Page 14 of Shhh…It’s A Killer Story

Frank shrugged.

“I’ve seen worse.”

The kettle clicked on. As it hummed to life, my laptop sat waiting on the desk. Closed. Patient. Judgmental. Gerald noticed it first.

“You’re avoiding it.”

“I’m making coffee.”

“You’re procrastinating.”

“I prefer strategic delaying.”

“The chapter won’t write itself.”

I glanced at the blinking notification on my screen. Editor

Subject: Just checking in :)

I sighed.

“Oh, she’s going to kill me.”

Gerald tilted his head.

“Probably.”

“Figuratively.”

“Hopefully.”

I wrapped both hands around my mug and carried it to the desk. The chair creaked as I sat. The laptop opened with a soft click. A blinking cursor greeted me. Waiting. Always waiting. I rested my fingers on the keyboard.

"Sorry," I whispered.

"I know I've kept you waiting."

I placed Gerald onto the edge of the desk.

"She won't be pleased."

"No."

I frown.

"She never is."

The document opened and across the top of the page sat a single word.

JOEY.

For a moment, none of us spoke. The cursor blinked, patient, waiting. It almost looked excited. Frank tilted his head.

"Do you think they'll like her?"

I thought about it.

"...Eventually."