2016 – Day 41

Start writing a story that...

Step 1: starts with this dialogue: I want you to come with me

Step 2: add a character who: wants to write a novel

Step 3: add this word: advice
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"I want you to come with me, Joy," Saffron said, reaching out to take her daughter's hand.

Joy pulled her hand away and leaned back against the booth wall. She wouldn't look at her mother, but instead stared at the mound of whipped cream that was dripping down the sides of her pancakes and pooling at the edge of the navy blue ceramic plate. Everything in the diner was in primary colors. It was her mother's favorite place to meet, but Joy always felt out of place—like she was back in preschool. It didn't help that her mother always ordered chocolate chip pancakes for her. She felt too old for it.

"Sweetie, you're 16. Even though your dad has custody, you still have a say in where you go." Saffron took a sip of her coffee, then looked outside and waved at the man leaning against her car. "Did I tell you River is going to write a novel while we're out there? Isn't that fantastic? You are lucky to have such an amazing stepdad."

"He's not my stepdad," Joy said. "You're not married."

"We are spiritually married, sweetie. I've told you, it's not about the government paperwork."

Joy picked up her fork and tamped down the rest of the whipped cream.

"I'm not moving to a commune, mom," she said. "My friends are here. And school."

"What are they teaching you at that school? How to take tests?" Saffron leaned across the table and took her daughter's shoulders in her hands. "I've been where you are honey, and I'm trying to save you years of lost time."

Joy pulled back from her mother's grasp and glared at her.

"I'm not taking advice from a woman who is going to live in some tent and sing songs all day! What do you do at a commune, anyway?"

"It's not a commune, it's a spiritual community," Saffron said. "And we'll be learning about ourselves, the world, the universe. Everything."

"Everything? Like trig and calculus? Because that's what I'll need when I apply to college."

Saffron sighed and looked at her daughter. Joy met her gaze and stared back.

"I want you to go to college, honey, I do, but this experience will be so good for you. Your dad has your head all wrapped up in this single, set track for success. And I've been there. He used to just pull me along with him, until I didn't know why I was doing any of it. And 20 years down the line, when you're in some corporate job that you despise and your spirit feels drained, you'll wonder why you're doing all of that, too."

"Maybe I'll like a corporate job. Or maybe I'll pick something else. But I will pick."

"Of course you will, sweetie. And this experience will actually make you more aware of the choices you have. You don't know how limited your field of vision is right now."

A shadow fell across the table and mother and daughter both looked up. River stood beside the table, smiling down on them.

"Time to get going, Saffron, love," he said. "You coming with us, Joy?"

"My mom's name is Barbara and, no, I'm not going with you," Joy said.

"I'll be right out, honey," Saffron said, smiling up at River.

River leaned down and kissed her, then wandered back out of the diner. Joy stared at her mother, her face contorted in disgust.

"Don't give me that look," Saffron said. "You're not a little kid anymore. This is how adults who love each other are supposed to act."

Joy rolled her eyes but didn't answer.

"Come on, we'll drive you home," Safron said, putting cash on the table and sliding out of the booth. "We have a thing to go to tonight, but I'll come back tomorrow and talk with your dad."

"I said I don't want to move," Joy said. "Besides, Dad would never agree to it."

"We'll see. Let's go."

Safron walked to the door. Joy slowly slid out of the booth and followed her mom into the glaring sunlight.