Hannah was trying to remember to walk indoors as she passed by Doug who was sitting, as promised, at the oak desk.
He smiled, nodded and asked serendipitously, “Is there anything that you need?”
Hannah began to say no but then stopped and asked, with doubt, “Could you get me some colored markers, or crayons, or pens and some white paper?”
“Certainly.” Doug seemed to be certain at least. “Any special kind of paper?”
“No, just printer paper would be fine.”
“Give me just a few minutes and I will have them here for you.” Doug reached to his hip and pulled off a walkie-talkie. Hannah began to head for her room and then turned.
“Is there a Disney CD I could borrow also?”
“Of course.” Doug smiled and he turned back to his walkie-talkie.
Hannah, who got lost for just a moment trying to find her room, finally found herself in the right place, went inside, grabbed her laptop and then headed back out. By the time she got back to Doug’s table, he had gathered multiple boxes of magic markers, a stack of white paper, and a Disney parks CD.
“Thank you! I will return them right away.” Hannah was amazed.
“As long as they are back by midnight!” Doug winked.
Hannah stood for a moment, confused, not catching the reference, and then laughed out loud at the joke. Doug: the fairy godmother. She got onto the elevator with a plan and a bounce in her step.
CHAPTERFOUR
Juggling the markers on top of the paper and leaning precariously to the side to keep her laptop bag from sliding off her shoulder, Hannah hustled as fast as was safe to the room she was presenting in. She stopped at the entry only long enough to see the bio they had posted at the doorway. It included an older picture of her, she wasn’t sure how old even, or where Sheila had gotten it. But it was a good one. Below was a list of the novels she had written – the most recent from more than a couple of years ago. But it also stated that she was currently working on her latest novel. Finally it noted that she lived in a mountain town in Colorado.
Hannah made it into the room before spilling the entire pile of papers and markers from her arms onto one of the tables and then to the floor. Ignoring the mess, she went to the podium where she plugged in and turned on her laptop. She tested the mike awkwardly, not knowing what to say into it, given the off chance that someone might walk into the room at any moment. She turned to gather the mess off the floor, and began placing a paper and marker at each of the seats. When she got to the last seat at the back, she looked at the front of the room, satisfied for the moment, and went back to the keynote speaker.
Hannah was able to enjoy the rest of the presentation, relaxing into the moment with a feeling of pride and awe that she was a part of this profession. When the presentation was over, she stood and stretched and found her way to the ladies room before looking for some water. She found bottled water at a table where people were mingling before heading for their breakout sessions. Hannah grabbed a bottle and went to her assigned room and stood at the front, waiting.
The room began to fill, first a lone elderly woman entered, then a group of women older than Hannah, a family, an older gentleman… They kept coming in and Hannah smiled politely while not making eye contact with anyone, eventually not even noting them as they entered. She checked the clock on her laptop. 9:59. One more minute. She loaded the CD into the laptop and paused it when it registered. Then she looked up and the room became amazingly quiet, its occupants staring back at her waiting in anticipation. Hannah suppressed the serious urge to giggle. These people were either sorely confused or misguided.
“Good Morning.” Hannah tried to make her voice natural and smiled as widely as she could. “I am Hannah Glen and I am an author of modern romance. I assume this is a genre of fiction that you are all interested in writing, and I hope today that I can inspire some of you to go out and just write, write, write.”
Hannah felt like a cheerleader re-spouting the advice that every author gives newcomers to the field. The room was uncomfortably quiet.
“You all were given a piece of paper and a marker. I am about to put on some music and for the duration of the music I want you to draw a single line from a starting point until an ending point. You must keep the marker on the paper at all times, without lifting the point until the music stops.”
People shuffled their belongings to set the papers to where they could write on them. Some people had to turn their papers over, as they had already begun doodling on one side. Hannah got her own marker ready by the tablet that Doug had arranged for her and pressed the play button on the lap top.
“A dream is a wish your heart makes, when you’re fast asleep….” The theme from Cinderella began to fill the room. Hannah started her marker on her paper and began to draw her line up and down and around until it became a kaleidoscope of squiggles and lines. She felt as though she were dancing with the marker in some waltz, and lost track of time or place for just a moment. When the song ended she paused, smiling, and then pressed stop on the program and turned around.
The room was quiet, but mostly a peaceful quiet. Some people were studying the creations they had made; some were staring up at her with a pleased or calm look on their faces. Hannah re-capped her marker and began.
“A novel is something like the pictures we have just made. It has a beginning and an end and in between it takes us on a journey of twists and turns, ups and downs.” She continued with this analogy making comments about subplots and character backgrounds and how romance fiction differed from other genres along the route.
“In romance fiction, the end is soon after the heroine and hero have found each other and finally come together,” (there were some snickers from the audience, and Hannah blushed slightly, not meaning the innuendo.) “because no one really wants to know what happens in the ‘happily ever after’. That is why there are rarely sequels to romance novels. You wouldn’t want to know that Snow White can’t lose the baby weight and her prince becomes balding and they settle into a life in front of the television not long after he whisks her away on his white steed. This is a different genre altogether.”
