There Will Be Another Sunrise: @OBBookTours - Character Interview

Character Interview – Gracie

by Alicia Renee Kline

Gracie is well established as being one of the most fun characters to write for in Intoxicated. In the role of Lauren’s best friend, she has a unique viewpoint on the action. And she’s not afraid to express her opinions.

Q: How did your friendship with Lauren begin?

A: We met through work. She was already at the bank when I got hired there as a teller. Even though she was in the mortgage department, we bonded because we were the two youngest employees at the branch. We started going out to lunch together, and the friendship just grew from there.

Q: Some would say that the two of you are exact opposites. What do you think?

A: I think we balance each other out well. She’s ultra serious at times and I never try to be that deep. It happens sometimes, but usually not on purpose. She’s a little bit older than me, so she’s kind of taken the older sister role. I can come to her for advice, especially on things that are career oriented. I think she sort of lives through me at times, since she never really was the type to party during her college years. Sometimes I think that she was born at about age twenty-five.

Q: Were you supportive of her decision to accept the promotion and move to Fort Wayne?

A: Yes, no question about it. It’s what she’s always wanted. She’ll be an awesome manager and it would be totally selfish on my part to be mad at her for leaving. She’s the kind of friend I know I’ll have for the rest of my life. We’ll spend a lot more time on the phone with one another now, and we can always email each other at work as long as the subject matter isn’t too inappropriate. Who knows, maybe someday she’ll convince me to move up there with her. It’s not like I have any ties to Indianapolis besides her dad.

Q: You come across as a harsh critic of her boyfriend, Eric. Why so negative?

A: He has a few redeeming qualities, I’m sure, if Lauren’s still with him. I haven’t found them yet. He is an egomaniac, always about himself. There’s nothing wrong with him being proud of his achievements, but Lauren’s just as good, if not better. It just seems that he’s always on, you know? I’d swear he sold used cars instead of insurance.

Q: In your opinion, would Lauren be better off without him?

A: In my opinion, the world would be better off without him.

Q: So, in a perfect world, who would you pair her with?

A: Anyone else!

Q: How about her roommate’s brother, Matthew? It seems she has a bit of a crush on him.

A: Who wouldn’t? If he didn’t already have designs on her, I would be interested. He would be a major upgrade as far as I’m concerned.

Q: Wait a second – so she’s not just imagining things? There really is something more than friendship going on between them?

A: He’s actually discussed it with me a little bit. Sure, he didn’t come out and say it, but I could tell. It’s obvious that she’s the center of his universe.

Q: And you’re okay with that, given his past?

A: Everyone has a past. He’s quite literally done his time and repented for his wrongdoings. If Lauren’s willing to have an open mind about it, then who am I to judge? To be honest, his past doesn’t bother me in the least.

Q: If you could give your best friend a final piece of advice, what would you tell Lauren?

A: Sometimes you are blind to the truth that is right in front of you. See, unexpected deepness!