November is National Novel Writing Month. This is the second excerpt from my project – Walking on the Other Side of the Rainbow.
This is the second excerpt from my writing a novel in a month project. I am on the journey of writing “Walking on the Other Side of the Rainbow,” which the prelude is:
After years of trying to succeed, Antonia, finally discovers her true calling and begins to live her dream. But, not before encountering a few challenges in life; some she conquered, and some she didn’t. However, she used the roughest of times as an opportunity to learn and grow as a person.
Enjoy, your comments and feedback are welcome and greatly appreciated.
Antonia rearranged her still life and did another hour of sketches, before placing the print in it’s new space on the wall. The other items that she placed with it were minimal, but, done so deliberately as not to distract from the print.
She, then, ate the last chocolate donut that Malcolm had brought her. She was hoping that Eldridge would change his mind and come over, but, he said he would definitely be free next weekend. She knew that she would have to have a heart to heart with Malcolm before she went on what Eldridge referred to as their ‘first official date.’ He made it perfectly clear, that lunch at The Bistro didn’t count.
When asked what she should wear, he merely answered, ‘Casual. Something that you don’t mind getting dirty.’
The week started out rather routine. Shannon did her brand of salesmanship and brought in enough money to keep the lights on for another month. Then, Amanda made a lot purchase that absorbed the progress made. Just another Monday. The conflict put Antonia in overdrive to find a way to move the merchandise out again. It was a vicious circle of events that often left Antonia amazed that they turned a profit each month. But, she can remember when she first began working for Amanda. The business was in the red and Amanda was thinking about closing the doors for good. However, at that time, if she had, she would have lost a lot more than the business; her home was on the line. Antonia, with the help of financial advice from Malcolm and a few other savvy businessmen, brought ’Ole Has Become New’ back to life. Amanda was so grateful that she gave Antonia full managerial control. However, when the whim hit Amanda to make a buy, she acts on it without consulting anyone. Amazingly enough, her instincts are never wrong. She has an eye for buying and seems to know what will sell and how fast.
Hump day came too fast for Antonia. There was still a load of pictures and data that she needed to load onto the Ebay store and she was hoping to organize a sidewalk sale for the end of the week. As she wrapped some stained glass mirrors for whom she hoped was the last customer of the day, a delivery man came through the door. Oh, no, what did Amanda buy now? The young man was carrying a large flat package; covered in butcher paper.
“I’ll be with you in just a moment.” She was curious to see just what Amanda had purchased. Sometimes this job was just like having Christmas all year long. But, you have to sell your gifts.
Antonia locked the door as her last customer left and turned to the delivery man. “What do you have for me, today?”
“I don’t know, but, it feels like a picture.”
“Nice.” Antonia signed for the package, escorted the delivery man out and walked to the back to start turning off lights. She was anxious to get home as soon as possible; Malcolm was coming for dinner and she wanted to have a clear head when she confronted him. But, before she left she wanted to see what was in the package. She tore it open, assuming it was from Amanda, only to find a larger version of the print that Eldridge had given her. Except this was the original piece; much larger and fully framed. There was a note attached to the back.
‘I’m sorry that I didn’t get this to you sooner. I had it sent from the New York gallery. I hope you enjoy it as much as the print. Don’t forget our date. I am looking forward to seeing you, soon. El-G’
Antonia was stunned by the gift, and didn’t remember driving home, but, some how she made it and was turning the key to her front door. She couldn’t believe the generosity of this man. She placed the picture on the dining room floor, with plans to hang it in place of the print after she got dinner going. It would probably be poor taste to ask Malcolm to help her when he arrived.
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