![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.writingwhiledistracted.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/BothEndsoftheWhip-f.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nHi All, I missed last week becasue I was traveling and my laptop died. It didn’t owe me a dime but it was annoying as hell. On a brighter note Both Ends of the Whip will be released May 7th and I’ve got a new snippet this week. Sending all of you positvie vibes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n From Both Ends of the Whip:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure why you had to find the only mud puddle in the whole field and roll in it.\u201d Octavia brushed the mud from Max\u2019s coat. She ducked under the crossties to work on his other side.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cDo you always talk to them?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The brush clattered on the floor. Octavia bent to pick it up, one hand on the horse to steady him. \u201cOnly when I think I\u2019m alone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Vivian laughed. \u201cI\u2019m sorry I startled you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s okay.\u201d She worked the brush over Max\u2019s side and flank.<\/span><\/p>\n Vivian picked up a brush and worked his other side. \u201cI\u2019ve missed this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cGrooming the horses?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSpending time with them, yes. I\u2019ve neglected them.\u201d She patted Max\u2019s shoulder. \u201cBut that\u2019s going to change.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened?\u201d Octavia placed her brush in the grooming box. She stepped around the horse. She looked into Vivian\u2019s eyes. Sadness. Grief. Regret. Pain. So much sorrow. <\/em>\u201cDid you fall?\u201d She gestured to Vivian\u2019s leg. \u201cI noticed your scar.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d Vivian looked away. \u201cI haven\u2019t had the desire. It was something I always did with my wife. Between assignments.\u201d She stopped brushing Max and held the brush to her chest.<\/span><\/p>\n Married. She was married. Damn.<\/em>\u201cBreakups suck.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Vivian raised her eyes and met Octavia\u2019s gaze. \u201cShe died three years ago.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m so sorry. I didn\u2019t know.\u201d Octavia\u2019s cheeks grew hot. \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Vivian sighed and placed the brush on the bench. She sat down next to it and looked straight ahead, avoiding Octavia\u2019s eyes, her cool mask back in place. \u201cI don\u2019t tell people. I hate the pity in their eyes when they find out.\u201d She rested her chin on her chest. \u201cOr looks of disapproval. People have a right to know what\u2019s going on, to read and see the truth about conflicts, not the sanitized version big media wants to tell.\u201d Her voice was a fierce whisper. \u201cMiriam died doing what she\u2014\u201d Vivian\u2019s voice cracked. \u201cWhat we believed in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Brenda Murphy writes short fiction and novels. She loves tattoos and sideshows and yes, those are her monkeys. \u00a0When she is not loitering at her local tea shop and writing, she wrangles two kids, one dog, and an unrepentant parrot. \u00a0She\u00a0reviews books,\u00a0blogs about life as a writer with ADHD and\u00a0publishes\u00a0photographs on her\u00a0blog\u00a0<\/a>Writing While Distracted.<\/a><\/p>\n You can find her\u00a0on Facebook by clicking\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Website: www.brendalmurphy.com<\/a><\/p>\n Books available at \u00a0\u00a0Amazon<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0NineStar Press<\/a><\/p>\n Both Ends of the Whip<\/a><\/p>\n ONE \u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Sum of the Whole\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Dominique and Other Stories <\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Save<\/span>Save<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Hi All, I missed last week becasue I was traveling and my laptop died. It didn’t owe me a dime but it was annoying as hell. On a brighter note Both Ends of the Whip will be released May … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n