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Patricia Reding
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Science Fiction & Fantasy
Author Insight
Smiling in the Face of Difficulties
I admit I'm not very good at it--at smiling in the face of difficulties, that is. I know people who joke through adversity, but I'm not one of them. The closest I came was while in labor with my middle child. (I was blessed to have had eeeeeaaaassssy deliveries!) When she was minutes from making her debut--which was a couple of hours since we'd arrived at the hospital and less than six hours since my labor began--the doctor arrived. Having developed a terrific personal relationship with her, I greeted her even as she shone a light on the subject. "They're not showing a moving in there," I said. Also in the room was my husband, a long time family friend and my 9-year old son. (My friend was there to help with my son. I'd gone through a series of classes and things with him in advance so that he knew what to expect, but so that he could be there when his little sister arrived!) In any case, everyone laughed. Even so, aside from that incident, I've not generally been lighthearted during difficult times. Here, Joseph is--as is witnessed by his gratitude that his facial burns were healed so that he wouldn't disappoint the ladies in the future. How about you? How to you act in stressful times?
Book Excerpt
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He dunked a cloth in a basin of water sitting on the table. After wringing it out, he gently washed away dirt and dried blood from his face. When through, he placed his hands on the sides of his patient’s head. He closed his eyes, concentrating.
Within moments, Joseph’s burns started healing. The size of the blisters reduced and then disappeared entirely. His blackened skin gradually turned red, then to a light pink. Moments later, the abrasions on his head sealed over with fine lines of scar tissue, and his bruised and swollen lips returned to their normal shape and size.
After removing his hands, the innkeeper examined his work. Satisfied, he nodded. “Joseph?” he called softly.
The man, startled, opened his fear-filled eyes, and sat up.
“Careful, now,” Ezra said, gently pushing him back. “Easy does it. You’re all right now.”
Slowly, he relaxed. The fire in his eyes subsided. “I made it?”
Ezra grinned. “Do I look like an after-spirit?”
The man gazed into his eyes. His attempt at a grin looked more like a wince. “I made it.”
“Yes. It appears you’ve had quite the journey.”
“To Sinespe, I think.”
“No,” Ezra said, chuckling, “you’re still in the land of the living. Can you talk now?”
“I’m much better now, yes. Thank you.”
“You’ll have to thank Kegan. He did the lion’s share of the healing here. I just gave you back your pretty face.”
The man smirked, then grimaced in residual pain. “Thanks. I’d hate to disappoint the ladies.”
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