Sunday Snippet: Jack in the Box

An interesting start to April with howling winds and a kaleidoscope of weather. We got a mix of pretty much everything. Rain, flurries, high wind advisory, and temperatures all over the place.

Solid week of editing. I have three projects that are moving forward at a great pace. I'm looking forward to getting these completed.

Had a decent week of television. I'm not quite back to my full rotation but I've been writing a lot more and that's not a bad thing.

Caught another episode of Wednesday. I love the lore and world building in this show. Didn't know if I'd like having Wednesday at the center of a prophecy but I like where things are going at the moment.

Watched another episode of Classic Rugrats. Always fun to catch a couple that don't always make the rotation of encores.

Enjoyed the finale of Midsomer Murders. I kind of miss when they did six to eight episodes per season, but the four we have this time around are all excellent.

Continued my rewatch of Battlestar Galactica with "Six Degress of Separation." This episode has so many great one-liners with two coming from Doc Cottle. Seriously, it's hard to top the writing and acting in this show.

Caught another episode of Peak Practice and it ended up being a bit of a doozy. I think I have five episodes left of this series and a lot is supposed to happen. Not sure I'm quite ready for it.

Watched another episode of Classic Who. I'm nearing the end of this season and I'm not sure where things are going with this arc, but I'm excited to find out.

Started the second half of Silent Witness. Nikki just can't catch a break. I'm quite interested in finding out where the twists are leading. Update next week on this.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Jack in the Box, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Carter Gill can't say no when someone needs a favor, which isn't a bad thing until he overextends, doesn't seem to have enough hours in the day, and his relationship with April Walters suffers. April understands and supports Carter's need to help people, but she has to convince him to slow down a little if only to avoid cracking under the pressure.

And a snippety peek…

April Walters woke up to an empty bed. "Wonder what Carter got into so early." Then again, eleven a.m. didn't really qualify as the crack of dawn.

But for bar owner Carter Gill, anything before then counted as ugly o'clock.

April grabbed a quick shower and padded down to the second floor from the third-story loft she shared with Carter. Walking past the three apartments, she jogged down to the bar level and entered from the rear into the kitchen. Mavis Sample, the day-shift manager unpacked produce boxes.

April waved. "Hey, Mave. Know where Carter is?" They had an appointment at a nearby hiking trail for some downtime.

Mavis rolled her eyes and nodded toward the delivery door. "Check outside. Parker pulled Carter out to help with something in the truck." She went back to sorting salad bags and vegetables for the lunch crowd, which had already started arriving.

April frowned and headed out to the alley along the side of the building. Sure enough, Carter had a dolly with boxes stacked on it. Parker Mills, the delivery driver sat on stacked boxes and had his foot propped up on a crate, his ankle surrounded by a brace.

She paused beside Parker. "Hey, what happened to you?"

Parker grimaced. "Got tangled up with a set of stairs and they won." He pointed to the splint. "Got a severe sprain and have to wear this brace for who knows how long." His gaze went to Carter. "Gilly's gonna help me repack the truck so it's easier to maneuver around in." He sent a thumbs-up in Carter's direction.

April's lips quirked at Parker's nickname for Carter. They'd been friends since grade school and added the 'Y' to their rhyming last names sometime in first grade. April thanked the universe she didn't arrive in their orbit until high school. Walty didn't appeal on any level.

She squeezed Parker's shoulder. "Want some ice or anything?"

Parker shook his head. "Nah. I'm good. Gilly's gonna come along on the route today, do the driving so I can elevate the foot. With two unloading, I'll probably be done earlier than usual and can ice it down when I get home."

April met Carter's gaze. "You're going along?" Meaning they wouldn't be heading to the hiking trail.

Carter's eyes filled with regret. "Yeah. Think it would be better for Millsy. He almost backed into the dumpster because the brace makes driving difficult." He propped his arm on the handle of the dolly. "Shit. We were supposed to hit Feather Run today, weren't we?" He swiped his free hand over his face. "Can we reschedule for next week?"

April shrugged. "You can. I'm heading up there, at least for a while. I need the green space." Especially since he'd forgotten they had plans … again.

Carter pulled his lower lip between his teeth. "You don't mind? I'll make the time next week. I promise." He grabbed another crate and loaded it.

April didn't answer right away. Yes, she minded. But not enough to have a bitch fit over another canceled date.

She rolled a shoulder. "Can't leave a friend hanging." Even if it meant not spending time with the significant other. "I guess I'll see you for the late shift." She turned to head back into the bar.

Carter caught up with her, grasping her shoulder. "Hey, thanks for understanding." He tilted her chin and meshed his lips with hers. "I will make it up to you."

April's lips curved. "Yeah, okay." She glanced toward Parker. "Be careful out there. Don't do any more damage to the foot." With a wave, she went back inside.

Mavis paused chopping vegetables and arched her brows. "Let me guess. Parker roped Carter into helping on the route today." She lifted the knife. "And you two had plans, not that Mr. Help Everyone probably remembered." Her eyebrows arched, daring April to deny the statement.

April waved a hand. "Called it right on both counts. But I'm heading out anyway. Weather's too nice to miss the opportunity." She started for the stairs.

Mavis tsked. "That boy is gonna regret not taking some time for himself…"

April's lips quirked. At forty-three, Mavis had a dozen years on Carter. Then again, she kind of mothered everyone, even the old guys that stopped in for lunch every Monday and Wednesday after their morning golf league.

April grabbed her trail shoes and headed out the back to the private lot. "I'll definitely have more fun than Carter today." She really needed to have a conversation about work-life balance with him…

This one is only in the beginning stages but I have some fun stuff planned for April and Carter.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading.

Skylin