Shades of Gray
Chapter 2
Approximately 18 Months later:
Walking in the Trenton Post Office, Stephanie nodded at the clerks behind the counter and went past heading to her father's Post Master Office.
"Pumpkin, I haven't seen much of you lately."
"Hi, Daddy," kissing her father. "I've been busy and I didn't want to argue with Mom again so it's easier to stay away. Are you too busy to go to Philadelphia with me?"
"Now?" He was surprised since it was late morning. Stephanie was dressed in long summery dress, her curls in soft waves. She must have the day off from E. E. Martin he thought.
"If you can get away," nodding, "I have a surprise for you."
Getting out of his chair, "I'm the Post Master so I think I can."
Walking into the 'Book Nook' about 30 minutes later, a book store in a small business district on the outskirts of Philadelphia, Stephanie was greeted by a young woman slightly older than her. "Stephanie, you made it! Don't be nervous, you have a captive audience."
"Daddy, this is Melissa Jones, my editor."
"Editor?"
"Hi, is everyone ready for a story?" A grandmotherly like woman asked a large group of children mostly under the age of ten with parents and grandparents all around.
"Yea!" went up from the crowd.
"We have someone special here today to read to you. This is Stephanie and she wrote the story about Sam the Patchwork Puppy."
The little hands clapped as Stephanie took a chair in front of the group next to a big cardboard cut-out of white floppy dog with patches of blue, white, pink, yellow, and green on his body.
Frank stood there and listened to a story about a shy little girl named Emily who was given the colorful dog as a gift and together they went on a wonderful adventure talking to frogs and colorful fish of all sizes while they sailed in a big boat with yellow polka dots all the while in the buckle in the backseat of her mother's car going to visit Grandma and Grandpa.
The children were jumping up and down at the end of the story waiting for Stephanie to sign each storybook they held in their small hands.
"We've had a number of bookstores sell out of 'Sam the Patchwork Puppy' and we are on second and third shipments to restock them," Melissa told Frank. "Stephanie's book two is at the printers and will be released in the fall."
Looking through the pages, he saw all the work his daughter put into the drawings of a big blue eyed little girl with blond bangs and her stuffed and patched dog that comes to life through her imagination. "This is really good."
"Yes it is. Your daughter is really talented and the story appeals to a child's imagination. Parent's love it from their feedback because of the simple theme. A child's imagination is a wonderful place."
Frank had to chuckle, each child proudly displayed the 'Sam the Patchwork Puppy' sticker on their shirts that Stephanie passed out to them before leaving for their homes with their signed books.
"Look over this proposal," Melissa handed the new children's author a folder, "and we'll talk about it on Friday at our meeting. Do you still want to do more readings and book signings, Stephanie? Green Dog Book Works has been receiving more requests for you. The story book is not staying on the shelves and the reviews are all so positive."
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A very proud father took his daughter to lunch, "Stephanie, why didn't you tell me about this?" He was turning the pages of his own copy of 'Sam the Patchwork Puppy' signed by Stephanie.
"I don't know, Daddy," shrugging her shoulders. "This took almost 2 years to get this far. After the Dickie disaster, I didn't want Mom to fly off the handle anymore that usual. She considers my art frivolous and how can I get a husband with it or have babies."
"Forget about your Mother. Do what makes you happy, Pumpkin. Sometimes, I even feel nothing will ever make Ellen completely happy the older she gets. You have a talent for this and maybe this is your nitch in life."
"I am having fun with it. The children are so cute when I've visited a few other book stores and libraries. I'm taking a leave from work starting next week. What do you think about these?" slipping papers across to her father.
Frank flipped through the proposal, "How do you feel about this?"
"I won't give up my creative control of 'Sam the Patchwork Puppy' and I won't have the image exploited. If the test markets are positive then I will allow the T-shirts and stuffed dogs to be produced, possibly learning media such as software if the story continues to sell. I may need someone as an advisor to look after my interests if I'm on a book tour. Think you could be available, Daddy?"
Frank Plum's face lit up, "You want my help?"
"Who best to look after my interests? I'll buy you a new TV with remote."
He held out his right hand, "Pumpkin, you got a deal."
"There is one thing, Daddy. I may need to move to Chicago for awhile. That's were Green Dog is based."
Without hesitation, "Do what makes you happy and what is easiest for you, Stephanie. I'll always be here."
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Thanks for all your reviews. I appreciate the feedback. LAN