Sunday Snippet: Sh*t Happens

Ugh. What a week. I ended up succumbing to the upper respiratory yuck that started with my middle kiddo. I took him to the doctor on Monday and by late that evening, I already started feeling pretty ick. Slept most of the day on Tuesday—not kidding, about fifteen hours—and still felt terrible on Wednesday, with worsening symptoms, continuous cough, inability to breathe regularly, and basically everything hurt, up to and including my hair. Got in to see the doctor on Thursday afternoon, got tested for the flu, which came back negative, got something for the cough and came home. Finally got some additional sleep and started feeling slightly better by Friday evening. Continued to improve Saturday and finally think I've turned the corner. Going to take everything nice and slow through Tuesday and follow up with the doctor, but at least I can think clearly again. Definitely a wild ride for a few days.

Did not get a lot of television watched. Well, I did. But I don't remember a huge chunk of it. I did get some additional episodes of Batman: The Animated Series in before falling off the cliff of craziness.

Finished up "Joker's Millions," which I remember but forgot how much I actually enjoyed. Also caught "Growing Pains," "Mean Seasons," a truly excellent episode, "The Demon Within," "Over the Edge," and "Torch Song."

I hope I can still finish up the final season before HBOMax sucks the joy out of life by removing it from their service. Fingers crossed I don't end up with a new yuck thing to deal with.

That's more than anyone wanted to know about my life this week! Tonight's post is from Sh*t Happens, a novella that sees the characters circling each other with a need for connection but a big fear stands in the way.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Nyla White, an up and coming paranormal cage fighter, has buttloads of potential but her shit-happens attitude prevents her from attaining the top spot. Erik Stevens, her trainer, pushes her to use her emotions to own her talent, which Nyla is hesitant to do—because she's got strong feelings for Erik.

And a preview snippet…

"How do I reach her?" Erik waited for Nyla by pacing the half-center mark of the training circle and repeating the question over and over in his mind.

He had her fight queued up and ready for review. The list of items to cover landed on the lengthy side. He vowed to not lose his calm … she never reacted well when he came unglued. His best scenario had her coming in rested, relaxed, and ready to review and improve.

But … she entered strung tighter than a bow and only got more rigid when her gaze scanned the televisions. Okay, they'd need a change in plan. He couldn't handle a two-fisted dose of Nyla attitude right from the start.

He shut the screens off and faced her. "Let's work out first." Get the blood flowing, maybe find her happy place, then discuss the bout … worth a try.

She paused, tilted her head and opened her mouth. Erik waited, encouraging her silently to say her piece. Instead of speaking, she clamped her jaw shut and only nodded. Turning around, she started going through the opening moves of her discipline routine.

Frustration punched its way through his first layer of calm. But Erik rolled with the flow. He studied and observed, taking a big step back and watching the fluid motion of her body going through the warm-up. The graceful arc and dip of her movements, precise and near perfect through each degree, prepared her for the second phase by clearing her mind.

She takes my breath away.

He had to get through to her. Her underlying latent ability to wield magick would only grow stronger if she learned to control and use her emotions as a conduit. The breakdown always occurred when she fought her instinct to open up and remove her filters.

When she finished the first stage and eased into the second—a combination of static motion and the use of her ability—the energy in the air stayed pliant and easy to manipulate. Erik took the opportunity to join her on the circle. She faltered, only for a moment … but long enough to make her stiffen up and lose the rhythm.

She made a low growl of frustration and tried to push onward.

Erik grasped her shoulder, halting her movement. "What's going on with you?" She glanced away and his determination kicked into overdrive. "Nyla, you've got to talk to me."

If she didn't, they'd never get through this challenge.

Nyla and Erik definitely need to have a conversation even if Nyla's not a big fan of chatting about her feelings.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye