NOVEL
WOODY PAUL GREY
CHAPTER SEVEN. MY STORY
-"O.K. Now it`s my turn to reveal my family secrets. My family story was on the contrary was very positive. Actually, I was born in the same year in a very hard working family of school teachers in the same New York city. We were so romantically minded, I guess, due to the books reading habit. I, personally, dreamed of becoming a famous writer since early childhood. It should mentioned, though, that i didn`t tell about it to anyone in my family, except for my best friend, Clark Davidson. But it so happened, that no matter how hard I tried the Muse didn`t visit me for long - just short meeting, in the result of which I had written a few short stories. I had even had left school teaching to work as a journalist in one of the local newspapers. But again, as a reporter I wasn`t successful again. I quit writing to become a businessman. I started a publishing business and helped others to become famous writers and poets. I don`t know why, but as an entrepreneur very soon I became very rich, got married, became a father of six kids. I had everything what i needed, except for writing books. At the age of 45 my wife died of cancer. Our children by that time grew old enough to live separate lives. It was the first death in the family, our parents were still alive. Something changed radically and I started writing right after the funeral. When I finished writing my first book I didn`t know what to do. By that time I was a famous businessman, my Publishing House was well known around the world. What concerns writing books? Actually, it didn`t make me? as happy as I expected. And, besides, I wasn`t sure that the Muse, who this time felt quite comfortable around me will stay for long. So, I decided not to change anything in my life. But what about the book, you may ask? One day, in the morning, a brilliant idea came to my mind. I decided to make my friend best friend the author of my books. I was so rich , by that time, that I didn`t need extra money, especially, when writing books didn`t make me happy. I called Clark and in half an hour we met on the outskirts of New York. I just wanted to be sure that no one will witness our secret negotiations. It was really very important for me.
Clark came in time, as usual. He didn`t look well, I mean his suit, shoes. I thought they looked the same for quite a while.
-" Hi, buddy! How is it going?" - we shook hands, hugged each other very warmly. In fact, I was a little ashamed that didn`t help my friend earlier. "Better later - then never" murmured I to myself.
-"Hi, George! It`s been a long time. You look fantastic! So, what`s the emergency? We haven`t seen each other for years. What I can do for you, buddy?" - it was so strange to hear this from him. Yes, he`s the right person, a real friend.
-"Can you do me a favor, Clark? I really need your help. But, can you promise to keep this in secret?" - asked I my face flashing.
-"Sure thing, George! You can totally rely on me. Go ahead, tell me what do I have to do to make you happy?" - asked Clark loosing temper.
-" I want you to pretend that you are an author of my first book and all the rest that I`ll right. I don`t want to change anything in my life, but I want my books be successful and with your help it`s quite possible." - and I put the manuscript of my first book on the table in front of him/
-"You`re kidding me, aren`t you?" - he really thought that it was a joke.
-" To tell you the truth I`m in a desperate situation - no work, out of money, no apartment, nearly homeless and my life is so miserable. So, if you aren`t kidding I agree totally, without any doubt. You think, I`m a bad friend aren`t you? No, I`m not. I am your best friend - best of the best. I`m just ..." -replied my friend.
-"Stop apologizing, buddy. That`s me who has to do it. That`s me who had to give you a hand, years ago. But now, now you`ll oblige me saying "Yes!", `cause I can not trust, in this situation, a stranger. So, take it, as though doing me a great favor. You just take it, go to the best publishing house, except mine, here is the list and we`ll meet next time when you`ll become famous, and you will. I promise you, everything will be great. Press conferences, meetings, travelling around the country, big house , luxurious car, gorgeous wife, a bunch of kids. You`ll be a huge success, and we`ll meet more often then, as rich people, with common secret which you`ll never disclose under no circumstances. You have to believe in yourself as a writer, create some sophisticated image of yours, some mysterious literary name. And what concerns your miserable life. Use it in you new autobiography, or, better to say, resume. So, do we have a deal?" - I take a breath of relief.
-" That`s a deal, man! Promise, I won`t disappoint you. I still can`t believe it! You`re a real friend!" - he gets up to his feet to hug me.
-" Hold on, buddy! Don`t strangle me. You`ll still need me to write new and new manuscripts. And now, go! You`ve got a lot of things to do! Go, go! And don`t call me until..." - I`m so glad I`ve made my friend so happy. And he really deserves another chance.
- II -
To be continued...
21:15 - 23:15 21/01/2018
06:30 - 07:25 22/01/2018 Ivano-Frankivsk
Thank you very much indeed! I`m really glad that it`s interesting, but I didn`t even expect to know that one can even study the English tongue following my stories. Best luck! Appreciate it!
