Methuselah's Daughter, Part 2, Chapter 14
J.A. Eddy
Ann Arbor, December 2004 CE
“You’re right, it is a nice city,” she said, as I pulled us into the parking structure a block or so from the restaurant.
Yeah, downtown Ann Arbor was beautiful, especially since it was Christmastime. The city had put up soft white lights to decorate its many trees, which added a nice ambiance to the late dusk. We’d been working a lot on the book project, and it was nice to step out and relax a bit. As we got out of the car, she stuck her left hand, which was wrapped in a brace that looked almost like a cast, into her jacket pocket. The hand had grown significantly, but it was still very, very thin and weak. As I walked around the back of the car I saw her dither a bit, thinking about leaving her walking stick behind. Finally she sighed and leaned on it as she closed the door.
We walked down the street to the restaurant I’d chosen, a micro-brewery called the Maple Tree Inn. As we got near it, I noticed a willowy blonde in leather walking up the street toward us. As she glided past, I noticed she was sporting a streak of green in her hair, and had several ear piercings. As I turned my head back to watch where we were going, I noticed Zsallia looking at me. She chuckled softly.
“Pretty, isn’t she?” she asked.
“Yeah I suppose. She’s a little young for me, and I don’t know how I feel about all the earrings. I kinda like the hair though.”
“Do you know what makes a woman beautiful?” she asked, as I opened the restaurant door for her.
“I must admit I don’t,” I said.
“I can tell you,” she replied.
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Methuselah's Daughter, A Novel
Phonetically, how do you pronounce Zsallia? I have been using Zowl-ya, but can think of at least one other possible pronunciation.
IMHO, and take it with any sized grain of salt you like, your last sentence of the full chapter should have been the first sentence of your next chapter. Since we know the story continues, telling the reader what happens next is less suspenseful/tense than wondering what happens after she wishes him Merry Christmas following a potential dangerous police confrontation with sirens blaring. Of course, if there is a Part 3 of Chapter 14 then I am completely wrong.
I like "Zsa-LEE-uh." John seems to prefer "Zsa-lee-yuh."
John tends to win by default. Since it's 2,000 year old Ancient Greek, circa late Roman Republic, it's mostly a matter of opinion. But you might try asking her. :-)
Both Dean's and John's pronunciations are common, and I've learned to take no offense.
Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.
Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.