It has been almost a month since a new chapter of If It Weren't For the Two of Us has dropped.
This chapter finally completes the buildup to the play Trent has written. When I introduced The Showcase in Extracurricular, it was to create a night where Mike and Trent would enjoy out but would have a reason for Trent's mother to be there. It mixed Trent's family and friends. At the time, I didn't plan for The Showcase to be a key plot point in a second book (that I had no idea I was even going to write).
Read If It Weren't For the Two of Us, Chapter 43 here.
As Book Two developed, I thought the journal was a great opportunity for Trent to act upon his friends' encouragement of his creative talents. Since then, the journal has been divided into half, part of it being his personal life, and part of it being notes for his play.
With only two chapters still left to go in If It Weren't For the Two of Us, this certainly was a plot point that I needed to wrap up. What I like about it is that it helps pull a lot of things from the whole book together: college friends Zach and Tariq, his career coworkers and emotional struggles he has gone through. I felt it a reasonable event to help his father deal with his own evolving thoughts.
It is not a sexually charged chapter. I hope that isn't a disappointment.
When Extracurricular concluded, I knew I still had two more books at that time that would eventually post. And while, yes, I am still in the same position, there is something slightly bittersweet about Book Two coming to an end. It does sadden me. Obviously Trent will still be in Hi, I'm Lance and has appearances in Book Four and Book Five, seeing the approach of the end of his story causes feelings in me I can't put my finger on. They are all fictitious characters, but even so, I have created them, so there is that (odd) fatherly pride in something that doesn't exist. I wonder if writers of television series (or actors) have such thoughts and feelings toward characters.
Even though it causes the chronology to be slightly askew, I will post the final two chapters of Book Two before heading back to Hi, I'm Lance. Readers who are following along as I post will be backtracking a touch when Lance's story resumes, but nothing is going to hinder the enjoyment of it.
Thanks for being on this journey with me (and Trent).
Marvelous! I am going to miss these people – they are strong characters.
ReplyDeleteD.
I love Chapter 43! I am so glad that Trent’s play went well and he and his father seem to be moving toward a more positive relationship. I have enjoyed reading each chapter!
ReplyDelete— M
Sorry for my delay in commenting. My in-laws are visiting, so I haven't had the opportunity to read this chapter until this morning. Chapter 43 was awesome! I'm so happy that Trent got validation for his labor of love - and that his father seems to have reconciled with him. There will always be flies in the ointment, like the one particular caller, but Trent handled it beautifully, keeping a level head and challenging the person without being confrontational. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteTonight, I read Chapter 43 of “If It Weren’t For the Two of Us,” and it was very emotional for me, bringing me to tears. I have looked forward to reading your stories since I first began. I realize all stories must come to an end, and I am sure the last two chapters will be both emotional and enjoyable to read.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your stories. I will continue to read Lance’s and Jakob’s story and look forward to reading others as they evolve.
You're not the only one who will be sorry to see "If It Weren't For the Two of Us" come to an end. I will be, and I guess quite a number of fellow readers will be too. I'm just pleased that Trent will continue to feature in the forthcoming books (and of course I can always re-read this book, though that's not quite the same as the fun of a new chapter). Anyway, I enjoyed chapter 43. It's nice to see things going well.
ReplyDeleteCreating a little happiness and joy in a fairly desperate world is not trivial. Actually, it's quite inspiring. So thank you.
- C.
I loved how right at the start of the chapter the writing got me sharing Trent's nervousness about the play. Then you got me hooked on a Really Important Question: Should Trent go to the premiere clean-shaved or scruffy? And I was left in suspense till after the performance, when Mom gave Trent a thumbs-down on the beard! (And Lance joined in!)
ReplyDeleteIn the aftermath of the play, I was happy for Trent for the way he handled the die-hard-homophobe phone caller, refusing to give the guy the power to rattle him.