The newsletter editors of my Romance Writers of America chapter urged us to submit character interviews. I had fun imagining an interview with the heroine from The Wedding Bet: Lauren.
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I get up from my seat in the Starbucks at Penn Station. “Lauren, it’s so good to see you!” I give her a hug and step back to take in her black slacks, red jacket and blue scarf. “I just love the outfit!”
“It’s good to see you as well.” She touches the scarf. “It’s a gift from Annelise (heroine of Starting Over: Rick). She and Rick were in town. Denise (heroine of Going Home: Roger) lives in New London too, so we all got together during the Christmas holidays. Lots of kids running round. Chaotic, but fun. Can’t complain. We’re all doing fine. How have you been?”
“I’ve been fine, the family’s fine. I’ve been getting to know some new characters. And you?”
“That’s great! I like Facebook, it’s good for keeping in touch with everyone, so I’ll check for your updates. Don and I, we’ve been married several years. The babies are getting bigger and I’m doing nursing part time. Gives me more time with them.” She takes out her phone to show me some photos.
I take it and study a picture of her with her children. “I love it, they are so adorable.” I return the phone to her. “They’re with Daddy this afternoon?”
She nods. “I’m sure they’re having some adventures. He’s so busy, it’s good whenever he can have down time with them. We’re still going strong. He’s doing great, getting promotions.” She smiles at a photo of him. “I just love how much he enjoys being a dad. Our family life is such a blessing.”
“It’s like a Hallmark movie.”
“And you made it possible for us!”
“So which television show would most resemble your life?”
“Something like Black-ish, I think.”
“I can see it! So if we made a movie of your life, who would star?
“Idris Elba as Don, it goes without saying! I would love it if Kerry Washington were to play me.”
“She’d be recognizable.” I notice the book she placed onto the table. “What are you reading?”
“Michelle Obama’s autobiography. Her story is so relatable.”
“I agree. She really speaks to so many women’s experiences.”
“That’s what I really like about you as our author! Perhaps it comes from your training as a clergywoman. Whatever it is, you understand us, our experiences and needs. Everything that has been important for us in getting our happily ever after. Like, you’ve always respected our privacy, giving us the closed door bedroom scenes we prefer. Annelise, Denise and I, we call you our honorary auntie!”
“Thank you, sweetie. That’s so lovely to hear.”
She hugs me. “You’re always welcome.”
We get our drinks and continue chatting until it was time for her to catch her train back to Connecticut.
Copyright, Barbara James. All Rights Reserved.
Barbara James 