. Thank you to Caitlin Alexander who took over with this book, and gave its final stage such loving care and attention. Thank you to Libby McGuire and Jane von Mehren for faith and support that is truly phenomenal.

  I am grateful to Robbin Schiff for the book cover, which makes me smile; to Dennis Ambrose, who continually bails me out and makes me look better than I am; and to Janet Baker for such a terrific copyedit. Endless gratitude, too, for Lisa Barnes, Caitlin Kuhfeldt, Kim Hovey, Kathleen McAuliffe, and Anne Watters, for making sure that the word about my books gets out there.

  Thank you to Cynthia Burkett, whose continued friendship will always be a treasure in my life, and to the spectacular Robert Reid, who made it a one-man mission to bring me into the twenty-first century with his own brand of brilliance, kindness, and generosity—and he makes a mean vegan “chicken” parmesan. Thank you to Gerry Waggett, Charlie Masson, Richard Simms, Margaret and Barbara Long, Ellie Quester, Emma Jayne Kretlow, Rachel Pollak, Ellen Tannebaum, the staff of the East Fishkill Library, especially Cindy Dubinsky and Kathy Swierat, the incredible Carolyn Rogers, Jane Ryan, who is still the world’s best listener, and Melissa Crapser, whose goodness just does me in. And Charlie and Joshie will never forgive me if I don’t mention the kind and caring Gil Anderson.

  Thank you to those who will always give me a goal to aim for just by their lovely example of lives well lived: Phyllis Piccolo, Virginia Piccolo, Jessie O’Neil, and Albert Piccolo. Thank you to Christopher and Colin for making my life richer in ways I never knew were possible, and to Bee and Iris. And, as always, thank you to my sisters, Lucy and Marie, and my brother, Brad.

  And I’d like to end with special memories of Mary Minnella. The world is not the same without you and your gift for happiness, Aunt Mary. We all miss you.

  Looking

  for a

  Love Story

  a novel

  LOUISE SHAFFER

  A Reader’s Guide

  A Conversation with

  Louise Shatter’s Dogs

  NOTE FROM LOUISE: Since the dog named Annie figures so prominently in Looking for a Love Story, my two canine companions, Josh and Charlie, suggested rather strenuously that they should be a part of this interview. In fact, they thought they should be the interview. So here they are in their own words, telling everyone what it’s like to live with an author. And, according to Joshua, giving humans a rare opportunity to explore our mutual existence from a canine point of view. I want it known that I take no responsibility for what will be said from this point on. Especially if it’s Charlie saying it.

  RANDOM HOUSE READER’S CIRCLE (to two canines seated on a suede sofa that shows every hair that is shed and every bit of dirt that is dragged in by muddy paws): So you guys are going to give us an insider’s perspective on Louise Shaffer the author.

  CHARLIE: Josh and me, we call her “Mommy.”

  JOSHUA: Actually my correct name is Joshua. And technically speaking, Charlie’s mother is a Loose Coated Wheaten Terrier and mine is an English Springer Spaniel—of impeccable pedigree.

  CHARLIE: I knew he was going to bring up the pedigree thing.

  JOSHUA: My breed has been around for centuries. We were the companions of kings. You can find us in portraits painted—

  CHARLIE: (breaking in): During the time of Elizabeth the First—whoever she was.

  JOSHUA: Only one of the greatest monarchs England has ever known.

  CHARLIE: Like anyone cares.

  JOSHUA: You are such a peasant.

  CHARLIE: Who are you calling a pheasant? Do these paws look like wings to you?

  JOSHUA: I said “peasant,” dummy.

  CHARLIE: You want to take this outside, Hot Stuff?

  JOSHUA: Any time, Carpet Boy.

  CHARLIE: You have no right to bring that up. The carpet thing was a mistake.

  JOSHUA: Who eats the ornaments off a Christmas tree and then follows it up by chowing down on the carpet?

  CHARLIE: I told you, my stomach was upset and the carpet looked like grass. I was just a puppy.

