Chapter 191
Later that week, at Truncheon, the doors swung open to reveal a heavily pregnant woman.
"Paris," Jess smiled genuinely, greeting Paris as she walked into Truncheon.
"Jess," Paris smiled, "It's good to see you."
"You too. You look…"
"Enormous?" Paris laughed. Paris hadn't been small since around month four, but in the last couple weeks, she was reaching a totally new level of feeling massive. And somehow, it didn't bother her in the slightest. To be honest, she was kind of giddy about it, actually.
"…I was going to say great," Jess laughed, "You're glowing! But…well, that too." Paris grinned. Matt and Chris walked out of the office, bickering with one another.
"We aren't having that artist back, I don't care how many times you slept with her. We can't have any more fucking skyscapes on the walls!"
"First, that was months and months ago. But what's so wrong with the sky?" Matt challenged. Jess raised an eyebrow, amused. "The pieces are damn good. We sold three last time she show…oh" Matt stopped in his tracks, as did Chris, once they realize they had company.
"Hi guys," Paris said, struggling to contain her laughter, "Don't mind me. I want to hear what happens with the controversial sky art."
"Well, Paris, Matt has a prediliction for sleeping with artists," Chris teased. He hadn't counted on Matt's reaction. Chris had been expecting a defensive groan, a furrowed brow, and a snappy retort. As it happened, Matt was blushing.
"…it's not how he's painting it. It was a long time ago."
"Apt word choice."
Matt smiled, genuinely. "But seriously…"
"Hey, I'm not one to judge," Paris shrugged, "Pretty sure most of us here are sleeping with artists, if we're counting writers." Matt stared at her for a moment, then nodded.
"…so, anyway," Jess interjected, cutting the tension, "Matt, Chris, you guys have time to chat with Paris about her ideas?"
"Sure," Chris said. Matt nodded.
"Alright, let's head to the office. It's pretty dead right now, but if we hear the door, Chris deals with it."
"Why does Chris deal with it?" Chris retorted. Jess smirked.
"You like people. Neither of us do," Jess answered. Matt laughed.
"That's true," Matt smirked, "Except for artists."
Paris started laughing, in spite of herself. Chris rolled his eyes good naturedly and smiled.
"Before I start getting annoyed with you for finding him entertaining, let me say that you look incredible. Absolutely…"
"Glowing." "Massive." Paris and Jess cut him off simultaneously, before bursting into laughter. Matt started laughing too at the nonplussed expression on Chris' face.
"Seriously though, you are…it's more since we saw you, right?" Matt asked awkwardly. Paris lit up at the expression of interest in her pregnancy.
"Pretty drastically," Paris nodded, "I really popped over the last couple weeks."
"Due date close?"
"6 weeks out."
"Wow…congratulations," Matt said.
Paris nodded, still lit up with excitement about her daughter. "Thanks."
"Well, as fun as the networking portion of the day has been," Chris teased, moving forward to gesture them towards the office, "We should probably get to the business."
"Sounds good," Paris nodded, setting down her bag. Jess was a little surprised to see her just sit down casually with the three of him. Part of him had been expecting to be subjected to an extensive slideshow presentation or something.
"Coffee?" Matt offered to the room.
"She can't…" Chris started
"Yes, she can." "Yes, I can." Matt and Paris both cut him off simultaneously. They caught one others' eyes and Paris quickly looked away. No one in the room knew her well enough to catch her nearly imperceptible blush.
"…it's perfectly safe, under a certain amount of caffeine," Paris said calmly. "And yes, I'd love some. Thanks."
"Matt, how did you know that?" Jess asked, perplexed, "You hate kids."
"I don't hate kids," Matt said, rolling his eys, "I just don't want them. There's a difference."
"Maybe, but why would you know about pregnancy if you don't want kids?"
"…maybe because I have sisters?" Matt replied, rolling his eyes and handing Paris a dark blue coffee mug. "Anybody else want some?"
"I'm good." "I'll take some."
Once they were all sufficiently caffeinated, they started to converse again.
"I really appreciate you guys helping me out with my class," Paris said, looking at the three men, "Honestly, it's been hell even trying to put together a syllabus when I'm this far out of the game. The only pleasure reading I've done over the last year is Expecting Better," she joked.
"…we're happy to help with getting you integrated into the new Americana literary canon," Chris smiled, "It sounds like you have some ideas beyond that too, though?" Paris nodded.
"They're a little bit on the business development side for you guys, and the educational enhancement side for my students. I don't want to overstep on your professional development process…"
"Matt's our professional development guy," Jess said. Chris nodded immediately. It was funny, they'd never really discussed or formalized it, but they all shared an understanding and knew it to be true. "He's probably gonna be the most useful to you."
