Sunday Snippet: Veritas

Kind of a busy, frustrating week. We dug out of eleven inches of snow, which is actually a lot more than we've seen in several years. I had a lot of work stuff hit sideways and struggled to get some insurance stuff sorted out for my middle kidlet.

Had a decent week of television viewing, mainly due to hold times on the phone. I started with Seduction and Snacks, a PassionFlix movie and have about half of it completed. I had to pause because the distractions were too many and I want to take my time and enjoy this one.

Got two more episodes of Snoopy in Space watched and kind of enjoyed both. It's fun to have something quick and easy to view.

Caught some behind-the-scenes stuff for The Madame Blanc Mysteries. So much fun to watch the cast interviews and get some insight on how they shot the series. I really hope they do a second one.

Finished up one and began a new Silent Witness two-parter. Good stuff this season. I'm looking forward to more.

Watched two more episodes of Classic Who. The Master is gone again—for now. Can't say I'm sorry to see him go. Six is kind of growing on me and it's fun to have two wandering around again. I'll see how that arc ends this week.

Enjoyed two more episodes of The Alaska Triangle. Shipwrecks and underwater UFOs and ghost ships were the focus. Always love watching what might have happened to downed ships.

Started The Muppets and, meh, it's okay. Really lacks the charm of the original but it's kind of fun to see the muppets in a docu-style series.

Caught another two episodes of Fosse Verdon. I'm so intrigued by the ins and outs of Bob and Gwen's personal and professional lives. Can't wait to finish this one.

Watched two more episodes of Peak Practice. I'm almost finished with season six and should be starting seven this week. I've enjoyed not having weird manipulating characters for the past few episodes.

Got two more MasterClass lessons with Bill Nye. I love how much fun he has educating people.

Ended up getting in two more episodes of Classic Rugrats—two of my favorites. I love reminiscing while watching.

Watched another episode of Chicago Med and enjoyed it a lot. Really looking forward for more next week.

Caught another episode of The Brokenwood Mysteries. I'm kind of sad because a favorite character ended up saying good-bye. I'm hoping some light will be shed in the behind-the-scenes interviews.

Enjoyed a seriously great episode of Star Trek: Discovery. This show … never fails to suck me into the action and emotion.

Last but not least, I finished the second season of The Witcher. I'm so intrigued by the ending and can't wait for more episodes. I ended up being very satisfied with how things played out for the main trio and the side characters. I love this show.

That's it for the weekly television update. Tonight's post is from Veritas, a novella that features a couple that broke up but still have unfinished business.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Tillie Cruz has a moment of veritas when she shoots Faxon Jarvis in a friendly fire incident. The realization she wants a life with him may be too late because Faxon has a new relationship and Tillie doesn't want to mess it up. But she may not have to—her bullet may have done the trick.

And a snippety peek…

Tillie stood outside Faxon's room waiting for him to wake up. The surgery to repair some damage from her bullet went well, according to Faxon's CO. Tillie needed to see him for herself.

She glanced in the window. "Damn." Maisie sat by Faxon's bed.

Of course, she would be there. She deserved to be at his side. Unlike Tillie.

All the reasons she now realized they belonged together ran through her head. "I'm such an idiot." The guy du jour didn't really work except on a physical level.

And Tillie wanted more. She craved the emotional connection—the good and the difficult. But only with Faxon. Why did she trash their relationship?

Maisie got up to answer a call and headed for the door. Tillie made a mad dash for the closest alcove in the hallway. She didn't want to face Faxon's new lover. Not when her bullet put him out of commission.

Maisie exited the room with her phone to her ear. "I'll be right there. No, he's sleeping again." Her footsteps carried her down the corridor.

So … he'd been awake, at least for a little while. Relief filled her. She had to see him, if only for a few moments.

Tillie checked the hall and didn't see Maisie anymore. She went in to see Faxon; she would only stay long enough to satisfy her need to see him whole. Reaching out, she grasped his fingers.

A wave of emotion swept through her. The warmth of his skin seeped into her, chasing away the cold ball of dread she'd carried since she shot him. He'd be okay. She didn't care about anything else.

Okay, not true. But she'd live with the consequences of her own making.

Lost in thought, she let out a small gasp when he stirred.

He woke slowly, blinked, and smiled. "Hello, world." His gaze met hers, looking as if she and only she mattered to him.

He had to be under the influence of pain meds and thinking he spoke to Maisie.

Tillie cleared her throat. "Hey, do you need anything."

His face cleared when he heard her voice. He glanced around, his gaze darting past her shoulder.

Tillie squeezed his hand. "She got a phone call and had to leave."

He exhaled slowly and seemed relieved. "She's a bit of mess over me getting shot. The last time I woke up, she couldn't stop crying."

Tillie cringed. "I'm sorry." She waited a beat. "For everything." She grasped his hand again. "Take care of yourself and let me know if you need anything." She let go and he started to shift, to sit up.

He grimaced and heaved a sigh. "Damn, that hurts."

Tillie shook her head. "Please, don't. I have a mandatory counseling session and can't be late." She didn't wait for a response, quickly exiting the room, and made it halfway down the hall before the tears came.

She wanted to stay and curl up with him but he had someone—who obviously cared deeply.

Dashing the tears from her eyes, she headed for the elevator. "Stupid. So stupid to realize too late how much I love him."

I'm pleased with how this one is coming together. Tillie's revelation is a step in the right direction even if she's kind of hopeless right now.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin