I'm continuing with snippets from my new release, True Blue, the first book in my True Blue Trilogy. (You can catch up on the earlier excerpts here.) Last week you met Mickey, who pushes himself to be the best at baseball because he loves his dad so much and wants to make him happy so he won't drink. Wade is dealing with some father issues too, but they're a lot different from Mickey's. This scene takes place after Wade is sent to bed early for fouling out of his basketball game, but he sneaks out to meet Jeana and Billy Joe in the clubhouse for their Mystery Masters meeting. His little sister accidentally gets him caught when he comes back in. Forewarning: there's some major creative punctuation going on in this snippet to make it fit our guidelines.
I couldn't find a snippet that applied to today's memorial, but here's a photo to commemorate those we lost.
“Boy, why aren’t you in bed?” Mr. Strickland said as he came down the hall, then he added, “Have you been outside?”
“Yes, sir,” Wade said, backing into his bedroom, “but I only went out for a minute, I had to... go look for something.”
“Yeah, I know what you were looking for—that little Russell girl! Didn't I tell you I was tired of you following her around like a stupid puppy dog?” He unbuckled his belt and walked into Wade's room, shutting the door behind him as he said, “That's probably why you can't keep your head in a ballgame long enough to win. Maybe this'll help you remember how to mind!”
When he came out a few minutes later, Sissy waited for him to sit in the recliner again, then she slipped into Wade's room and ran to where he was curled up on his bed and hugged him as she said, “I'm sorry I got you in trouble, bubba, I didn't mean to.”
Wade hugged her back and said, “Don't cry, Sissy, it's not your fault.”
“Why is Daddy always so mean to you?”
“He wants me to do better at sports—I just have to try harder, then he won't get mad at me.”
I'm sure you can guess that these father/son relationships are going to play a big part in how both boys grow up. Can't wait for the next snippet? You can buy True Blue here. ;-) And please do also check out the other Snippet Sunday folks and the Weekend Writing Warriors. Something for everyone among these talented writers!
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A grim situation for sure.
ReplyDeleteThe last line was heart-breaking.
ReplyDeleteTweeted.
Very sad.
ReplyDeleteUgh, this dad sounds awful! Poor Wade.
ReplyDeleteThat's horrible. I feel so sorry for Wade.
ReplyDeletePoor Wade. I get the feeling that no matter how hard he tries he's never going to be good enough.
ReplyDeleteThis really shows the twisted logic of abuse victims, and it also touches on the psychology of how children seek the approval of their father.
ReplyDeleteGood snippet, Joyce!
Aww, poor dear. Good snippet!
ReplyDeleteThis makes me glad my dad wasn't interested in sports.
ReplyDeleteThat poor kid.
ReplyDeleteThat's such a horrible situation (but your writing is great!).
ReplyDeleteMy stomach just knotted at the mention of the belt. Poor boy.
ReplyDeleteOh, that poor kid. I'm glad you didn't "show" the beating. I couldn't read that. Great snippet.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't write that. Not in this book anyway.
DeletePainful to read, but very well done. I hope Wade gets away from his Dad soon.
ReplyDeleteAnd this is what ultra-masculinity gets the world. Good snippet if hard to read, Joyce.
ReplyDeleteThat's so sad, because he will get mad no matter what. Someone take those kids of out there.
ReplyDeletewhat a sad scene ... well written
ReplyDeleteUgh. Harder to read because you didn't show the scene. You do write like Stephen King. You write cringeworthy scenes well...
ReplyDeleteWow, thanks for that immense compliment. :-)
DeleteHeartbreaking snippet.
ReplyDeleteOh that last line breaks the heart. Poor kid. I think I want to take the belt to that father instead.
ReplyDelete