Sunday Snippet: Table of Lies

We're supposed to get dumped on by winter storm Izzy. I don't know, six to eleven inches doesn't seem like getting hammered by snow, but it'll make driving very not fun.

Had a great work week and started a new project. Also got another haul of books that I've already cracked open and started reading. I'm gonna need another bookcase in the near future.

Decent week of television also. Caught two episodes of Snoopy in Space: The Search for Life and kind of enjoyed them. They're super short and rather fun.

Finished up an episode of Silent Witness and started a new two-parter. This show continues to make me happy. Although Leo is being a bit of a shit and that disappoints me.

Caught two more episodes of Classic Who. The Master returned, which is kind of meh for me. I'm not a fan of his weirdness or one-note return to evil.

Watched two more episodes of The Alaska Triangle. Both focused on hauntings and one featured giants and the other had a creature called the kushtaka. I found everything fascinating. Gotta watch more shows about Alaskan lore.

Finished out season five of The Muppet Show. Johnny Cash, Buddy Rich, Linda Ronstadt, and Roger Moore were the guest stars. I'll probably start a new muppet series this week.

Caught two more episodes of Fosse Verdon. I feel like I missed out on so much by not really following this as it all happened. I didn't really get into Broadway shows until my late twenties, which is almost a decade after Fosse died.

Enjoyed two more episodes of Peak Practice. I'm nearing the end of season six and they've tackled a lot this season. Kind of looking forward to Claire having the baby to see where things go from there.

I finished up the first season of The Madame Blanc Mysteries. Only slightly surprised by who the villain turned out to be and I'm looking forward to seeing if this thread is picked back up if there's a second season.

Watched two more MasterClass lessons with Bill Nye. I truly enjoy how he presents information. I think I have about four more classes with him and I'm looking forward to more.

Caught two episodes of The Witcher. Man, the second episode almost did me in. Never thought I'd be so damned bummed about a horse. And, wow, the storm brewing around Ciri is getting intense. I only have two episodes left and I'm not sure I'm ready for them.

Enjoyed two more episodes of Classic Rugrats. This show makes me happy. The first two seasons are filled with so much tongue in cheek, yet very spot-on mayhem.

Watched two episodes of Chicago Med. I have a sad feeling Sarah is headed for lots of trouble. Really not sure about the whole Conor Beckett hookup. I mean, I know what happens but the way they get started is kind of bleh.

Started season seven of The Brokenwood Mysteries. I really hope there's more to come from this series. I have a lot of fun watching this group solve crime.

Also caught another episode of Star Trek: Discovery. Suru and Michael have come such a long way and I love their storyline. This show really makes me happy.

That's pretty much it for this week's television update. Tonight's post is from Table of Lies, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Nichelle Stohl finally has her life on course—she's an instructor at the coveted academy of military science and she's testing the relationship waters for the first time since a truly horrible breakup. Then she meets Garth Fillion—her boyfriend's brother—and her world tilts sideways.

And a sneaky peek…

Garth stood outside the building his brother's directions led him to. "Whew. Old neighborhood." He liked the solid brick structure.

Quint crashed at his girlfriend's place on the weekends and extended an invitation to Garth for dinner. Girlfriend. His brother found someone.

Garth frowned. "I wish I could." Not that he didn't try.

His work kept him busier than he'd like and he didn't have a lot of time to get out and meet people. Inevitably, he ended up squiring unattached daughters or siblings of coworkers around when they needed an extra date. Most of the time a second outing ended up not being necessary.

On the off chance he did meet someone, things rarely turned out well. "As soon as they find out I'm with the ministry, they become a clinging vine." Kind of like the social climbers that flocked to his side in droves. "The one that want me for the prestige that goes along with my position in the ministry of defense." He hated that.

Shaking off the downer vibe, Garth knocked on the door. A few seconds later, the panel swung open by a gorgeous woman. This is my brother's girlfriend?

Garth blinked then recovered. "I'm sorry. I must have the wrong apartment. There's no way my brother would end up with such a vision of beauty." The lucky jerk.

Nichelle smirked. "I see charm flows in the Fillion bloodline." She stepped back. "Please come in." She introduced herself by thrusting her palm forward. "Nichelle Stohl."

The name rang a bell and the moment he clasped her hand he got a zing that traveled straight up his arm.

Her eyes widened and Garth suspected she got the same jolt. She didn't release his hand right away and the moment stretched out into awkward territory. Thankfully, Quint came bounding out from the kitchen and the weird connection crashed and burned.

Nichelle shook her head and let go. "Dinner in five. I'll leave you two to catch up a little." She melted into the shadows and ducked into the next room.

Quint grabbed Garth into a back-slapping hug. "Bro, it's good to see you. How long are you in town?" He led Garth into the living area.

Garth shrugged. "Probably through Tuesday. Then it's back to the grind and crush of defense business." A huge contract loomed and the bids were coming fast and furiously.

Stohl. Garth remembered why the name seemed familiar. Nichelle Stohl wrote a paper for the ministry of science and it redefined the way defense ran acquisitions, hence the new contract.

Well, I'll be damned.

I love a good sibling rivalry and meeting the wrong brother first trope. Here's hoping I pull this one off.

 

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye