Sunday Snippet: Physical Therapy

Whew. Long, long week with a ton of busywork stuff along with my regular workload. I sometimes get the idea that most of my family members don't realize how long or how many phone calls it often takes to make things happen. Luckily, I'm in a position where my job isn't at stake if I need to make those frequent and often time-sucking phone calls. But… bleh.

Had an even more sporadic viewing week. I'm not fairly behind on a lot of my shows. But… I did catch up on some laundry so not a bad tradeoff. I got two episodes of Blue Heelers in while folding and stacking clothes. LOL

I got a little more of Riverdale watched but haven't finished the episode yet. I might be getting to the place where I need to switch over to music. The main reason I've been light on viewing for the past few weeks is a heavy work schedule and lots of distractions from other drama.

I have so many playlists that I listen to while driving. I should probably start listening to them while working also. Maybe I'll start that this week.

Since there's not much to report, tonight's post is from Physical Therapy, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Flint Hollywell, a talented physical therapist, loves nothing more than watching arena ball player Tappen Bligh work her magic on the playing field. But when a career-ending injury sidelines Tappen, Flint is determined to get her back on the grass where she thrives on the action.

And a preview snippet…

Flint Hollywell jumped up from his reserved seat and bellowed with the crowd before sitting back down. "Third row, midcenter. One of the best seats in the house." He'd worked his ass off to afford season tickets and never missed a match.

The Banshees were the most amazing team to watch. And Flint didn't care what kind of hit his reputation took for being a full-on fan. He wore his jersey with pride and never left home without his green and white cords, the Banshee team colors.

Tonight's game had a brutal edge underneath the stellar quality of the plays. Elbows flew and cracked against chins, shoulders, and torsos. Hip-checks and knee gouges doubled when the Banshees played the Demon Dogs. The beauty of watching the peak physicality of the players in action never failed to hold him rapt.

Even when the professional side of him winced at the damage the teams inflicted on each other.

Then again, his work in physical therapy and athletic training gave him a close-up view of what happened when bodies were pushed past their limit.

Helping those injuries heal became a bonus.

His friend Mason nudged Flint. "Tannen's on fire tonight. And the Dogs are sniffing for blood." His gaze never left the field.

Flint nodded. "Gilda's kicking their rivalry into the stratosphere. I can't believe the officials haven't called her on some of those questionable blocks."

Mason laughed. "Probably because the Banshees have only missed once when old Gildabitch plays dirty."

A valid point. Tannen's score hadn't cracked double digits yet, a rarity for her. But her assists were off the charts for this game. One of the things he loved about the Banshees? Their teamwork approach to winning. Tannen Bligh led by example and shared the spotlight with her fellow players.

Flint leaned forward, shaking his head when another block cut close to the penalty range. "Come on, ref! Make the call." Disgusted, he shoulder-checked Mason. "Gilda's earning her nickname tonight. I can't believe how blatant she's being with the use of magick." Only physical magick—primarily levitation—could be used during match play.

Spells, incantations, conjuring… all counted as illegal and weren't allowed. Gilda all but spoke words out loud while adding an edge to her elbow throwing and hip-checking.

Mason's eyes went wide and he fist-pumped the air. "Tannen's setting up to score. She's getting in place for her kick-ass combo."

Flint didn't respond. He didn't want to miss a moment of watching Tannen Bligh defy gravity with her incredible acrobatic combination.

Writing action scenes is something I thoroughly enjoy. Creating the rules for arena ball has been a fun experience.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye