NaNoWriMo Day 8
I kind of found myself at a stopping point, wondering where to go from here. I have some ideas, but there are too many to choose from. I figured if I slept on it, the right one would come to me in the morning. If not, I’ll just write them all and pick the one that sounds best.
Honestly, what I need to do is storyboard this novella (which really feels like it’s going to be a full novel soon). What I mean by storyboarding is writing out the main scenes to each chapter on post-its and seeing the whole story all at once. This way I can cut or add pieces to create the best story possible. I just have to make time to do it.
Here’s an excerpt from today’s writing. Enjoy.
I couldn’t have planned for a more perfect evening. After dinner, Nadia and I went walking in the downtown area. There was a great gelato place that I wanted to take her to that I knew she would just love.
Italia, as it was named, was an upscale bar that served Italian ice, gelato and espresso with an upscale twist. I had only eaten here once, when I came back from a bad date and needed to blow off some steam. The owner, Jay, was very friendly and gave me a key lime gelato that tasted like heaven. Soon, I found myself coming here anytime I was having a bad day and just needed a pick-me-up. But today, I was having the time of my life with this beautiful, amazing woman beside me and I wanted to end the night with a wonderful experience.
As soon as we walked, we were greeted by Jay’s family. Jay ran the place with his wife, Antonia; his son Tony (short for Antonio); and his brother, Marco and his wife, Estelle (who was French but you wouldn’t know it from the way she mingled with the family).
“Ay, Derrick!” They all shouted.
“Hey guys.” I turned to Nadia, checking to see the expression on her face, hoping it all wasn’t too much. She just looked amused and smiled sweetly.
“And who is this?” Marco said, reaching out his arms and enveloping Nadia in a big, bear hug. “You at you, you’re stunning!” He released her from the hug, holding her back at arms length.
“Thank you.” Now it was Nadia’s turn to blush.
“Derrick, how’d you snag someone this gorgeous?” he asked.
Nadia and I both exchanged a look, both thinking what we should answer. Neither one of us had discussed what to say to anyone who asked how we met. Should I tell people she’s my assistant? Should she tell people she works for me or at the very least at my company? Should we not even mention work at all? Maybe I should have said something before bringing her here.
Before either one of us could answer, Antonia, broke in between Marco and Nadia. “Leave them alone. They just got here and you’re already giving them the third degree.”
Antonia kissed my cheek, then kissed Nadia’s, grabbing each one of our hands in hers. “She must be some kind of special for you to bring her in here.”
“She is,” i said, staring down at Nadia, my heart swelling with love and affection.
“Oh my. You got it bad. Well then, I must give her the special treatment. Come, follow me.” Antonia released my hand, taking both of Nadia’s and dragging her into the kitchen. “You help Jay and Tony set up a table,” she called over her shoulder.
Nadia glanced back at me and I just mouthed, “It’s okay,” as she disappeared into the kitchen.
Jay and Tony and Marco, who Antonia surely did not mention helping out, ushered me into the dining area.
The front part of Italia was built like an ice cream shoppe, with bright fluorescent lighting and a glass case filled with tubs of chilled desserts for customers to sample and buy. But to the right, there was a medium size room with small, square tables covered in white linens with candles in jars on the tables. Twinkly lights and greenery lined the border of the ceiling of the red walled restaurant, whilst Frank Senatra played in the background, adding an old European charm to it all.
