Mae: Mom, Dad, I have a book coming out on October 25th.
Dad [holding his 6pm Scotch on the rocks]: Is this another one of those Pig & Bakery books?
Mae: Pig & Barley. Barley. Like the stuff in that Scotch you're holding.
Dad: Is this your third book?
Me: Fifth.
Dad: Five! Wow! Five books. I guess I'm behind on that.
Me [to mom, leaving Dad to his Scotch]: It's inspired by those letters from the man in the Philippines sent Great-Grandma.
Mom [slightly alarmed]: Are the names changed to protect the innocent?
Me: Of course. And I used the letters as a jumping off point for the story. Fictional Elliott has his own love letters that he writes to his Alice.
Mom: What's the story about?
Me: Well, it's about this woman who inherits a box of love letters...
Dad: [eyes glaze over as we chat, drinks more Scotch]
Mom: That's sweet.
Dad: Can we read this one? Can your grandmother read this one?
Me: Yes! Grandmama can read it. It's just kisses in this book!
Mom [who read the Clan of the Cave Bear series in the 80s]: Good! I'm looking forward to reading it then. I didn't want to read it if it's... what do you call it?
Me: Steamy. This book is more sweet than steamy, so you'll be good.
Mom: What's the name of it?
Me: Genealogy.
Click here to add Genealogy to your Goodreads list.