  JOSHUA: You were an idiot. Our humans are still paying off your surgeries.

  RHRC: Uh … guys—could we get back to the subject?

  CHARLIE: Right. You want us to talk about Mommy.

  JOSHUA: We call her that because it makes her happy.

  CHARLIE: Go figure.

  RHRC: What’s it like living with an author?

  JOSHUA: Most of the time, she’s thoroughly presentable.

  CHARLIE: Except for the week before a deadline.

  JOSHUA: Yes, that’s not pretty.

  CHARLIE: Humans really should brush their hair every once in a while.

  JOSHUA: And they shouldn’t wear the same nightgown all day for a week.

  CHARLIE: Also, it’s better if they don’t walk around the house talking to themselves.

  JOSHUA: She usually does that when she’s stuck on a plot point.

  CHARLIE: Or when she can’t make her characters do what she needs them to do to make the plot work. That can get scary.

  JOSHUA: She’ll walk into the middle of a room with this weird look in her eyes….

  CHARLIE: Like that duck in the Aflac commercials …

  JOSHUA: And she’ll talk to herself for a while, then she’ll start answering herself. Sometimes she uses different voices.

  CHARLIE: That’s when you know it’s bad.

  JOSHUA: That’s when Roger—he’s her husband, but he doesn’t make us call him “Daddy,” thank God—hides the car keys.

  CHARLIE: Sometimes she even forgets our dinnertime.

  JOSHUA: And she does things like leave the refrigerator door open so certain people can inhale the smoked salmon she was going to serve at brunch before she canceled it because she was stuck on a plot point.

  CHARLIE: I’ve always been partial to lox and bagels.

  JOSHUA: A whole pound of lox? The vet was afraid they were going to have to pump your stomach.

  CHARLIE: So I suppose you’ve never done anything wrong….

  JOSHUA: Now that you mention it—no. I can’t think of a thing.

  CHARLIE: Sometimes I really want to bite you.

  JOSHUA: You’re welcome to try.

  RHRC: Guys? We were talking about Louise?

  CHARLIE: Sometimes she can be really funny. Like when she tried to train us. Remember, Josh?

&n
bsp; JOSHUA: Oh Lord, yes!

  CHARLIE: She bought books.

  JOSHUA: Hired a trainer.

  CHARLIE: She spent a whole summer walking us around our cul de sac, going, “Sit! Stay! Heel!”

  JOSHUA: As if.

  (There are canine chuckles at the memory.)

  CHARLIE (mimicking Louise): “Sit, boys!” “C’mon fellahs, stay….”

  (The chuckles have now turned into belly woofs.)

  JOSHUA: Stop! Really. Or I’m going to have to go outside for a potty break.

  RHRC: So I’m guessing the attempt at training wasn’t a success.

  JOSHUA: That depends on who you’re talking to.

  CHARLIE: We were happy with it.

  JOSHUA: It was all a part of the learning process.

  CHARLIE: For Mommy.

  RHRC: That brings me to an interesting point. The whole dog-mankind relationship. Would you guys care to speak on that a little?

  JOSHUA: Okay, here’s the thing people need to know about any dog’s relationship to his humans. These creatures—these humans—who have no sense of smell—

  CHARLIE:—and lousy hearing—

  JOSHUA:—and absolutely no understanding of how the universe works, come into our lives.

  CHARLIE: The poor things don’t know enough to drop whatever they’re doing on a beautiful day, and go outside to sniff the sunshine.

  JOSHUA: They don’t know when it’s time to stop worrying about the bills or their work, and roll in the autumn leaves, or throw a ball for us to catch, or just sit quietly and pet us.

  CHARLIE: They’re always worrying about what’s going to happen tomorrow.

  JOSHUA: Or what happened yesterday.

  CHARLIE: So it’s up to us, their dogs, to make them pay attention to today.

  JOSHUA: Particularly if it’s a good day. They don’t seem to notice when things are going well.

