First Look at My Novel, The Marrying Man

A glimpse into my novel about AI, technology, faith and love

For a long time, I’ve been quietly working on a novel titled The Marrying Man. Now that I have completed the third draft and am moving through the process of querying agents, I want to begin sharing a few small glimpses of the story with you here.

The scene below comes early in the book, inside Merta’s Café, where Todd Cross—our reluctant, old-school protagonist, who owns a ring shop—is meeting with Stu, his childhood friend and self-described tech expert, to figure out how to deal with the public disruption caused by Todd’s ex-girlfriend, Lena. It is here that they first encounter Love—the AI that’s reshaping society.

No spoilers, just a window into the tone and characters I’ve been writing. The themes of the novel are not unlike those on The Tolton Path: AI, technology, faith and love.

More to come in future posts.

Here’s the excerpt.

“Well, you’re here early for a Saturday,” Merta says from behind the counter. “Biscuits and gravy—make it two!,” she shouts, finally looking at me. I give her a wink and scurry to my booth facing the counter and register next to Mama’s old station. I see her face still right where it should be, busy and smiling, while I pretend to do homework.

I take out the JC Rings paperwork from my bag. This is what’s going to protect me from Lena Gold. Stu and I peek into my book­­—yes, my words are still there! I scan my outline and strategy for the presentation. Just stay calm and focused, that’s all I need to do.

“It’s good to see you,” Merta says to me. She smiles and fixes my hair as she walks by. She comes back with a couple plates of scrambled eggs and biscuits covered with gravy filled with pork sausage, bacon and a little black pepper (okay, it’s more than a little). I need to fill up for a day like today.

“Oh, sorry, Todd.” Merta takes out the television remote and aims high behind Stu. “I know you don’t want to see this nonsense, especially when you’re conducting business.” She points at the paperwork.

A big heart appears on the television hanging from the ceiling a few booths over. “Hold on, Merta. I want to see this.”

“How much do you Love?” The words display on the TV screen. Various celebrities appear—actors, athletes, doctors, former US Presidents—along with a white number inside a red heart. That’s their LoveScore. The former President got an 800, which was the highest of them all.

“You see this, Stu?” I point at the TV.

“The more Love, the better,” the voice says in the commercial. “Love never fails. Download it today.”

Stu turns the TV off. “Love. . . That’s what Shelly had me join?” He slides his phone across the table, his face bright red.

“I didn’t realize it was an app . . . for love,” I say. “What is this world coming to?”

Stu smirks. “Worried about a little competition?” he asks. “I know you want to avoid the entire modern world, but you really should experience what’s going on out there.”

“Not if I can avoid it,” I say.

“Todd, customer!” Merta shouts and nods at the entrance.

Oh no, not now. I scheduled a one-on-one here today. Things have been so hectic at the store that it’s easier to talk at Merta’s. I usually have photos and samples, but I forgot to bring them today. I’ve got a system all worked out. Sales here for part of the day, diamonds and payment back at JC Rings. I seemed to have forgotten my customer’s name as well, what was it again?

He slides in and sits between Stu and me. “Glad you could meet so early,” I say with a big smile. I widen my eyes at Stu for help.

“Hi, Stu Stuckey, Todd’s . . . associate. It’s nice to meet you…” he pauses.

“Sean Burns, sir.” He turns to me. “It’s nice to meet you, sir. Todd . . . I mean, sir. I can’t believe I’m here with you. This is so cool! I’ve heard about you for years!”

Even though I don’t use it, everyone else is posting every imaginable thought and grievance on a unified system called the SocialVerse. And whether I like it or not, I’m in the SocialVerse. My customers like it though and they use it to spread the word of JC Rings.

I remember Sean is only twenty-one. Age is half of what I need to know. How is it that they stay the same age and I keep getting older?

Burns—that name is familiar. “Who are your parents?” I ask.

A grin fills his face. “Larry and Donna . . .” He pauses while I riffle through my papers. That’s it!

“Stu, this is Snorky’s boy! Remember, from high school?”

“Snorky?” Sean asks.

“I apologize. What I meant to say is that your parents are Larry and Donna Burns! From our high school.”

“Snorky!” Stu shouts. He leans closer to Sean and at different angles. “A spitting image too.”

“Yeah.” Sean smiles. “I get that a lot.”