Sunday, March 20, 2016

Sins of the Father

Time again for Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday!




Here's a little more from my YA coming-of-age mystery, Shades of Blue. (You can catch up on the earlier excerpts here.) As a lot of people guessed last week, there's more to the story of Sam's real dad than we know so far. I'm skipping ahead a little for this snippet, so I need to set it up. This takes place after Sam shows up at JoJo's bedroom window in the middle of the night and she helps him climb in. He's just told her that his mom and step-dad were both drinking heavily all night and arguing. While Sam was trying to help his mom to her bedroom, she accidentally called him Keith, his real dad's name.


I knelt on the floor beside his legs so I could look up at his face and said, “What did Russ do when she called you Keith?”

“He really lost it, JoJo--I’ve never seen him that mad before. He slapped my mom and told her he never wanted to hear that name again, and before I could say or do anything, he backhanded me and said it was my fault she did it.”

“How could it be your fault?”

“He said I’ve been trying to look and act like my dad on purpose because I want to turn my mom against him, and he said next I’d be wanting to go out for football so I could play the big shot quarterback like my old man.”

"You didn’t tell him you were trying out, did you?”

He looked at me and shook his head. “No, but Britney did.”



Now, don't jump to too many conclusions. More next week. Or you could always go buy your own copy of Shades of Blue here and find out. ;-) Please also check out the other Snippet Sunday folks and the Weekend Writing Warriors. Something for everyone among these talented writers!

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23 comments:

  1. Very poignant, Joyce. Nicely done.

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  2. Love the snippet...and looks like it'll be setting up a big showdown in the future.

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  3. I'm sorry he went through that. It's awful, though you did a great job of showing that there's no logic or reasoning in abusive relationships. Wonderful snippet, and I look forward to more!

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  4. That's such a tough place for a kid to be, Joyce. Well done.

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  5. No one can help the face they've been given. Great snippet, Joyce.

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  6. This story is so intriguing and I feel so much empathy for your characters. Really a well done excerpt again today!

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  7. Oh, that poor kid! I just want to hug him.

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  8. Sad but very believable. Great characterization, plotting, and dialogue.

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  9. Oh that can't be good that he knows he's going to try out for football. Poor kid. He can't help he looks like his father. He's doomed no matter what he does.

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  10. Anonymous4:28 PM

    I agree with Gem, very believable. Strong snippet.

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  11. So well-written, Joyce. Tugged at my heart.

    I have to watch, don't want to give away a spoiler. :-)

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  12. Looks like someone needs to give dear old step dad a swift kick in the ass. Great snippet.

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  13. I taught high school for 35 years, and I can't tell you how many similar stories I've heard. Well done.

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  14. Oh man, what an awful situation! I was immediately plunged into the emotion and tension here...great job on this snippet. :)

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  15. Anonymous8:05 PM

    Ouch. I feel so sorry for the youngster, being trapped in an abusive home.

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  16. Oh Joyce, another great snippet. So loving this story!

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  17. I'm not jumping to conclusions, but... there's no excuse for hitting people like that.

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  18. Oh poor Sam, a reminder of someone so obviously hated, that can never be easy. Glad he had JoJo to escape to, at least for a bit. Teens should never have to experience or see that kind of abuse, such a shame. A heart tugging story for sure.

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  19. Anonymous9:01 PM

    Sheesh, is everyone in that household out to get Sam? Poor boy, I wish I could help him. Always a tug at the heartstrings with your snippets.

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  20. Russ, is really terrible, I can't understand what Sam's mum is still doing with him. And for Britney to rat again, doesn't she have a life?

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  21. Wow. You're doing a great job of presenting all of the drama and weight of family history. The confusion and sadness feel very real.

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  22. Poor kid. My heart dropped on the last line. So then what happened?

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