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LK Hunsaker Ella M Kaye
a rough-cut book bubble about
The Texture of Glass
Literature & Fiction
Author Insight
Jump At The Chance
In times of stress and anxiety, we generally choose to stick to the known, our usual routines, as a comfort factor. It makes sense. Even in normal times, it can be hard to step out of your comfort zone, so when an offer of something different and fun comes along, we have to consider it. At least the more cautious among us have to think about it. However, times of stress can be exactly the time to try something new. The change of pace can pull us, even momentarily, out of the deep rut that's more likely to pull us further into anxiety than to bring any real comfort. Isabel is extremely caution-oriented, but when she gets the offer to try something different with someone she's barely learning to trust, she decides to take the plunge. That's a pivotal moment, more than she can realize at the time.
Book Excerpt
The Texture of Glass
“Do you canoe or kayak at all?”
She felt her eyebrows raise. “Really? Do I look like I do?”
He chuckled. “You really need to get out more, Isabel. There’s a place upriver that rents them. I’m out there usually every Sunday, although sometimes I go up to Lake Erie instead. Interested in going with me some day? Kayaking, that is.”
“Um, you should know I have absolutely no arm strength, so that’s probably not such a good idea.”
“Kayaks don’t take much strength if you’re not doing rapids or anything. You could do it.”
“Yeah, I don’t think I want to be out there in that thing by myself when I’ve never paddled anything. Well, years ago, Gramps took me on one of those two people boats they have in parks, just for fun, but he steered and did most of the paddling. It was leg paddling, not arms. Anyway…”
He grinned. “Well, then a canoe instead of kayaks, so I can help you out and keep it steered in the right direction.”
“Help? You’d have to just do it. You think I’m kidding.”
“That bad?”
“Yeah, that bad.”
“Maybe we should work on that a bit first, then.” He lowered to the ground, propped the guitar over his back enough it would stay, and went into pushup position. “Come on.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“Nope. You’ll be glad you did.”
“Uh huh.”
He grinned and did a bunch of pushups. Showing off. The boy was showing off his plentiful arm muscles.
“At least let me take the guitar out of your way.”
“Then it would be in your way. Come on. Let’s go. I’m speaking as your manager. You have to be fit enough to go on tours and such eventually. Canoe first. Tours later.” He did more, more slowly, and then looked up at her from plank position, waiting.
“Not in my good clothes. I just bought them.”
“Roll them up.”
“Not here.”
“No one’s around.”
When she still refused, he stood and dusted off his hands. “Okay, then. Start on your own first so you’re more comfortable. I want to go canoeing in a couple of weeks, as a change from the kayak, and I don’t want to go alone, since canoes are meant for two, or four.”
“Take one of your buddies.”
“They’re far too damn lazy.”
“Hm, so am I.”
“Not anymore, you’re not. Think of it as vocal training.”
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