Chapter 21
Bellini and Maisie
To: Bellini O’Donnell
From: Maisie Brown
Subject: Mrs. Claus is waiting
I’m holding a shot of tequila while saying that I can’t wait to see what Roxy Belle is up to!
Your Dear Editor wants the first three chapters yesterday. Or, better yet, months ago. She has an edge to her voice. You know, the mean edge. I know you’re not afraid of her, but I am.
Please tell me the chapters are almost ready to go! Ring-a-ling-ling-ling! Those are the bells of the reindeer, and they want you to hurry!
Maisie
To: Maisie Brown
From: Bellini O’Donnell
Subject: The reindeer don’t wear bells that ring-a-ling-ling-ling
Maisie,
I am NOT QUITE ready to send you the first three chapters of my next Roxy Belle book, but I will be soon.
As you know, I’m in the midst of planning a T and A Christmas show.
It does not stand for tits and ass. It stands for tinsel and All I Want for Christmas Is Santa.
I am swamped in details, and I’m running a bar where, now and then, people are not being their “best selves” and get slightly out of control.
Silent Night, Holy Night, do not talk to Dear Editor if she gives you a fright.
Bellini
To: Bellini O’Donnell
From: Maisie Brown
Subject: Silent Nights are better
I know you haven’t written a word. You have a Christmas show called T and A? Are you serious? Who thought of that? Wait. Your mother.
I understand running a bar is a lot of work. Frankly, I’m having a hard time picturing you there, as I know you like to be a hermit, and you don’t drink. You’re a happy, sober hermit. A cat lady hermit. A cat lady hermit who writes beloved children’s books.
Please write, Bellini. Please. Whip something up. Send it over.
From Maisie, who likes Silent Nights where she doesn’t have to worry about writers like you.
To: Maisie Brown
From: Bellini O’Donnell
Subject: Post-Christmas writing
When Christmas is over, I will write my heart out and not even breathe and not even move, and the only beings I will talk to are my cats, and you will have another book, I promise. I would never abandon you or Roxy Belle.
I will soon be sprinkled in Mrs. Claus’ magic and another book will pop out of me. Who knows? Santa might bring the plot down the chimney.
Yours in T and A,
Bellini
In between planning for the T and A show, working at the bar, taking care of my mother, and two hundred other things I was doing, I tried to think of another storyline for Roxy Belle. I thought of twenty ideas, then discarded them because they were terrible ideas.
I had…
Nothing.
I could feel my nerves becoming more frayed in a literary sort of way. I truly did not want to wreck my writing career. Argh! One more thing to worry about.