Moments for the Heart

Hey, Weekend Writing Warriors. I trust everyone had a festive fourth. We had our local family over and grilled. Nothing like hosting a full house. It was primarily our children’s significant others and their parents. Interesting though because next year, things could be vastly different.

On the writing side, I’ve chosen to take part in Camp NaNoWriMo. I need to get The Transference II edited and I feel the gun to my back will get the job done. Although this book needs a lot of work. Wish me the best.

Sorry about the mislabel on the WeWriWa website, we are still in Little Reminders. So, let’s get back into it.

SYNOPSIS:

Aaron Stephenson loves his job. As food critic for the popular Houston Gazette, he gets to sample the best cuisine at the finest eateries in Houston without paying a dime. And because there are so many great restaurants in Houston, he doesn’t have to visit the same establishment twice… unless he wants to.

But when Aaron stops in at Davies Deli, a non-descript, off-the-beaten-path, family-owned diner, he suddenly realizes he wants to come back;

But it has to do more with the owners’ brown haired, green eyed daughter, Deborah than the delicious food.
Aaron and Deborah feel a mutual attraction. But Deborah has a secret that could change everything.

And then there is Carter…

SNIPPET:

Summary:
This love story novel was born out of a dream I had about an angel leaving nick knacks behind for a couple to find as they walked through an amusement park together. They were reminders about them being a couple because they were struggling. Them finding these ‘little reminders’ drew them back together. The novel also has a dual storyline, in that the MC also has a struggle with their relationship with God, so they are also being drawn back to Him as well. The diner idea came from my personal love for food, writing some of the book sitting in a Denny’s, and working in kitchens for almost 10 years.

Here is a bit from last week.

Aaron had originally planned to write his review two weeks ago, but writing it now confused him. Yeah, he loved the place and had planned on giving it several accolades as one of the best sandwiches in the Houston area. But for some reason Deborah clouded his ability to put it on paper, and he could not find the words to write nor to speak.

After the second week of fumbling with the words, he’d had enough. He had to do something. After a drawn-out discussion with the mirror in his apartment, he decided today was the day. He had to just do it. He was going to ask her out.

We met Aaron last week, here we move into Chapter Two and meet Deborah.

“Pop, by any chance, did you pay Josh his final paycheck?” Deborah asked as she entered the kitchen. She was holding a spreadsheet with a puzzled look on her face.

Darren Davies didn’t look up from his broom. “Oh, yes. I meant to tell you. He came in not too long after his last day. Said he needed it for moving expenses.”

“Did you give him cash?” Deborah asked.

“Yes, he seemed to be in a rush. I didn’t want him to have to wait until payday?”

“Pop, you can’t do that,” Deborah explained. “Taxes need to be taken out. Every cent needs to be accounted for.”

::There is your ten, or so, but let’s continue on and finish the scene.::

“Oh. I’m sorry, DeeDee,” he said. DeeDee was his nickname for her since she was two. It had come from them trying to teach her Debbie, but all she could say was DeeDee, so it stuck, for him anyway. “I was just trying to help.”

Deborah smiled, then looked around. “Pop, please, not here. It’s okay, I can fix it. But just let me know before you think about doing that again. Where’s Mom?”

“She is opening up,” he pointed toward the front of the restaurant. Deborah followed his finger and into the dining area. Mom was hanging up a sign in the front window about the daily special, ‘Meatloaf Sandwich.’

“People really seem to like that, don’t they,” Deborah commented.

“I know, right?” said Mom as she stepped down from a stool. “We always sell out. And it’s almost time to get started.” She headed through the swinging doors and into the kitchen.

Mom and Pop were always trying new things. Many of their sandwich concoctions made her initially twitch, but they seemed to have a knack of making the unpleasant sounding taste astounding. Last month Pop had created a Supreme Pizza sandwich, which was also a great success.

“I’ll be ready,” Deborah said with a smile. She headed back to the office, but a figure stood with his back toward her near the office door. He wore an old brown tweed coat and matching cap.

“Can I help you, sir?” Deborah asked the man. Did Mom already open up?

The man turned and faced her. “I’m sorry, I’m afraid I am a bit turned around. Where is the men’s room?” he asked.

Debora pointed behind her. “It’s around the corner, past the display case.”

“Thank you,” he said through an awkward smile. His grey eyes sparkled with recognition. He passed her and followed her directions.

Deborah watched him as he walked around to the back of the dining area, where the restrooms were. She shook her head and walked back into the office. Then, sitting at the desk, she covered her eyes a moment. The gentle throb that had edged at her the last six months reminded her she was not feeling well.

We get to meet a host of characters here. Deborah, her parents, and the mysterious visitor. You can probably figure who he will be. I got the Meatloaf Sandwich idea from eating them at Denny’s. Ever eaten one? Fabulous. I can picture Pop as a somewhat mediumset Italian-type, although I know the surname Davies is English, I can almost hear an Italian/Greek twang to his speech. I guess sorta like Michael Constantine in Greek Wedding. Just no Windex.

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Monday is Memory Monday
We remember an important event that occurred on that Monday or sometime that week.

Tuesday is Two Twenty-Two Tuesday
A weekly vlog where I talk about writing or something that’s been on my heart, all in two minutes and twenty-two seconds. — I am way behind on this… sorry.
This is posted on my YouTube channel.

Wednesday is when I post my blog for the week.
I speak from my heart on various topics from writing to faith.

Thursday is This or That Thursday
A weekly two-option poll that raises the question, do you like this, or do you prefer that?
I host this on this on Twitter, IG, and Facebook.

Friday is Fun Fact Friday
I find and share interesting or obscure facts on my pages.

Saturday is for Weekend Writing Warriors
Saturday is for Snippets from a current piece or past work.

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In His Exciting Service,

Jeff S. Bray

Check out amazing established and emerging writers at Weekend Writing Warriors. Each week we post new snippets from either published works or works in progress for each other to comment on. Gain insight into how the mind of a writer works and a behind-the-scenes look at works before they hit bookstands everywhere.

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