The Book Club

4

4

We got up in the morning, had room service bring us breakfast and got ready.  My sister and I were excited to have our books signed but this new and fabulous writer.  But when we got to the bottom of the stairs, we could see the line that extended out of the hotel lobby.

"Dang!  I was thinking we could get our signature quickly and then go out to see the sights."

I was getting to stay an extra day at the end of my trip so I suggested, "Why don't you leave me the book and I'll get the signature.  I'll just meet up with you at lunch."

"Really?". Lindsay asked, "This line looks long."

"Yeah, the advertisement says the author will only be here from 9am-noon.  I'll be fine.  What kind of trouble can I get in, standing in line?"

"You're right, Tiffany.  Thanks.  Here's my book."  Lindsay handed over her book, and they left.  As I scanned the people in line, I found all the ladies from the spontaneous international book club from last night.  Everyone that is, except for Cherry.  Maybe she'll be here before we are done.

As we stood in line together, laughing and talking, we saw that tons of other ladies were making friends with those in line with them, too.  I didn't expect to see that.  Usually people are so engrossed in their electronic devices and their own lives that they don't try to make friends with random strangers.

"And this here is a picture of my Duder.  Oh, and here is a video of him."  You could hear Melissa's son saying hi to the camera and laughing like only a little 2 year old can.

"Awwwww, that is so sweet!  I'm going to glomp the next toddler that walks by."  A funny lady named Jessy used big hand gestures as she kept saying the funniest things.

"Yeah, I'm pregnant.  I'm so excited!"  Kiersten told those around her.

"Me too!",  "Same here.",  "No way!  I am too!"  A number of ladies fessed up to drinking the same water.  And for whatever reason, pregnancy bonds women in a crazy way.  We share our joys, our sorrows, our horror stories and embarrassments all in the name of sisterhood comradery.

As the line inched forward enough that I could catch a glimpse of the author, I saw she had an unusual shade of hair.  It was almost a platinum white.  "That can't be her real color."  I mused out loud.

"What?"  Lisa asked me.

"Her hair color.  That can't be her real color.  And no one supposedly knows what she looks like.  Do you think this is the real author or do you think this is a double?"

"Ooo, are you thinking up conspiracy theories?  Or story ideas?"  Annie pressed.  "You are going to set up a Wattpad account and write something, right?"

"WHAT?  I am NOT an author!  I only took one creative writing class in college!"  I tried to defend my standpoint.

"Just set up the Wattpad account.  Fallon and I have put together a Facebook page for our book group to get together and chat about what we read."  Jennifer shrugged and Fallon was walking up and down the row of ladies in line telling them about the Facebook page.

"Fine!  I'll set it up, but I am NOT writing anything!"  I almost stomped my foot like a 4 year old throwing a temper tantrum.

"We'll see," Annie smirked, "I have my ways."

At this point, we were at the front of the line.  I handed my book and my sister's to the author that was looking down at the table.  She glanced up at me and I scrunched my eyes, cocking my head to the side.  "Cherry?!"