Courtney E. Taylor's Blog

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Although black was a frequent bartending uniform, Sunny had never requested it, nor had Gabi ever worn it in years past as strictly as she did that week. The brightly colored shirts were for a night that Gabi could smile with honest brilliance. Until things turned around again, Gabi couldn't. Meanwhile, she kept her cell phone close as she worked another shift at the bar, praying that someone would call, praying that Joel would call.

A solid, handsome black man with a heavy gold cross around his neck approached the bar. He cut directly to avoid the other bartenders. Gabi sensed that his motive went beyond her being the only female behind the counter. “May I help you?”

“Gin and tonic, please.”

She turned a glass upright and filled his request.

She traded his glass for a dollar bill. When she turned back from the cash register with his change, a manila envelope was on the counter. She put the change beside it, wondering why someone would bring business to the bar.

She gave him one more look before starting for the dishes in the sink.

“Miz Khasani?”

She spun back to face him.

“My name is Isaac. I trained at the Academy with Joel.” He pushed the envelope toward her. “I was told to deliver these if Joel couldn’t make it.”

Gabi wanted to scream, What do you know about Joel?? Why isn't he here?? but refrained. She looked blankly at the envelope and back at Isaac. His eyes offered no smile. “Is he ok?” she whispered.

“I urge you to find your own answer.”

As she stared uncertainly at the envelope, Sunny stepped up. “Everything ok?”

Gabi looked blankly at Sunny, but Isaac responded, “A drink for the lady, please.”

Sunny poured straight vodka and placed it on the counter by her hand, watching with concern.

Gabi’s stomach twisted as she opened the envelope with shaky hands. Would it be a death certificate? Last wishes? His will?

“In light of how much things have changed, I feel it’s only fair for you to know the truth: I love you more than I ever believed I could love another soul. I am no longer bound to you by paperwork but by heart and soul. My dear Gabi, I love you more than words could ever promise. Looking at you leaves me breathless."

Tears fell silently down Gabi’s face as she read.

Without looking, Gabi raised the glass of vodka to her lips and threw it back. She turned the last pages. At the bottom of the stack was the signed contract, torn in two. She pressed a hand to her lips as fresh tears fell.

Gabi was no longer aware of the bar around her or even the man sitting across from her. What did all this mean? Why was Isaac here? Why wasn’t Joel?

When she returned the glass to the counter, Gabi glanced to Isaac’s solemn gaze. He leaned slightly to one side and reached into the opposite pocket of his jacket. Without a word, he placed a small jewel box on top of the empty envelope. Gabi trembled as she looked between the man and the gift. She gripped the edge of the bar to steady herself and simply stared at the box. Was she really expected to reach for it? Sunny poured a second drink for Isaac and refilled Gabi’s glass as a precaution.

Gabi looked up at Isaac again, and he toasted toward the box before draining his glass. At last, Gabi forced herself to take a deep breath and open the box.

Gabi felt her heart melt away as she gazed at the ring of her dreams. A princess diamond lay between a small amethyst and matching garnet. The diamond untied the two birthstones on a perfect silver circle.

Gabi ran a hand through her hair as she felt a surge of love mixed with hysteria and grief rush through her body. She covered her face for a moment with her free hand before closing the box and placing it on top of the torn contract. She crossed her arms but then picked up the box again nervously. She flipped the lid open to stare once more at the ring. She cleared her throat as if that might clear her head. She looked at the diamond already on her hand and closed the box again.

When she raised her gaze, she thought she was losing her mind. He approached through the crowd, his body weaving slowly between dancers. His eyebrows were angled with longing.

“Woah!” Sunny grabbed Gabi and held her up as her legs weakened beneath her. “Honey, your face is white – what’s wrong?”

Isaac’s deep laughed filled the air.

Gabi watched speechlessly as tears poured down her face. Joel’s eyes finally reached their end of the bar, and his face slowly lit with a smile. Gabi pulled herself upright against the counter. She stumbled around the edge of the bar, torn between relief and disbelief.

“Joel??”

“Yessss ma’am.” Isaac took a drink and grabbed Gabi’s arm to keep her upright until Joel was close enough to engulf her in his arms.

Gabi collapsed against Joel’s body. She gripped the front of his shirt, burying her sobs in his shoulder. His arm was still in a sling, but he held her tightly.

“Gabi!” he breathed. Several moments passed before Joel’s crushing embrace released Gabi enough for her to see his face. He tenderly wiped the tears from her cheeks. “I’m sorry for not calling. After you left… I lost a lot of time. The world blurred until two days ago. Then I was afraid that any move might jinx everything – overcoming the pain, escaping the hospital, ever seeing you again.”

Gabi could barely choke out a fluent sentence. “Isaac said- he said you didn’t make it!”

Joel looked bemusedly at Isaac who laughed. “I said he couldn’t make it, not that he didn’t make it.” He grinned at Sunny who was still watching the spectacle. “He gave me the delivery some time ago, and he was running a little late tonight.” Isaac emptied his seat and nudged it toward Joel. “You better let her sit if you want to keep her off the floor.”

Gabi grinned awkwardly and scrambled onto the barstool. Joel reached around her to shake hands with Sunny.

“It is great to see you! What can I get you to drink?”

“It’s great to be here. How about a soda?” To Gabi’s concerned look Joel replied, “Meds don’t mix well with Vodka.” He grinned, kissed her cheek, and wrapped his arms around her.

Gabi pressed her face against Joel’s chest and closed her eyes. She was swept by his scent and the sound of his heart beating against her cheek.

