chapter 9
371 Words
Melissa looked around at the group. They had only known each other for a few days. Yet there was still one thing she had kept from them.
She had brought Bella along on the trip with her. It had been impossible to find a pet sitter or kennel to put the calico in so close to Christmas. This had been her only choice.
She went back to her room and returned to where everyone else sat - with Bella in her arms.
The leader of the group, who she now knew was named Jacob, looked at Bella. "You brought your pet?"
"I couldn't find a sitter or kennel. I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys sooner."
"It's fine." Jacob stated, "Thanks for telling us now."
Melissa looked at the calendar in the room. It was Christmas. The retreat had been extended to last until January 5th instead of New Year's day.
"Do we have any plans for Christmas?"
"We're having a get together at 5 o'clock this evening." Jacob replied.
Bella hopped out of Melissa's arms. She smiled down at the pet, then looked back up at Jacob.
"What sort of get together?"
"Reading some chapters from each of our stories." One of the others in the group - a bald, elderly man - replied.
She still didn't know the person's name.
He was just a nameless face to her. Melissa doubted she would ever know his name. The man barely spoke more than two words during the entire time she had known him.
"Um...." Melissa said, a bit embarrassed, "I can't. My story isn't ready yet. Only some of the second draft is written."
Jacob smiled knowingly at Melissa. "I kind of figured that."
"You did? How?"
"You shut yourself in your hotel room every day. When asked about how your story is coming along, you take a while." Jacob stated.
One of the other girls in the group entered the room where they were sitting - the lobby of the hotel.
"I'll see you at 5." Melissa said.
She left the lobby and rang back to her room. If she wanted to be ready in time for the meeting that evening, she would have to hurry with her writing.
- Writer
