WeWriWa—Unexpected reaction

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.

They retired to another room speaking privately, and though Bogdana agreed to be his girlfriend, she’s still not entirely convinced Achilles could really want someone as supposedly damaged as herself. She just removed her wig to let him see her real hair, which is slowly growing back from being shaved, and Achilles said it’s surprisingly cute.

Achilles rubs her shoulders. “Why don’t you stand up so I can hug you? I’ve wanted to do that for so long, but didn’t want to frighten you or violate doctor-patient boundaries. Do you feel safe doing that? I’ll understand if you’re still too afraid of having such close contact with men.”

“I’m always safe with my Achilles, my modern-day Greek hero.” Bogdana slowly stands up.

The moment Achilles’s arms encircle her, she freezes and begins gasping for breath. She closes her eyes and tries to raise her arms to push him away, but her entire body is immobilized. The ringing in her ears is deafening.

WeWriWa—Uncovered hair

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.

They’re now in another room speaking privately, and though Bogdana has agreed to be his girlfriend, she’s still not entirely convinced Achilles could really want someone as supposedly damaged as herself.

Achilles gently strokes her face. “The only disgusting people are the ones who robbed you of your sense of safety and normalcy. Whether you believe it or not, I’ve chosen you above all others to love and cherish. You’ll be so pampered, loved, and protected for the rest of your life.” He touches her wig again. “May I please see your real hair? I only saw it the night we met, before you shaved it.”

Bogdana closes her eyes as she removes her wig. She bursts into tears when she feels Achilles tenderly stroking her very short natural hair.

WeWriWa—Slowly but surely

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 right 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.

They went to another room to speak privately, and Achilles asked Bogdana to be his girlfriend. As much as Bogdana likes him, she’s still not entirely convinced he could really want someone as supposedly damaged as herself.

Achilles’s first line means “I love you, my beautiful Bogusya, I love you so much” in his native language Slovenian.

“Ljubim te, moja lepa Bogusya, ljubim te močno. There’s been so much love in my heart with nowhere to go since I lost Sabina, and now that I’ve found another sweetheart, I’ll spend the rest of my life showering you with all that love every single second.” Achilles gently strokes her wig. “May I see your real hair? Don’t tell me you’ve kept shaving it like a concentration-camp victim.”

“I would if I could get away with it. It’s still very ugly and unfeminine.”

Achilles kisses each hand in turn. “Don’t tell me you’re so shy about uncovering your hair after I’ve seen and touched the most intimate parts of your body multiple times.”

Bogdana turns bright red.

WeWriWa—The most genuine gift

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 right 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 heart-shaped rose quartz necklace after their awkward last encounter in the underground clinic where Achilles assists.

They went to another room to speak privately, and Achilles asked Bogdana to be his girlfriend. As mutual as the attraction is, and as much as Achilles keeps insisting he doesn’t see her as damaged and unworthy, Bogdana won’t let herself believe this is real. Now, finally, she consents to let Achilles put the necklace on her.

Bogdana begins sobbing even harder. “Before I was attacked, I would’ve laughed at this as childish, cheap, and insulting. Now it’s the sweetest, most genuine thing in the world.”

Achilles rubs her shoulders. “You don’t have to be my woman if you don’t like me, but I’d be the happiest guy in the city if you say yes and take my heart.”

“Are you absolutely sure you want a vile whore like me?”

“I keep telling you, I don’t see you like that at all. I want to heal your heart, your mind, your soul, if you’ll have me.”

Bogdana slumps into a chair and lets Achilles fasten the necklace around her. She sobs from deep in her soul as Achilles kneels beside her and takes her hands.

WeWriWa—Deserving of even more love and protection

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 right 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 gift bag after their awkward last encounter in the underground clinic where Achilles assists.

They’re now speaking privately, and Achilles has asked Bogdana to be his girlfriend and said her parents gave their blessing yesterday. Though Bogdana has had feelings for him almost from the start, she can’t believe Achilles reciprocates or would want someone like her. Long after her body has healed, her mind is still deeply wounded.

Bogdana is now sobbing hysterically. “How could any man want me when I’m such a whore? I’m damaged goods and behave like a slut. You should want nothing to do with me. I don’t deserve a good man like you. Why would you love a slut like me?”

“Because you’re a beautiful human being who deserves love as much as anyone else. In fact, you deserve even more love and protection.” Achilles gently takes the box from Bogdana’s hand. “May I put the necklace on you?”