Wondrous Rex by Patricia MacLachlan

Author:Patricia MacLachlan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2020-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

9.

Book Dreams

I have become a writer. It surprises me. It does not surprise my friend Daniel. Nothing surprises Daniel.

It does not surprise my teacher Ms. Luce, although when she reads the beginning of my story, “A Bit of Magic,” it leaves her silent. After ten minutes she sits down, staring at me. She blows her nose. Is she crying?

“I can’t believe your imagination, Grace!” she says.

I want to tell her I am living the story, that I am not really imaginative. She might be disappointed.

“And you’re using your words!” she says.

An L once said in the writers’ group, “If you’re a writer, it’s never over. You write and rewrite, and when you’re finished you begin another story. An endless circle.”

I never before understood what she might mean.

My parents come home from their medical conference sick with the flu. They are too sick to work. Too sick to eat. And they won’t let me in the house. They don’t want me to catch it.

“Pat Rex for me,” my father says mournfully on the phone before he goes back to bed.

So I’m at Lily’s.

She writes.

I stare at the laptop computer she has given me.

I need a new title. I need a quote, and a word or two or more.

I need an idea. Lily once told me it had to be her idea to write her story.

Lily can’t tell me an idea that’s right for me.

Rex doesn’t know my ideas.

And then it happens.

It is teacher’s meeting day at school. No classes today. And the L’s come to writers’ group!

Rex greets them, and he sits in their group.

I become brave.

“Before I go to the dining room, where I can’t hear you . . . ,” I begin.

Lily smiles.

“I would like to know where your writing ideas come from.”

Rex sits quietly, taking the snacks the L’s offer. He listens.

They are happy to talk about book ideas. They’re very peppy, even though they’re eating apple slices, cheese, and carrots. No sugar.

“I am writing about my brave great-grandmother,” says Laura.

“My childhood,” says Lois.

“I’m writing about the future I want!” says Lana.

“I’m writing about a painting I have loved forever,” says Lacy.

“My garden and the peace it brings me,” says Lila.

“I’m writing about a birth,” says Lou.

“About someone dying,” says Laura.

“About love,” says Lois.

“About the truths in magic,” says Lily.

Rex and I look at each other. We know about that.

“About a dream,” an L finishes.

A dream.

I suddenly remember something from when I was very little. Rex sees my expression.

“Thank you,” I say to the L’s.

“It was a good question, Grace,” says Lois.

I leave them still talking about book ideas. I go to my laptop computer. I push the button for my title page—

A Bit of Magic

Rex jumps up on the chair beside me.

I delete the title “A Bit of Magic.”

“You know I’m already writing that story,” I say to Rex. “You’re the one who told me.”

Rex yawns as if pretending he doesn’t remember that.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.