Jacqueline C. Thomas - Romance Novelist

Writing

Life is Vivid, Rich and Creative Right Now.

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Life truly is beautiful!

So I finished another novel over the weekend. As cliche as it sounds, I dreamt this one too, or at least the basis of it. I am always fascinated in the ways that inspiration comes seeping up into my writing. I think there was a lot of influence from current events and the political landscape. This work was a little different than anything I’ve ever written before. It is set in the future in an ultra-conservative/ religious America, where birth rates have dropped and the ultimate goal is to repopulate the world, but as a romance novel. It sounds strange but guys, it came out so incredible!

What I found particularly interesting with this book is that at no point did I have a major attack of self doubt. With every book I’ve ever written, right before the halfway point I usually have this sense of doubt, like the story is garbage, the characters aren’t believable and I should just stop writing. Most of the time I push through this feeling and in the end, I am usually really pleased with the finished product. To this point, I’ve not produced a work, where I’ve thought, eh you should’ve stopped. With this newly completed project that doubt didn’t come, and I don’t know if that means anything or not but I am grateful.

It really is the strangest thing, life has changed so much in the past six months, from reaching major career goals, and moving to the top of my field to now being home and writing full time. Life is weird guys. I was thinking back to a conversation I had with an old boss last year, we were talking about homeschooling and while I loved and romanticized about the idea, I never saw it in my future. I couldn’t put my career on hold to educate my kids. A year later, my kids are home elearning and I find myself being a part time teacher to support my kid’s education. What is also neat about this is my kids are seeing me write. My daughter has taken to becoming a writer herself and often writes short stories during her breaks. They’re dramatic and dark, and adorable.

So, two months into being a full-time writer, I am really loving it. I feel so pleased to have completed another novel. The last one I finished was in February pre-Covid, career change, furlough, and life basically turning upside down. I am really excited about the book I just finished, I really think it may be some of my best writing yet. I cannot describe how wonderful the feeling is to get up in the mornings and know that I have all day to write. For so long, I worked full-time, while completing my Master’s Degree, and I still managed to write. I would write after my kids went to bed in the evenings, on lunch breaks, or on weekends. Now I can write whenever the mood strikes and it is WONDERFUL!

As I write this blog post I am looking out the window at my treeline on my property rich with fall color. I know how odd this must sound, but I feel like everything is richer in experience this year, even the fall colors in my backyard. I don’t know if this is because I have the time to sit back and enjoy them or if they are truly more vibrant. I feel the same about my writing right now too, it just seems more substantial for some reason.

Creatively, all cylinders are firing right now. What I find truly amazing was that I really pushed to finish this last novel so I can start my NaNoWriMo novel. I already have the idea, and I know where the story will goes. This is unheard of at least for me. Normally I search for months thinking of the perfect idea of my Nano book. This year, the idea came hard and strong, and I was like, well finish the novel you are currently working on and you can start on your next one. Seriously, muse?!? Believe me I am not complaining! If I can pull this off I’ll have completed three novels this year and one short story collection… WOW! I am not bragging, I am just in awe of my endeavors especially in light of everything going on with a global pandemic.

In between writing, I’ve also been querying for my first book Sailing in Silicon Valley. While I have yet to get a bite, I am still pressing forward. I’ve also been toying with the idea of releasing The Lake Michigan Affair, which is a novel I wrote for my first NanoWriMo. It is the story of a devout woman who falls for a Catholic Cardinal, together they put everything on the line for their love. I queried the book for over a year, and after countless rejections, I think I might just self publish it. I’ll be interested to see how the book does on Amazon. My only experience is Quarantine Stories, which has met my expectations sales wise but hasn’t been a massive hit. I know that I have a few things working against me there, first I am an unknown author, second it’s a short story collection, and third short romance stories are kind of odd.

So in the meantime with the five days before NaNoWriMo starts, I’ll do a little research about the next project. I will also continue to query for Sailing in Silicon Valley. Overall, I will continue to enjoy life with all of the vivid richness it seems to possess right now.

Being a Full-Time-ish Writer One Month On

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My nightstand reading pile.

Hello all. Boy time flies when you’re having fun, doesn’t it? A little over a month ago I stepped away from my job in the corporate world to devote my time writing full time AND to assist my kids with their elearning. As the school year for my grade school aged children began, it was apparent that something was going to give, and I made the choice to step away. That being said, I recognized that there was an opportunity to fully lean into putting my efforts towards writing full time. My husband who is also an author, fully supported and encouraged this course of action.

