Day 12: Chapter 7
I was just way too distracted tonight to finish my word count tonight. I offer what I did manage. I hope it’s not too disjointed. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. Thanks for reading.
Chapter 7
Betti Jo found Michael talking with Henry and Ned. She grabbed the pitcher from the buffet and approached the talking men.
“Anyone ready for more tea?”
Women in Wilson did not join nor did they interrupt conversations between the men. Henry would have been embarrassed while Ned would just be down right disapproving. Betti Jo preferred to keep the drama to a minimum tonight, especially with David visiting for the first time.
Day 11: New title: Eyes in the Dark
Like I mentioned in my previous NaNo post, I had a working title or at least a working theme to build a title from. Well, after sleeping on it, I have arrived at Eyes in the Dark. Here’s the end of chapter 6 (I think):
Betti Jo pasted a big smile on her face to hide her apprehension at once again attracting the eye of the Elders. Why did she think today was the best time to invite David over?
Henry had tried to stave off the inevitable, but Annabel’s appearance at the back door put paid to that. Henry was not happy about exposing his family again. In the last few months Betti Jo had finally begun to regain some of the respect she had lost after the ‘incident.’ He knew he had to be careful now, as did they all not to mention the boy’s name. He doubted very much that Betti Jo had told this David anything about the last outsider in her life.
“John! Did you need something?” Betti Jo could hear Annabel in the kitchen as they filed in behind her.
Damn it! Was all that came to mind for Betti Jo at hearing the name.
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Day 10: the Council and an official working title
I have finally come up with a working title for my NaNoWriMo novel this year or at least a theme from which to find a title: Darkness.
With that in mind I present to you Day 10’s efforts for Darkness:
Chapter 6
David kept an eye on Betti as they approached Wilson while still keeping an eye on the road. He could see the sheen of sweat on her forehead. He drove a little faster at the outskirts of Stanley. He prayed there were no highway patrolmen on this stretch of road tonight. He was becoming more and more concerned, as Betti’s breathing grew steadily labored. As he turned on the road leading to Wilson Road, he noticed Betti Jo becoming a little more relaxed, at least her breathing was sounding more normal.
Day 7: Chapter 5
Well I quit whining and got back to it after getting a tongue lashing from my husband. Here are last night’s efforts:
Chapter Five
David did not call after a few days nor did he call after a few weeks. She spent her free time helping Timothy catch up after a summer of goofing off. He was a quick study. It was not too long before they were covering subjects more advanced than those he would need for his first year of senior high. Sometimes he came by himself, but mostly Luke escorted him under some pretense or another. Had Betti Jo been a less naïve girl, she would have been suspicious of Luke’s continued visits. He never stayed long, never going beyond the front porch. It was clearly unnecessary for him to escort Timothy to her place. In town he was perfectly safe, and Betty Jo’s house was well within the Wilson town limits. Betti Jo spent little time trying to figure out what Luke’s motives must be. She spent most of her time moping and feeling miserable about David.
The new term began for Betti Jo without word from David. She had debated several times whether she should call him, but her natural sense of self-preservation and fear of rejection kept her from contacting him. Betti Jo and Luke had managed to become if not exactly friendly at least move beyond their cold politeness. Even Joanna Lewis, Ned Lewis’s daughter, had started coming around again.
Their first gab session had felt as if no time had passed since their last except now Betti Jo had secrets. She could not tell Joanna about David or Michael. Instead they spent most of their time talking town gossip and what the girls in Stanley were wearing. It had felt good to have a girlfriend again.
It was the end of her second week at the state college. She had no more classes to attend for the day, but she did not feel like heading home. She decided to stop at the student union building and grab a snack. Perhaps it would not be so bad if she made some friends now. David had showed her that it was possible even after Michael. Her face fell at the memory. Thunderstorms still reduced her to a quivering ball of panic, leading to terrible nightmares. She looked down at her half eaten muffin realizing that in her distraction, she had obliterated the inoffensive cake leaving only a mess of crumbs.
She smiled ruefully and swept the mess into the paper bag the muffin had come in. Betti Jo scraped back her chair, taking the bag of crumbs and her books to the closest trash bin. She nearly bumped into someone as she turned around after dumping her trash in the bin. She gasped and took a quick step back and apology ready on her lips.
