Holy cow, there is so much to unpack with this chapter.
If you are a fan of long chapters ... ta-dah. If not, I'm sorry. I didn't expect this to be quite the huge chapter it turned out to be. Sometimes the story takes on a life of it is own. There are easy places to break this chapter into pieces.
Click here to read Chapter 24 of Say Goodbye to Sparkleland.
But I love it. Coming out of therapy, Mitchell is open and ready and vulnerable. He's all sorts of emotional uncertainties, and he is hit with so many things in December. Some people may think of it as "moving on," but he thinks of these temptations as tests.
I could have written about him taking Lorenzo back to his place. And if I'm honest, when I made the outline, I DID pencil in a three-way with Arlo and Seager. I knew it would be hot to write. But I thought the narrative would be more engaging with him wrestling with what could have been ultimate sex (remember Chapter 8 with Arlo?) and what he felt he needed to do. I think the story is stronger as a whole this way. (Many of you may be cursing me that I didn't write that scene! I get it.)
This chapter lets us see a different side to Logan too. He's been "professional" up to this point. Now we see him from a "personal" perspective. Do you have thoughts of how Mitchell has impacted his friend's life?
Ohhh, and there's Laramie. We all love him, but as much as Mitch dreaded seeing him, I thought it was interesting to write in how Laramie felt about it. Put yourself in his shoes. If you were the victor in a love triangle, you had to understand the loss of the one who wasn't as fortunate. Do you feel I portrayed him as authentic?
And finally, after almost a year, Mitch finds himself in the arms of another man. Do you approve of Layton? Do you want him to be Mitchell's new love? Or is he just a step toward Mitch's future? We have a few chapters left.
People wonder if I put myself into my stories. Maybe bits and pieces. The Christmas card silliness is totally me. My other half and I send out more than a hundred. We have the cards we received taped down our staircase each holiday season. I love it. So ... yeah ... that's me.
Threads of Mitchell's (Cruz, Arlo, Kenneth) past are now interwoven in the second arc of the book and him finding what his future is. You, as the reader, have seen small glimpses in my other stories.
The important thing is that Mitchell has finally worked at forgiving himself and is making steps to move on.
I just get that feeling Larry wants Mitch in Cooper and his life. I think that's wonderful. I was moved by the chapter. I had no criticisms of Mitch yes of course I know how people feel about cheating. But clearly he's a decent human being who just got off the rails like Lance and the others did. I'm in the club where my partner cheated and we broke up but I still talk to him, he doesn't want to get back with me or have sex which is fine, but me and my partner have no issues with him associating with us. It's complicated but the whole series I think has made guys think about what do we do if he cheats and if we break up do we see them again?
ReplyDeleteLike Mitch I'm speechless at the encounter between Larry and him in the restroom. I don't know how to feel reading it I wish Larry and Mitch had at least started to talk it out but clearly it was a watershed moment. Very emotional. It was like the Twlight Zone. I hope in the chapters to come both of them reconcile further. Amazing men.
ReplyDeleteHoly cow Larry doing that to Mitch. Beyond emotional. Brilliant. What a scene.
ReplyDeleteTo mark Mitchell completing therapy I re-read and enjoyed 'Sparkleland' from the beginning. Chapters 6, 7, 8 (Cruz/Logan/Arlo) were a real gut punch. Heartbreaking. I'm not opposed to Layton, but not convinced either. You've dropped a few red flags and there's also the issue that so far he has no middle or last name. On the other hand there was chapter in 'Laramie' when it was explained LB couldn't attend the morning coffee group because of his schedule. Finally, it seems that like Cooper, Mitchell has to address the trust issue. Can he trust himself? He gets a gold star this chapter.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading the blogs after the story and yes for whatever reason Larry wants Mitch in his life, I agree with the other posters on this blog. Hopefully over the next few chapters we will see that longed for friendship between the two of them and the trust Mitch will build. It's so nice. I cried. I doubt it's sinister or Larry has other motives, it's understandable when you remain friends with your ex that the new partner is suspicious, but in this story I don't see that and hopefully no drama between L & M will be written.
ReplyDeleteYou just can't imagine Mitch and Larry outside that bathroom. It's the most amazing incident in the entire book series. But like others on here yes I'd love them to be friends I know there are hints in other books, but looking forward to this coming true. It's obviously with the smiling at the dinner table between those two likely.
ReplyDeleteIn the history of Timothy's books there are three incidents that resonated deeply - Lance, Jakob, Trent and Mike's orgy, Corey enjoying Aidan's love despite being straight, and Mitch jumping into a crying Larry's arms. They have moved us deeply and taught us we are not perfect, just human.
ReplyDeleteI've come to like Mitch more over recent chapters. I'm vibing with him more now that he's not stuck on sexual mechanics and come to realise that it's about connection. I think that's what made Laramie so lovable from the beginning.
ReplyDeleteI have to join the chorus of praise for this chapter. It's like a huge hurdle has been overcome. Larry is adorable. Mitch is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteCan’t wait for more Cooper and Larry.
ReplyDeleteI can't agree more the potential for Larry and Mitch to be close friends is the reason I'll keep reading. I know in real life ex's and new partners don't get along especially after cheating, but Larry feels guilt and it's time Mitch and Larry moved on and got on with what life's all about - friendship and love. Cooper is so lucky to have both of them and this collection of family and friends so he should stop being such a drama queen.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised by Larry's reaction to Mitch. Maybe the time wasn't quite right and the place being loud to discuss Cooper's choice but the smiling between them gives hope that they will work this out.
ReplyDeleteTeam Mitch and Larry rocks.
ReplyDeleteFinally got around to reading it. Yes it is the best chapter so far. I won't debate the cheating this which underlies the whole book. I've had that happen and I just don't worry about it and you don't have to forgive. But as one person said everyone seems to be bending over backwards to convince Mitch he is actually decent and that things happen. To me he hasn't lost Cooper just in the sense of what it once was with him, yet Cooper, and it seems Larry and others, are like well Mitch come back into our lives please. To forgive like that is wonderful, and Mitch coming to terms with all the relationships to learn is written so well. I hope we will see another person get a chapter, but I'd love the older characters to come back too.
ReplyDeleteWhile I'd never tell an author what to do I just can't help but want to read more. Mitch is awesome (yeah ok so is Larry) and reading about him has been brilliant.
ReplyDeleteHanging on for new Mitch.
ReplyDeleteOh yes I check daily
DeleteNo luck yet :(
DeleteI'm late to the party. Loved this chapter. Larry and Mitch like the others have said, seems to be potential for a good friendship. Layton I don't trust really. But Mitch is winning hearts back. It's wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI understand it takes time to craft a good story, but I am going out of my mind wanting to see how Larry and Mitch will get on. I know so many have discussed cheating on this blog, but yes I just find when I run into my cheater I talk to him as if nothing happened, and that suits me. But he knows there will be no sex or no resumption of the relationship. My partner is the same he just talks to him as if nothing happened, it does hang over me but it's like ok he did wrong like Mitch did but this is years ago now I don't want to go back and I don't want to keep thinking about it. That's why I love the story. My partner is a bit Larry actually barring he does not like living in the country now, but he's a country boy.
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