So one month in, I have a lot to show for this past month. I self-published my first book! This was a huge deal for me. It’s the first time I’ve ever done this and boy is there a learning curve here. I was lucky enough to know how to use Adobe to layout my print edition, and cover design. I also had to learn Amazon’s KDP for the ebook. Page numbers, author accounts, and royalty structures, there was and still is so much to learn. BUT… It’s been fun so far. I am grateful to have had the time to dedicate towards, instead of having to sneak it in after work or on lunch breaks.

I’ve also continued to query for another completed novel that I wrote a few years back. My dream is still to go the traditional publishing route. I sent out my first round of queries in early September, and I am surprised to say I’ve heard back from most agents, granted it was a pass, but that’s okay. I will say the more I query, the thicker my skin gets, and that is a good thing. I queried last year for a different novel, and almost hit the 100 query letters sent mark. So querying continues and I’ll keep you all updated on any developments. I just keep reminding myself it only takes one yes, to change your life. Keep going!

All of this being said, while all of these endeavors are relevant to writing, they’re not actually writing. So I am happy to report that I’ve started writing a new project. I’m about 20K words in, and while it’s still a romance, it’s different than anything I’ve ever written before. Set about a hundred years in the future, in a new America, how will Willow find safety and love? So far the writing is going very well. That is in part to my husband who has shoved my computer, headphones, and coffee at me each morning to write in the seclusion of my bedroom while he readies our children for their day of elearning. When the school bell rings, I stop writing and am plugged into their needs.

I’ve been lucky enough to be able to write here and there during the day, between math lessons, and snacks, but overall it’s not a productive time for writing. So I’ve learned to use this time for other writing endeavors, such as marketing Quarantine Stories, learn KDP, or read. I’m reading an excellent book right now, Conjure Women by Afia Atakora. This story is so enveloping that it completely sweeps me away. I try to sneak in a chapter here and there, but I find that when I pick this book up, I am unable to put it down.

In addition to all of these things, I am also settling in at home, which historically has always been the death nail for being able to be home full time for me. I have found that clearing closets, gardening and learning how to quilt have been great cures for writer’s block. I am enjoying this time to be home with my family, and being able to be truly “plugged-in” to family life. When I think back to this time last year, working full time, finishing grad school and still writing, I wonder how I managed, but somehow I did. This thought spurs me on to continue writing, and pushing myself. If I could do it then when life was busier, I can surely do it now, and do it better.

Quarantine Stories is now In-Print!

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Dreams do come true, when you work for them. Today, Quarantine Stories launched in print edition for sale. I would imagine that any time that any author put out a book, self-published or otherwise, it’s a big deal. To me, today means so much more than simply putting my work out into the world, which is a big deal in it’s own right.

I am reminded of the first chapter book I ever read, it was the book Sox by Beverly Cleary. I was in third grade, and had struggled to learn how to read. I wasn’t diagnosed with dyslexia until I repeated the second grade. I simply could not read. I remember walking out of school that day, and I can still see the goldenrod color of the book, and feel its cotton weave texture under my little fingers. The reason that this memory jogs today, is because it was the first time I ever read an entire chapter book. It was also the first time I read for entertainment, and enjoyed reading.

Fast forward to today, and I have published a book of my very own. Typing the words, I still cannot believe it. I had an entire marketing plan set in place and a series of blog posts about how to go about the process from a first-timer. Amazon, jumped the shark this morning and set the book for sale. Immediately upon receiving the email that the book was live, the marketer in me panicked. What about the marketing plan? Wait, not yet!

My inner Dude (Big Lebowski Reference) was like, it’s live so roll with it. So here we are. Quarantine Stories as a book is live and for sale…. holy shit!

The print edition has 5 additional stories that were not published along with juicy and sweet tidbits added to the original 20 stories. There is a print edition and an ebook edition (the ebook edition should be live within the next 24 hours) for sale on Amazon. This morning when I got the email and clicked on the link, and my book popped up I literally screamed and then began to cry. My kids who are doing elearning were in the room when this happened. Concerned, they rushed over to my desk and I explained to them that they were witnessing a dream come true, a dream I’ve worked hard for, and one I will continue to put all of my efforts behind.

I am a published author. Those words are powerful to me, and perhaps my biggest accomplishment to date.

