Chapter 27 #2
“And then book three went viral on social media when an influencer shared it. People went wild for it and went back and read all three that were out. It became a lot, and I didn’t know how to go back in time and tell people about it now that it was out there.”
I felt the familiar sinking feeling I always did about that time.
People thought going viral was fun, but I wondered how many women who actually had would recommend it.
My readers were fabulous. But other people online scared and saddened me.
I’d learned to avoid comments like the plague.
As the goddess Taylor Swift said, our energy was expensive and not everyone deserved it.
I was learning that lesson, but it had taken me some time to get there.
“You didn’t want me to ruin it for you.” My mom’s voice held a lot of sadness.
“It wasn’t just that, Mom,” I started to say.
“But that was part of it. I know how I can be.” She stepped forward and grabbed my hand to give it a squeeze before she stepped back with a shrug.
“I would have been so excited for you—I’d want to tell the world and see how you were running ads, what your social media campaign was, if you were doing a blog tour—” She held up her hands in a “what are you going to do” gesture.
“Sorry, sweetness, it’s the only way I know how to be. ”
“Full steam ahead, gas pedal on the floor, one hundred percent of the time.” Dad stepped up and put his arm around her, kissing the top of her head. “But babe.” He nodded to Lou and Verdell at his side. “We would have tried to reel her in.”
I raised my eyebrows and looked at Aunt Lou.
Verdell chuckled. “Well, your dad and I would have tried.”
Lou elbowed him in the stomach and winked at me. “Jules, we’re dang proud of you, whether or not we knew about it from the beginning. And I’m here to say you write some steamy scenes. Why, Verdell benefited from those, didn’t you dear?”
I slapped my hands over my ears like a child. “Lou! This is another reason you didn’t know before.”
Lou cackled.
My dad looked to the ceiling like he was begging for patience from above. My mom stepped over to her sister and linked their arms together before facing me. “We won’t talk about my thoughts on those scenes, though the fact that I’d already read all of them tells you something.” She winked at me.
I groaned.
“Now.” Lou looked at me with a serious and determined expression, which didn’t really fit her. “How did this impact your stress before you moved down here? Is this what caused the Chicago meltdown?”
“Well, I think you and Mom were right—moving down here was a good idea for me for a multitude of reasons, though I didn’t see it then.
” I looked to Noah, and he nodded, telling me to keep going.
I stepped from him to Mom and Lou, leading them to the kitchen table so we could sit together for a moment. “Working for that firm was a lot…”
“Those bastards. They didn’t appreciate you.” My mom positively growled. Mama bear was here—watch out. She hadn’t even latched on to the notion that she was right. Amazing.
“Want me to spread rumors about them online?” Lou asked. “I’d be happy to, and so would my friends.”
I shook my head. She was such a menace, but she was ours. “No, Lou. Let’s not send your senior citizen friends into online forums to cause havoc. That’s already happening enough in this world.”
Noah laughed behind us. I turned and saw him standing at the island with my dad and Verdell as they piled food onto plates. Jesus, the Spencers. I needed to wrap this up.
“Anyway, yes, my job was a lot. I was experiencing writer’s block this winter because writing when you know lots of people are reading your books is interesting.
I’d seen some negative reviews. And mostly I’ve realized I was lonely.
My closest friend was Kylie, but she has a full life beyond me, and I couldn’t ask her to spend all her time at my side—that’s ridiculously needy.
The rest of the people in my life were just acquaintances; I’ve heard nothing from them since moving.
” I sighed. “Trying to do it all was getting exhausting, so you were right—the move was necessary and good for me.” I watched my mom, waiting for her to say “I told you so.” But as she often did, she surprised me.
Looking at my book that was on the table, she said, “Aren’t you selling a lot of copies of these? I have several friends who recommended them to me.”
“Yes,” I replied, not seeing where she was going with this.
She tilted her head and looked at me. “Why are you still working? I know authors don’t make a lot per book, but if you have the numbers of readers I think you are, can’t that replace your accounting salary, or at least most of it?”
My heart beat harder as we hit the topic that I’d been struggling with.
“I can replace it, but I wouldn’t want to disappoint Sue—she took a risk with me.
” I immediately held up a hand as Lou started to interrupt me.
“And I like the security of a salary and health insurance.” Then I gave a nod to Lou, telling her she could speak now.
“Work part-time,” Lou said simply.
“What?”
She shrugged. “Work part-time. You still help give Sue some wiggle room with hours that work for you. And I know you don’t know all the folks who work there well yet, but there are many that only work there part-time.
Some just work during tax season, but several are part-time all year because that’s what they prefer.
They pay into the health insurance that Sue provides for full-time workers.
She also pays part of it for her part-time folks.
Her belief is that if she creates a position that meets your needs, you’re happier and do better work. ”
My mind was whirling. I could have a stable salary, albeit half of what I was used to, but something I could count on, and it could cushion the up-and-down nature of publishing plus give me more time to write.
I could have health insurance. Could it be so easy?
“Do you think she’d be interested in that kind of arrangement? ”
“I can almost guarantee it, but you also have an ace up your sleeve,” Lou said with a knowing smile.
“What?”
Her smile widened. “Sue is a huge fan of the romance author Jules Jenkins.”
“What?” My voice was far too loud for this space.
Lou laughed a huge belly laugh. “Yep, she’s who recommended your first book to the book club and she is also a member. Didn’t you see her at the all-male revue the other night?”
I held up my hand. “We don’t speak of that night ever.”
My mom looked to Lou with a knowing look. “Tell me later?”
“Absolutely.”
“So we’re good?” Mom asked.
“We’re good,” I said. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you all sooner.”
Mom got up and came around the table, pulling me into her arms. “We know now, baby girl. And we are so proud of you.”
“Let’s eat,” said Lou, rubbing her hands together as she surveyed the buffet of goodness.
Ivy poked her head in the kitchen. “Are you all done?”
I laughed. “Yes, sorry you all had to vacate and I’ve hijacked the day. We need to celebrate the birthday girl and open some presents.”
Ivy shook her head. “No worries about that. Addie is happy with any party with donuts, and we make the birthday-party idea low-key so she doesn’t become a monster about it.
There isn’t even a cake, just some gifts to open in a few.
However… can we now talk about you doing a signing at the bookstore?
Because Jules, my friend, I have plans for you, girl. ”
Noah came up behind me and whispered in my ear, “I think it’s your turn to brace.”
I gave him a huge smile. Ivy could make the plans she wanted; I didn’t care. People knew now about my writing, they were all happy for me, and I felt free.