“There are things that go bump in the night, Mr. MacMillian. It’s my job to bump back.”
~ A WORLD APART
20 QUESTIONS WITH LENA ALAN
Answered after A World Apart: Shades Below, #1
1. What is your current job?
Owner and proprietor at Cross Your Teas. Occasional ghost whisperer.
2. What jobs have you held previously?
I assisted in the family business when I was younger. Of course, when the family business is “ghosts”, you don’t exactly retire…
3. What’s your favorite food?
The new tomato-goat cheese tart at Cross Your Teas.
4. Favorite drink?
Double-bergamot Earl Grey… or did you mean booze?
5. Favorite song?
“Night Moves”, by Bob Seger
6. What’s your personal motto?
If tea can’t fix it, you’re pretty much screwed.
7. How do you spend your nights off?
I’m a small business owner in one of the most expensive places on earth. What days off?
8. What is your greatest strength?
I help people, even when they don’t know how to ask for help.
9. What is your greatest weakness?
There are parts of me I still don’t understand. I’m not sure I really want to.
10. What are you most proud of about your life?
My family: every crazy, impossible part of it.
11. What are you most ashamed of in your life?
That my fear of my past has caused so much suffering to those around me.
12. If you could spend the day with someone you admire (living or dead or imaginary), who would you pick?
Eleanor Roosevelt. I have a running theory she was a psychic, and I would love to test it out!
13. What is complicating your life right now?
What isn’tcomplicating my life right now?
14. What’s the worst compliment you’ve ever been paid?
Someone once told me I reminded them of the psychic on that one show that got canceled. Um, thanks?
15. What is your greatest fear?
That no matter what I do, I’ll destroy everyone I love.
16. What advice would you give people if you could?
Everyone has a dark side. Either you learn to embrace it, or it will control you.
17. Who is your most significant relationship?
Jes. As a friend. Obviously.
18. What event was most significant in shaping your life?
Losing Hannah to the shadows. Losing Grace. My family had three daughters, and I’m the only one left.
19. Describe your ideal mate:
Tall, dark, handsome.
20. What would you like it to say on your tombstone?
“Heaven ain’t bad, but it ain’t San Francisco.” I’ve always been a fan of Herb Caen.
L.J.K. OLIVA 