One hour until the big event. The wind kicked up all the tablecloths and knocked down displays. My phone dinged with text after text, notifying me my help would be late. I left the huge block of cheese for the noshies in my refrigerator. Nerves had me frazzled. I had to read in front of nearly fifty people! And I hadn’t done my make-up yet. I fumbled, delegating tasks to those amazing individuals bustling to make this signing happen. Fifteen minutes until go time, I ran in my wedges across the pool deck to the bathroom, hoping makeup could make me look less tired.
When I came out, the wind had died down. The tables were spread with colorful arrays of cheese, crackers, vegetables, and fruit. And everyone had a smile on their face. I sat in front of friends, family, and a few strangers, my heart rate a little higher than normal, my palms a little clammy. “Testing, testing.” The microphone worked, I made it through my reading without butchering my carefully selected words, and still, everyone was smiling.
Everything worked out. Wow! What an amazing event!
I want to thank everyone who came out to listen to me read for fifteen minutes in the brisk early-evening air. The heat lamps and fire pits certainly helped to ward off the chill, and the refreshments felt outright decadent! It is this very community that helped push me through to complete my first novel. Lakeridge Athletic Club offered a place for me to work when I was elbow deep in toddlers, messes, and nonstop noise.
This mama has found her tribe. I felt the love!
LEXIE SLOANE 