“I- David?!” she said with shock.
“Betti Jo!” David said in surprise.
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Day 6: Time to tutor Timmy
End of chapter four:
What seemed like only a few minutes later, Betti Jo heard her mother calling her to dinner. She reluctantly pulled herself out of the fairy tale, marking her place with the closest scrap of paper. She put the book down on her bed and hauled herself to her feet. She was at the door to her room before she realized that there were other voices in the living room. She stood for a moment waiting to see if she recognized any of the owners’ of the voices. She heard Henry and her mother’s voice, and two other voices, both male.
“Luke!” the name burst from her lips in a rushed whisper.
What is he doing here? With that thought hanging in her mind, she rushed from her room. There at the end of the hall with her back to her was Luke Wilson and just beyond him, Luke’s younger brother Timothy. Where’s John Wilson? She stepped further down the hall. Luke stiffened noticeably as she approached. Even after all this time, their connection remained strong. His reaction sent tiny daggers shooting through her heart. Two years later and his rejection of her still felt like a thousand little deaths.
“Hello, Luke,” she said in a low voice.
Day 5 – Part II
Read this story in order here.
Chapter Four
“Oh hi, David, I hope you haven’t been waiting too long?” Betti Jo said breathlessly.
She dumped her notebooks on the small coffee house table.
“Did you already get our drinks?” she continued.
“No, I just got here. I wasn’t much in the mood for coffee today, but I can get you something,” David said in response.
“No, that’s alright, I’ll just grab us a couple of waters-“
“Actually, Betti, I have to go. I just didn’t want you to think I’d stood you up. My parents are in town. They’re waiting for me at their hotel,” he said getting up, “Look, could I give you a ride somewhere?”
Day 5: Betti Jo’s home life
More Betti Jo and her parents:
“There is nothing to talk about. We’re just friends. I like him. He keeps me from thinking about things,” she finished weakly.
“Oh, Betti Jo,” was all Annabel could say.
Betti Jo went back to her room to study for her final exam. There was no need really, she knew the material inside and out, but else was there to do?
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Day 4: David wants in on Wilson
Didn’t finish my word count today. I blame election night. Maybe tomorrow, I will be able to concentrate. It’s taken five minutes just to write the last few sentences, I’m still distracted!
To read my story in order, click here for a compilation of all the posts.
David reassured her quickly, “We can talk about whatever you like.”
David was not used to feeling so gauche around women, but Betti was just one those women who could have any man tied up in knots. Her ash blonde hair, her willowy frame, the haunted look in her eyes, every detail served to increase his feelings of protectiveness.
He gathered his things and escorted Betti to a nearby coffee house. She ordered steamed milk with a shot of vanilla, somehow appropriate. David picked up his Americano and Betti’s drink and brought them to the table she was holding for them.
They shared an awkward silence for a few moments. From somewhere, David found his cool and was able to relax. He chuckled at the awkwardness between them. His chuckle brought a puzzled look to Betti Jo’s face.
Seattle Ducks
Each year, the Seattle NaNoWriMo regional team, injects a duck into their individual stories. Each year the premise is different. Last year, it had to be a part of a hat or wearing a hat and make a strange noise. My duck was a stuffed, faded children’s toy with a weak quack. This year’s duck is supposed to have ten of something or be part of ten somethings. I was not sure how the seriousness that I am trying to lend to this book would be able to incorporate the duck this time. I just figured it out! Michael was a football player, he played with the jersey number 10 for the Stanley High School Ducks! It will probably be hanging in the Stanley High School trophy case or something. I am glad it came to me. I would hate to miss out on this fun tradition.
Day 3 [continued]: Betti meets David
Chapter two of Betti Jo’s story. Tell me what you think!
Chapter Two
Betti Jo stirred awake feeling her mother’s warmth next to her. She was lying in her childhood bed nestled in her mother’s protective arms. She was confused as to why she was fully dressed and filthy when it all came crashing in on her. She gasped for breath. Hearing or perhaps sensing her daughter’s distress, Annabel, woke up quickly.
