WRITING AND PODCASTING A NOVEL 27 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
27 Nov 2020 1796 daily word count 45632 cumulative count
They sat at the kitchen table and ate their frozen yogurt quietly. Occasionally they looked at each other and smiled and then went back to the yogurt. Changed the channel after the song was over to cartoons. He put on the channel that played older cartoons and they moved to the coffee table while still eating their yogurt. It was an hour before anyone said anything.
“So, what happened in the bathroom,” asked Carl?
“Sometimes I just go in and out. I don’t know how to describe it, but when I come out, I have to check myself like my dad taught me too. I usually don’t remember what happened just before,” meekly replied Myra.
“I understand. I have these episodes as well when I fizzle out of what is happening and then I come back to what is happening. I almost had one when I was worried about you at the pizza buffet,” said Carl.
“Pizza buffet, when did we go there,” Myra asked?
“Sweetie, we had lunch there, you wanted to go to the arcade and then we were going to go get yogurt. You went to the bathroom and you didn’t come out. I sent in the manager to get you and we found you in the stall. Do you remember anything before the yogurt shop,” asked Carl?
Myra furrowed her brow and tried hard to remember. “No, I just remember getting in the car and then going to the yogurt shop. We did the pizza buffet before,” asked Myra?
“Yes we did and we were having a good time. How often do these episodes happen for you,” asked Carl?
“I’m not sure, my dad usually tracks them, about a couple a week,” said Myra.
“Did you used to go to a doctor when you were with your dad,” asked Carl?
“We did a long time ago, but my dad said it wasn’t helping so we stopped going. I think it was then that he began tracking these episodes. Am I going to have to go back to a doctor,” asked Myra?
“I think that would be best. I go to a doctor and he helps me out with my episodes. How about on Monday we call up my doctor and see if we can get you in with him and see what is going on with your brain. Let’s see if he can help alright,” asked Carl.
“What if they find something, what do we do then,” asked Myra?
“Well lets just see what is going on in that brain of yours and then we can go from there. Do you want to head to the playground and hang out or watch more cartoons,” asked Carl?
“I am feeling pretty good, can we go to the playground and have fun,” asked Myra?
“You bet, lets put the yogurt in the fridge for dessert tonight and then let’s hit the playground,” replied Carl.
Myra took the buckets and placed lids on them. She took them to the fridge and headed for the front door. Carl got up and met her. He felt a little awkward having someone else clean up, but it felt nice to have someone there to assist and someone he did not have to train. They left a note for Cheryl in case she came back before they did letting her know they were at the playground. Their first stop was the swings, Myra climbed on and Carl started to push her. There were no other kids or families in the playground so they had the place to themselves. Carl got on the swing next to Myra and pushed off from the ground.
“So, what did you and Angela talk about this morning,” asked Carl?
“What do you mean, I didn’t talk to her this morning,” replied Myra.
“She came over with Uncle Nate, you two went into your bedroom and talked while Uncle Nick and I talked,” said Carl a bit astonished.
“She didn’t come over this morning, who is Uncle Nate, I remember talking to him yesterday when we left the coffee shop and when he brought over some clothes yesterday,” replied Myra.
“Do you remember anything from this morning, like eating cheese omelets with Cheryl and I,” asked Carl?
“Oh I thought she was still asleep. No I don’t remember eating breakfast or anything before the yogurt shop. Did we do anything,” replied Myra.
“How about yesterday, what do you remember from yesterday,” asked Carl?
“Well I remember getting up in the hotel room with my dad and going to the coffee shop. Then he left for the bathroom and you and your brother took me back to your place. He talked to me for a while and then I remember going to bed,” replied Myra.
“Has your dad done that before,” asked Carl? Myra stopped swinging and got off. She ran to the slides and money bars and started climbing on the playset. Carl slowed down his swinging to a stop. He was unsure if he should follow and just watched Myra go up and down the slides. He felt he may have said to much. He walked over to the benches and watched Myra play for some time. She occasionally looked at him and went back to climbing. Then she started at him and walked over to the benches and sat down.
