Progress

On Friday, I noticed and ad for an expo featuring North African writers. I pointed it out to him and he promptly forgot, but on Saturday night, I re-suggested the idea of going with a bit more insistance. This morning (Sunday), we woke up early, ate breakfast together, and walked (it was sunny today!) to the expo. It was a small affair, thrown together in the luxurious rooms of the Paris City Hall.

We wandered through the bookstands for awhile, and I noted down some names and addresses, but I think we both started feeling overwhelmed. Neither of us are well-versed in North African literature, and honestly I wouldn't know the last thing about contacting publicity people in-the-know about that sort of thing. The Boy turned to me and said, "This project is too big. I was wrong. I can't do it... it will never work."

"If you don't think it will work, we should go home right now and you can get a job in an office somewhere," I said, and kept looking. He was glum. So glum.

We decided to leave and on our way out, we encountered some people from a non-profit group that worked to promote Arab litterature. We talked, and it turned out the man in charge was very helpful and could actually form some sort of deal with The Boy when the time is right. He also gave us lots of names and addresses and told The Boy his idea is great, that he needs to go forward with it full force.

When we went to say our goodbyes, The Boy could hardly contain his excitement, but he kept his cool until we rounded the corner, outside of our new friend's view. Then he grabbed my head, rubbed it, and said, "Did you see that? He thinks it can work! He was receptive!" There was a bounce in his step and he was grinning from ear to ear.

Next, I suggested we head into a small room set up for various companies interested in the expo. For the next hour or two, we wandered around, talking business and proposing ideas. I played the role of the supportive woman, reminding The Boy of our phone number when he blanked on it and smiling when required. Embarrassingly enough, I found the little act pretty amusing, and had a great time.

Not, however, as great as a time as The Boy. Man, did he ever walk the walk, and talk the talk! He got names, business cards, ideas, OKs, positive feedback, emails, and so on. He got a few definite "oui"s on a deal or two, and he came out of that little afternoon affair high as a freakin' kite.

It may seem insignificant - just a lazy Sunday afternoon gabbing with small-scale editors - but I was so happy to see The Boy getting affirmation from all of these editors and publishing houses. A CD producer also gave him the thumbs up, and he got a lot of receptive and enthusiastic nods throughout the room. One man even told him, "Hurry up with your idea before someone else beats you to it."

Afterwards, we went out for coffee and The Boy was giddy as I've ever seen him. He kept replaying the conversations he had, sharing with me the ideas he has, and commenting on how he didn't realize how important going to events can be.

"You were looking out for me," he said, "None of this would have happened if you hadn't said we should go. I'll buy you your coffee to thank you, ok?"

Dumbass. Just seeing him that happy is reward enough.