Martin makes a decision.
“Toodles, don’t be strangers.” Moose waves a hoof as Ted, Alvin, and Simon leave. He waits a beat, then closes the front door, pivots and rests his back on the door, his front feet spread wide.
“Thank god, they’re gone,” he sighs. I had invited them to spend the week with us. I thought it’d be good for them to interact with Blake and Martin. And of course, Alex. She does love those guys.
“I’m shocked. You don’t like them?” I can’t believe anyone doesn’t like those three.
“No.” He brings his front feet in front of him, and walks toward wing chair, where I’m sitting. “I love those guys. But they can be a bit much. All that science talk and all.”
I laugh. I find his complaint about them rich.
“What’s so funny?” he asks as he lowers himself onto the couch. Really, I’m not sure how the thing holds up so well under him. But it does.
“You helped me create them. They’re great characters. They talk science because they’re focused physicists. And they run a physics-themed café. Remember?”
Moose waves a hoof. “Of course, I remember. I guess I didn’t realize when we were developing their personalities the consequences of it all.”
“I’ve got to get back to writing Alvin’s story.” I’m speaking to myself as much as to Moose.
“He is a bit awkward around women, isn’t he?” Moose says.
“He is. Perhaps too much. He’s always been a secondary character.” I glance at my muse, who has a spiral notebook on his antler. Wait. Not any spiral notebook, but the one I’m currently using. I shake my head, and try to dismiss it.
“Maybe it’s my fault. Maybe I don’t know how to make him a main character.”
“It’s not your fault. We’ve been over this before—”
“Terry, got a minute?” That’s Martin. He’s standing in the doorway to the kitchen.
I look at Moose to make sure he’s okay with the interruption. He nods. My notebook swings.
“Sure, come on in. You’re always welcome. What’s up?”
Martin comes in and sits in the other chair. Hmm, with all my characters coming and going, maybe I should be buying more furniture. That’s an issue for another time.
“I think I’m ready.” He sighs.
I’m not sure if it was a sigh of relief or resignation.
“What are you ready for exactly?”
“For my own romance story.” His words are barely above a whisper.
“Really?” I’m surprised. Lately, he’s seems quite content cooking and hanging out with Blake. “Did something prompt this?”
He nods. Martin is uncharacteristically reticent. “It’s just this week I’ve seen how happy Blake is around Alex.”
“Ouch! Why’d you do that?” Blake’s surprised voice echoes throughout the house.
“Alex.” She’s listening. I’m sure of it. “Are you in the kitchen listening to all of this?”
No answer. “You both can come out into the living room and be part of the conver—”
“Thank you, Terry.” Alex is standing next to me before I finish my sentence. Blake follows her.
“The way those two interact is incredible.” He nods to both of them.
My face burns, because, well, I did that. I created that love.
“Ahem.” Moose clears his throat. He narrows his eyes.
My shoulders slump. It’s not easy living with a muse you can basically read your mind. Okay, Alex and Blake’s love is even greater than what I had planned.
“If there’s even a chance I can have something like that…”
Well, this is exactly what I’ve been hoping for. Martin has had his moments. I wasn’t sure he was ready. But this changes things.
“I can make that happen.” The timing, though, isn’t great. Can I write two stories at the same time? I’ve barely started Alvin’s. Maybe working on Martin’s story too will end up helping Alvin. Maybe I’ve been pushing Alvin too much.
“You won’t be sorry, Martin,” Alex says. “Once you discover your one true love, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without her.”
I sigh. She’s laying it on a bit thick. But the woman lives in a romance novel. That’s how she views life. And it works for her. And evidently for Martin now.
“You know,” Moose says, “you’ll have to follow all the rules of the romance genre. While bad boy heroes are good, they’re only good to a certain extent. You won’t be living by the rules that Sorbet set up for you.”
Martin nods. “I understand that. I’ve learned a lot living here. It’s different here than at Sorbet’s. I like it.”
His words come out slow and thoughtful.
“So where do we start?” Martin asks.
“Do you trust me to choose someone for you?”
“Of course,” he says. “But may I make a suggestion?”
I nod. “It’s your life. I’m open to your suggestions.”
“Could Alex be part of the process? She seems to have an intuitive idea of what my true love should be like.”
I sigh. I hadn’t planned on Alex being involved. She whimpers. Damn. I can’t ignore his request just because Alex will complicate matters. And she will. I already know this.
Moose raises his eyebrows and shakes his head. “I think Alex’s insight would be invaluable.”
Well, I didn’t see that coming. I take in a deep breath. I guess we’re finally doing this.
“I turn to my left.” She’s sitting on the arm of the wingback chair I’m in. “Would you like to help develop Martin’s true love?”
“Can I? Really, Terry? I’d love to.” She leaps off the chair and grabs Blake. “Did you hear that? I’m going to help.”
Blake’s hair flounces wildly. “Yes, love. I think that’s bloody great.”
“Martin,” I ask, “are you sure you’re okay with your background? A retired spy? I know you were struggling with it for a while.”
He sighs. “I was. But if you can give me what Alex and Blake have in addition to my new culinary subplot, I think I’ll be a happy—and fortunate—man.”
“I’ll do my best to give you what they have,” I say, “as long as you do your part. I can only give you so much. Alex and Blake’s relationship is so successful because they’ve put a lot of work into it themselves.”
“I’m ready to do the work.”
Squee! Moose blows a whistle that hangs from his antler. Where did that come from?
Alex squeals. Blake shakes his head.
“Listen up, people,” Moose says. “We’ll rendezvous in Terry’s office at 0700 tomorrow, and begin developing Martin’s romantic partner.”
I’ve never seen this side of Moose before. He can be a take-charge kind of guy when he wants.
“So I want all of you—”
“Even me?” Blake asks.
Moose looks at Martin for permission.
“Of course,” Martin says, “he’s my idea of a romantic hero. I need his input too.”
Blake blushes and smiles.
“As I was saying, we’ll rendezvous in Terry’s office, and get the process started.”
Moose rises. “Now, carry on.”
“Why don’t we order pizza in celebration?” Blake asks.
“On one condition,” Martin says. “I don’t have to eat your friggin’ pineapple topping.”
Another fun Friday with Terry, Moose, and the gang. I adore Moose. Are you writing two books now?
I ran over our dog in my wheelchair today. (An accident, but not a joke.) I needed this today! And Terry and Moose--if anyone ever needs a break, he's welcome to drop in. Until next week!