“No, my dad has never done that, do you think he is coming back,” asked Myra with tears starting to form in her eyes.
“I am not sure, but you are safe staying with me ad Cheryl. I want you to know that. If he doesn’t come back you can stay with us and we will take care of you. We got you new clothes and toys and we can get you books and whatever you need. My brother Nate is a lawyer and his coworker Angela are going to help figure this out and maybe if you like I can adopt you. Would you like that,” asked Carl?
Tears started streaming down Myra’s face and Carl instinctively put an arm around her. He was happy that there were no other children in the playground.
“Do you know where the paperwork in the diary came from or how you got ahold of Angela’s book,” asked Carl?
“I don’t know what you are talking about,” replied Myra sobbing gently.
“You told me about your adoption paperwork and birth certificate in the diary and the book you had with you was one that Angela hasn’t written yet. How did you get those,” asked Carl?
“My dad gave me that book about two weeks ago. I have been reading it and I didn’t know why he gave it to me. It is all about adoptions and I guess that is why you are talking about adoption now. Did my day leave me,” asked Myra?
“Do you want to go back to the apartment and talk, you might be more comfortable there,” asked Carl hoping to avoid a scene?
“Can we, I need a tissue,” replied Myra?
They headed back to the apartment. Carl took the note off the door and reminded himself that he could have just texted Cheryl to let her know. He wondered how she was holding up and how much she remembered. Myra went straight to the kitchen table.
“Can I get you some water to drink or something to nibble on,” asked Carl?
“Water will be fine, can I grab a tissue from the bathroom,” asked Myra?
“Go ahead,” replied Carl. He pulled out a glass and filled it with water. He knew he would need to go to the store and stock up on milk, juice and snacks soon. He sat at the table after he got the water and some crackers for them both. He saw that there was still coffee in the carafe and got up and poured himself another cup and warmed it in the microwave. When the buzzer went off he grabbed his mug and sat down next to Myra with a box of tissues.
“My dad doesn’t want me does he,” asked Myra?
“I am sure it is not that. It’s hard to be a single parent. Nate and Angela are working on how to get in contact with him right now and we will talk more to them tomorrow when we go to Nate’s house. Cheryl should be home soon with your treat,” said Carl trying his best to comfort Myra.
“What treat,” asked Myra?
“The chocolate milk and chocolate chip muffins that you like, remember from yesterday, you ate that up quickly. Now you told me your mother passed away when you were very young and you have no brothers or sisters. How about any uncles or aunts, maybe grandparents,” asked Carl?
“My dad was an only child and after my mom died we never saw her parents again. My dad doesn’t talk about his parents either, so I have never met them,” said Myra.
“Okay, well you are not alone, you have me and Cheryl and my brother and his family now. We will try to find your dad and get you back to him,” said Carl.
“I don’t want to go back to him if he doesn’t want me,” said Myra.
“You are upset, and I know you don’t mean that. We say things we don’t mean when we are upset. How about your friends at school, do you want to see them again,” asked Carl?
“I don’t really talk to anyone at school. Just the teachers when they ask a question in class,” said Myra.
“Well is there a social worker there at school that you talk to,” asked Carl?
“No, I mean my dad had me talk to them once or twice, but I didn’t have anything to say so I just don’t talk to them,” replied Myra.
There was a knock at the door and Carl went to look through the peep hole. It was Cheryl and she had a few bags in her arms. Carl opened up the door and let her in.
“Okay I have a treat for a special girl. Did you two have some fun today,” asked Cheryl as she entered and went straight to the kitchen table. She opened up the bag from the coffee shop first and placed a bottle of chocolate milk and a muffin in front of Myra. She then took out the rest of the contents of that bag which was coffee beans, creamer and refined sugar and a box of tea bags.
Myra perked right up when she saw her treats and opened the milk first.
“Thank you Cheryl, we had frozen yogurt and played in the playground today, it was great,” said Myra, suddenly back to being cheery.
Reaching Out
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