I had the most marvelous time yesterday at The Greyhound, an independent bookstore in Berlin, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Quaint Berlin, once dubbed “America’s Coolest Small Town,” is located a half hour from Ocean City and Assateague Island, Md. The bookstore is filled with best sellers and the works of local writers. I’m thrilled to…
Why would Colin show up here? Why now? I haven’t heard from him in seven years. I didn’t even ask him for child support. I didn’t want to be tied to him for even one little thing once he walked out.
Here is the audio version of Chapter 17—Jessica: Jesus and vodka. Working from home with a daughter attending school via Zoom creates a conflict many parents nowadays can understand. Little Lori’s antics distract Jessica from concerns about work—and doubts about Dan. Shout-out to author Virginia Brasch who inspired this chapter. The “Jesus and Vodka”…
The scratchiness in my throat won’t go away. I keep checking my temperature and it’s 97.8. I unwrap the little oximeter I ordered from Amazon to check the oxygen level in my blood. Clipped on my forefinger, it registers 99. Not perfect but this isn’t a third grade spelling test.
Here is the audio version of Chapter 16—Jessica: They do, Dan: Trouble. Jessica officiates at her friend Hanna’s wedding, witnessed by everyone else on Zoom. Meanwhile, on a boring Saturday afternoon, Dan misses Jessica. Next Wednesday: Chapter 17—Jessica: Jesus and vodka I’m looking for your ideas! Every Monday I’ll post a new written chapter of FALLING…
“Why aren’t you on your call?”
Lori is lying on the floor, an angry scowl on her face. “I don’t want to do it anymore. I’m tired.”
I pick up a piece of the confetti. It’s what I feared. Bits of the math paper she has to finish by the end of the school day.
“Lori? What happened to your math paper?”
“So you’re telling me you don’t have anyone to officiate at the wedding?”
“Nope. I know an internet officiant but he lives too far away. Matt’s sister has two little kids so she can’t do it.”
“What do you need?”
“Can you do it?”
Chapter 16April 18, 2020, 3:20 p.m.Jessica: THEY DO My hands tremble and shine with a slick sheen of sweat. I tighten my hold on the notebook where I’ve written the service for this afternoon. I’m excited to officiate at my first wedding—and this wedding especially. As I wait with the pensive groom, birdsong fills the…
Here is the audio version of Chapter 14: Jessica: Bad news first. This one, the story of Jessica’s obituary about a couple who died from Covid-19, was very hard to read. I really did make myself sniffle. When Jessica tells Dan about her latest story, an obit of a couple who died from Covid-19, Dan…
Chapter 15 April 17, 2020, 11:45 a.m. Jessica: SURROUNDED BY ROMANCE Because there’s no real eye contact on Zoom I have trouble figuring out a lot of what’s going on in our daily editorial meetings. If it weren’t for the way the boxes light up with a yellow and green frame, I might not even…
Mary K. Tilghman, writer 