I am happy to say that I've finally been able to sit down and work on my own stuff, around all the proofreading and editing I've been doing. I have to say, it feels very good to be back in the swing of things, even if it's starting off a bit slower than I usually do.
Today's sample comes from my YA (WIP) Passing Loop. It is the story of three generations of women who are reunited in a time of tremendous tragedy. But, you all know me. I add a bit of humor and a few other tidbits so it's not entirely depressing. lol
So far, I believe I have shared samples that introduce my main character, Chrissella (a 17-year old who is forced to move across the country with her mom to care for the grandmother she never knew...and she's not happy about it) as well as Enya, her mother. Today, I am going to give you some insight into Lily Gran, Enya's mother. She's a feisty older woman not impressed to be slowed down by a broken hip. And this is the beginning of one relationship that is on repair and the other that is starting to develop. This scene also hints to further plot twists. ;)
Enjoy! And feel free to share your thoughts.
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As she sat back down, Lily Gran said, “Well, that wasn’t too hard
now, was it? I’ll bet we even cured your boredom.”
“Oh, I’m not bored at all now, thanks.”
Gran’s lips stretched into a slight smile. “Biscuit? They’re
shortbread fingers.”
“No, thanks,” Chrissella said. “I’m more of a chocolate chip cookie
kinda girl. Besides, I seem to have lost my appetite.”
“Hm. It would appear that we are opposites on a lot of things,” Lily
Gran said, biting the corner off of her cookie. “Ah, well. Your loss. More for
the rest of us.” She motioned to her daughter. “Enya, would you be so kind as
to pour us all some tea before it gets too cold to drink?”
“Sure, Ma.” Enya got up to fulfill the request, and she lost her
footing.
“Mom, are you okay?” Chrissella reached across the table to catch
her.
Her mom stuck her hand up and said, “Sure, sure, baby girl. Just got
up too fast is all.” She shook her head, then grabbed the tea pot. “Room for
milk, Ma?”
Lily Gran eyed her daughter, expressionless. “Always. Say, there.
You seem on the gaunt side. Be sure to have a few shortbreads. Or make yourself
a sandwich. You never did eat enough to feed a bird.”
“It’s fine. I can wait until suppertime,” Enya said as she filled
Chrissella’s cup.
“Mom, you haven’t eaten since—”
Her mother shot her an icy stare. “Chrissy, I said I can wait. Just
stop, please?”
Lily Gran scooped several teaspoonfuls of sugar into her tea, then
reached for the tiny pitcher of milk. “Not unusual, from what I remember. Had
to force you to eat even as a gaffer. Not sure how we even kept you alive, most
days.”
“Enough, already,” Enya said sternly as she filled her own cup.
“I’ll eat later. Let’s move on, shall we?”
The clock ticked the seconds away. Lily Gran’s spoon slowly clinked
and clanked against the sides of her cup as she stirred. Crissella fiddled with
the handle on her tea cup.
Wow, she thought. There’s less
tension in a prison shower room.
Finally, Gran broke the silence. “How was the trip out?”
Seriously?
“Not bad,” Enya said, blowing into her cup. “The plane ride was
quicker than I thought it would be, and the car ride was, thankfully,
uneventful.”
“More like painfully uneventful.”
“Well, I told you to bring a book to read or something.”
“I can’t read in the car. I always puke. You know that.”
“You could have slept.”
“It was a little hard to sleep with the lovely ‘eau de poop’ scent
wafting around the car, and Mr. Cash crooning away.”
Lily Gran cleared her throat. “I didn’t realize we had a princess in
our mix. Perhaps next time we can get the driver to pick you up in our limo.
Lord knows you should always have every luxury when traveling across the
flatlands.”
Chrissella noticed her mother
trying to repress a smile, and she glared. “Hey, look. I’m no princess. I
just—”
“…have been coddled your whole life and expect the same everywhere
you go? Well, we’ll change that attitude here and now.” Gran brushed the cookie
crumbs from her fingers, then locked eyes with Chrissella. “Did ya have a
chance to look around when you were coming in town? Only real people living
here. We’re a community. Unlike the big city, we look out for our neighbors and
no one person is better than the next. Act like a city princess here, and
you’ll be put in your place soon enough.”
“Oh, come on, Mom. I certainly never coddled Chrissy. She’s stronger
than you think. She’s also stubborn, sarcastic, pig-headed and never afraid of
speaking her mind or giving her opinion, whether you want it or not. Gee…she
sort of reminds me of someone…”
Chrisella waved her hand. “Excuse me. Sitting right here. You know I
friggen hate it when you talk about me right in front of me, like I’m not even
here.”
“And that’s another thing,” Gran said, slurping her last bit of tea.
“One more curse word out of you and I’ll shove a bar of soap in there so deep
you’ll be burping bubbles for a week.”
I’d like to see you try, old lady. “I
didn’t actually swear but fine. I ‘get’ it, okay?”
Lily Gran reached over and grabbed Chrissella’s forearm faster than
the she thought a lady her grandmother’s age could move. “Let’s make something
crystal clear, little miss. Your mother is here because some stupid doctor in
the city feels I need a bit of help around the acreage. Maybe that’s true, but
it doesn’t make me very happy. The only reason you are here is because you are with her. This is my house.
I have very few rules, but they are set in stone and will be followed.
Otherwise you will have your bags thrown out in the field and be sent on the
next bus to the boarding school up north. Now you stuff that attitude of yours
gut deep or I’ll allow mine to surface and you do not want that.”
Chrissella yanked her arm from her
grandmother’s grip and slumped back in her chair. She rubbed where Gran had
gripped her arm, angry tears pooling in her lower lids, her heart pounding.
Cheesus Murphy. If she’s
repressing her attitude, I’d better take up Muay Thai to defend myself.
“Okay,” she whispered. “Sorry.”
Lily Gran shot a quick glance at
Enya, who chewed on her lip. “Alright, then. Grab your bags and I’ll show you
to your rooms.”
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