We all have goals in life – ambitions, aspirations, and dreams, aimlessly floating around in our head like a springtime dandelion seed. Some are lofty; others are lame. Naturally, since I’m a writer (insert attitude and ego), I aspire to write a book. A memoir? Perhaps. My dating life – and family – would provide more than enough material. However, memoirs are a dime a dozen these days. Messed up childhoods, overcoming illness, married a murderer…yeah, yeah, yeah. Save it for your overpriced shrink. No, I’ve decided that I will write a novel, peppered with tales and tidbits from my own comical life. It will be marvelous, and catapult me into early retirement.
In fact, I’ve already found my real-life muse: Millie. Okay, so I don’t actually know her name (minor detail); however, in my story, she will be Millie – and she will fascinate the pants off every reader. That is, as long as I don’t back my car into her, as I nearly did on Tuesday.
You see, twice a day – morning and sunset – Millie walks past my house. Accessorized in ridiculously oversized sunglasses and forearm crutches, she hoofs it as fast as her octogenarian body will allow her. Even though I can’t see her eyes, I can feel them; their determination and confidence pierces through her shades.
Millie intrigues me. She strikes me as daring, sassy and smart. I’m flooded with curiosity about her life, undoubtedly filled with adventure, adversity – and, of course, amor. I imagine her younger years were spent being strikingly beautiful, yet ambitious and educated. She’s probably lived ten lifetimes in one.
In my novel, a twenty-something young woman amidst a quarter-life crisis hits Millie with her car – but just barely. Millie gives her attitude, and punishes the woman by making her come clean her house. The two gradually form an unlikely, but strong, friendship. Millie teaches her about life, and gives her inspiration and direction. And yes, because it is a novel which will later turn into an Oscar-winning film (starring Judy Dench and Scarlett Johanson, naturally)…Millie dies. But, her legacy lives on in the rejuvenated young woman who’s finally able to let go of fear and live out her dream. Want more? Well, then you’ll just have to read the book.