Gradually she leaned back and looked up at him. “What happened? I wouldn’t have left if-” Her voice caught in her throat. “I thought you were ok!”

Joel laced his fingers through hers and leaned casually against the bar. His eyes wandered the room as he recounted what had happened. When he looked back, “Oh don’t cry, Gabi! Everything’s ok now.”

She nodded at his with a small smile. “I know it is.”

When he finished, she freed her hands and turned her face to wipe away the tears. She heard Joel take a drink of soda, she heard the glass return to the counter, but she didn’t hear him reach behind her to snatch the ring from its box.

“Gabi?”

Joel caught her left hand as she turned back. Her heart fluttered as he gently removed his grandmother’s diamond from her finger. She hid her mouth with her right hand, trying not to laugh as fresh tears slipped down her cheeks.

Joel knelt in front of her. “Gabi, will you marry me?”

Patrons nearby stirred as they caught on to the moment.

Gabi looked to the heavens with gratitude. As she looked down at him again, she could control neither the tears that flowed nor the smile that filled her face. “Yes, Joel.” Word of her answer spread quickly, and the crowded hooted and cheered along with Sunny and Isaac. Gabi laughed and wiped the tears. “Of course I will!”

He watched her, prolonging the moment, then grinned and placed the newer diamond on her finger as he rose. She slide off the barstool without even glancing at the jewels and wrapped her arms around his neck. Joel captured her mouth in a passionate kiss. The crowd was still loud as he pulled her in his arms and said in her ear, “Thank G-d!”

If you enjoy your meal, you won't think twice about tipping your waitress generously. But what about everyone else who makes your day go well?

When you can’t show your appreciation with cash, write it up instead. Most businesses have ways to contact them online; set five minutes aside after a pleasant visit to your favorite store or restaurant and let the management know about your good experience. If an employee helps you find something on the shelves or treats you well in the checkout line, jot that person’s name on your receipt and send a good review to the store. If the person vending your popcorn makes you smile, submit that too. Take the survey listed on the bottom of your bill even when a sweepstakes isn’t offer.

We live in a world where people are more likely to write a review because they’re angry than for any other reason. Let’s rise above that by paying more attention to the good – and returning that goodness by sharing.

HM: What's your name?
CT: Courtney Taylor.
(pause)
HM: Courtney /Elizabeth/ Taylor. That sounds like a writer's name.
CT: As a matter of fact... :)

July - what a month! Last year, drinks with a heavy metal band. This year, author encounters far and near.

I traveled to Paris for a Kiwanis convention but stayed a few extra days to tour the town. In addition to finding Shakespeare & Company, a delightful bookstore between Notre Dame and the Latin Quarter, I wound up randomly assigned to room with another writer from Miami. Our genres and writing tactics proved very different, but we talked for hours and found so much more in common.

A week after I returned to Texas, I ventured to an unfamiliar club meeting in San Marcos. A Kiwanian randomly waved me to her table, and - you guessed it - she turned out to be a writer too, of children's books.

What a treat to find more people who share my passion. :)

One random writing assignment a day. Plus 50,000 words by the end of the month.

For a month that is one day shorter than half of the others.

Quick! Grab a pen. Write a moment. Write your first love. Write your beliefs.

Then write 1,667 words for your next novel. Get busy!

Ok, fine, the writing challenge was easy, though most of what I wrote felt like a journal entry or a rant (or both) so I’m not really sure if that helped me improve as a writer. And I failed at Nanowrimo – but what an experience! What a thrill the few days I did reach the needed number of words, and how delightful to be 25,000 words closer to my next novel. I’m not sure if I can handle pushing forward to the predicted completion day near the end of December – so many other projects are overdue for attention – but can I stand to let the fervor fade before the story is finished?

Someday, when Atonement comes to fruition, you'll know where it all began...

I just finished reading On Paid Leave by Beth Mikell – and I loved it! Shawn Angel narrates at lightning speed, and her humor at all the wrong moments is something to which many of us can relate. The story has just enough memory, romance, and mystery to keep the pages turning.

To check out Beth’s book, visit https://www.amazon.com/Paid-Leave-Sha....

I was enjoying a typical girls’ night out with good drinks and great company. Fargo prides itself on friendliness, so we didn’t twice about entering into conversation on the street at dusk with a handful of out-of-towners. One thing lead to another – Toronto > Kiwanis > music – and we spent the rest of the evening in the company of Three Days Grace.

Our distinguished visitors were in town to perform the following night at the Red River Valley Fair. I couldn’t help but laugh as we swapped secrets, comparing life as musicians and authors, big and small. Canadian healthcare, American politics, Moscow mules – no topic was out of bounds.

Following this most unexpected encounter, I poked around a online and found a Loudwire blog by the drummer himself. “Black Betty” by Ram Jam has been in my head ever since I read that article. Perhaps listening to a few Three Days Grace songs will help conquer this earworm…

Check out what Neil had to say at http://loudwire.com/three-days-grace-....

I was so excited this evening to read something worth posting under the quotes section here on goodreads -- until I realized that those quotes are supposed to be from me, not other people... Still, this literary line is too good not to share.

"...whenever you could cut a speech, a sentence, a phrase or even a couple of words, it makes a greater difference than you would ever expect."
- John Cleese in So, Anyway...

Would I could point to Mr. Cleese each time I return another author's manuscript full of red ink!

For a little more insight into A Crushing Arrangement, check out this breathless interview. :)

http://www.prairiepublic.org/radio/ma...