More laughter.
“In romance, it is all about leaving the reader believing that there is a happily ever after. Walt Disney knew this and monopolized on it.”
Hannah looked up at the clock on the back wall. She had managed to fill the entire time she was allotted, except for the five minutes she had originally planned for questions and answers. A few hands shot up and she spoke briefly about her favorite books and characters. When she offered to take one last question it was from a young woman, perhaps just twenty.
“What got you started writing novels?”
Hannah felt the wind go out of her. Her mind played, in fast motion, the events that led up to her beginning to write novels. She had always liked to write stories, but after her parents death she used writing as a pain killer, a way to blot out the realities of her present and transform her to a different time and place and life altogether.
“I have always been a writer.” She paused, telling that bit of truth. “I was one of the lucky ones for whom writing novels became more than just a hobby.” It was also the truth.
Finally, as there were no more questions, Hannah announced, “There is a conference bookstore set up in the main hallway, and I will be signing books at a table there. Thank you all so much for coming, and don’t forget to ‘write, write, write!’”
The audience applauded sincerely, if not as enthusiastically as they had for the keynote. Hannah was pleased though. She had done it and had done ok. She left the room to go sit at her appointed signing table, the audience members collecting their items and shuffling out behind her. She placed herself behind her table, pen in hand, waiting to see if anyone bothered to come buy a book and get it autographed.
Her first customer was a little girl who had pulled away from her family as they were walking by on their way toward the theme parks. The l
ittle girl handed Hannah her Mickey Mouse autograph book. Hannah looked questioningly at the parents who smiled and nodded. She laughed, and signed with big bold strokes ‘HANNAH’. As the girl was walking away, she looked at the autographed page then stopped in her tracks, mouth open in surprise. She turned and looked at the Hannah who had signed her book, and then excitedly caught up with her parents who had kept walking. Hannah wondered who she thought she was.
A few people came to the table. The girl who asked Hannah how she had become a novelist shyly handed Hannah a copy of her first book to sign. Next was a woman who asked Hannah when her next book would be coming out. (Hannah, gratefully, could tell her that it was almost finished being written and that she should look for by next year.) Behind her came a slight woman with a sharp nose. The woman was not carrying a book to be signed.
“I didn’t agree with what you said about the story ending with a ‘happily ever after’”. Her tone concurred with this. “There is no such thing as happily ever after, the story should be told until the end.”
Hannah didn’t know what to say. She wondered what that meant; until the characters died. That would make for rather grim reading. The woman obviously didn’t expect an answer because she had already huffed off to another table. Hannah wondered what bit of advice she might have for the next author, but also was shaken. Her mind started to agree with the woman, and Hannah lost all of her confidence.
“She’s right. I have no business giving a lecture on writing. I have no idea what I am talking about”. Hannah’s posture modeled her thoughts, and if she could, she would have shrunk into herself, disappearing completely.
“She obviously doesn’t believe in fairy tales.” Hannah heard a rich toned voice and looked up. Standing in front of her was a man, perhaps around her own age, though she couldn’t be certain. He had straight, coal black hair, olive skin, almond eyes and a warm smile. “I thought your talk was spot on.”
Hannah was surprised. She hadn’t remembered seeing this man in the room, but then, she really didn’t focus on anyone’s faces. Still, him she thought she would remember. “Thank you,” was all she could muster.
“Daniel.” He held out his hand.
“Hannah.” Duh, she cringed reaching for his hand. It was warm and soft and enveloped hers gently. As usual, she shook hands too hard and was embarrassed for it. It was a leftover habit from when she worked in the news world and tried to be professional, i.e. manly.
“I have to apologize; I haven’t read your work before. I am not generally a romance reader.”
Hannah wondered why he had come to her talk then. “Most men don’t read romance,” Hannah shrugged, “though some will write it,” she added, just in case.
“I am more into mysteries and action. But I figured I should get some perspective on other genres.” Hannah noticed one of her novels in his hand. He saw her glance and smiled sheepishly. “For my niece” he said and passed it to Hannah to sign.
“What is her name?”
“Anastasia. She loves fairy tales. I thought I would tell her about your analogy. Who knows, perhaps she will grow up to be a romance novelist!”
“God help her!” Hannah laughed.
They stood there in an awkward silence for a moment. There was no one in line behind Daniel for Hannah to attend to, which was good because she wasn’t sure she could take her eyes off of him.
Finally, shuffling his feet like a school boy, Daniel offered, “I am heading to the park this afternoon, would you like to come?”
Hannah was momentarily confused until she figured out that “the park” meant Disneyland Park. The idea of accepting stuck in her throat for just a moment, but in the end her cautious side won out.
“Thank you, no, I am going to finish up here and then go back to my room for the afternoon. It has been a busy day…” she added half as an apology, half as an excuse.
