I’m not sure why Dru Ann wants to know about my life. It’s not like it’s exciting or comes with more than the usual bells and whistles, but since Dru Ann is such a doll and asked so nice, okay, here goes.
By nature, I am as lazy as the day is long, but almost every morning around 6 am I leave my nice warm bed and sleeping husband and slap on my sneakers. Our two cats barely raise their heads, but Wainwright, our Golden Retriever, gets all excited. He starts wiggling and prancing about and his tail wags until I’m sure it’s going to fly off and hit me in the face. He can hardly wait for our morning two mile walk around Seal Beach, including a nice long stretch along the sand. Although slow to get moving, once I’m out in the salty fresh air, both my body and my brain come alive.
When I lived in Newport Beach, I used to walk with a bunch of women friends, but after I married Greg and moved to Seal Beach, Wainwright became my exercise companion. He’s great company, even if he doesn’t hold up his end of the conversation, but it gives me time to think about my plans for the day and clear out the cobwebs left from the day before.
After my walk, I feed Wainwright and the cats and get cleaned up. By then, Greg is up and has the coffee made. We always try to have breakfast together before heading our separate ways to work.
I’m a paralegal at the law firm of Wallace, Boer, Brown and Yates, or Woobie as the employees call it. It’s located in a highrise across from South Coast Plaza. I’ve worked here since before the invention of the wheel and love the firm and the people in it. Well, almost everyone. My supervising attorney is Michael Steele, an arrogant, annoying piece of work if there ever was one. By the time I arrive at my desk, there’s usually an e-mail or two or three or four from him harping about some chore or project I’ve already completed. If I’m really unlucky, he’ll stop by my office. His usual greeting: “Find a body lately, Grey?”
After work, activities can be as mundane as going home to have dinner with Greg, followed by watching TV, or Greg and I meeting up with our good friends Seth and Zee Washington for dinner.
See, my life is nothing out of the ordinary. It’s hum-drum, like everyone else’s. And I like it that way.
“Hi, Odelia. Got a minute”
I look up from my desk to see one of our law clerks standing in my doorway. It’s Len, a tall, lanky law student from UCLA.
I wave Len in. He closes the door behind him and appears nervous.
“Hey, Len.”
“Um, I was told you might be able to help me.”
“Of course, that’s my job. What do you need?”
He shuffles from foot to foot, like he needs to pee. “Um, there’s a body in the trunk of my car.”
See, folks, mundane.
* * * * *
Read more about Odelia and her “mundane life” in the Odelia Grey mystery series by Sue Ann Jaffarian. Her 6th adventure, TWICE AS DEAD, is available now everywhere. The first book in the series is TOO BIG TO MISS.
Sue Ann Jaffarian is the author of three mystery series: The Odelia Grey series, the Ghost of Granny Apples series, and the Madison Rose Vampire Mystery series. In addition to mysteries, she also writes general fiction and short stories, recently launching a Holiday’s From Hell short story series for e-readers. Visit her at www.sueannjaffarian or follow her on Twitter and Facebook.
I love this!! Odelia feels very real to me already! I just started reading with TWICE AS DEAD so I can’t wait to read the rest of her stories. Thanks Dru Ann!
LOVE Odelia!!
Awesome article! I just love Odelia!
Odelia is one of our favorite characters in my house. She actually gets us laughing and feeling good about the day and chases whatever was bothering us right out of our heads.
SueAnn is just a wonderful author.
Odelia’s life sounds about as mundane as gas on a fire. She is one hot mama!
Love Odelia!
I love that Odelia is a regular gal who happens upon a few exciting adventures.
Odelia is my hero!!!
I love Odelia and all of the characters in this series. They feel real to me, like I know them in my own daily life. I can relate to them, probably because they are flawed like I am and not “Hollywood-perfect”. Life is not like Hollywood for most of us! Show everyone your warts!
Try all of Sue Ann’s series, they are full of wonderful REAL characters. I have read all of her books and short stories and they all leave me itching for more.
I can’t wait to read book #7!
I love all of Sue Ann’s books and short sories. Ophelia especially is such a real , easy to idendtify with, character. Keep on writing these wonderful books and chacters.Thanks.
I’ve always been a fan of your style, Sue Ann. I join the chorus of voices wishing you amazing luck and happiness!
Love Odelia and cannot wait for book 7 to come out!
Geeezzzz, how could I not check Odelia out after that interview?
I think it’s fun to know how our protaganist spends a typical day.
Thanks Sue Ann for letting Odelia tell us about her day.
Odelia rocks! (As does Sue Ann!)
Fun post from the inimitable Odelia (AKA, the also-inimitable Sue Ann)
Thanks for sharing her with us, Dru. Cheers!
Great series!!
Well, Odelia, at least the body wasn’t in YOUR trunk. As much as I want to tell you to call the police and stay out of it, I have too much fun reading about your adventures. And if Greg has any single cousins living in MA let me know… 😉
Thanks, everyone, for leaving such great comments. Odelia and I appreciate it. Keep reading, there’s a lot more of Odelia to go around.
I love Odelia. I only read mysteries and stumbled upon the book in my library. I enjoy reading series books because I think you get to really know the main character and they become like an old friend to you. The cover grabbed me first, then I read the back and loved the idea of a plus size crime solver. She seemed like a “real” person to me, with real problems….not another “Barbie” cut-out solving crimes. Can’t wait for the new book!
Oh sure Odelia leads a very normal mundane life–80% of the time, but watch out for that 20% because it’s a killer in more ways than one.
I really enjoy Odelia’s adventures, and I’m always a little sad when I finish one. I am both a long-time paralegal and plus-sized, but I have yet to find my first body! 🙂 Please keep the adventures coming, Sue Ann!
Would love to have Odelia as my neighbor and friend. How crazy would it be to become embroiled in her antics.
A dog named Wainwright … I love that!!