Happy Wednesday! A lot has happened since last week, including my novel being released on Saturday! I got my print copies yesterday, so I’m a happy author. You can find my book in the link on the right sidebar (or at the bottom, if you’re on mobile).
I started a new project for NaNoWriMo, and I’m about 8k in so far. I don’t have enough yet to start sharing it, so I’m going to share snippets of 4 short stories this month. It’s cheating a bit, since they’re all finished, but I’m counting them as WIPs because the first 3 are ones I might eventually want to write further, and the last one is part of an ongoing series.
Today’s story is already available in the bookstore on this site for 25 cents. It’s called Finders Keepers. Casey is raising his five-year-old nephew, and Brook is the new guy at work. Casey hasn’t been exactly honest with Brook, figuring they were just having a weekend thing while Casey’s parents have their grandson. Brook figures it out.
WIPmath: There are 460 words. 5 (for the day) – 1 (from the month) = 4; 5 + 1 = 6; slap them together for 46 and multiply by 10 because I can. How’s that for convoluted?
Casey told Brook to help himself to anything in the fridge or to watch television while he cleaned up. He reveled in the feel of the water on his sensitive skin, taking his time to wash. When he finally emerged from the bathroom, his need for food had returned, and he imagined Brook felt the same way. Rubbing his hair with a towel, he made for the living room where he saw Brook standing by the TV, back to Casey.
“Hey,” Casey said from under the towel. “Thought we might order—”
He stopped short as Brook turned around, the copy of Aladdin in his hand. Brook’s expression was neutral, and Casey couldn’t tell what was behind it. He held his breath.
“Thought we might order dinner? Maybe watch your favorite movie?” Brook kept an even tone, but there was something darker underneath it.
Trying to diffuse the situation, Casey nodded at the movie. “You like that one? If not, I probably have Beauty and the Beast somewhere.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Brook asked.
“Tell you what?”
“Don’t play ignorant. You have a kid.” Brook waved the DVD.
“Maybe I just like Disney movies.” Casey dropped the towel at his feet and crossed his arms.
“I don’t think so. The stomach bug you had—and no one else at the office did, but all my cousin’s kids got at school. The wooden bus today at the shop—I saw you eying it. You’d have bought it if it were for someone else. And your waitress—she almost spilled your secret last night.” Brook stepped closer. “Is this why you didn’t want to go out last week?”
“I didn’t know how you would react,” Casey admitted. “My ex didn’t want to stick around.”
“So it’s true. You’re a dad.”
“Not exactly.” Casey flopped onto the couch and put his head in his hands. “It’s complicated.”
“Try me,” Brook said through gritted teeth.
Casey peered up at him. “It’s my sister’s son, okay? She named me guardian. He’s been with me since October.” He closed his eyes against the rush of grief.
WIPpet Wednesday bloomed from the imagination of K. L. Schwengel, so go show her some love. Then go read the other entries here and add your own. Happy writing!
Intriguing! Sets up all kinds of conflict and emotional turmoil.
Congrats on the publication!
Thanks! 🙂
Yep, this story is the “tug on your emotions” one. The other three are all very different.
Great scene Amy. I thought it was interesting the way Casey didn’t want to tell Brook about being his nephew’s guardian. Looks like it’s a compelling story. There’s clearly a lot of history going on here.
Thanks! Glad you liked it. 🙂
O wow, I especially like the twist about the sister’s son. And I like how it was a Disney DVD that ratted him out
I’m glad you liked it! 🙂 I wanted to do something different from either dead wife or divorce, so I went with guardianship instead. And I’m pretty fond of Disney movies, so that seemed fitting.
I LOVED this scene. The build-up, the tension, the wonderful descriptions and the emotion…so powerful. Nicely done 🙂
Thanks! 🙂
I definitely want to read the rest of this story!
🙂 Glad it piqued your interest!
Okay, I just love that BEAUTY AND THE BEAST was the second Disney movie mentioned. Regardless what anyone says, I love it. And I think you picked a great set up. In a way, I find it is much more complicated when it isn’t “your kid.” There’s more stickiness to it all.
Oh, definitely. And this is a situation where Casey, the MC, is dealing with more than parenting–he “inherited” his nephew, which means his sister passed away. So he has this layer of grief on top of it. He doesn’t quite know how to navigate dating along with raising a little boy.
I love the way this revelation plays out. Sounds like Casey has been through a pretty rough time.