Angels Drown

Chapter 6

"Soulmates."

"It's a term that is greatly used in literature especially in the romance section of a library.  It's quite the phenomenon if you really study the word."

"Different authors have their own definition.   Some think it's a match from the Gods up above, others use it as a figure of speech, some don't believe they exist."

"Do you believe they exist?" Fletcher asked quietly.

"It doesn't matter what I believe.  You need to figure out what your character believes and that alone.  Not what you believe, what your character believes.  That's the most important thing and that's where you are losing me when I'm reading this chapter." Lucas explains.

Lucas was quite the strict kind when it came to editing.  He hated poorly explained ideas, I mean authors need to be the best at that.  

Fletcher seemed quite overwhelmed during this meeting.  Lucas studied her carefully, and anxiety was written all over her body.

Her hands were twitching with each other.  She kept tapping her foot repeatedly against the hardwood making a clacking sound.  Her teeth kept biting her bottom lip until it looked like it might bleed.

Her hands kept pushing back strands of her hair behind her ear like a nervous tick.  She seemed guarded and uncomfortable.

"Look, you need to get comfortable with me because we will be meeting almost ever day.  I'm going to be reading your book and telling you everything wrong with it.  I get it's uncomfortable but you need to trust me." 

"Why don't you come to my house for dinner?" Fletcher asked on a whim.

"That feels inappropriate." 

"No, not like a date.  A few of my friends come over on Friday night for dinner and it'd be nice to know each other outside of work." 

"Um, sure I suppose that'd be nice."

Lucas wasn't sure this was the best idea.  This was a job and making friends wasn't in the job description but he also needed Fletcher to open up a little.

She was kind girl and brilliantly creative but also naïve.  She knew very little about the literary world, but she had a good book and Lucas couldn't deny that.

He could have guessed that this dinner would be awkward, how could it not be?  I mean Lucas hadn't gone to a party since high school and it wasn't the best memory.

No this wouldn't be the disco tech but he hated small get togethers.  They felt like an excuse to invite your friends and compliment them for two hours straight.

"I'll attend Fletcher but we also need to stay professional through this.  I'm doing it because I hope that you open up to me and let me in for the sake of your book.  My boss doesn't care for closed off authors, I think you have potential and I don't want you to get dropped, understood?"

"Yes, I understand.  Thank you for believing in this story."

With a nod, Lucas got up and left the café.  Some authors struggled more than others and Fletcher was one of them.

A book is personal, and sharing it just so it can be "fixed" is nerve-racking.  He understood but he also knew many other authors who would pray for an opportunity like this.

The ringing from his pocket got Lucas's attention.  He knew it was his boss before he pulled out his phone, it felt like a sinking feeling in his stomach that only his boss could cause.

"Hello, sir."

"How is she?  Is she cooperating?"

"She is doing alright.  She's having a problem explaining her characters thoughts to me which is quite concerning but other then that, she's a good writer," Lucas answered honestly.