Sunday Scribblings 200: Milestones

Two years ago...

For the first time in months, my sister and I were out on the town without kids.  We chatted non-stop and ate leisurely in an upscale restaurant.  The cell phone rang; it was my husband.

"Hello?"

"Hey," he said.  "You got a letter."

"Honey, can't this wait?" I asked, irritated by an interruption about mail.

"Well, it's from a magazine."

I sighed.  "It's probably just another rejection but go ahead and read it."

Papers rattled on the other end of the phone.  My sister watched with curiosity.

"Okay," he said.  "The first part's just formal stuff."

"Skip it."

"Hmmm."

"What?"

"They want to buy your story."

"WHAT?"  I dropped my fork.

He chuckled.

"Are you kidding?  Cause that's not funny."

"I'm not kidding. They want your story.  They've even got the amount they're going to pay you."

"Let me call you back," I said, feeling jittery and queasy.  A scream threatened to erupt but I held it in.

"What is it?" my sister asked.

"An acceptance!"  I whispered.  "I gotta--" I pointed outside.

She laughed and hurried after me.

As soon as we reached the sidewalk I let out a scream. And in spite of stares, I jumped around and danced a victory dance.  This cemented it for me.  I was a writer.

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