Angel at a book signing 

My first book signing was quite an adventure. I had just recovered from the flu and wasn't feeling too perky, the mall was crowded and hot, and filled, oddly enough with crowds of people intent on finding sales. The bookstore ran a sale on every best seller, offering half price, buy one , get one free--so even I would have preferred not to buy my more expensive book. Still, as suggested by my publisher, I set up my table, looked pleasantly classy, had great promo stuff set up --along with a gorgeous poster of my book standing outside the bookstore in the actual mall. Many passed, admiring the poster--few stopped to buy the book. The bargain hunters that day were dressed in less than their finest, seemd harried and hungry, proven by the way they sneaked valentine chocolate hearts from my crystal bowl as they dashed past my table.  After an hour I was getting dejected. This was not fun. Root canal was more fun!! I forced family and friends to suffer through it with me but it still did not even border upon fun. I signed and sold about a half dozen books and was getting hungry and bored, when someone ran up to me, all smiles and excited. I could not tell if it was a boy, girl, adult or teen. He introduced himself as John, and grabbed my hand, still smiling that amazing smile on his elfin face. "I loved your book,' he repeated over and over. "I cried and cried and cried. "

He didn't have his book with him so I signed a book plate for him and gave him a bookmark and a chocolate heart. He leaned over to me, suddenly serious, and said, "Don't you dare stop writing books!  You can't not write books. You're a good writer and you must keep on writing books!" I wondered how he knew that this was my first book and I didn't plan on another. He seemed to disappear as strangely as he appeared. I turned to my daughter and asked," Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" She nodded. It was not the first time we had encounted an "angel unaware" concerning my book and the story it relates. I had a feeling it would not be the last either. From the moment he left, my energy returned, all pain left and I was able to continue signing books for another hour and a half. I hope my  angel shows up at all my future book signings. I have started my next book--somehow I think he knows.

Micki