Happy Wednesday! Final countdown to school. We’re going away this weekend, so that means no writing or editing or beta reading or anything. I will have my Kindle, though. I’m ready for a relaxing vacation .
On to the WIPpet. I’m going to try to get to any that are posted today; apologies for any that get posted late and I miss them. I’m still drawing from Nightsong. The story ended up in a very different place from where it started, but I think it’s far better than it would have been. Anyway, we’re still with Izzy and his moms, and this is from a talk with Ma Rose. They’re discussing how his moms found out what he does in his spare time. Without saying too much, this conversation is really important.
WIPmath: 8/31 = (3 + 1) * 8 = 32 sentences + 2 bonus sentences because it didn’t make sense to cut it off sooner.
Ma Rose stood up and made her way to the back deck while Izzy helped Eema clear the table. After Eema waved him off, he followed Ma Rose outside. She was seated in one of the patio loungers, cigarette in hand.
“That’s gonna kill you one of these days,” he remarked, plopping into the chair next to her.
“Not if your Eema gets to me first.”
Izzy angled to look at her. “Everything okay?”
She shrugged. “What could be wrong for two old broads pushing sixty?”
They were quiet for a long time. Izzy lay back and looked up at the stars popping out in the deep purple sky. He inhaled the familiar, comforting scent of Ma Rose’s cigarette while he listened to Eema moving around in the kitchen. He closed his eyes.
“She wanted to tell you before that we knew.” Ma Rose’s voice cut through the stillness.
“So, why didn’t she?”
“I told her not to. Said you should tell us in your own time.”
Izzy snorted. “Well, too late for that.”
“Does your father know?”
“Why would he?” Izzy blew out a long breath. “It’s not like he’s going to drive here from New York to sit in a queer bar and watch me sing in a dress.”
“He might.”
Izzy turned his head to stare at Ma Rose. “Right. The man can’t even be honest with himself after burying his own partner. You really think he’d be all right with me?” He swallowed. “With who I am?”
Ma Rose sighed. “There’s a lot you don’t know about him, Iz. Don’t judge.”
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Family drama. One of my favorite things(in fiction anyway). Interested to see how this turns out.
Great scene! I especially loved the description about the night sky.
Thanks! 🙂
Izzy’s got some problems with his father, it sounds like…. and yet, I suspect that his father might guess more about his son than his son can imagine. And from what Ma Rose is saying… that the man might be only waiting to know he’s welcome.
Enjoy that vacation! I can say with full confidence that a few days unplugged and away from the world does wonders (at least it did for me). May it do the same for you.
Oh, yes. There’s definitely some tension there, and both Izzy and his father think the other would never accept them.
Vacation was marvelous, but now it’s back to the old grind.
You’re right. This is an important conversation. The last line, don’t judge shows the tension between Iz and his father and maybe Iz’s own fight at accepting who he is.
Great dialogue.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat
Thank you! 🙂 Iz and his father probably need to have a talk with each other instead of about each other.
It’s always dangerous to think we know everything about anyone…
By now, you’re enjoying your weekend away. May it be delightful, and the perfect endcap for your summer.
Absolutely, we really can’t know the whole story on anyone. Maybe not even always ourselves.
Vacation was wonderful and relaxing. I’m ready to get back to work!