A Small Gray Dot

I brought her lips to mine, cutting her off. When she finally pulled back, she smiled, forming those perfect little dimples in her smooth, chocolate cheeks. I licked both, something that always made her giggle, and then gazed into her eyes. She made a good argument. I could hop back on it the next day while she was gone to pick up her wedding dress.

She said it was bad luck for the groom to see the dress before the wedding so she was taking it to Shantel’s place, her best friend and maid-of-honor, and it would stay there for the next four days.

Shantel was going with her to pick up the dress, and I knew she and Zoni would get into a gabfest, especially since the other bridesmaids were going to meet up with them. I’d have plenty of time to finish those two chapters. Besides, with her on my lap, I knew I was finished writing for the night. I picked up the coffee mug and took a sip.

I shot up an eyebrow. “Hey, this is wine.”

She laughed at my expression. “Of course it is, silly. Did you think I was going to give you coffee this time of night?” Smiling, she added in that sultry voice she knew would weaken my already feeble will when it came to her, “I’d never

get you to bed if I did that.”

I glanced at the clock on the nightstand: one-oh-eight. I hadn’t realized it was that late. I tended to lose track of time when writing.

*

The fall before I met Zoni, I’d joined a writing group, and Adam Jones, also a teacher and one of the group members who’d written and published a number of childrens books, read one of my short stories.

“This is good, Tenn,” he said smiling as he finished. “With some expansion, I think it would make for a great adventure novel.” He looked up at me. “I’m serious, give it a shot.”

He’d been in the business for a while – about twenty years – and I guessed he should know. In addition, I’d learned he helped a couple of other writers.

I was encouraged but uncertain if I’d have the time. “Well, I’m pretty busy. I’d have to squeeze writing into my spare time.”

Adam grinned. “Welcome to the world of writers, my boy. If we have a day job, we all have to squeeze it in.”

So I squeezed, and finished a first draft and Adam helped me get beta readers. They assured me it was certain to be a hit with the middle school crowd. Acting as my agent, he got me in with his small but professional publishing company.

They said my book was the sort of thing for which they were looking, so with Adam’s help and that of a good editor, the year after I met Zoni, I realized my dream of becoming a published author. I was thrilled, she was thrilled for me, and it made my day when several of my students mentioned how much they enjoyed the story.

No, it didn’t set the world on fire, but according to the publisher, the sales were decent for a first-time novelist and would get better once I built a following. They suggested I begin writing a sequel. I had doubts about having the time between teaching and everything involved with that, and doing book signings while continuing to work on my master’s degree, but with Zoni’s encouragement, I carved out time in which to write a little every night.

Sometimes I went a bit overboard.

*

I drained the mug and stood up, keeping her in my arms. “You know, you’re awfully smart, my lady. It’s definitely time for bed.”

She laughed again as she slid her arms around my neck and wrapped her legs around my waist. She wriggled her behind against my arms. “I know. I also know your interest is steadily rising.”

I chuckled as I carried her from the corner of our bedroom that served as my office, and laid her on the bed. She was shucking the nightshirt as I began peeling out of my clothes…

*

The year before, with my book published and me diving into writing the sequel, between my job and working on my master’s, I was busy, but I was also in love, so on the first anniversary of the day we met, I proposed, and Zoni said yes.

We set a date for June 30^th of the next year because, she said, “It’s romantic and by then it will be exactly two years since we met.” She also had a practical side and she added on a serious note, “Waiting a year will give us time to save for the wedding and fabulous honeymoon I want, without having to go into too much debt, Tenn. Besides, I don’t want my parents to feel as though they have to help pick up the tab. They’ve done so much for me already by helping me pay for college, and don’t forget, they’re trying to save for Minnie’s college, too. They’d have to go into debt for it and that would be too big a strain on them.”

That was Zoni – so loving and considerate. Moreover, I understood. Neither of us came from a rich family. My parents did the same for my sister and me. Besides, we would have our masters out of the way by then.