This is the seventh part in a series, so if you have not already done so, you might want to read Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, and Part VI before continuing.
2015
Chandra glanced at Devon as the man on stage slowly opened the envelope, drawing out the suspense. Devon tried to appear casual, but Chandra could tell he was holding his breath.
She held her breath with him. She knew how much he wanted this, no matter how much he claimed it was just an award made up by old white men to clap each other on the back. Whether they admitted it or not, the Pulitzer was something every writer dreamed of winning. Even Chandra had her own dreams of being formally recognized for her work.
Not that there was anything wrong with the recognition she was already getting.
As Devon had predicted, several offers for the film rights to her book had been made. She had finally accepted one that had agreed to let her write the screenplay. She had taken a break from adapting her own book to come support her friend in what might turn out to be the biggest night of his life.
When the presenter finally read the name “Devon Garner” from the card in his hand, Chandra almost leapt out of her chair in her excitement. She pumped her arms once, and then wrapped them around her friend, hugging him tightly.
Devon returned the embrace with much less enthusiasm. He was smiling, but he kept his composure under control. He was determined to accept his award with grace.
Chandra couldn’t stop smiling as she watched her friend make his way up to the stage and finally accept his award.
After the ceremony she hugged him again. This time he hugged her back with more strength. The reality of his success was starting to sink in. Now that there were fewer eyes focused on him, he could let the extent of his joy and relief show.
“I told you!” Chandra said as she let him go. “I told you you would win.”
“And I told you, you’d be writing the screenplay for your own movie by now.”
“No. Today is your big day. We’re not talking about my book on your big day.”
“Who’s talking about your book? I thought we were just trading I-told-you-so’s.”
Chandra slapped him playfully on the shoulder and he laughed. “It’s good to see you laughing. You know, for someone who wanted this so badly, I’m surprised this is the first time I’ve seen you laugh all night.”
“I didn’t want it all that badly,” Devon said, straightening his jacket and shifting his weight so he looked slightly away from Chandra.
“You did. You can’t lie to me. I know the truth. You’ve had dreams of this day ever since you first had the idea for your book.”
“Well, I admit, I had thought it was rather like the works of Steinbeck. Not that that’s a guarantee of anything, mind you.”
“Of course not. There are no guarantees in life. We all know that. That’s what makes this so special.”
“It’s just a relief to have it all over with. The not knowing was the worst part.”
Chandra raised her eyebrows. “You really think you would feel the same way if you had lost? Just because ‘the not knowing’ part was over?”
“I didn’t say I would feel exactly the same way. It’s just that my happiness at winning is compounded by the release of all that tension that had been building up for the past few weeks. I don’t think I knew how much I wanted this.”
“Well, I knew, so come on. We’re going to go celebrate!”
To be continued …