Dan Wakefield - Starting Over - A Novel

“I do,” he whispered.

Another tug, and he turned to see Amelia’s face lifting toward him, presented like an offering; eyes closed, lips parted. He pressed his mouth down against hers, enclosed her with his arms, and they clutched, tight, as the seawind swept over them. From the corner of his eye, Potter watched the receding ass of the blonde, twitching away down the beach, reminding him of freedom, soon to be out of sight.

There was rice in the salt spray air, and people were clapping Potter on the back and laughing and he tried to smile, tried to focus on who and where he was now, as hearty voices offered congratulations. Max Bertelsen squeezed his shoulder, red-faced Gafferty whooped and gave him a manly poke on the chest, and all hands hurried him toward the warmth of the house, where champagne and caviar waited and a woodfire crackled.

At the doorway Potter took one last glance over his shoulder at the now tiny figure of the disappearing girl. Then he was hustled on in to receive, with Amelia, the toasts to the new bride and groom as they began their new life, man and wife, till death or divorce did them part. The voices ran together, cheery and buoyant.

“Congratulations … You’re a lucky man … Ah, and isn’t that the truth … This is your lucky day, Phil … Congratulations … Lucky man …”

Potter was lucky; everyone told him so.

Dan Wakefield (b. 1932) is the author of the bestselling novels Going All the Way and Starting Over , which were both adapted into feature films. His memoirs include New York in the Fifties , which was made into a documentary film of the same name, and Returning: A Spiritual Journey , praised by Bill Moyers as “one of the most important memoirs of the spirit I have ever read.” Wakefield created the NBC prime time series James at 15 , and wrote the screenplay for Going All the Way , starring Ben Affleck. He edited and wrote the introduction for Kurt Vonnegut Letters as well as If This Isn’t Nice, What Is?: Vonnegut’s Advice to the Young .

Visit Wakefield online at www.danwakefield.com and www.vonnegutsoldestlivingfriend.com.

FROM OPEN ROAD MEDIA