If you’d like to purchase a copy of Quarantine Stories in print or in an eBook format, you can do so here.

In closing I would like to recognize a few people along the way who helped me get here. Success does not happen in a vacuum, so I share this momentous day with each of these individuals. To my amazing husband, who is my biggest cheerleader, bullshit detector, and excuse eliminator- Thank you for shoving me into self publishing. To my little sister who is an amazing writer as well, and an old-salt when it comes to self-publishing thank you for your continued support, and feedback from the first story until 10 pm. cover design conversations. I could not have done this without you. To my adopted mother Linda Dickey, thank you for giving me that first piece of feedback I ever had, “Describe the feeling of the shag rug under back.” That advice still makes me chuckle and I remember it every time I write. Linda, thank you for being an amazing editor and making sense of my word vomit. Lastly, to the Writing Community on Twitter, thank you for pushing me to self-publish Quarantine Stories. You all are always there to give honest feedback, and share in the journey.

The Top 10 Reasons I love #PitMad

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Tomorrow is #PitMad a book pitching completion held on Twitter. This Twitter contest is held four times per year. This will be my first time participating this year. I haven’t been able to participate in March’s or July’s competitions this year due to work. So tomorrow is the day! I am so stupid excited. What makes this competition so awesome you ask? Well let me give you my top ten reasons I LOVE the #PitMad contest:

1. No Query Letter (well kind of)

This contests lets you pitch directly to agents! I hate writing query letters. Someone told me that a query letter only has to work once, and then you shouldn’t have to write another one. I’ve written my fair share of them, and I hope I am getting better at getting all of those magical ingredients in there. However, keep in mind if you get a “like”, during the contest you may still need to produce a query letter.

2. Community Spirit

The Writing Community on Twitter is an amazing resource for authors! It is one big community sharing the struggles, celebrating each other successes’s and supporting each other through the process of eventually getting our work out into the world no matter the journey. I love to retweet fellow authors on PitMad days. Its about writers helping writers.

3. Its Fun!

The contest runs from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. eastern, and it is one hell of a wild ride! You can put out three pitches through out this time, and you are praying and hoping for an agent to like your pitch. This is how you know you have a “bite.” After the event is over, you will contact the agent that liked your pitch and go from there.

4. There are Success Stories

People have gotten agents and book contracts through this contest. There is a list of authors who have gotten their big break this way.

5. What is your Genre

Fiction is a big pool, no it is gargantuan! Knowing specifically what genre you write in, is critically important. Some agents only represent certain genres so make sure to include yours when you pitch. A full list can be found on the PitchWars Website. For example I fall into the #A (Adult) #R (Romance) and #RS (Romantic Suspense) categories.

6. Make Friends

I have met some great people with amazing pitches through this completion. We celebrate each other’s successes and support each other, when that elusive like isn’t gained.

7. You’d better be Ready

Last year, I broke the cardinal rule of #PitMad. On a whim I pitched a finished manuscript that wasn’t quite ready. The story was finished, and had been developmentally edited but it had not been copy edited. I put it out there and didn’t expect much. Just my luck, and to my joy and horror, I got a few legitimate likes from agents. In between jumping up and down and adversely feeling like I wanted to vomit, I put in a panicked call to my copyeditor practically begging for the fastest turn around ever! Learn from me folks- DON’T DO THIS.

8. It can be one hell of a confidence boost

When your pitch gets a like, it is the best feeling in the whole world. For me, I’ve participated a few times and not gotten a single like from an agent. Rather than feel deflated, I’ve channeled these feelings into ambition reminding myself that my writing is worth putting in the hard work. I get back to work, writing, editing and querying. There are no shortcuts to success… most of the time.

9. You’re Putting Your Work Out There

Just like a query letter, the right pitch only has to work once. At the end of the day, it’s all about putting your work out there.

10. Know what your book is really about

Twitter gives you 280 characters to pitch your book, and you’d better leave a few of those to include the #pitmad hashtag, and your genre. Nothing will help you truly know what your book is about like this!

My Quarantine Story

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This time is bittersweet. I know that sounds like a crazy thing to say in the middle of a global pandemic where Covid-19 has claimed over 80K lives. I also know my struggle is not unique; more than 30 million American’s are currently unemployed in some fashion. I am one of those thirty million right now, but I was furloughed. I had very little warning, but I don’t want to get into that or the issues that a sudden loss of income brings.

