Sunday Snippet: Good for the Soul

Still chuggingalong on various work projects, but I'm at the in-between stages on a few. Ilike having some free time to focus on writing.

Not a bad week forviewing television. I had to create a workaround for one of the shows I watch,but I'm happy I managed to remember how to set things up.

Caught anotherepisode of Fantasy Island and, wow, I love the unexpected surprise. I'mcautiously optimistic the reveal won't trash things between Elena and Rafael.I'm not holding my breath though. One of the writers is known to mess things upto ramp up the angst factor.

Watched anotherepisode of Strangest Things. I'm always interested in the ancient thingsthey review, but I'm also fascinated by the crazy contraptions featured.

Enjoyed anotherepisode of Classic Rugrats. The puns and play on words are always fun.One of the greatest things about this show is the appeal to all age groups.

I finally finishedthe Passionflix original, Resisting Roots. I ended up really liking thisone. It's not quite as steamy as some of the other movies, but I'm okay withthat.

Caught anotherepisode of Madame Blanc Mysteries. Enjoyed this one. Very glad Dom isback in good form.

Watched another episodeof Cannes Confidential. I love this show! Camille and Harry are fun, andthe underlying, sinister vibe is present but also subtle. Such a great show.

Continued myrewatch of Battlestar Galactica. This week we did a double header of "ResurrectionShip Part One and Two". The next few episodes are solid, but the showstumbles a little leading up to the season two finale. Too many threads thatneeded some loving care got dropped.

I also startedanother episode of Peak Practice and need to finish that one up latertonight.

That's it for thisweek's life update. Tonight's post is from Good for the Soul, a novellathat explores how a character tries to hold himself accountable and struggleswhen he can't.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Dex Thurgood has ideals he upholds and wants to keep itthat way. But when he's forced to confront a sinister underground trade leader,he has to face his darker nature to bust up the extortion racket, which won'tbe easy because Ramsey Markum knows one of Dex's deeply buried secrets. LanaDenman steps up to help Dex deal with the fallout of not being perfect.

And a sneaky peek…

Hate him? Not in this lifetime.

Sighing softly, Lana replied.“Confession’s not about making people hate you, Dex.” How could she explainthis to him? “It’s about catharsis. So you can live with the wrong you’vedone.” Tilting her head, she gave him a moment to absorb what she said. “Didyou hate me when I told you about Mac? Did you walk away?” She sat up and drewher feet under her legs crossways.

She had him there … he didn’t hateher for Mac … but she’d made her confession on the day their world ended … slightlydifferent. But then again, not really. And, okay, he had walked away … well … technicallyejected … but he always took time and space to process things.

When he opened his mouth to argue,she shook her head. “You’ve never let me down.”

Dex looked away from her. “I wasn’tthere for you.”

He cringed at the unpleasant soundshe made at that statement.

She rolled her eyes. “Turns out youdidn’t have to be. The chancellor called off the mission, remember?” Leaningforward, she pinned him with her gaze. “You’re willing to screw your personalethics, leave 'em behind and that’s not enough? I’m supposed to be pissed youalmost died and weren’t there? God, Dex.” She leaned back in frustration,letting her eyes drop to her lap.

“Lana, I—" He stopped.

Yeah, he what? Had no idea what tosay? Why did he always make things so hard?

Confusion marred his features … and,damn if she didn't know exactly what he felt like. It sucked when life kicked someonein the teeth … made them lose hope … hell it made a person lose who they weresometimes. She'd been there, more than a few times, but not Dex. He didn't havethe benefit of being comfortable with one foot on the edge of right and wrongand the other somewhere deep in the muck.

Scrambling across the bed, shecrawled over his legs and settled down on his lap.

Grabbing his hands in hers, shetried explaining it. “Look, Dex. I get it. I really do.” She waited until shehad his eyes before going on. “We all have shit we drag around. Mistakes.Screw-ups. Crap we’re not proud of.” Her lips quirked up, but she quickly gotserious again. “It’s easy to do the right thing … what’s hard, really hard, isliving with the wrong. Do you get that?” Again, she waited … holding his gazebefore letting go and moving her hands up to cup his face. “Tell me you getthat now.”

He gave a slow nod. "I thinkmaybe I do."

She rested her forehead againsthis. "Finally."

Lana is a fun character.She's not into seeing only black and white. Her world is filled with shades ofgray.

 

That's it for thisweek. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye