I’m sitting on a comfortable couch in my best friend’s living room while she and her husband are at work. The house is quiet, it’s pouring rain and I’m feeling content and nostalgic. So why am I here? I flew to Southern California yesterday to attend a book signing party for The Vernazza Effect. Debbi and Rick hosted the party at their home yesterday evening.

Debbi prepared perfect antipasti: crackers, cheese, meats, artichoke dip and olives, and at least eight bottles of Italian beverages sat next to a full ice bucket. A video from our 2007 Italy spa vacation played silently on their TV while candles flickered all around the house. Debbi displayed pictures from our times together: weddings, cheerleader days, travel adventures, class reunions. Rick won an argument and picked up the pizza himself instead of having it delivered. Personally, I think he needed a quiet moment.

The Kightlinger home soon filled with an eclectic bunch of guests: a few folks from one of Debbi’s book clubs, her mom, daughter and granddaughter, Rick’s mom and sister, fellow teachers from Bell Gardens High School and some of Debbi and Rick’s closest friends. Debbi’s mother, Barbara, was like a second mom to me while growing up, so it was especially nice to spend time with her. During the book discussion, guests asked thoughtful questions about my novel and writing process. After everyone left, Debbi and I shared a few quiet minutes before I headed upstairs to sleep.

This morning, I’m struggling to find the words to express what Debbi’s friendship means to me. In The Vernazza Effect, the first time Ella tells Jack that she loves him, she mentions how these simple words—I love you—feel so trite. Ella thought the words barely conveyed the depth of her feelings for Jack. That’s how I feel about Debbi.

As always, she took a ton of pictures, and I’ll post them to my website later. Tonight she’s hosting a second party for another book club. It’s a sit-down affair with serious readers. Of course the menu is Italian: Left over antipasti, homemade lasagna, salad and gelato. Debbi does theme parties better than anyone I know. 

She and I have been best friend since 7th grade. We’ve helped each other deal with many life issues, and we share secrets that no one else knows. I expect to do some inspiring travels with her after she retires, and I know we’ll be dear friends until we take our last breath.

What I don’t know is how I got so darn lucky to have her in my life. I love you, Deb.

Two weeks ago, my granddaughter Collette and I visited Copperfield Books on 4th Street in San Rafael to hang out. Today I signed a consignment contract with the company to carry The Vernazza Effect in their store. How it happened is a cute story. Here goes:
     "Do it, Mimi! Do it!" said Collette.
     Gulping down fear, Mimi approached the guy at the register and asked, “How does a new, self-published author get a novel on your shelf?”
     The man looked at her cautiously. “It depends on the book.”
     Collette looked at him with serious eyes. “My Mimi wrote a really good book.”
     The man smiled. “Our manager is in the back. Would you like to talk with him?”
     “Yesssss!” Collette almost did a backflip.
     The man guided everyone to the back of the store and made introductions.
     Collette bounced up and down while waiting for the manager to speak.
     Mimi gulped down more fear as she looked at the hundreds of books lining his shelves.
     “So … you wrote a book. Tell me about it,” said Alex.
     Collette’s eyes sparkled. “It’s a great story about Ella! And it’s a very big book!”
     Alex smiled at the precocious 7-year-old then turned toward Mimi for his answer.
     “The novel is about a courageous young woman’s yearlong journey to find her destiny.”
     He nodded and said, “I need to review it before making a decision. Do you have a copy?”
     “Oh! My Mimi has a whole box of books in her car!”
     Mimi draped her arm around her sweet granddaughter. “How about if we get one for you now?”
     “That would be great.”
     “We’ll be right back.”
     Once outside, Collette screamed, “Mimi! Does this mean your book will be in that store?”
     “Not yet, but it means Alex is willing to consider it. He has to review it first, then he’ll let us know.”
     “It’s gonna be sooooo hard to wait!”
     “I know, but that’s how things work, CoCo.”
     Mimi opened the trunk and Collette pulled out a book. “I’ll carry it!”
     They returned to the store and Collette proudly handed it to Alex. He glanced at the pretty cover and said, “Thanks. I’ll be in touch soon.”
     The writer and publicist left the store, walked to Double Rainbow, ordered a banana split and celebrated their joint marketing effort.
Isn’t Collette Rose Treewater the best? xo