The Planck Factor -- Chapter Three

CHAPTER THREE

Jessica

My adviser Shelley removed her glasses and set them on the desk. “You’re making progress with your thesis. I must say I’m impressed.” She ran her fingers through her shoulder-length hair and rolled her head back, rotating it as if to loosen her neck muscles.

I could feel an inadvertent smile form as I pulled my manuscript pages from a folder. “If you like that, I think you’re going to love this.”

Shelley put her glasses back on and glanced at the first page. Laughing soundlessly, she grinned. “Oh, my God. You’re actually writing that novel?”

“How could I not accept such a challenge?”

She turned her attention to the story. After turning the page, she said, “Well, you’re off to a rousing start, that’s for sure.”

“And you don’t think the beginning is too corny?”

“Well.” Shelley paused and set aside the manuscript. “It’s not exactly War and Peace, is it?”

“Exactly! I’m not trying to write the Great American Novel. I’m just trying to tell a great story.”