Sunday Snippet: Living with Scars

I'm having a weirdmonth so far. I'm doing well with posting daily relaxation, stress reducerthings to avoid becoming the Scrinch (Scrooge and the Gringe combined), yet I'malso feeling kind of down, which is not the norm for me. I'm thinking a happymedium might be the best I'll do this year and I'm okay with that.

Had a week ofbusywork projects, which ended up being kind of fun. I like jumping around andmoving back and forth between jobs. Keeps me on my toes and paying attention.

Had a solid week oftelevision. A lot of what I worked on this week let me have background noiseand I got a lot of shows watched!

I started with the firstsixtieth anniversary special for Doctor Who. Thoroughly enjoyed havingTen and Donna back together. Looking forward to the second special this week.

Trying out a new tome show with Elementary. Watched the first two episodes and I like it sofar. I didn't watch at all when it originally aired and I'm looking forward toseeing more of this show.

Caught two episodesof The Batman and should be semi-close to the end of season one. Lookingforward to more of this one.

Enjoyed two episodesof Classic Rugrats. Liked both and loved the play on vintage TV showsthe ghost stories episode had.

Watched two episodesof VIP and remembered one from the original airing of the show. Lots offun with the ice bullets before they were really a thing.

Caught anotherepisode of My Life Is Murder and ended up liking it a lot. The dragqueen setting was fun and the snark fest between Alexa and the manager deservesa chef's kiss.

Enjoyed another AgathaRaisin episode. It's the first of a two-parter so I'm excited to see whathappens next. Very fun to watch Agatha and James navigate living together.

Finished the secondhalf of a two-part Silent Witness. Actually liked how this one playedout. It's cool to revisit old cases and the one they went back to ended upbeing an important one.

Caught another Deathin Paradise episode. I'm enjoying Florence and Humph working together. AndI'm fond of the JP and Dwayne dynamic.

Also started a newPassionflix series with The Secret Life of Amy Benson. Got the first episodein and I'm intrigued so far. Looking forward to seeing how the two seasons playout.

That's it for thelife update this week. Tonight's post is from Living with Scars, anovella that explores the reunion of a couple after one has a traumaticexperience.

Here's theminiblurb:

Britta Dane, a woman who avoids entanglements, lets YaleSullivan get a little too close. But when she finds a way to put some distancebetween them, she lands behind enemy lines. When she finally returns, a littlebroken and torn up with guilt, she has to find a way to get her brand of normalback.

And a sneaky peek…

Ralinda "Rally" Andersonquickly became the bane of Britta's existence. Rally got a taste for being asquadron leader while Britta served her penance in maintenance. And the youngerpilot didn't want to give up her new-found status.

Britta figured a nice little chatshould take place. "Hey, Rally. Hold up a minute."

Ralinda's shoulders tensed, but shewaited by the exit. Britta struck a casual pose, leaning against the bulkheadwith a foot propped on the surface. Then she stared Anderson down with a calm façade.It's the best way to get the upper hand.

Rally huffed out a frustrated sigh."Did you want something?"

Britta lifted a brow. The girl hada set of brass ones. Britta would give Ralinda props for pushing back.

But Britta quickly set the tone."I'm sorry. I think you meant 'Did you want something, sir'." Brittastraightened, pulling rank and enjoying it. "Last I checked, I'm alieutenant and you're still junior grade."

Anderson's nostrils flared, but shekept her cool. "Is there something I can do for you, sir?" Shesneered the question, barely keeping a civil tone.

Britta smiled at the cracks in thepilot's armor. "You can tell me what your problem is."

Rally's eyes widened. "Withwhat? Unless you mean you specifically, sir."

Smart girl.

Britta nodded. "Sure, Rally.Let's start there." She crossed her arms over her chest. "I've beenback on rotation two weeks and you're either on my ass or so far up it, I cansmell what you had for your last meal."

Rally flushed, but terselyexplained. "You're a menace, sir."

Britta laughed. "I'm supposedto be, Lieutenant. Our job is to do as much damage to the enemy aspossible."

Rally shook her head. "Not mymeaning, and you know it."

And finally, they were gettingsomewhere. "Okay. Why don't you explain—specifically—why you think I'm amenace?"

Rally loosened up. "You'rehungover … All. The. Time. You've lost discipline. You have zero focus. Andsometime, probably in the very near future, you're gonna get yourself—or one ofus—killed." She heaved for breath, dragging air into her lungs.

Britta quirked a brow. "Wow.Been saving that up for a while, haven't you?"

Ralinda lifted a shoulder."Look, you asked. I don't wanna fly with you—veteran hot shot ornot."

Britta slowly lifted her chin."Good to know. But just to be clear…" Britta lifted one finger."Haven't had a hangover in a month…" She added a second digit."I've never had discipline outside of a cockpit." A third fingerjoined the first two. "Even unfocused, I still fly circles aroundyou…" She lifted her little pinky. "And the weight of that chip onyour shoulder will kill someone before I everdo." Britta moved to stand toe-to-toe with the other pilot. "Youdon't have to like me … but you'd damned well better respect the rank Ihold." Britta pinned Ralinda with her gaze. "If you can't do that … I'msure we can find some transport ships for you to pilot around the fleet."

Ralinda sucked in a harsh breathand opened her mouth to blast Britta. She quickly snapped it shut again andheld her tongue, looking away to hide the angry flash in her eyes. A very wisechoice.

Britta smiled and patted Rally onthe shoulder. "Nice start. Keep the attitude in check and we'll do justfine." Turning, Britta walked a few steps before angling her head back."You're dismissed, Lieutenant."

Continuing down the corridor,Britta felt better than she had since she got back. One problem down, a zillionmore to go. Including one gigantic challenge named Yale.

I'm trying to reinthis story in. The sages keep feeding me ideas and I won't be able to use allof them but it's a great problem to have.

 

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

ML Skye