It is WIPpet Wednesday. Many thanks to Emily Witt, who initiated this wonderful WIPpet gathering. I am still working out of boxes, but the boxes are fewer than before, and I am not complaining. I am elated. Just hooked up my hp wireless printer, successfully.
So, here goes for today:
- What have I read?
I have not finished reading anything this week.
What am I reading?
Still reading PEAK: Secrets From The New Science Of Expertise by Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool, How To Become A Writer by Barbara Baig, and I Was Right On Time, My Journey from the Negro Leagues to the Majors, Buck O’Neil with Steve Wulf and David Conrad, and I have started reading A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley and The Cat Who Wanted A Dog by Micki Peluso.
- What do I plan to read next?
My GRL by John Howell, The Violin Man’s Legacy by Seumas Gallacher and Flash 40 Life’s Moments by Janelle Jalbert, The Last Coach by Allen Barra, and My Personal Best by John Wooden with Steve Jamison.
My Snippet is composed of 28 paragraphs. This is the last part of this chapter and I didn’t want to take two paragraphs out of the next chapter because I am not sure I will continue with this story or present a new one.
Background and summary: Quad 1 calls, and she takes the call in Daniel office. After her phone call, Phoebe and Daniel’s discussion continues but Daniel takes a step in a different direction.
***
When Phoebe hung up, Daniel had gotten up from his desk and walked to his window to look out over the parking lot.
“I need you to give me a summary of the project. I want to take it home for the weekend,” Daniel said.
“That’ll take hours, and I promise Quad 1 I'd be at his first soccer game.”
“Okay, then give the data to me. I’ll summarize it, and then you’ll have to check it and concur on Monday,” Daniel said, still facing the window.
“Do you mind?”
“No Phoebe, I don’t mind. By the way, what’s Quad 1 real name?” Daniel turned to regard her as she answered.
“Daniel Michael.”
“Are you serious?
“Yep.”
“And the other two Quads.”
“Quad 2 is Daniel Elijah, and Quad 4 is Daniel Joseph. Quad 3 told you he was Daniel Gabriel when you brought me home last night.”
“You mean each boy has Daniel in his name?”
“Yes indeed, Mr. Cochran, and that why Angie gave them the name ‘the Quads.’ But when they turned three, Daniel Michael decided to identify them by a number. So, they’re Quad 1, and 2, and 3, and 4 now. Who knows what he'll come up with when they turn five.”
“He has to be one smart kid to figure out something like that,” Daniel said.
“Believe me when I say he is. He’s either going to be a lawyer or a soccer player.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Well, he’s playing soccer with eight-year-olds, and he’s just four, and he’s in the third grade at the best private academic school I can afford, and the teacher and the principle would like to move him up two classes higher because he's bored. So do you understand now?” Phoebe asked.
“Wow,” Daniel said. “We need to talk about finances, and I’d love to see him play soccer.”
“Not yet, Daniel. Please give me time to prepare them.”
“It’s just that I’d like to get to know them.”
“Trust me, you will.”
“I do, Phoebe. So, out with you; I need to get some work done, and you need to bring your things up from your office.”
“But I…”
“You need to get all your things up here and make sure all your office equipment is working properly. Afterward, go home. I’ll see you on Monday.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m very sure. Now out!”
With a perplexed look on her face and a question in her eyes, Phoebe walked out of Daniel office and closed the door lightly. She pinched herself to make sure she was not sleeping. A pleasant conversation without sarcasm and accusations with Daniel Cochran was something she’d had only in her dreams.
If Phoebe had turned around and took a look at Daniel Cochran's smiling face, she might have fainted once more.
***
That’s all, folks.
Be safe.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat Garcia