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I’m skipping over what the data pocket held, because that’s kind of the point of the story, and going straight to Clyota’s reaction.
I’m sure Charlie’s really glad he followed her to the bathroom . . .
“This is going to sound stupid, but are you okay?” His voice was gentle, and kind, and exactly what I didn’t need right then.
I shook my head. “No,” I said, as the lights went bright through the hot, unshed tears that were suddenly glazing my eyes. “No, I’m not okay. I haven’t been okay for so—” I buried my face in the towel and, to my horror, began to cry. Not pretty tears, but great wrenching bursts that hurt like hell.
Immediately, Charlie was there, and I was sobbing so hard, so loudly, that I couldn’t do anything but hang onto him as three years of packed-down misery and twenty-nine years of resentment, pride, betrayal, and love welled up and had their say.
Earful of Cider 
Ouch. I felt that gut wrenching pain as she sobbed. Very emotive snippet. Well done.
Love this passage, when it all becomes too much.
Ugh. I was right there with her. Lovely descriptions of all the emotions that go into a cry like that. Love this snippet!
Twenty-nine years?
What a tortured soul.
Reminds me of the 26 years of my first marriage.
Even out of context this is an incredibly powerful piece. Great work, Sarah!
That last line is super!
So much emotion! Great job.
Terrific writing – great description, very powerful.
I love how you really made me feel the torture she’s feeling. It was pulled right in!
Wow, I’m glad Charlie was there. So much emotion in such a short snippet – terrific!
Yep you got a lot packed into a small space. I can just feel how helpless the situation has made her. Gotta feel sorry for somebody who’s hurting that much.
So sad! I’m eager to know what Charlie is going to do/say in response to her breakdown. Very nice.
well done. i can see her hanging onto charlie.
i was thinking of you this morning while watching CBS’s Sunday Morning. They did a bit on the Library of Congress and showed the 6500 books that was a portion of Thomas Jefferson’s private library (it was the books left after many were burned when the British burned our capitol). Did you know that once you’re appointed the Director of the Library of Congress position you get to keep it for a lifetime? Ultimate tenure, yes?
Oh, I missed it! I knew about the Jefferson library—it’s rumored that the best books were lost.
And yep—just like the Pope, but without the infallibility. 😀
Whatever the data pocket held, it obviously had quite an effect on her.
Very evocative–I was right there with her. Great snippet!
A charged snippet, Sarah. 🙂
This librarian is absolutely fascinated with this story. The “new” ALA (yes, I went back and read all the posts). Love it! Great writing, a fabulous world.
Oh, oh, oh, oh. I want to say something witty and profound and all of that about how much I love this snippet, but instead I will just say oh, oh, oh again. And have I said how much I love the title?
This is so powerful. I like it. Great job, Sarah 🙂
Oh…hate it when the tears commandeer the body and all you can do is hold on tightly for the ride. Well evoked.
That’s a really powerful description of all those pent-up emotions surfacing. Great eight.
Her response is unsurprising considering the depths of what she’s releasing. Well done.
I like the way you show that she’s overwhelmed and that she knows he’s by her side to offer comfort or love.
Ditto what everyone else said. Powerful writing!