I have always thought of myself as a “doer.” I am one of those people in life that you meet that leaps, does the hard things, and takes on challenges. It is who I am and who I hope to always be. Right now, I, like many American’s, find myself lost. Furloughed for what I consider an extended period to time, I am a strange place. When my husband and I first met, my dream was to be a stay at home, mom, and I was for several years. I loved staying home until I didn’t. I graduated from college at the beginning of the Great Recession. I sat in job interviews, where the next candidate had thirty years’ experience on me. As a result, I delayed my career and started a family.

When I entered the workforce, I started my own small business, and I found moderate success at it. I put in the hard work and balanced family life and work-life for the first time. Two years later, an amazing opportunity came along, and I jumped at the chance. I loved my time in that position and grew it from a part-time role to a full-time role. I once again found myself stretched as a working mother but loved every minute of it. It was during that time that I decided to go back to school and earn my Master’s degree in Public Relations. I found myself working full time, being a mother & wife, plus a graduate student. Life was crazy!

Over time I moved on in my career, advancing with each step. This past March, I took a new job and a new step in my career. I felt like I had finally made it to a goal that I had set for myself years ago. It felt good, no, it felt amazing. My family and friends were so proud of me. Then a global pandemic happened, and it feels like it all came crashing down. As if each career step was building block or foundation for a building, in one swoop, the building was razed to the ground.

At the same time, my Master’s program came to an end, and I graduated. Like millions of other Americans, going through similar life passages, there won’t be a ceremony to mark the occasion, or a party, the moment will slip by. The routine of school, weekly assignments, prepping for the midterm, and final papers are also done now. No matter the job, or my location in the world over the past two years, my schedule has revolved around school. Even though serious health issues late last summer, school still got done.

As I write this essay, my son is mowing the lawn, and I am sitting on the back porch watching him. This is a big day for him, he’s dreamt of buying his own lawnmower to mow to earn money for a computer of his own. I spent much of the day cleaning my house, the way I used to before I worked. Cleaning the nooks and crannies that I only notice, but I noticed when our cleaning lady didn’t. As I went through my house, so thankful that my husband is gainfully employed, and our home is safe for now, I kept reminding myself that this time is a gift. It is bittersweet to be here to see my son mow the lawn for the first time. Yet, at the same time, I am filled with sadness.
A few years back, I decided I wanted to learn how to sail. I signed myself up and set out on Lake Michigan (with my class) in a dingy, trying to will the elements to move the boat where I wanted. Sailing was a good life lesson. I am not stronger than the wind, and certainly not stronger than Lake Michigan, but that wasn’t really the lesson. I learned that there are forces in life you cannot control, bend, or solve; you just have to learn how to work with the elements to get to where you want to go.

I recognize that I write this post from a place of privilege; my husband is still gainfully employed with a fantastic company that treats him really well. There is food in my cupboards, and my lights are on. My children love having me home, to be “mom,” playing games, making sure they brush their teeth, and cleaning their rooms. My family has also been blessed thus far that Covd-19 had not claimed anyone dear to us. I do recognize that I do have it better than most, but that still doesn’t make it easy.

My furlough is several months long and comes without an income. I would love to be able to wait to return to my job, but I am not sure if I can economically, as the furlough came without a paycheck. I’ve filed for unemployment for the first time in my life, and I’m grateful it’s there. I grew up exceptionally poor, and food stamps and government aid were commonplace in my house. Nights when the lights got turned off for lack of payment, were “campfire,” nights as my mom would call them, where we’d eat by candlelight in our kitchen. When I was very young, this was fun, but as I got older, I saw the situation for what it was. To file for benefits as a healthy, able adult came with its own set of demons, as I am one of a million claims. I look at the life my husband and I have worked for, scrimped, struggled towards, and recognize how fragile it is.

So, I throw myself into writing, but I am finding that difficult right now. I am currently seeking other employment because as much as I would love to wait, I can’t be without an income for months. I keep trying to remind myself to make the most of this time; it is bittersweet. I have time with my kids; they’ll only be this little for such a short time. I have also tried to throw myself into crafting, by sewing masks for those in need. I’ve picked knitting back up, something I excel at, and am trying my best to read as much as I can. Last weekend I allowed myself to sit in front of the television all day in my pajamas, something I don’t normally do unless I’m ill. This time feels like being in that dingy again out on Lake Michigan, watching the waves and the tails on the sail, searching for the breeze to propel me forward, while slowly drifting off course.