“I am sorry; I should have assumed you were here with someone.” It was the only explanation he could imagine.
“No, actually, I am alone. I was supposed to come with my agent, but she is having a baby and there were complications…. Oh!”
Hannah suddenly realized that she hadn’t called Sheila since her arrival; she had been so busy with the conference.
“I really should call her and check to see if she is ok….”
Hannah was already gathering her belongings after checking her watch. Her designated hour was about up and besides, the public wasn’t clamoring to see her anyway.
“What about tomorrow then?” Daniel stopped her from her hasty escape.
“I need to do this again tomorrow actually…” Hannah’s resolve was bending under his gaze.
“Tomorrow afternoon? You can’t be busy the entire time you are here. How can you come to Disneyland and not go into the parks?”
“People keep asking me that.” Hannah’s thoughts were said aloud.
“Then it is settled.” Daniel looked at his watch. “I will meet you at noon tomorrow at the Mickey Mouse in front of the train station, right after you come through the turnstile.”
“I…” Hannah stopped. She had run out of excuses. She had the tickets, she had the time, and now she had another person whom she trusted for some reason. She hadn’t felt the want to be around another human being in this way in a very long time and she didn’t know why. “Ok.”
“Great. I will see you at noon then. Are you sure I can’t convince you to come today?” Daniel gave her a pleading look.
“Not today. I really am exhausted. Tomorrow….” Hannah worried that he would make her promise.
“Ok, I can’t wait. It will be like nothing you have ever experienced before, I promise!”
Neither of them could bring themselves to turn away. The sudden and simultaneous buzzing of each of their cell phones broke the moment.
Hannah fumbled for her phone in her pocket and was pulling it out when she heard Daniel talking into his. “Yup, great, I will be right there.”
“Hello?” Hannah had finally answered her own phone. She looked up and Daniel was still staring at her while listening to the person on his.
“Hannah? How did it go? I have been worried about you!” of course, it was Sheila.
“You have been worried about me?”
Hannah looked up and saw Daniel backing away, giving her a little wave and a smile while mouthing the words “Noon. Tomorrow.” Hannah had a hard time remembering what she had been saying.
“How are you? How is the baby? Is everything alright?” her attention was back, fully focused, on the one real friend she actually had.
“All is well. I get to sit around the house all day for the next two months being catered to while the little prince inside of me enjoys the comfort of my body without movement. I never thought being told I had to be a slug would make me so cranky though. Anyway, we are fine. Now how about you? You are in California right?”
Hannah laughed at this. It was, in fact, a valid question.
“Yes, I am in California. The talk went well. Not a lot of book signings, although….” Hannah hesitated, she wasn’t sure why.
“What happened?” there was genuine concern in Sheila’s voice. She always had taken good care of Hannah.
“Nothing happened. I just met someone.” Enough said.
Sheila burst out laughing. “You met someone? Well it is about time! See! It was fate that I didn’t go with you on the trip.”
“It isn’t like that.” Hannah faltered.
“It isn’t, isn’t it? Well, we will see. So tell me what happened. And I want details. You’re a novelist for god’s sake, give it some spark.”
“I can’t give it spark because nothing has happened.” “Yet,” Hannah said to herself. “This guy named Daniel came to my talk and afterwards invited me to go to the park with him.”
“So you are on your way to get changed to go right now, right?” Sheila was persistent.
“No, I am meeting him tomorrow afternoon. I am exhausted and I have to work in
the morning or my agent will jump down my throat.” It was sound reasoning.
“Well, that is true now isn’t it? Somebody has to pay the hospital bills this little magic bean inside me has racked up. Ok so tomorrow. Wear something fun and I want a full report when you get home. Sorry, my nurse is giving me the “that’s enough look” so I best be going. Have fun! And Hannah? I am proud of you.” And Sheila hung up.
Hannah was proud of herself as well. Stepping out, stepping up and overcoming the fear was a big accomplishment for her, and it made her feel free for the moment. Hannah knew that this was just one baby step for her, but it was a step nonetheless.
CHAPTER FIVE
The next morning was calmer. Hannah had spent the rest of the afternoon and evening lounging in her room and enjoying the luxury of the place. She had gone back to the concierge lounge for tea time and actually thought about walking around what they called ‘Downtown Disney’, but then thought better of it. Still, she wandered around the hotel hallways some, ducking down corridors to avoid passing too many people, but overall enjoying her adventure. She found her way to the exercise room and jumped on the treadmill. She would have preferred running on her trails across the mountainsides of Colorado, but the empty room filled with equipment would have to do. Apparently, people didn’t go to Disneyland to exercise either, which was just fine with Hannah. She matched her breathing to the cadence of her feet hitting the moving belt and closed her mind to the world around her. Hannah ran for nearly an hour, and, when she was done, she felt… good. She felt… alive.
“For god’s sake, I write novels for a living. I can describe other people down to their very hair follicles and I can’t describe how I myself feel.”
On A Run Page 4