Kathleen Bradean is my hero.
On Friday, a large group of us went to lunch after Michael Thomas Ford‘s master class on making a full-time career out of writing. Picture it: Pere Antoine Restaurant. The table laden with writers and personalities. The flowing wit was headier than any wine. I was sopping up quips and quotes along with the ranch dressing on my salad of mixed greens.
Then that most dreadful of things occurred.
“You have something in your teeth,” Timothy whispered.
I tried to discreetly take care of it, only to see him shaking his head. Again. And again.
“Aren’t you a dental floss addict?” he chided.
“I don’t have any with me,” I hissed.
Suddenly from beside him, Kathleen held out the holy grail of dental floss–the wonderful wide, slick kind. I pulled off a piece, handed her the container, dashed outside, and began flossing my teeth using the sideview mirror of a van parked outside the restaurant. Because better the entire city of New Orleans see me floss than the gliterati at my table.
And then it happened.
Behind me, I heard the cackle of Famous Author Rob Byrnes just as Greg Herren said, “WHY don’t I have my camera RIGHT NOW?”
Freaking smokers, hanging out on the sidewalk.
Photo captions:
Author Kathleen Bradean shares her bench with a horse in Faubourg Marigny Art and Books during a Saturday night reading.
Authors Timothy J. Lambert, Michael Thomas Ford, and me after Ford’s master class on Friday.
Diabolical authors Rob Byrnes and Greg Herren before a panel discussion on Sunday.
Wonderful tale Becky. Maybe they should change the name of the event to “Smokers and Flossers?”
Thanks!
Timothy’s a saint for telling you that. We should all have someone within whispering distance when that happens.
I was thinking the same thing. Better this way, than getting back to your hotel room that night, seeing some of your lunch from hours before in your teeth, wondering who else had seen it throughout the day.
Yes, it goes without saying that Timothy is ALWAYS my hero because he takes care of me in a million different ways.
Hee hee. Actually, just saying “WHY don’t I have MY CAMERA?” is better than actually having it. Makes a better story. 😉
It certainly makes for a happier me.
That lunch was fun. And I deeply appreciate how good-naturedly you take all my teasing…at least publicly. 😉
Hold on–I’m in the middle of writing a post that should let you know how I feel about you. =)
EEEEK!
Snicker.
How did I miss all this dental floss drama?
That just shows how discreet Kathleen was. Where were you sitting? On Mike’s right? Maybe he was saying something brilliant while I was digging lettuce out of my teeth.
Man, I’m classy.
I loved spending time with the both of you. Let’s do it again! =)
Yes, I was sitting to his right and talking to Kathleen, mostly. Anyway, we were both oblivious to the 4 inch piece of lettuce hanging from your teeth. 😉
Too bad he doesn’t live in Houston. He doesn’t know what he’s missing…
Thanks for sharing – it’s great to hear of the lighthearted moments among the more serious.
I love Michael Thomas Ford’s books . . .almost one of the first “gay fiction” authors I read – I’m glad his class was a good one for you!
I’m digging the sassy hairstyle!
Mine or Tim’s?
yours!
Thanks!