So I made it through my final exams (& a medical procedure which I won’t talk about but that turned out, to quote the doctor, “awesome”)–and then my brain shut down. I spent yesterday afternoon looking at silly cat pictures and trying to read, and then went to bed early and actually slept past 6 a.m.!
All of which made me late in posting my snippet today. Sorry if anyone followed my link from Seductive Studs & Sirens before I posted!
Being late does tie in to today’s snippet, in a way. Neil learned CPR too late to save his partner, but he came through for someone else.
Neil dropped to his knees beside the man. He wasn’t breathing. As Neil began chest compressions, he told the young man standing nearby and wearing an all-too-familiar expression of horror to call 9-1-1. After that, Neil’s only concern was to keep going until help arrived.
It took two EMTs to pull Neil off the man, he was so determined to save him. Once he realized what was happening, Neil quickly moved out of the way and watched as they assessed the man’s condition, determined he’d begun breathing again, and gave him oxygen. He couldn’t tear his eyes from the scene—the burly EMTs working to help the frail old man.
Familiar feelings of weightlessness and translucence descended as Neil watched the old man disappear into the back of an ambulance, the young man, probably his grandson—or his partner—talking to him as he climbed in beside him.
Thanks for reading!
Another bit o’ swag is up for grabs this weekend. Be sure to include your e-mail address in your comment so I know you’re interested in the giveaway. Tell me about the most unusual swag item you’ve received (or seen!) for an extra entry!
International folks–visit me on June 27 at the Cup O’ Porn blog where I’ll have both a US and an International giveaway.
Be sure and check out the rest of the snippets, Seductive Studs & Sirens on Saturday and Weekend Writing Warriors and Snippet Sunday on, well, Sunday! 🙂
Charley Descoteaux 
Hello Charley!! My weirdest swag that I ever received would have to be some female products from an author who knew very well that I was a guy. Ever since then, I have not been a fan of her work. Have an awesome weekend!!!
–DREW
andrew(dot)g(underscore)2013(at)yahoo(dot)com
ps. Please enter me for some more swag!!! 🙂
Well, that sounds a tad inappropriate! I won’t ask you to describe the products. 😉
Thanks for visiting again, Drew — I hope you have an awesome weekend too!
Chassy…hope you are good my dear and just going with the woolly head
Thanks, Shey! *hugs*
Great post! And now we know how Neil lost his partner. Poor guy. Maybe helping to save the life of the older man will help.
Thanks! Yeah, I figured I was overdue to spill something of substance. You’d think that would be easier to do with only 8 sentences. 🙂
Okay. You were late, but that was the best use of being late that I have ever seen. Good for you!
And what a lovely snippet. The weightless/translucence I can feel…I think all of us who have experienced a great loss can relate.
Thanks, Anastasia! *hugs*
Is that why he’s is such a fragile headspace? Oh, poor Neil!
(the oddest swag I’ve ever seen was a purple, pearalized, battery-operated um, bedroom toy, which was given after a quiz during a panel at a mystery writing conference, of all places. There may have been some cross-genre shenanigans goin’ on . . . 😉 )
My e-mail address is on my blog!
Nice! Good insight into why Neil was so intent to save the old man.
Great excerpt Charley! and congrats on getting through the exam!
This snippet is so filled with emotion! Really good job!