This chapter was a tidal wave.
Click here to read Laramie, Chapter 19.
Every couple has disagreements. How they handle them is key. Far be it from me to act as a therapist. But the more I hear and read, listening is the key to resolving conflict. So often, people get caught up in "who is right/who is wrong" instead of how each person feels about it.
Laramie and Cooper have a fight — their first. How it affects Laramie is huge. He has many pivotal points in his journey to true love, but this night is one that I feel — as the author — will stick with him for the remainder of his life. Most of us have said things we wish we could take back.
I probably should have titled this post "Why Do I Always Ruin Everything?" It has almost been Laramie's motto since his adolescence. He really stepped in the poop this chapter.
But from that, the reader sees some big decisions. In writing this book, I could have stopped it at many points. I could have ended it right where Coffee at 9 ended and we could have just seen it from his perspective. But just as I did with Book Four, Jakob's full story really went beyond what we saw in Hi, I'm Lance. Laramie's complete story isn't done yet. He still has some growing to do. Several chapters, in fact.
Anyone reading this hopefully fares well in resolving disagreements. No matter what, keep the big picture in mind. Do you love this person? Are you listening to what they are feeling? When making your point, is it "I feel..." or is it pointing fingers: "You did this!"? The big picture is the two of you are in this relationship together.
It was kind of a turbulent chapter. What stirred within you? Share with me.
Don't ever scare me like that!!! I thought you were breaking them up!!! Hoooo, I was getting ready to throw down; lol. But they're okay....they're okay.
ReplyDeleteI loved it!
E.
What an emotional chapter. I didn’t see the turn of events. You planned quite the surprise. But it turned out well, thank God. I hoped that the happy couple wouldn’t split.
ReplyDelete-J
It was great seeing Cooper and Laramie rally to work through their crisis. They're such a "feel good" couple.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I've gone back to the start, rereading EXTRACURRICULAR and then on to IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE TWO OF US and (when it starts) HI, I'M LANCE -- and the related blogposts. I heartily recommend this! Much as I loved the books the first time through, they're ever so much richer this time. And there are great moments like Lance's account of his first AA meeting, with a few lines each devoted to the people who shared -- including guys named Jakob and Cooper!
It's been a great way to "do" Pride. I couldn't find any events that offered anywhere near as much to think about concerning what it means to be gay. Thanks again, Timothy!
Ken,
DeleteAw. Thanks. Now and then, I like going back too. I still want to revise "Extracurricular" as I was never truly satisfied with it. I think there is an opportunity to develop Mike's character even more. One of these days...
Timothy
I just finished reading Chapter 19. And I wiped my eyes a number of times, as I had done when reading some of the earlier chapters. This whole story – now Laramie but also "Coffee at 9" has been marvelous! All the characters were wonderful, but Laramie had to be my favourite – he has simply been so beautifully “child-like” in some respects. But this last chapter elevated Cooper in my books! I looked forward to getting each new chapter. I suspect that this chapter may be the end of this series, and if so that will be fitting in some sense. But if it carries on I will read the succeeding chapters with great pleasure. If this does end it, will you then start on another series?
ReplyDeleteYou are a wonderful writer, Timothy.
C.S.
Nope, there are still five chapters left.
DeleteEmotional? The beginning scared the crap out of me! I love where you take these characters probably because you drive me nuts getting them there.
ReplyDeletetc
I have to say I found it hard to read once I hit halfway through — I mean physically hard; it's very difficult to read through a film of unshed and ultimately shed tears. From the start where Laramie was on edge and angry, I felt a sense of dread, then the almighty bust up between the two. I felt Laramie's pain as he believed his darkest thoughts and his incredibly spiteful jibe about Coopers dick size had ruined his life with Cooper. I also felt annoyed at Cooper for not listening to what Laramie was saying, a trait my last partner had down to a fine art. However, unlike Cooper he used my words to turn them against me and make me feel guilty for having such thoughts and feelings and for saying such things to him. The fact that Cooper recognised what he had done took my breathe away and ramped up my admiration for this wonderful man.
ReplyDeleteCooper and Laramie have just the best love, and with Corey in the mix, it brings a whole new dimension to their love and life together.
S.
I am so glad Lar and Cooper survived that horrific fight. I do wonder why Laramie is so steadfast against marriage. Glad Jakob was questioning it because that leads me to believe a wedding is running around in your head.
ReplyDeleteG.
Oh man, did it create an emotional response. I had to stop reading at one point because of what I thought was going to happen. It was beautiful, touching and hit all of my emotion buttons. Great job!
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