Sunday Snippet: Old Wounds

More weird weather this week. And some great news for the daughter. She ended up with three scholarships and two awards for her sophomore year. Amazing!

Solid work week with ongoing edits on two projects. I'm doing some new nonfiction work and I'm enjoying it so much.

Pretty good week of television also. I finished up the second season of Snoopy in Space: The Search for Life. I'd be happy if they did another run of episodes with this show.

Caught an episode of Cuffs and actually enjoyed it a lot even though the personal lives of the characters are all falling apart.

Watched two episodes of Silent Witness. I'm beginning to really enjoy Jack's tenaciousness. He won't let go when his hunches are biting down hard.

Enjoyed two episodes of Classic Who. I'd forgotten how the quality of the show suffered so much during Seven's tenure, which isn't a bash on the actors. They do an excellent job considering what they're given to work with.

Finished up Aliens in Alaska and really enjoyed the season. Wouldn't mind if they did more later.

Caught two episodes of Hawkeye and I'm sold. Love the interaction between the characters and enjoy the overarching plot point. Great show.

Finished up the second season of Harrow and I enjoyed it so much. One thing that really hits hard is the fact that Harrow has now murdered two people and as much as I love the character, I kind of want him to suffer some consequences for his actions. We'll see if season three offers any up for him.

Watched the Peak Practice season seven finale. Looks like some big changes for the next season with a new location for the practice. I'm looking forward to seeing where things go.

Started a quirky series with The Laundry Guy. Enjoyed seeing what he uses to bring stained items back to life. I'm definitely going to learn a lot from this show.

Caught an episode of Blue Heelers and enjoyed it. Really feeling the topic of the week vibes during this season, but it's not deal-breaking.

Consumed another MasterClass with Neil deGrasse Tyson and liked learning about the scientific method. As with Nye, Tyson has a way of putting information out there that doesn't make me feel stupid.

Watched another episode of Young Wallander: Killer's Shadow. I'm very invested in this season already and I kind of love where things are going.

Enjoyed two more episodes of Classic Rugrats. This rewatch definitely lets me find my happy place.

Also caught another episode of Chicago Med and I'm kind of still hating the new head of the ED. We'll see if that continues. I love that Rhodes is actually on to Ava and isn't really being duped … yet.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Old Wounds, a novella that has the characters going through a terrible experience and one has to revisit a painful part of their past to help the other.

Here's the mini-blurb:

When Abbot Isley's father lies near death, Nixie Grimm is willing to open old wounds to help him cope. Taking a trip down memory lane is not her favorite thing, but Abbot's steadfast support triggers a healing process she didn't know she needed and lets her move forward—with Abbot.

And a preview snippet…

Nixie's heart ached. She loved the old man, too. And he's all Abbot has left.

She wanted to ask so many questions. In fact, she had to bite her tongue to keep her mouth shut. She held back because she'd react with violence if Abbot pushed her when she needed space and she wouldn't force him to speak until he wanted to.

Even if his silence killed her.

When they dumped the keys in the drop box, he finally started talking. "This so-called lead? Nothing but a dick move to get us away from the estate." He led the way, going behind the service area of the rental office where they'd project back home.

Nixie cursed softly. "Dammit. They're playing hard ball now." Which meant the council would have to start hitting back.

No more kid gloves and quiet poking around.

Abbot stopped by the ancient oak and drew a protective circle around them. "Can you get us home? I don't have the bandwidth right now." His eyes closed and he swayed to the side.

Nixie steadied him, grabbing his bicep. "I got this." Meeting his gaze, she asked one question. "Home or the healing chamber?"

Abbot didn't hesitate. "Chamber. He might not have long."

She spoke the incantation and projected them to the sacred grotto at the far end of the healing rooms. "Leave the bags. I'll come for them later." Not waiting, she led the way out of the stone-walled alcove and worked her way through the throng of council members standing in the corridor.

Abbot followed and the crowd dispersed, parting to let them through. Nixie didn't like the somber faces or the hushed conversations. She didn't dare look back to Abbot, afraid she'd lose the fragile calm she'd worked to hold on to.

Abbot paused beside the head healer, Barton Wence. "What's happening?"

Barton shook his head. "The news is grave. Isaac is near death and there's a good chance he won't make it." He drew Abbot into the alcove and continued. "The magic poison is wrapped in several layers of spells and if we counter in the wrong order—"

Abbot cut him off. "I know that. Tell me what you're doing right now."

Nixie winced at the angry tone but didn't blame Abbot for being impatient. Barton could be frustrating when a life didn't hang in the balance. To do so now bordered on stupidity.

They didn't have the patience to deal with a bunch of inane platitudes. And Isaac didn't have the time for muddled mutterings.

Nixie nudged Barton along. "Look, start with what you've done since Abbot got the call."

I'm very happy with how this story is coming along. The sages are giving me the flow in small bits and pieces but I love where things are going.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye