SHORT: LOVE IS IN THE AIR

The last thing Rita Reynolds needed was some stranger practically sitting on her lap during her flight from New York to Los Angeles. It was bad enough fighting the traffic to get to JFK Airport, and waiting for over 45 minutes on a security line, to now have some guy sit on her lap.
     “Excuse me.” Rita pushed his chair back into position, and tapped him on the shoulder. She was not taking this sitting down, as it were.
     “Sorry. Sorry.” Rita watched the stranger seated in front of her rise and turn to face her. For a second, she thought he looked familiar. Black hair, black eyes, a hint of stubble on his face, nice full lips. Definitely hunk material, but he still couldn’t sit on her lap during the five hour flight.
     “Rita?”
     She looked into smiling black eyes and remembered. “Nick?”
     “Is this a small world or what?” His laugh was warm and masculine, and vibrated against her as she stood and walked into his embrace.
     “Yes it is. Were you visiting your mother?”
     “And my brothers.”
     “I’m sorry,” interrupted a flight attendant. “You will have to take your seats now.”
     “Are you with anyone?” At the shake of her head, he pulled her into his row. “Great. Join me. We’ll catch up. My mom raved all weekend about the surprise 50th birthday party you just threw for your mom.”
     Rita smiled. “Did she tell you about the….”
     “The Stripper? Yeah. Now she wants one too.”
     “But you and your brothers gave her a cruise last year for her 50th?”
     “According to mom, it didn’t count since it didn’t come with …Mr. Long? Mr. Horse?”
     “Mr. Banana.” Rita laughed at the expression on his face. It was then that she noticed that he was holding her hand. It felt nice. She squeezed his hand and got a returned squeeze in turn. “See what you miss for living so far away.”

     “I’m actually moving back to New York.”
     “When?” Her heart tripped over itself. It was just because they were taking off. “In June. But it’s going to be weird. I haven’t lived in the city for five years. Going to have to rediscover the Big Apple once I get back.”
     “Call me,” Rita offered, “I love playing tourist.”
     “I’m going to take you up on that offer.” He squeezed her hand.


Three Months later
4th of July

“You have a great view here.”
     Rita joined Nick on her small terrace overlooking the East River. “This was the big selling point when I moved to Manhattan. And, I can promise you that we’ll have a better view than the major for tonight’s fireworks.”
     At his skeptical look. She pointed downward. “He will be down there at the Water Club looking up. We’re up 20 floors, at the exact height of the fireworks. You’ll see.”
     "Can’t wait.” He tucked her hair gently behind her ear. She shivered at the contact.
     “So you finally got your dream of living in the city.” His hand was gentle against her cheek. His eyes, a warm chocolate brown and intense.
     “You remembered that?” She couldn’t quite catch her breath.
     “I remember a lot.”
     Down girl. Nick was a family friend.
     “Thanks for helping me setup.” Rita moved back into the apartment to finish setting up for the party.
     “Hey, it’s the least I can do. You’ve been a great tour guide. Helping me get reacquainted with the City. Bummer about the adult shops being gone from Times Square.” He laughed at her look. “But I loved the ESPN restaurant.”
     “You just loved the wall-to-wall flat screens with all those sporting events.”
     “Guilty. What else can I do?”
     "Can you set up the bar by the window? That’s the last of it.”
     “Sure.” Nick picked up the two cases of beer in one swoop.
     “Show off.”
     They shared a laugh. Something they’ve been doing a lot since he moved home.

     Suddenly, Nick’s arms were around her waist. His body warm against her back, his lips against her cheek.

     “What’s that for?” Her heart was racing a mile a minute.

     “To thank you for helping me settle in, for the tours….”

     "You don’t have to thank me.” She turned in his embrace. “I love playing tourist.”

     “I love playing with you too.”

     “Freudian slip there, mister.”

     “Not a slip at all.” Nick’s lips closed over hers. Hot and passionate.

     “At last.” Rita thought as her tongue met his. Luckily, they had plenty of time before the guests arrived to enjoy their own brand of fireworks.