"Well, you're not overstepping. Yet," Matt smirked. Paris smiled. "I'm curious what you have in mind."
"…a lot of the kids in my slate of classes are looking at trying to work their way into the kind of insidious, Big 6 traditional publishing pipeline. And that could be fine, if that entire system weren't totally and entirely fucked," Paris said.
"Yeah, you're not gonna hear much disagreement from us on that," Chris nodded.
"Well, I…oh, shit. One minute," Paris said, pressing her hands into her stomach and leaning over. All of the men looked at each other concerned. Jess furrowed his brow.
"You okay?"
"…yep. Just Braxton-Hicks. It just takes a sec. It'll pass and we can move right along," Paris said.
"Braxton…" Jess asked, confused.
"False labor," Paris explained, "It's a test drive, getting your body ready for the real thing. Essentially."
"Sounds fun."
"It's a hoot," she sighed. After a moment, she sat upright. "Thanks."
"Of course," Chris nodded, "Also, any chance you want to do this remotely next time?"
Paris laughed, "Probably. But I did want to get out here at least once beforehand. So…as I was saying, I thought it could be a great opportunity for my students to get some exposure to less traditional publishing pipelines, namely, independent press. Specifically, all of you. I think it's a win-win. They see that there's not just one path to success, and that not all of them are massively problematic, and you all have a bunch of people who hope and plan to be authors who will know your names and quite possibly seek you out when they're ready to publish." Paris nodded. The Truncheon men nodded in acknowledgment. Matt was the first to speak.
"…so how exactly do you plan on familiarizing them with us?"
"It depends on what you're amenable to. There are several methods I think could work, either separately or cumulatively, depending on interest and convenience. I think it makes a great deal of sense for my class to have at least one of you, if not all of you, visit and speak to them. I'm thinking a pretty standard formal presentation would work."
"Or," Matt said, an idea forming in his head, "We could do that first, but also stay around in the afternoon, and offer one on one, 15 minute meetings to any of your students who want them. First come, first serve. To ask any questions they have about the process, just connect with us individually, whatever they want."
"That would be incredible," Paris said, her eyes widening, "That is a damn good idea." Matt nodded, grinning at her.
"I think that could work. What else were you thinking?"
"Theoretically, that they could come here for a day trip, if they wanted. Maybe if you have an author that enjoys a little spotlight, set up a little bit of a Q&A about the editing and publication process. Talk to them about your own career paths."
"…we might be able to do that," Jess said slowly, "Not this month, but probably in the fall."
"That'd work better for me too," Paris agreed jokingly, patting her bump. Chris smiled.
"God, if you could just solve our art conundrum, we might have to keep you around," Chris joked. Matt rolled his eyes. Paris looked very amused.
"I'll give it some thought. But my inital impression is that if it's selling, you should keep doing it. Money coming in from some places means you're less desperate for it from others." Matt raised his eyebrows.
"That's…kind of how I've always approached it."
"Well, it's the right way," Paris said, earning a laugh from Jess.
"…glad to know you're still you. Hey, I've got an author meeting, and Chris, you should get back to running the store. But I think it's safe to say we're in. Why don't you and Matt work out the details and then we'll all reconvene for dinner later?"
"Sure," Paris nodded, "Thanks again for suggesting I stay."
"Of course, Paris. I meant it when I said you were always welcome," Jess said kindly, before opening the door for Chris and following him out.
Once they left, the room was quiet. After a moment, Matt looked up at Paris.
"…thanks for doing all of this for us. I don't really know why you are," Matt admitted, scratching his head nervously.
"I believe in what you guys do," Paris shrugged, "The predominant system is crap, and I like what you do better. If I have the opportunity to influence the next generation of authors into moving more towards your way, that's something I think is worth doing."
Matt nodded. "Well…thanks. So, details. When are you starting your leave?"
"That's a little up in the air," Paris admitted, "I don't have it all nailed down quite yet."
"I'm kind of surprised you haven't had it figured out for months," Matt said.
"I did, months ago," Paris answered, "But…things have changed. Work has really become a refuge."
"Are you working remotely?"
"Yes, but I end up going into my office most days. Just to get out of the house." Matt nodded, his face inscrutable.
"Jane said the campus was nice."
"That's… nice of her to say."
"Is it true?"
"…I'm biased. But I think it's stunning."
"Then I'm sure it is," Matt smiled at her. "Oh, did you happen to bring…"
"Oh! Yes," Paris nodded, pulling hard copies of her syllabi out of her bag, "Just like you asked for."
"Thanks," he smiled, taking the hard copies. He paused. "I hope it's okay…that I asked." There was a seriousness to his tone. Paris could read through it immediately. She took a deep breath, and paused herself. After a moment, she met his gaze.
"It is."
