Toronto

Here I am in Toronto again.  Seems odd to be here and not see Emily.  Funny how much I associate this place with her.  Flying down to see her, walking her dog Bella, eating, shopping.  Her forcing all and sundry to attend my book readings for Gemma.  Helping me pull together an outfit.  I remember once a friend called up all excited and said that “Wasn’t it great!  Even the University students were talking about Gemma!  That’s how you knew a book had caught on.” He forwarded me the link and I saw that it was a University of Toronto student, and then I looked closer and I don’t remember what the give-away was, but it was clear that the person who did the posting was my daughter.  And I have to say, I was excited by an anonymous student supporter, but as a mother, to find out your daughter has been doing her own guerrilla publicity machine, for your book.  Well, all you mothers out there can imagine how big that would make your heart feel. 

So here I am in Toronto, missing Emily.  Even more than usual.  The streets seem to be incomplete somehow.  It’s like they know she’s not here anymore and have lost some of their zip and energy.  Holding their breath for her return.  I wonder if she will?  Where will my children finally settle?  And with whom?  (Cary, by the way, gave me two of his children’s books!  I read them, and now I have them tucked away.  No pressure for my kids, because I didn’t buy them for my someday-possible-grandchildren.  I was given them.  And I love Cary’s writing so I didn’t want to donate them to the library, hence my someday stash. )

I get to see Rog & Jim (of the rotted fruit muffins) though.  I’m staying with them.  So cozy.  They met me on the street, big bear hugs, then ushered me into the lobby, the elevator and down the hall to their new condo.  Beautiful, elegant with homey touches.  Out came the fabulous cheese tray, dripping with cheese, crackers, fresh fruit, olives, and a tray of sushi to boot.  They tried to ply me with their deadly lemon drop martinis which once in a great while I will throw caution to the wind and sip on one, discreetly working my way around the martini glass until I have nibbled all of the delicious rock sugar coating off.  I tell myself no one knows what I’m doing, but they probably do.  It’s my favorite part.  The bitter of the alcohol, the sour of the lemon tempered by the sweet of the chunky sugar bits.  But tonight I said no.  First off, I’m pretty tired and would just have to smell a lemon drop martini to be flat on my back.  And second, I had an interview for Toronto paper and reeling in clutching a sugarless martini glass would definitely not be the thing to do. 

When you have to do an interview, you never know who your going to be sitting opposite.  No worries though.  The minute I saw Judy, I felt good inside.  First of all, I liked the way she dressed.  A very superficial thing for me to say, especially since I’m Miss-throw-whatever-together.  But the thing is, I might not be good at it, but I can still admire the talent in someone else.  Besides, it wasn’t that kind of high-fashion-don’t-talk-to-me type of dress.  It was more warm and cozy.  Sort of like the feeling of Autumn leaves and fireplaces and a good book by the fire kind of thing.  That’s how she looked.  And beautiful eyes.  I found that I had to keep reminding myself that it was an interview, not a chat between two friends.  That’s how it felt though.

Tomorrow I have two library readings.  The evening one?  I don’t know if anybody is going to show up or not, but for the afternoon?  Big smile.  It’s one of the ones where they are bringing children from schools in.  I have bookmarks for the ones who don’t have books.  That way whoever wants will have something to bring home.  Hmm.  I just thought, why did I do bookmarks?  I should have CANDY!  That’s what I would have liked when I was a kid.  I remember as a kid, sitting on hot pavement, suffering through hours of badly thrown batons and kids riding decorated bikes just on the off chance that I would catch the eye of one of the clowns in the parade and he’d toss me a piece of sticky candy.  But I guess giving out a piece of candy is not very bookish thing to do.  And kids aren’t supposed to accept candy from a stranger, and I am a stranger.  So I guess I better not.

On Thursday I did a reading at the Strawberry Hill Chapters in Surrey along with a few other authors from the conference.  (Jack Wyte was very gracious and inclusive.  Such a charming man) And one of the staff pointed out that Porcupine was on the (oh dear...I can’t remember the name) but it’s this table that where they have the recommendations from the kids that Chapters/Indigo have reading and recommending books.  I was quite surprised and happy to see it there, but to tell the truth, I thought it was just a staff member who ran and placed it there because they knew I was going to be in the store and were being kind.  BUT...I just talked to Don (a.k.a. wonderful, loving husband) and he was driving by Chapters on Robson street and thought, ‘I’m just going to check’ (See he had come with me to the other reading and heard my explanation as to why Porcupine was on the fancy table) So he braved the rain and dashed into Chapters...and lo and behold...Porcupine was on their fancy table as well!  Very exciting!  So maybe it’s on that special table in the other Chapters stores as well!  Maybe lots of them!  Eeee!

Posted by Meg Tilly on Monday, October 22, 2007 in Chewing the Fat

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