WeWriWa—The joy of handholding

Welcome back to Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday, weekly Sunday hops where writers share 8–10 sentences from a book or WIP. This week’s snippet comes a bit after last week’s, from Chapter 55, “The Streets of the Future,” of my WIP A Dream Deferred: Lyuba and Ivan at University. This chapter, which closes Part I (to be published as Volume I), is mostly set over Orthodox Christmas 1950.

Twenty-year-old Bogdana Sheltsova, who survived two horrific, life-altering events six weeks apart, is now living with her aunt Fyodora in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn. She didn’t expect her friend Achilles to visit with roses and a necklace after their awkward last encounter in the underground clinic where Achilles assists.

After a very emotional discussion, Bogdana agreed to be his girlfriend. As they leave the room, Bogdana extends her hand. Hugging is still a bridge too far after what happened to her, but she feels safe with handholding.

Sparks of electricity flow through her when Achilles takes her hand. She used to deride handholding as kid stuff, something real men don’t bother doing, but now it’s the most exciting sensation in the world. She’s not holding just anyone’s hand, but the hand of the man who loves her, cherishes her, treasures her, adores her. Bogdana tries not to think about how she might not’ve met Achilles had it not been for the attack.

“Bogusya’s my girlfriend now,” Achilles announces proudly. “I hope you don’t mind me coming to visit her every day from now on.”

Fyodora smiles at him. “Of course you can do that. Only a man in love would travel to another borough and back every single day. As soon as Bogusya’s mind is recovered enough to go back to her old apartment, you’ll have a shorter commute.”