I know the world will recover from this, physically, but I think the emotional recovery will take much, much longer. I share my story to say that it is okay to not be okay right now. It is okay, and it is “normal” that everything should feel a bit odd. I want my productive life back, my career back, as so many Americans do. In the meantime, I just try to remind myself that this time is a gift, play with my kids, stay up late reading that last chapter in the book, or take a bubble bath in the middle of the day. It is okay to do that and not be okay; it is okay to not be okay. I keep telling myself. Be kind to yourself, and each other right now,

Quarantine Stories: A Creative Exercise

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Hello all, sorry I disappeared for a bit, but with the state of the world, I think it is excusable. As the global pandemic rages on, and I begin my fourth week of self-quarantine. I have learned two things about myself. First, stress and creativity do not go hand in hand for me. When I am really stressed creativity turns off. The second thing I have learned how unusual circumstances can lead to interesting story prompts. This brings me to Quarantine Stories. Right now we are living through a global event, time will be measure as before and after the pandemic. All of this being said, I want to say thank you so much to all of the front line workers, doctors, nurses, law enforcement, package carriers, mailmen and mailwomen etc. Bravery is stocking shelves, delivering mail, and caring for the sick without proper PPE these days. Thank you to these stoic individuals who are keeping the basic necessities functioning.

As I said earlier, the thought of quarantine started to percolate my creativity. I thought of fun, heartbreaking, and awkward scenarios where characters are effected by quarantine. I had this thought two weeks ago and my brain gnawed on the idea. So the more I thought about it, I think this might be an interesting creative exercise to write a series of very short stories where the only rule of the story is that the characters must be stuck together in quarantine. The quarantine rules do not have to match current laws set by global governments, there is a bit of creativity here. I do not mean for this to be a disrespectful exercise in any way. Like most of us globally, I am looking for a way to fill my time. My goal is one story a week. We’ll see how it goes.

So let’s begin:

Quarantine Story #1: April 8, 2020 (Mark & Gemma)

Gemma woke as Mark’s arm pulled her in closer to him. She opened her eyes not believing it was morning again. She surveyed the yellow walls of the studio apartment, from the futon where she and Mark had spent all weekend in each other’s arms. She rolled over slightly and his eyes opened.

“You’re awake,” Mark said, his voice still raspy from sleep.

“Mmm, I am. I need to get moving or I am going to miss my flight.”

“Nope, I’m not letting you go, you’re my prisoner,” he joked.

“Well, I can come to be your prisoner next time I am in St. Louis. I need to go home to England.

Gemma watched Mark’s playful smile pierce with a pang of sadness, and she felt remorse for it. This is insanity she told herself. She followed Mark home after a wild night out and proceeded to have the wildest sexual experience of her life thus far. They had only left the bed to eat and shower. They binge-watched old kung-fu movies, both finding a true fan in each other. Gemma sat up and looked for her phone. She had not checked it since Saturday morning. Her job was high stress and she knew everything could wait for one weekend of fun.

Mark propped up as he watched Gemma walk around the small apartment, naked. He found her boldness and confidence incredibly sexy. He could not pull his eyes away from her petite frame, that was curvy in all of the best places. It didn’t hurt that her black hair swayed across her back as she walked towards her purse. Mark tried not to salivate at the thought of sleeping with Gemma one last time. As she dug in her purse for her phone he got off of the futon and pulled a t-shirt over his head.

“At least let me make you breakfast first,” he said as he walked over to the tiny kitchenette.

He poured began to make a pot of coffee as he realized Gemma had not answered him.

“Gemma?”

She still ignored him. He turned around and saw her standing still naked as she held the phone in one hand scrolling through her phone and her other hand over her mouth. Reading her face, Mark knew something awful had happened. He walked over to her.

“Are you okay,” he asked.

Hearing the concern in his voice, triggered her attention.

“My flight’s been cancelled. The borders have been closed. I…”

“What? Why? What happened?”

“It’s this virus. All travel has been shut down. My mum and dad are back home in the UK, my auntie, and friends.”

“Does it say how long?”

“I don’t know I haven’t gotten that far yet.”

“Here, let me look,” Mark said as he turned around looking for his own phone.

“Turn the telly on,” Gemma instructed.

