Finished!

Exactly two minutes ago, at 1:46 a.m. on Tuesday September 15th, 2009, I typed "The End" as I completed the first draft of Project Y.

My bouncing baby book weighed in at 80,914 words.

I'm going to bed now, but, before I do, would you like to hear how it ends? Good--I had hoped you would.

Here it is:

“Hi.”

“Hi. Did you really get fired in Houston yesterday?”

“Yup.”

“How’d that go?”

“Very fast. That part was kind of weird. Even with the time zone change, I was still back in my condo in Atlanta by three in the afternoon and asleep by five. I slept thirteen hours straight for the first time since college and still felt a little groggy when I woke up this morning. How are you doing?”

“I spent most of Ash Wednesday asleep. Maybe eleven hours. I had to unplug my phone and turn off the cell because people kept calling to ask me about the Meeting of the Courts. Did you know you’re a star?”

“So I hear.”

“The people at Gwin and Lenny’s party all want to know if you're a secret agent or in some kind of special forces for chubby people after seeing you on TV. Have you seen yourself? It’s impressive.”

“No I’ve been either busy or asleep since you dropped me at the New Orleans airport. This morning I bought a car and a couple of computers and then planned out a few upcoming trips. Oh, and I had a nice long chat with a Detective Clancy this afternoon.”

“Yeah, he showed up at my office this morning. Seems like a nice guy. So, where are you going?”

“I’ve got a quick trip to Vegas next weekend and then a trip to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby in early May. Both are more or less business trips, but the business part will only take a couple of minutes each. Want to join me for either of those?”

“I’d love to, but my schedule is packed for the next couple of weeks, so Vegas is out. And the first week of May is finals, and I’ll be up to my eyeballs in student papers and exams then. Any other trips on the horizon?”

“At some point very soon I need to fly to Phoenix to see my daughter Kelly. I want to find out if it’s even possible to start making up for lost time. Also, I’m going to India for a few weeks in April to eat some curry, look at some temples and clear my head a little.”

“Sounds good. And expensive.”

"Speaking of good and expensive, have you ever been to France in June? I hear it’s a nice time of year for one of the world’s top minds in medieval French history to get some primary research done.”

“Wow, is that an invitation?”

“It could be.”

“I don’t know Tony. I can’t afford it right now and I’d feel funny letting you pay my way--especially since you’re currently unemployed. Let me think about it.”

“Okay, but don’t take too long Daphne or I might have trouble finding a good chateau to rent.”

“Tell me Tony, do your future travel plans include New Orleans, by any chance?”

“Very possibly. I’m free tomorrow, and I’ve got a brand new Camry that needs breaking in.”

“What time can you get here?”

The End!