This is the shortest chapter of any of my books.
Read Hi, I'm Lance, Meeting 55 [Chap. 24] here.
The development of the storyline with Baker/Andrew had its flareup here. I didn't want to try to extend it. I wanted the subject matter to stand on its own.
On a personal level, from time to time, I am struck by a news story that is horribly tragic. I know that even though it is so painful — and it is impossible to bring back anyone who is lost — those that survive, particularly if you are the cause, have to live with it every day. Whether it is a car crash, a regrettable mistake, an unfortunate accident ... I picture myself exactly like Andrew. How do you get past it? It's a heartbreaking situation for individuals in positions like this.
Prayers go up to people living with such pain. I do hope they eventually find ways to laugh and experience joy in their lives.
I am also aware there is no sexual content in this chapter. I fully understand the nature of the Nifty platform, so I hope readers are able to indulge me this courtesy to just drive home the main focus this once.
I love writing the warm aspects of a love story, but for there to be a feel of authenticity — particularly those working through AA — not everything can be sunshine and roses. Chapters like this I believe are essential.
Very powerful! Lance behaved inexcusably, but he owned up to it in the end. I hope he feels more able to forgive Baker and understand that it's not for him to judge the man.
ReplyDeleteWell done!
Well, that was incredible. The outcome was necessary but well done.
ReplyDeleteShort but compelling. Just the right length. And I don't care at all that there wasn't a sex scene in it!
ReplyDeleteAs I see it, Andrew/Baker behaved abominably to Tyler who, tragically, didn't have the strength to get out of a destructive relationship. (A contrast with Jakob, perhaps, who is both a lovely guy and a survivor.) So he bears a large part of the responsibility for Tyler's death.
But at least he has the grace to recognise that and the guilt is tearing him apart in his turn.
It is no surprise that Lance loathes him for what he did to Tyler. Happily, though, when pushed to the limit Lance is a decent and caring man who doesn't want to hurt someone, even Baker, who is on the edge of killing himself. I think Lance's dismay and grief over what he said to (screamed at!) Baker are admirable and speak to a strong and honourable character. Richard's a good guy, too.
- C.
Lance's simmering resentment towards Baker for the way he treated Tyler finally boiled over and in that split second he also realised he had become the man he despised. I think it genuinely frightened him that he could lash out at somebody teetering on the edge like that and will be something he reflects on later, a very powerful chapter.
ReplyDeleteThe chapter was perfect! Lance’s feelings are completely understandable. But it’s also good that he realizes he might need to try to forgive Baker.
ReplyDelete- R.
Absolutely, it was brave as well as smart and unexpected of Timothy to ask us to see Andrew as a person rather than a label -- not to mention showing us Lance himself grappling with all of this. But then, "brave," "smart," and "unexpected" have been regular features of T's stories.
ReplyDeleteI think of "Jakob with a K," for example. There was a rush of judginess at Trent's snap judgment of him, even though it probably wasn't much different from most of ours. Being human often means making snap judgments that are incomplete or downright faulty. Being human also means, at least sometimes, with luck, getting it "right"-er on the second (or third or fourth) try. In Jakob's case, even apart from the complicating factor of Trent's complicated feelings for Lance, the snap judgment of Jakob probably wasn't much different from Jakob's own feelings about himself. How hard was it for him to begin to think of himself as good enough for Lance? This is a guy whose horrible life history gave him hardly any chance to consider who and what he was and might be. How much fun has it been to see not just the people around him but Jakob himself belatedly begin to see, for example, his unusual organizational and design talents?
And T, no apologies are needed for a no-sex chapter, at least from me. That really isn't what draws me back. I'm realizing, for example, how much I look forward to the AA meetings. What a huge challenge it is keeping them fresh -- not just creating but maintaining and expanding that cast of characters!
Ken,
DeleteI am truly humbled by your kind words. What you have said speaks to me in meaningful ways. I am honored by your support.
Timothy