Welcome back to Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday, weekly Sunday hops where writers share 8–10 sentences from a book or WIP. I’m currently sharing from Chapter 52, “Lyuba’s Golden Jubilee,” of my WIP, A Dream Deferred: Lyuba and Ivan at University. It’s December 1949, and newly-11-year-old Sonyechka has been knocked over and had her hand skated over at Rockefeller Rink.
This week’s snippet comes a bit after last week’s, when Sonyechka’s sister Irina and cousin Platosha told her how lucky she was to get a cute older boy helping her. Sonyechka said she wasn’t paying attention to what he looked like, and Irina said she won’t think like that much longer. The conversation then turned to Irina’s crush on Vadim, one of family friend Yuriy’s brothers.
Sonyechka has just asked if they can get back to skating, and promised she’d be more careful.
Irina puts her hat back on and hobbles out of the ladies’ room. “It’s no fun walking on knives on solid ground. Now I know how the Little Mermaid felt.”
When they get back on the rink, Adrian and Polya are still with the younger half of their group, now joined by Beatrisa. Irina feels a bit sorry for them, only there with one another instead of friends. Teenagers are supposed to have lots of friends, unless they’re outsiders in a hick town like Melville.
“Is Sonya okay?” Adrian asks. “I hope that blade didn’t cut into bone, muscle, or vein.”
“She’s as stubborn as everyone else in our family,” Irina reports. “Thank God that’s not her dominant hand.”
Welcome to My Magick Theatre 
She’s either very resilient or her hand wasn’t hurt as bad as it seemed — or both.
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Yes, Ed, often a cut or a squish out-of-doors is not quite as bad as it seems.
And, yes, Sonyechka is very resilient.
Loving that *Little Mermaid* quote/reference.
Interesting to read about Irina and friendships, and how she thinks she measures up.
(Having lots of friends – as a teenager – seems to be a mixed blessing. And in a town like Melville – friends are important).
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That first reflection made me laugh. Nice way to bring the scene to life.
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Interesting insight into the family! Stubbornness seems to be a family trait. 🙂
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I always enjoy these family moments and the way the characters interact, as well as their differences and similarities. Great snippet!
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It must be bad if they’re thanking God that it’s not her dominant hand. SHe’s a tough little cookie. 🙂
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I’m glad she’s tough and hope there won’t be any lasting damage!
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She’s extremely lucky it wasn’t worse. Those skate blades are sharp! But if she wants to get back out there, she’s got reserves of toughness. Great snippet!
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