Happy #LaborDay
Today is a day off for most hardworking folks in the US, and the end of summer as many school districts resume classes this week. Here in North Central Florida summer is lingering, but it's an unexpectedly balmy and breezy 75F out there, a nice change from the 100+ temps we've endured. Meanwhile, in honor of the day, here's an excerpt from my WIP, [Working Title] The Smuggler's Amnesiac Lover. Enjoy!
He stopped, overwhelmed by a wave of shameful anger, not because of here, not because of now, but because of something … someone…before.
"What is it?”
“I’m not worthless.”
She stepped forward, concerned, and he blinked, the feeling fading.
“John Smith, you are far from worthless. Anyone who shows up on my front step with a basket full of fish is worth more than, well, more than a lot of folks who come here.” She reached up and was about to touch his face when she paused and lowered her hand and he desperately wanted Kate, for that’s who she was to him in his mind now, he wanted Kate to follow through on her gesture, to touch him with gentleness, with care. He wanted her to show him she believed he wasn’t worthless, but she stepped back and lowered her eyes.
“You clean those, and I’ll fry them up with hush puppies and some collards with a little of that bacon left from breakfast and we’ll have a feast.”
Dinner was as tasty as promised and there was a touch of additional satisfaction in knowing he’d brought home the catfish, if not the bacon it was fried in.
“I’m not worthless.”
She stepped forward, concerned, and he blinked, the feeling fading.
“John Smith, you are far from worthless. Anyone who shows up on my front step with a basket full of fish is worth more than, well, more than a lot of folks who come here.” She reached up and was about to touch his face when she paused and lowered her hand and he desperately wanted Kate, for that’s who she was to him in his mind now, he wanted Kate to follow through on her gesture, to touch him with gentleness, with care. He wanted her to show him she believed he wasn’t worthless, but she stepped back and lowered her eyes.
“You clean those, and I’ll fry them up with hush puppies and some collards with a little of that bacon left from breakfast and we’ll have a feast.”
Dinner was as tasty as promised and there was a touch of additional satisfaction in knowing he’d brought home the catfish, if not the bacon it was fried in.
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