The End.

This short story won the 2008 Valetine’s “Love Bites” Contest of the Romance Writers of America / New York City Chapter and was published on their website. For more information about the writers group, visit them at www.rwanyc.com.

INSPIRATION IS EVERYWHERE!

 

February is the one month of the year that is full of love and romance. It’s a virtual Romance Writer’s Paradise.

Inspiration is everywhere! The young man getting his girlfriend’s name tattooed on his arm; the wife  shopping for seductive underwear; the husband ordering flowers at the last minute; the elderly couple strolling in the park holding hands. There are couples riding in horse-drawn carriages, ice skating at Wolman Rink, dining at intimate restaurants, dancing until dawn. There are the marriage proposals, flashy diamond rings, big announcements.

Use all your senses! Pay attention to the sweetness of a box of chocolate-covered strawberries, the bubbles in a flute of champagne, the aroma of a dozen red roses, the shiny eyes of seduction, and the soft sounds of love songs playing in the background.

We’re writers. Our imaginations are fertile and sometimes contrary. Think break-up – the yelling, the accusations, the heart break, the ice cream induced comas, the he-done-me-wrong songs, the bottom of liquor bottles, the crying binges, the hangovers. Love it!

See? Inspiration is everywhere. But even as you draw inspiration from the world around you, do remember to show some love to your significant other, family, and friends (cards not texts; face-to-face not Skype).

I can feel the love already. I’m giddy with it, and with inspiration and camaraderie. I am ready to write! Are you? --mcf

THE TAX MAN COMETH

  
In another life, for a short period of time, I worked for a well-known tax company, then I came to my senses and returned to writing. However, here are some tips to help make tax time easier.
This is NOT tax advice, for that please consult a professional. Good luck, and may your refund be big. --mcf

TAX FORMS

To claim your writing income and expenses, you need to itemize your taxes and file a Schedule C with the IRS. Note that if there is no income, the IRS will disallow all expenses unless you can show proof of a profit motive—that you are writing so you can make money. Also, remember that not all expenses are deductible. Be honest and be prepared to defend your expenses to the IRS.



RECORD KEEPING

It may be dull and tedious, but this is extremely important for a writer.

• Keep good records and keep them in a safe place.

• Keep all receipts. When in doubt, keep it.

• Keep log of expenses. For example, membership dues paid to which organizations; conference fees; contest fees; research books; etc.

• Keep track of contest entries, queries and submissions. For example, what you sent to what publisher and when. This log shows proof of profit motive.

• Keep copies of all correspondence especially from agents and editors.

• Keep business cards from conferences as they are proof that you are working on your writing.

• Document everything! When in doubt, keep it!



DEDUCTIBLE EXPENSES

• Computer, software, printer.

• Printer paper, ink, tablets, pencils, pens, markers.

• Books (paper or e-book), CDs, and/or cassette tapes on how to write.

• Classes on writing.

• Contest entry fees.

• Membership costs in RWA and each chapter.

• Conference fees, travel expenses, and meals while in travel status.

• Repairs to computer/printer/etc.

• Agent's fees.

• Vehicle expenses.

• Business use of the home♥

PICTURE FRIDAY: LIONS OF PONCE

Some of you may remember the cows that grazed all over New York City a while ago.  Companies bought the cows and decorated them at will for charity.  There was an Elvis cow, a cow with curlers in her hair, a Statue of Liberty cow, etc, etc, etc. 

Well, it seems the same was done in Ponce, Puerto Rico.  Only instead of cows, there are lions in Ponce.  And, if you know your history, you know the lions represent the Conquistador Ponce de Leon who explored Puerto Rico -- or Borinquen as the Tainos called the island paradise -- from end to end looking for a fountain of youth.  Here in all their glory are the Leones of Ponce that I found in the main Plaza during my last visit. 

And for a look at all the best places in and around Ponce, check out this video.   --mcf

This final lion is from the permanent fountain at La Plaza.

Ponce es Ponce.  Lo demas es parking.