  CHARLIE: But they sure do complain when they aren’t.

  JOSHUA: Teaching them to say “thank you” can be a challenge.

  CHARLIE: They’re awfully stubborn.

  JOSHUA: We just have to keep reminding ourselves that they aren’t the brightest species on the planet.

  CHARLIE: When you think about it, all they’ve really got going for them is the opposable thumb. Which is great for opening food cans….

  JOSHUA: But on a metaphysical level—not so much.

  CHARLIE: Whatever that means.

  JOSHUA: It means no matter how limited or flawed they are, we still love them.

  CHARLIE: Well, duh, that’s in the Dog’s Credo. “Rule Number One: I swear to love my humans unconditionally.”

  JOSHUA: Yeah. Somebody’s got to do it. (Turns to interviewer.) You need more?

  RHRC: No, I think that does it. I’m going home to pet my dog.

  CHARLIE: A suggestion? Give him some steak.

  JOSHUA: He’ll really appreciate that.

  Questions and Topics for Discussion

  1. Have you ever fallen in love with someone who didn’t know the real you? Is it possible to be happy in that kind of relationship?

  2. When Jake and Francesca finally have the Talk, she insists that she’s not the one that wants out of the relationship, and he replies, “Yes, you do. You just don’t know it yet.” Is Jake right? At what point does Francesca realize that she’s better off without him? Have you ever been devastated by the loss of something you didn’t actually want?

  3. What about Jake (“Shallow Guy”) was so appealing to Francesca in the beginning of their relationship? What did he offer her?

  4. How do Francesca’s mother and father differ as parents? Sheryl?

  5. Were you surprised at the friendship that blossoms between Alexandra and Sheryl? What do the two women have in common that brings them together?

  6. Before the drink-throwing incident, Andy suggests that Francesca “look like a winner,” even if she feels like a loser. Jake crows that “it’s all about appearances … to hell with the real you.” Do you believe that it’s possible to “fake it ’til you make it”? Is future success more likely if you look the part?

  7. How do Francesca’s life lessons evolve throughout the novel? Can you plot her development through her favorite sayings?

  8. Why does Francesca connect with Joe and Ellie’s story so strongly? What shatters her writer’s block?

  9. When do you think Ellie finally falls in love with Joe? Can marriages that aren’t grounded in love be successful?

  10. What about Joe and Ellie’s story mirrors Francesca’s own?

  11. Would you rather have a passionate love affair with someone unreliable, or a comfortable partnership with a friend you could trust with your entire being?

  12. Francesca found a love story in Joe and Ellie. What kind of love story is she making for herself? Must a love story be about romantic love? How else can we star in our own love stories?

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  LOUISE SHAFFER is the author of Serendipity, The Three Miss Margarets, The Ladies of Garrison Gardens, and Family Acts. A graduate of the Yale School of Drama, she has written for television and has appeared on Broadway, in TV movies, and in daytime dramas, earning an Emmy for her work on Ryan’s Hope. Shaffer and her husband live in the Lower Hudson Valley with several beloved rescue dogs.

  www.louiseshaffer.com

  Looking for a Love Story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  A Ballantine Books Trade Paperback Original

  Copyright © 2010 by Louise Shaffer

  Reading group guide copyright © 2010 by Random House, Inc.

  All rights reserved.

  Published in the United States by Ballantine Books, an imprint of The Random House Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc., New York.

  BALLANTINE and colophon are registered trademarks of Random House, Inc.

  RANDOM HOUSE READER’S CIRCLE & Design is a registered trademark of Random House, Inc.

  LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA

  Shaffer, Louise.

  Looking for a love story : a novel / Louise Shaffer.

  p. cm.

  eISBN: 978-0-345-52177-4

  1. Women authors—Fiction. 2. Intergenerational relations—Fiction. 3.

  Self-realization in women—Fiction. I. Title.

  PS3569.H3112L66 2010 813′.54—dc22 2010001578

  www.randomhousereaderscircle.com

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