Mark grabbed the remote on the nightstand and clicked it on. President Malcolm stood at the podium, in the middle of a speech. Gemma came over and sat next to where Mark sat, both transfixed by the American President declaring the borders of the United States were now closed, as globally travel was banned due to a rapidly spreading global pandemic. Gemma reached back and pulled the blanket from the futon around her. Mark wrapped his arm around not sure if it was to comfort her or himself. As the President concluded Gemma looked down at her phone.

“I have to call parents, would that be okay?”

“Of course, I’ll shower to give you some privacy.”

Mark stood, and realized he should probably call his own family. He grabbed his phone and walked into the bathroom, shutting the door behind himself. With his apartment being a true studio, the bathroom was the only enclosed room, where one could give and get privacy. He turned on the shower, hoping the noise would block out his own calls home. He talked to his parents who were isolated on their farm in rural Illinois and were prepared. They urged him to head to the farm, and it sounded like a good idea, but he wasn’t sure yet. He wasn’t going to just leave Gemma in his apartment.

He showered in record time and put a towel around his waist as he walked out of the bathroom, hoping he wouldn’t disturb Gemma. She sat on the futon her head in her hands. Mark walked over softly and sat down next to her. She could smell the scent of his shampoo and could feel the moisture evaporating off of his skin.

“Were you able to get ahold of your parents and your family,” he asked.

“Where am I going to go. Your? President said that the borders are closed for the next six weeks at minimum. I’ve called my hotel and they are requesting guests check out. I guess they called over the weekend to alert me to this, but the one weekend I put my phone away, the world ends.”

She wiped a tear from her cheek as Mark stood up.

“You’re going to come home with me. My family owns a farm just across the state line in Illinois, in Berlin. It’s tiny, they have a big farm with plenty of room. I called them when you made your calls and they invited me, us, out.”

“You told your family about me?”

“Not exactly, but you are welcome to come along.”

“I’m a stranger to them.”

“You’re not to me. I know this really isn’t the time for this, considering all that is going on but I like you, I mean, I really like you. That being said you don’t have to feel the same way about me, I know how nuts that sounds as we’ve only just met. The offer stands no matter your feelings for me.”

Gemma wiped both of her cheeks. There was something about her curled up in his blanket, upset and afraid, that compelled him to lean down and kiss her but he resisted the urge. She looked up at him, with her piercing green eyes, and tear-stained cheeks.

“I couldn’t it’s rude.”

“Not here, I promise you. The city is going to get nuts, you have nowhere else to go. I’d offer to let you stay in the studio but I don’t have food here, and I don’t think it will be safe. Please come with me?”

Gemma sat considering her options. She hadn’t said it but she felt the same way about Mark. She chewed her bottom lip, thinking through her options, while she looked at the perfect specimen of a man standing in front of her. The night she had found his dark curly mop of hair adorable the night she had met him, and his chocolate-brown eyes seemed to melt her insides in all of the best ways. He was clean-shaven on the night they had met, but he now had the beginnings of a beard. His muscular build reassured her that he could protect her in the new reality they had woken up to.

“Are you sure it won’t be an imposition?”

“No way. My parents would be thrilled. Here I can give you the address that way you can tell your family where you’ll be if that helps?”

Mark bent down looking at her squarely.

“My mother’s name is Betty and my father’s name is George. They’ve lived in Berlin their whole lives. The family farm has been in my family for three generations now. I am their only son, my sister Carina lives in Florida with her husband. She is staying down there to be near her in-laws. You’ll actually be doing me a favor, my parents are almost in their seventies. It would be nice to have someone my own age to talk to. I promise you it is the safest place on the planet, there is almost a three-mile square perimeter of corn around the entire farm.”

Mark reached up and tucked a long piece of her bangs behind her ear.

“All right. Thank you. Are you sure?”

“Absolutely. I promise you we’ll be safe there.”

Gemma stood up and began to look for her clothes. She dressed in Friday night’s club attire that she had worn to Mark’s apartment. Her bags had been packed up and were waiting at the concierge the hotel had instructed her.

“I’m sorry but can we please go to the hotel for my bags before we leave town?”

“Of course.”

Mark zipped the suitcase that sat on the futon and pulled it off of onto the floor, the metal wheels of it clicking on the wood floor.

“Ready? We’d better get on the road, so we are in our shelter place by 5 pm. as the President said.

Gemma nodded that she was as Mark pulled the suitcase behind him. He reached out his hand for hers and she took it as they walked out of the apartment into the unknown.

 

If you liked this story, check out the Quarantine Stories book with 5 never before published stories.