Heigh ho, readers! It’s Wednesday again, and I’m super excited about all the lovely things happening in the countdown to the release of Lower Education. I hope you’ve been following along and enjoying them with me. This week, Melissa Barker-Simpson was kind enough to allow me to guest post, and you can read that here. You can also read my author interview here.
Today is the second to last excerpt from Passing on Faith (for now, at least). In November, I’ll have bits from some short stories, and hopefully, I’ll be able to start posting from my brand-new WIP as of December. NaNoWriMo should give me a good start on that one. I’m sad to see these guys go—I’ll miss Cat and Micah. But it’s no longer much of a WIP; it’s already with my excellent betas.
I know I left you hanging with last week’s argument, but I’m not drawing from that chapter again. I assure you, they make up. Instead, I wanted to give you this very sweet moment. They’re not quite together yet, but this section is late enough in the story they’ve learned how to trust each other. Still not letting on to Cat’s health issues, but I promise he’s not dying.
WIPmath: 22 – (2 + 4) = 16 paragraphs
“You said your parents aren’t religious. But you are?”
Cat frowned. “I don’t really like that label any more than all the other ones people try to pin on me. I know what I believe. That’s all that matters to me.”
“Church?” Micah asked.
“I go, yeah. My parents don’t, and neither does LR. Why?”
Micah swallowed. “I already told you what I think.”
Cat finished his medication and began the process of disconnecting everything. “I remember. You said religion fucks people up.”
“I meant it.” Micah’s hand trembled as he ran it over his face. “But you don’t seem to have that problem.”
Done at last, Cat rose from the couch to dispose of the waste and put away the rest. He kept his back to Micah when he said, “No, I don’t.”
“I just…I don’t understand.” Micah stared down at his hands.
Cat returned to the couch and sat back down. He put a hand on Micah’s arm. “It gets me through this, believing in a God who is bigger. I don’t know what else to tell you.”
Micah stared into his face, searching. “I wish I had what you have.” He shook his head to clear it. “I just don’t. Not anymore.”
Taking his hand, Cat said, “You don’t have to.” He let go and curled into Micah’s side.
Lying back against the couch cushions, Micah took Cat with him and folded his slender body against his chest. He couldn’t resist reaching up and brushing his fingers through Cat’s soft hair. “Do you think…” He broke off and breathed slowly against a wave of grief before trying again. “Do you think God hates us?” he whispered.
The hand that had been drawing circles on Micah’s shoulder stilled. “No. Not at all.” Cat pressed his fingertips against Micah’s chest. “Not ever.”
“I want to believe that,” Micah said, unable to hide the tremor in his voice.
Cat laid his head just above Micah’s heart. “I’ll believe it enough for both of us.”
If you like what you read here, check out the other ones here. WIPpet Wednesday has been brought to you by the letter W, the number 12, and K. L. Schwengel. Happy writing!
Awwww… and I’m glad you said he’s not dying. I would have been sad. He’s grown on me.
🙂 He’s actually the personification of my “muse,” so I pretty much adore him. And yeah, his medical condition is chronic, not necessarily fatal.
That’s so touching and heartfelt Amy. I really could sense Micah’s pain. I thought it was a sweet scene between the two of them, that they’re so close and tender with each other. Lovely. 🙂
Aw, thanks! They are very tender, and they do care about—and for—each other.
I loved this, so beautiful, and easy to envisage. A lovely, lovely scene. Thanks for sharing it. I’m sure they’ll leave us on a high next week 😉 It will be sad to see them go (for now).
Thanks! Yes, I’ll try to find something good to go out with next week. I haven’t decided what—some part of me just isn’t ready to let them go yet!
Sweet scene. 🙂 And I’m glad to hear the pre-release activities are going well!
Thanks! This is one of my favorite scenes. 🙂
It’s been quite a ride with this book release. I’m ready and not ready for this at the same time.
Pfft. You totally set us up with the medication and then don’t tell us? Don’t you know there are such things as disease geeks out there? I mean, I know it’s ghoulish and all, but come on! I want to know.
Interesting that we both posted second-to-lasts today. It must be Kathi messing with our heads. She does that sometimes, you know. Kate and I had several wonky “coincidences” happen before we figured out Kathi was manipulating us. *sigh* Guess I better go check my mind-control-device sensors again. They must be on the fritz.
LOL! Well, I debated on whether to share that specific thing or not, but I think it’s important for anyone reading it to feel the same sense of surprise Micah does when he finds out—mostly because of the way Cat tells him.
*fist bump* for second to last posts. 🙂
Hey now, who said I do wonky mind-controlling stuff? No one is supposed to know about that. I gave specific instru–
Never mind.
awwww. this was so sweet.
Thanks! 🙂
A very sweet, tender scene. Now I’m going to have to scamper back and read last week’s for sure. I’m not saying Cat has totally grown on me yet, but I am starting to warm up.
LOL! Well, I’ll give you one more shot next week to appreciate him. 😉
This was such a sweet scene. It’s nice to see them bonding and getting along. I’ll miss these guys. 🙁
I’m going to miss them too! Guess I have to find some new characters to love.
I think I was Cat’s first WIPpeteer fan (besides you, that is!). I hope his medication continues to help, and he stays well, and curled up, believing for both himself and Micah…this was yummy and sweet and snuggly!
I think you’re right! He’s definitely evolved since then, but he’s still his sweet self. No worries, his meds do help keep him healthy. 🙂
I liked this scene much more than last week. I’m glad they made up after all that drama and that they’re able to have this very important conversation in normal tones instead of at the top of their lungs. Though I’m sad next week is going to be the last post from these two. They’ve grown on me.
Well, in fairness, they’re both learning to let go a bit. Cat suffered a huge loss that left him raw, and he’s not sure how to deal with how he feels. Micah’s just really messed up in general. So this part is where they’ve both started trusting each other. I’m sad to leave them too, but I’m looking forward to the next thing.
*cough* yet *cough* awww cute moment! Micah will figure it all out.
LOL! Right?! But I’m going to tell Cat’s story first, I think. And yes, Micah will figure it out.
Maybe I’m a big wuss, but chronic conditions hit me just as hard as fatal ones. That scene was seriously sweet. And I’ve had moments where I can relate with both of them. Very easy to emphasize with scene. Beautifully done.
Yeah, I’m with you on that. I have a number of people I’m close to with chronic conditions. Cat’s particular issue is one I’m familiar with, having had a family member with it. This scene came from a conversation I had with someone last year, and I also can relate to both sides.
Wow, Cat could’ve been me talking about faith here. And this really was a beautiful little scene. I was picturing it perfectly.
Aw, thanks! This was one of my favorite ones to write. It’s sort of the calm sweetness before the real storm hits.