I’m still reeling from the last interview I did and need to clear my head for a bit before I do the final one, the one I’m dreading. So I’m in the back yard of the palatial mansion on the putting green knocking some balls in the holes. Granted my golf game pretty much sucks, but it’s helping my anxiety a bit.

I hear a noise and look over and to my surprise; A.G. is approaching me with her own putter.

 

A.G.: “John told me you might be out here.”

J.S.: “Was just clearing my head. Our conversation didn’t go over too well I’m afraid.”

A.G.: “You wrote him stubborn, maybe now you have a better idea of what I go through.”

 

The more I look at her, all of the angst and emotion spills over inside of me and just like that, I break into tears. I can’t hold them back. I feel like an elephant is sitting on my chest too. The grief is overwhelming.

 

A.G.: “Hey, it’s alright, come here.” *Drops her putter and embraces me. *

J.S.: “I’m sorry.”

A.G.: “Oh no, you will not be, not for this.”

 

I know she understands what I’m going through. While I gave her the words to say on the church steps with Simone that day of her mother’s funeral, the feelings were mine. This just hurts. When will it ever stop?

She knows this and continues to hold me while stroking my back. In reality I’m probably just hugging my pillow, but in my head, I’d like to believe I’m being held by somebody, anybody. The solitude and loneliness of having to deal with my father’s death is overwhelming at times.

 

J.S.: “I am so sorry I had to do that to you A.G., I really am.”

A.G.: “Don’t be, believe me, I understand. My mother, as always, was right.”

 

I’m stunned by how calm and collected she is. As I look into her eyes, I can see she’s at peace with the decision and is currently more worried about me. She has the true empathy I wish I would show more. With my dad’s sudden death, it taught me a valuable lesson to be more when life’s tragedies happen and not turn a blind eye to them like I have in the past.

 

A.G.: “Come on, let’s sit down. Do you need something to drink?”

J.S.: “You are so polite. I really wrote you well.” *Laughs as I wipe my eyes. *

A.G.: “I think we could all do with working on our manners a bit more. You simply convey to the reader how you were raised, which was pretty darn well.”

 

Just then a memory hits me unexpected. A doctor finished putting stitches in my pinky finger and I’m looking at my dad as I’m walking out of the room, and he mouths the words “thank you” at me, reminding me to thank the doctor for his work. I can’t even remember how old I was. He and my mother were always insistent we said please and thank you. Lessons I’m afraid are being missed with raising kids today.

 

A.G.: “Okay, your brain is on overload right now. Sit down and relax and please remember to breathe.” *Chuckles as she takes her own seat. *

J.S.: “Alright, I am, I promise. Sorry for the melt down. Let’s start with the first question, and honestly, I’m dying to hear your answer and I really hope you’ll humor me. How do you like the series so far?”

 

She looks at me in complete shock and then the two of us can’t resist as we burst into cathartic laughter. We’re both laughing so hard, we scare away several cranes who were pecking about on the grounds and I’m sure we more than likely woke several newborns in neighboring homes.

 

A.G.: “Are you kidding me?” *Wipes the tears from her own eyes. *

J.S.: “I asked the rest of them the same question.”

A.G.: “Holy cow, you’ve officially gone around the bend J.S.”

J.S.: “Oh, I could have told you that.”

A.G.: “You are so odd, but I love it. When I think about this series, I can’t help but reflect on what you originally had intended for it. I’m simply stunned how you stretched beyond what you had in mind. I’m really liking it.”

J.S.: “Your character’s development so far, happy or unenthusiastic about it?”

A.G.: “Delighted with it really. You’ve kept me unique enough so it works you know? I’ve been far from predictable.”

J.S.: “Besides your mom’s death, what in your opinion has been the most surprising thing to happen in this series so far?”

A.G.: “Your insistence that I retain some vulnerability and innocence about me. In the books, I’m nearly twenty-four years old, but I have yet to break the mold completely of the good girl I was raised to be.”

J.S.: “You want me to kick up your dialogue a bit, make it raunchier?”

A.G.: “Uh, no. I deal with five potty mouths daily, that’s enough for me thank you. I guess I just admire how you continue selling that as plausible.”

J.S.: “It was for me a great part of my life.”

A.G.: “Ah yes, you were raised conservatively as I was.”

J.S.: “Put your professional hat on for a second and tell me what your take is on Gene Simmons comments about rock being murdered. What are your thoughts on it?”

