LONELY HEARTS
Chapter 7
Donkey Twins
By Tvdfanpam
Being able to go to New York City was a dream come true for Ana. She had never been there before and was hoping they would have time to sightsee and watch a Broadway Play. She was obsessed with Hamilton.
Mia chattered in her ear the entire ride to their hotel. Mrs. Grey had to repeatedly shush her. Scholastic had booked them in two suites at The Lexington Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. They were going to get settled into their rooms and then walk around Manhattan before meeting back at their hotel for the evening meal. They had an early morning meeting at the Scholastic Headquarters on Broadway Avenue the next day.
There was a Starbucks in their hotel and the girls stopped there before venturing outdoors. Mia sipped her Iced Coffee and sighed. "I'm happy to be here but a little nervous about our meeting tomorrow. I don't really know what to expect. I can understand now how you felt when you published your adoption books."
"Well, I still can't believe I am about to have my third and fourth books published. I will be 18 in a few months. Some people try their whole lives to have one book published and never accomplish it in a lifetime. We're lucky I guess to be able to do something we love and know early in life what we want to do with the rest of our lives. I can't imagine not being able to write stories. Ideas swirl around in my head and I have to constantly write them down so I don't forget them!"
Mia stared at her friend. "I can see pictures in my mind that I want to draw. The images wake me up and I can't sleep until I sketch them out. It's good to have someone who understands what I am talking about." Mia smiled at Ana then linked arms with her. "I want to walk on Wall Street and see Trump Towers. My brother may be there this week, he was coming to New York on business."
"What does Christian think about your art?" Ana asked her friend. "Does he have any of your paintings or drawings in his home or office?" She asked earnestly. "I bet he would like the one of the Sound. It is one of my favorites."
"He has three that I made for him, they are in his office. One is of a glider, one is of our dog we had as kids and one is from our favorite place we hiked as a family." He said they are as good as the Trouton paintings he has in his office." Mia said proudly.
"I would love to see them sometime, your paintings, not the Trouton's; I'm not sure who that artist is." Ana said as they walked along. "I would love to be able to draw but I don't have the talent. I tried once when I was a child and my mother told me that I should stick to writing." Mia tried to hide her shocked look by turning her head.
The girls walked around for a while then headed back to their hotel. Their mothers' were waiting for them in the lobby. The ladies walked together into the restaurant for dinner. Ana ordered the chicken cordon bleu and Mia ordered the filet mignon. The mothers' both ordered a chef salad!
The next morning, they were in the car headed to the Scholastic Headquarters. Mia was a nervous wreck which was making Ana a nervous wreck as well. She was jiggling her knee and generally making a nuisance of herself. Her mother scolded her when she couldn't take it any longer.
"Sorry, I am nervous." Mia had the grace to blush. "This is a big day for me, for us." Grace smiled at her and squeezed her hand.
"I am so proud of you Mia. This is very exciting. I would be jumping up and down if it were me." They stared at her in shock. "What?" She said, rolling her eyes. "I get excited about things."
That broke the ice and the rest of the ride there was relaxing and fun as they made jokes and small talk. Mrs. Cavanaugh spoke as the car pulled up to the building. "Girls, when this meeting is over, we are going out to celebrate. Be thinking where you want to go afterwards."
The driver stopped the car and let the ladies off in front of the Scholastic Building. They went inside and were greeted by the project manager assigned to them. "Girls, it is great to meet you both," she said shaking both their hands. "Please follow me, the rest of the team is waiting for you." They followed the project manager to the elevator and up to the 12th floor conference room where one of the Senior Editors for Scholastic was waiting with her assistant and two other people.
The rest of the meeting both girls were overwhelmed by the excitement generated by Ana's book and Mia's illustrations. The book was going to be launched in early spring and they had high hopes for it. The donkey twins had the option of having two more adventures and there was talk about merchandising stuffed animals to go along with the stories. Ana was in shock.
So was Mrs. Cavanaugh. She finally found her voice. "This is lovely, however before we sign anything beyond the first book contract, I think we should read the new contract and discuss this with our lawyer. Could we have a few weeks to discuss this?" She asked reasonably. The Senior Editor nodded.
"Of course, please do. This is a great idea your daughter had. We want to capitalize on it. Children relate to animals and they like to cuddle their plushy toy while they read the story. Here is another copy of the expanded contract to include two more stories and the merchandising clause. If both girls agree, we could meet again in 6 weeks to finalize the deal?" The editor said kindly.
"That would be great. Ana and Mia will sign the contract that is prepared for the first book. That is definitely a firm yes." Mrs. Cavanaugh said and Mrs. Grey agreed. The two girls sat there stunned while the adults did the negotiating.
Finally the meeting was over and the ladies were escorted out and to their waiting car. The driver took them back to their hotel. The ladies went inside and went to Ana and Mrs. Cavanaugh's suite. They all sat down in the living room and stared at each other.
Mia was the first to speak. "That was awesome. I can't believe they are going to pay us for writing and illustrating a story about two donkeys!" Mia started laughing and the rest of them joined in. "I mean, really; two donkey twins! Ana, how did you come up with twin donkeys anyway?" Mia asked.
"Well, we were coming back from the lake last fall and we were driving through farm country. There in a farmer's field were the two donkeys calmly standing there side by side. As we drove by, one donkey looked at the other donkey as if to say, Look at those people, I bet they were at the lake, they have a boat! And that was the beginning of the adventures of Dan and Stan the donkey brothers!" Mia falls in the floor laughing.
"That is so funny. I hope you get to go back on The Today Show. That would be a great story to share."
A/N: I had a hard time writing this chapter. I wanted it to be a bridge for the rest of the story. If you haven't guessed yet, Ana and Mia will become famous, LOL. Next chapter, Christian will meet up with them in NYC.
Thanks so much for all the reviews and favorites for this story. I really appreciate it. BTW, I see those two donkeys almost every day on my way to work.