Sunday Snippet: Juvenile Behavior

Welcome, October. It's been a week with a lot of ups and downs. Work went well and I got a bunch of projects close to being finished. My middle kid needed some help navigating a challenging week of appointments and mild setbacks with health care.

Not a bad week of television either. I caught two episodes of Prime Suspect. Finished up season three and started season four. Four begins single episodes and I'm looking forward to diving in.

Watched two episodes of Peak Practice. Both were pretty interesting and I like where season five is going.

Finished up Master Class with LeVar Burton and started a new course with Brandon McMillan about training dogs.

Completed Inside the Episodes: The Witcher and I'm looking forward to season two so much right now. To tide myself over, I'm going to watch the making of the series next.

Enjoyed watching Adele: Homecoming. I loved getting some insight into how she got her start and how she creates her music.

Started watching Classic Rugrats with the first episode about Tommy's birthday. I'll look forward to getting back into this show for the sheer nostalgia.

Watched two episodes of Chicago Med. Both ended up making me emotional and all teary-eyed. I love this show!

Enjoyed another The Brokenwood Mysteries. Poor Mike being out of commission made an interesting dynamic change.

Started season thirteen of Silent Witness and vaguely remember the episode. The insurance adjuster woman is the reason. Her obnoxiousness rubbed me wrong the first time around also. I mean I literally want to slap her, she's that annoying.

Also began a new episode of Blue Heelers. This one should prove to be interesting and I have a feeling helicopter parents will be the reason.

Caught a two-part arc of Classic Who. Actually enjoyed it for the most part, even the hints about a possible return of the Master.

Watched another episode of UFO Conspiracies. This one had a focus on cold-climate sightings. A neat spin on the usual fare.

Got two more episodes of The Muppet Show in with John Denver and Crystal Gayle as the guest stars. Season four is officially underway.

Caught another episode of Star Trek: Discovery. A lot going on in this one and I liked getting some additional insight in the second in command. I don't have all the names down yet.

Enjoyed an episode of Artist to Icon. This one featured Whitney Houston and I learned a few things I didn't know about her career. I'll probably stick to musicians for this series.

Finally, I caught an episode of Midsommer Murders. Hannah Waddington guest-starred and the episode ended up being such a good one.

That's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Juvenile Behavior, a novella that features a long-standing rivalry between two families and the resolution with the new generation.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Freddie and Owen, top adepts putting cadets through their paces at the Mage Academy, are very much in love but refuse to act on their attraction. But when the Mage Principal has enough of their antics, he strips them of their rank and tenure and pushes them to act like grown-ups instead of juvenile delinquents.

And a preview snippet…

Owen used the heavy brass knocker on the oak door. He waited several long moments before an older woman in a starched gray maid's uniform greeted him.

She arched her eyebrows. "May I help you, sir?"

Owen gave her his best smile. "Is Mr. Radd in and available?" He'd taken a chance and stopped by instead of making an appointment.

The maid gave him a long look. "May I say who's calling?" Her lips pressed into a thin line of disapproval.

Owen hesitated but opted for the truth. "Owen Parker. I'm an instructor at the academy where his niece also—"

The woman cut him off. "Freddie." Her face transformed, going from bored disdain to joyfully animated. "Er, I mean Ms. Rudd, of course." Her hands smoothed the already impeccable apron.

Owen bit back a grin. "Yes, my visit concerns her."

The maid stepped back and ushered Owen inside. "Please, come in." She held out a hand. "I'm Mrs. Hasher, but please call me Helen." She added a wide smile of welcome

Owen clasped her palm. "Thank you, Helen. I'm sorry to just drop in, but I have something important to discuss with Mr. Rudd."

Helen shook her head. "I'll show you through. How's she doing?" From her tone, the love she had for Freddie came through loud and clear.

She started walking through the corridor and Owen followed her.

Helen chattered on. "I've missed having her around. I used to work for her parents until they died." A slight catch in her voice indicated more to the story.

Owen hoped he'd get to hear it someday.

He answered her original question. "Freddie's doing great. She's amazing with her students." He paused and added on something more personal. "Of course, she's still pushing envelopes and challenging rules."

Helen glanced over her shoulder with a sly grin. "Sounds just like her." She sobered. "Before. She lost a lot of her zest for life after the accident." Her eyes went dark and stormy. "Didn't help that her horrible uncle treated her. The man completely neglected Freddie." Her face brightened. "I'll happily show you in now."

Pushing open the doors, the crafty older woman waved Owen inside the study.

Mr. Rudd glanced upward and frowned. "What's the meaning of this?" His fist clenched and he hissed for Helen to leave.

Owen blinked at the rude countenance. The man is visibly pissed because he's been interrupted from ... lounging in front of the fire going on two in the afternoon?

Straightening his robe, he rose from the sofa. "Who are you and what do you want?"

Owen lifted his chin. "Owen Parker. I'm here to discuss your niece."

Helen is such a great character and Owen will come to discover having her on Freddie's side is a huge check in the plus column.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye