WRITING AND PODCASTING A NOVEL 23 NOV 2020
Todays Topic
Welcome friend to Create Art Podcast where we create more than we consume. I am Timothy Kimo Brien your thankful head instigator with over 20 years in arts and education helping you tame your inner critic and provide you with commentary, interviews, discussions, and projects that will inspire you to create art. This month I will be podcasting daily and writing a novel in 30 days. I am participating in NaPodPoMo and NaNoWriMo. You will be able to listen to what I wrote for the day and read it at the same time. I like to practice what I preach when it comes to art so I am challenging myself to write and having you come along for the ride. I hope this inspires you to accomplish your goals with your art and if you would like to share what you are doing email me at timothy@createartpodcast.com
The Story So Far
23 Nov 2020 1799 daily count 38541 cumulative count
“How can that be your signature, you didn’t know her until yesterday. We followed the instructions. Wait what was that stuff about the musician, do you think that caused things to shift,” asked Cheryl?
“I am not sure; I think we may play along until Nate gets here and we can sort this out. For now, we just eat breakfast, do not talk about the adoption or the birth certificate. You grab breakfast, get your stuff from your apartment and head to work. I’ll see what Nate has to say about all of this,” said Carl.
They both walked back into the living room and saw Myra eating her omelets as if nothing had happened. They sat down with her and started to eat their breakfast silently. Carl refilled Cheryl’s coffee three times as she added nothing to her beverage. Myra was smiling as she looked at Carl and Cheryl silently eating.
“I can’t wait to go to Uncle Nates house this weekend. I love playing in his backyard, it is so big and fun. Do you think Marvin and Shelly will be able to play, I know they have homework and practice on the weekends but I like playing with the big kids,” asked Myra?
“How do you know,” Carl started to ask?
“I am sure they will love playing with you as much as I do, now finish up your breakfast, I need to make a list of things you need before I leave for work. I’ll get them on my way back okay. Carl and Nate and Angela have a big day for you planned,” said Cheryl cutting off Carl.
Myra finished her omelet and took her cup and plate to the sink and stood by Cheryl to wait for her to finish. Cheryl back away from the table and looked directly at Carl.
“Okay so lets get you dressed for today, I think that purple dress will look great on you what do you think,” asked Cheryl?
“Yes the purple dress, that would be the perfect outfit for you, I’ll get into my suit when I am done, thanks for reminding us,” replied Carl acknowledging that he had the same dream of Myra in a purple dress.
“That is my favorite dress Cheryl, good idea. It’s the one I wore at the adoption ceremony, remember the judge said it looked great papa,” asked Myra?
“Uhm yeah, lets get you all set up. I’ll do the dishes for everyone you gals go get ready,” replied Carl. He was fully into the game with Cheryl at this point, at least until he could talk with Nate. The women left to go into Myra’s “new” bedroom as Carl picked up the plates and began washing them in the sink. He was feeling very ill and confused. He had not mentioned Nates childrens names, yet Myra knew them and that they had weekend practice. A fear crept into his mind about being alone with Myra and what other things she would mention that she should not know. He dreaded the time between when Cheryl would leave and when Nate would arrive. Playing the game of forgetful father didn’t suit him because he wasn’t forgetful or was he? He began to doubt hat he knew was right and didn’t want to sink into the story that Myra was telling him to deeply as one of his symptoms of the tumor was he would eventually lose all grip on reality. It felt like when he woke up during an episode and could not move. Of course, he feared another episode would occur while waiting for Nate and this could lead to him not being allowed to care for Myra.
As he was pondering all these scenarios a text came through on his phone. It buzzed four times indicating it was from Nate. He read the text that stated Nate and Angela were heading over and their ETA was about thirty minutes. This gave him some relief; he would not have to be alone for a long time with Myra. Cheryl and Myra came out of her “new” bedroom and both were smiling. Myra wore the purple dress in his dream and he started to smile. Cheryl went back to his bedroom and gathered her overnight bag and brough it to the front door. They all stood there admiring the dress and complimenting her on how it looked.
“Okay time for you to get dressed Papa, make sure to wear the black suit, it looks really good and professional,” said Myra.
“Give me a few minutes with Cheryl okay, and lets not get the dress dirty,” replied Carl. He took Cheryl’s hand and led her into the office.
“Nate should be here with Angela in about thirty minutes. He just texted me. I am not feeling good about this at all, what if I did forget and tell her all of this stuff, what if I put the paperwork in the diary. I am really questioning reality right now,” said Carl softly.
“You are not imagining this, I doubt you did this to yourself. There is an explanation somewhere in all of this, Nate and Angela will be able to help sort it out. Stay frosty okay, I’ll be back later this evening and we can talk more. You are going to be okay. If you need anything you have my cell number in your phone, give me a call or drop by the shop. If the dad comes back I’ll let you know but I doubt that will happen. You are okay. Tonight you do need to get some sleep, no black coffee for you after noon okay,” said Cheryl. She hugged him before she went back to the living room.
“Okay kiddo, I have to go to work, now Nate and Angela are coming over in about thirty minutes and when you are done with them maybe I can grab you something from the shop. Is there anything you would like,” asked Cheryl to Myra.
“Oh the usual,” replied Myra.
Cheryl looked puzzled for a moment then remembered that she was playing along. “I forget, what do I usually get you. Us adults always forgetting important things,” replied Cheryl.
“Chocolate milk and a chocolate chip muffin please. It has always been my favorite. Are you getting forgetful like Papa? I know he is old but you aren’t” said Myra.
“I just didn’t sleep well last night, I’ll grab the stuff on the list and get you your treat. Be good and look after him okay and tell Uncle Nate I said hello,” said Cheryl. She hugged Myra as she grabbed her overnight bag and went out the door.
Carl looked at the clock on the coffee maker, it read nine. Nate and Angela would be here in less than thirty minutes. He had no idea what a nine-year-old girl would like to do for thirty minutes, much less a girl like Myra who was either part of a prank or a centuries old curse. He went to his bedroom and pulled out his black suit, the one he was wearing in the dream. The same one he wore at his divorce proceedings. He knew this would not kill a bunch of time, he decided to put on the TV for Myra.
“How about some cartoons for you before Nate and Angela come over, watch which ever ones you want,” said Carl.
Myra sat on the couch as Carl brought her the remote control.
“Can I have on the music channel instead. I’d like to read my book while listening,” replied Myra. Carl turned on the TV which already had the jazz station playing. A song by Grover Bechet started playing. This brough chills down Carl’s spine. Myra opened he book and started reading to herself.
“Do you want to listen to some other channel, maybe pop music or kids music,” asked Carl hoping to switch the station?
“No this is fine, remember I like this trumpet player, he has a funny name, Grover, just like on Sesame Street. You better get dressed for Uncle Nate, he should be here soon,” replied Myra.
“Oh that’s right, that’s the song I played for you on the way to the adoption meeting with the judge,” Carl said.
“No, that was My favorite things from John Coltrane, the one that lasts forever with the flute solo in the middle. That is your favorite song of all time. I remember because the drive to the adoption meeting took us a long time to get to. You played it for me as a good luck charm. Gosh Papa are you feeling okay,” asked Myra?
“Oh yeah just a little tired, let me go ahead and get changed, “said Carl playing along. No one knew or if they did no one remembered his favorite song was John Coltrane in Brussels with Eric Dolphy, but Myra recited it off like it was no big deal. He went into his room and did not want to come out again. Slowly he dressed himself and when he heard the knock at the door it brought him back to reality.
He went straight to the door without acknowledging Myra. Another song was playing, a song other than Grover Bechet or John Coltrane that he did not recognize. He looked through the peep hole as he usually did and saw Nate with Angela waiting for him to open the door. Opening it he rushed Nate and Angela in.
“Good morning you two, Myra is ready to talk with you Angela, Nate can you talk to me in the office,” asked Carl?
“Hello Myra, how are you doing today, that is a pretty dress,” said Angela softly to Myra?
“I am doing great. Papa made cheese omelets and I was just sitting and reading the book you gave me at the adoption meeting last year,” replied Myra.
“I’m not sure we have met before dear; I work with Nate at the law firm. What book is it that you have there,” said Angela. She made a puzzled look towards Nate and Carl.
“Nate, can I talk with you in the office, Angela I am sure you and Myra have a lot to talk about, you don’t mind if Nate and I step out for a minute right,” asked Carl?
“No not at all, and yes Myra and I do have a lot to talk about. Can we turn off the TV and sit at the kitchen table,” replied Angela playing along.
“Go right ahead, Nate and I will be back in a few minutes,” said Carl as he pulled Nate into the office. Angela and Myra sat at the table as Nate and Carl went directly to the office and shut the door.
Reaching Out
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