Only Time Will Tell by Matayo Amy

Author:Matayo, Amy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: LongMill Press
Published: 2021-06-03T00:00:00+00:00

17

Eliza

When I walked into work this morning, Harry told me about last night’s visitor and that I should expect a phone call sometime today. From that point on, I’ve spent exactly three hours and twenty-seven minutes walking tourists through the museum, and three hours and twenty-six minutes resisting the urge to check my phone. The internal monologue playing on repeat inside my brain goes something like this:

If Lew calls me, I’m going to ignore him.

Wait, I think I missed his call.

If he calls me, I’m going to scold him for talking to my boss.

Is my phone working?

What’s taking so long? Doesn’t he need my help?

I’m a female Jekyll and Hyde—most of the time falling firmly on the side of not wanting to hear from Lew or even see him again. But then a tiny bit of excitement creeps up at the thought of talking to him again and…bam. I find myself disappointed that he hasn’t even tried to call. Why hasn’t he tried? Worse, has he found someone else to question? Some other woman more than willing to help him out, quite possibly in more ways than simple information gathering. And that has me seeing green despite my black uniform jacket and decidedly dark brown irises. Why can’t I be that kind of woman?

Sometimes having high standards is terribly inconvenient.

“How old was Dickens when he published his first novel? Because I’ve written two manuscripts, and I’m only fifteen. My teacher at school says that’s highly impressive,” a young girl who looks closer to eleven or twelve asks me.

Two manuscripts? I’m twenty-seven and have completed only one. Envy and irritation weave through my brain for no good reason except I don’t like feeling inferior. No teacher ever complimented my work in school unless you count a science teacher who was quite impressed with the swift way I dissected a fish. A skill not fit for a writing resume.

Also, Lew still hasn’t called. I check my phone once again to make sure and—no, still nothing from him. I sigh and slide my phone inside my jacket pocket, and lock eyes with the girl in front of me.

“Dickens was twenty-one when A Dinner at Popular Walk was published, his first short story. After that, he went on to publish The Pickwick Papers and Oliver Twist.”

“But he was twenty-four when The Pickwick Papers was released. That means I might have to wait nine more years?” the girl whines.

I hear this complain so often, but it never fails to surprise me. Fifteen? It must be quite the hardship to have to make it all the way through your teen years without being multi-published and famous, an unfair lot in life for the pre-pubescent. However, will she manage?

“I’m afraid most publishers don’t sign authors until they’re over eighteen for legal reasons, but maybe you’ll be one of the lucky ones who find a loophole.” Unlike me, it will undoubtedly happen for you, I think without saying even though I desperately want to. I push away thoughts

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