A.G.: “I’m not sure I agree with him.”

J.S.: “Why?”

A.G.: “Everything I’ve seen so far begs to differ. I don’t believe it will be in the end. I do however think he was playing some reverse psychology though.”

J.S.: “Really?”

A.G.: “Think about it. Ever since he gave that interview, it’s been all the buzz for quite a while now. Every interview you see with artists promoting their new albums has it in it. You are asking our opinions on it.”

J.S.: “He’s keeping the topic alive. The more people talk about it; something may be done to solve the issue with the genre.”

A.G.: “Exactly. He’s a marketing genius. Heck, he’s one period.”

J.S.: “This next question may surprise you, and I’m hoping you’ll keep your professional hat on and not let your feelings dictate your answer. If Seth and Drake’s car hadn’t broken down in a little one stop light town in New Mexico, therefore, never discovering John Lucas or Hiatt Stevenson, would Hells Redemption be what it is today?”

A.G.: “No. What I like about you J.S. is your imagination never waivers. With Hiatt, you took every drummer you’ve ever seen live and combined them all into one guy. He’s insane behind a drum kit. His skills are impeccable. No way would they have found a drummer of his caliber. John? You elevated the bass to a new level. Two? What real life band has that in their repertoire? However, you did it anyway. What you did to separate him and Cole was genius I thought. Allowing the reader to understand the difference in tone Heavy-Metal has above all other genres. John’s playing is incredible. Cole could have stood in for him just fine, but it wouldn’t have sounded the same. In the end, the world’s greatest Heavy-Metal band wouldn’t have existed, and they’d be mediocre at best without those two gifted musicians. “

J.S.: “Wow, thank you for that. Alright, I know what I have in my head for your character’s future, but what do you want A.G.?”

 

She sports a raised sculpted eyebrow at me and it makes me smile.

 

A.G.: “Nah, you are not getting off that easy J.S.”

J.S.: “This is your shot, I’m asking.”

A.G.: “No, I’m afraid you are on your own.”

J.S.: “Just so you know, I don’t have enough material for twenty-five year’s worth of storyline. This series will end soon and it won’t be with you giving your speech after you’ve been inducted.”

A.G.: “You underestimate my GPA.”

J.S. “I know this. Okay, I’ll give you this much, just keep me on the path, it’s all I ask.”

 

After everything I have put her through so far, it’s not an unreasonable request. The brass ring is truly all she wants. The series centers around whether she’ll stay focused on it enough to continue going for it.

I sit back in my chair looking out at the expansiveness of the property and mull something over in my mind which hasn’t been sitting well with me for a while. My main character has always been in tune with me and senses something’s going on.

 

A.G.: “Out with it J.S., what’s on your mind?”

J.S.: “One of my betas was particularly critical about your conversation with Father Martin in his office and later when you toured the residence discussing what the future plans are for it.”

A.G.: “What did this person say?”

J.S.: “He said it came across incredibly disrespectful. His though t process is either you speak to Father Martin like a parent or as a Priest, not both.”

A.G.: “How do you feel about it?”

J.S.: “Honestly, I’m irritated by what he said, and I feel like he hasn’t been paying attention throughout this book especially. My feeling is you and your parents have a unique bond that is based on a foundation centered around Christ. You all feel that you can be open and honest with each other. You love one another to trust each other enough that you can be this way. What do you think about what he said?”

A.G.: “Is he Catholic by chance?”

J.S.: “Former”

A.G.: “Ah.” *Nods head and smiles. *

J.S.: “Oh come on, don’t leave me hanging.”

A.G.: “I can see his point, and I guess in a way what I said to Father Martin did come across that way. If this were a normal situation, where say he was only my priest, then your friend is right. However, it’s not what you wrote. Look J.S., just because you put in your original note in Redemption that you take certain “liberties” with the catholic faith, doesn’t mean all will be forgiven.”

J.S.: “I’m not asking for it.”

A.G.: “I know you’re not, but you are looking for justification. I think you need to remember something here, far more are in support of this work than who will be against it because you went completely off into left field in the church’s eyes. Don’t sweat this.”

J.S.: “Thanks for the talk and for understanding.”

A.G.: “We’ll get past the anger of them leaving us so soon.” *Nods head confidently. *

J.S.: “I hope so.”

A.G.: “It’s time for you to board the train back to reality now J.S., so wake up and write something brilliant today. We’ll always be here.”