"Where are you going?"

"Where are you going?"

"I don't

know but I will know when I get there?"

"Can I come

with you?"

"No."

"Why

not?"

"I want to

be alone."

"Why?"

"Because I

want to be with my thoughts?"

"Thoughts

about what?"

"Life. The Air.

The Water. Everything."

"Why can't

you do that with me?"

"I don't

want all the talking. I want silence."

"I can be

silent."

........

"I can be

silent. I can sit next to you and not say a word."

"You will

say something, because a squirrel will catch your eye, then you will start

talking about the trees then the animals than the people playing on the

streets."

"I will

not. I will seat beside you and say nothing."

"How can I

be certain that you will be silent? I’m doing this so I can think about what I

will write about in my next story."

"I will pay

you a dollar for every word I say."

"A dollar?

Do you have a dollar to spare?"

"Yes. I

will keep track of every word I say. I will bring a notebook."

“You will have to keep a few pens with you.”

“You have plenty of pens to spare.”

“I suppose I do. I guess you can come but keep that notebook handy.”

“Oh good. Let us be on our way then. Are you driving or walking?”

“I was going to go for a drive, but the weather is nice, so a walk sounds good.”

“I agree. Let us go for walk. I will wear my new jogging suit.”

“That bright blue jogger.”

“That’s the one. It’s so comfortable and I will enjoy the weather with you too.”

“I guess so. The deal starts the moment we close the door.”

“I know. I have my pen and paper.”

*********

“Oh, look it’s the Petersons. They are going for a walk, how nice.”

“I suppose. That woman is incredibly quiet. I do not see how he likes someone that silent.”

“Maybe he enjoys her silence. We cannot tell what goes one behind closed doors.”

“You are right. It is not our place to know what is going on, but they are odd, and look he is carrying a notebook. I wonder why?”

“Maybe he wants to draw? Or write something he sees? It’s is not our problem.”

“I know. You have said that, but that is a nice jogger he has. I like the color.”

“It does suit him, doesn’t it? She is still wearing black.”

“It’s simple and constant. Black is a good color”

*****

“I have something to say”

“Five dollars already. I’m so getting Starbucks after this.”

“You get Starbuck all the time. You should hold off on the coffee.”

“It’s so good and they had rarely done me wrong. What is it that has to say?”

“I was wondering what you are going to read next. You have already taken the fairytale route, what is next?”

“I’m not sure. I was thinking mythological.”

“Aren’t mythological the same as fairy tales?”

“No. They're completely different. Fairytales have “They all lived happily ever after” Myths and Legend have no such ending; it is all up in the air. Everything is open to interpretation.”

“Aren’t all fairytales open for interpretation?”

“Yes. All stories are open for interpretation but I whether stick with the original text, keep the original to the story without it being tarnished by the trends of today.”

“That is bold of you.”

“Someone has to do it. Everything does not have to keep up with technology. There are people out here still with flip phones.”

“You are right. I saw one yesterday and I thought I’d never see anyone ever again.”

“See. The old is still here, just hidden among the new. I am still in the outline stage of this story. I can’t seem to begin it.”

“Well tell me.”

“I wanted….”

“I know, you wanted silence, but you do better when you talk it out. Remember when you need help with the sequel. You asked me and we worked through that scene in the chapter. Let me help.”

“Okay. Here we go…”

*******

“They are serious, aren’t they?”

“Must be something serious, hands are flying around her face like never before. I’ve never seen her so talkative.”

“Right. It is usually him doing all the talking. That is nice. I was getting worried that he married her because she did not run away with the next man who gave her a Starbucks card. It’s not great coffee anyways, but people wrap around the building.”

“I never understood how she got his attention. She is not his usual go-to for women; tall, skinny, social media influencer wannabes. Did you see her post?”

“No, because she doesn’t post anything.”

“Exactly.  It is refreshing not to see one so obsessed with the following. Although his last girlfriend has a million followers. How does one get a million followers?”

“You do see her selfies, right?”

“That’s right. I forgot about that. Are we that old?”

“Yes. We still have a VCR in the playroom. My kids think it’s some sort of time machine or transporter to Jumanji.”

“I wish. I would jump right on to avoid this world.”

******

“So you are just expanding the story?”

“Yes. I think there can be more to the story. The Greek god meddled in everything under the sun. Why live among them for a time.”

“It has already been written. Apollo had two stories with the storyline. How could this story be different than the others before it?”

“Because I’m keeping it in Greece. Apollo lives in the modern world in one story and in another story, he lives in a just city. This story is set in the ancient world of Greece, where a god’s love for a woman is tested. What story out there has that?”

“None I can think for. It is a steep attempt.”

“Yes, and I cannot seem to find a good beginning, even which voice to use. I’m all over the place.”

“Maybe you should just say it out loud.”

“I’m a little afraid. It’s not perfect.”

“Outlines, drafts aren’t perfect till you see the finished product than edit. This is just us working out words for a page.”

“Your right, plus you still owe me five dollars.”

“I owe you more than five dollars.”

“Five dollars is all I’m taking thank you.”