Just a quick announcement. I'm pleased to bring to you Love in a chair, a story I wrote to explore the issues of gay sexuality in the face of a disability. Aaron and Brian are two high school boys who fall in love. They face challenges few of us could imagine, but persevere. I hope you like my story.

A nice tale, now into its third chapter, as yet floating beneath the radar. The only clue, thus far, to the existence of the story has been a note in Altimexis's signature: "Please check out my first story, Love in a Chair, a touching, if not sappy story about a couple of high school boys who fall in love and persevere in the face of adversity The first N chapters are now up. Please let me know what you think!"

Well, Altimexis, it's being read, and commented upon, and I await more chapters.

You've got a nice beginning of a tale of two school boys reluctant to admit they are in love with each other, battling against teenage hormones not to let things progress too quickly. The boys' initial evening together alone in Chapter 3 seems a little quick into the sexual side for my mind, but I look forward to seeing how you're planning to develop this.

I'm limited to what I can say here due to spoiler concerns, so I'll be brief.

The Brother's reaction surprised me greatly, in a good way.

I also like the exploration of the protagonist's feelings of being a little different, and coming to terms with what it meant.

Off to a good start.

Good job on Ch 4!

I like the subtle character development.

Sounds like they are going to be faced with coming out soon. I think we can safely say that Adam will be fine with it, but I'm curious as to the others. Any guesses anyone?

OK, I thought I had commented ch. 1&2, but I didn't. This is a fun, heart-warming read so far. A bit too graphic to my taste considering the sweet romance tone, but there are some really fun lines. What adversity will they face? Brian's parents? I guess these people could freak out, especially with Aaron's mother being EXTREMELY liberal and providing her son with a nice place to engage in intercourse. The scene with the mum is funny. At first I thought it was highly unlikely and then I thought of some of my friends who have teen kids and who must have rehearsed for months the "it's time we talk about these things frankly" speech.

I loved Larry's intro to Aaron.

Aaron's parents are great. Too bad that parents like that are so rare.

I'm glad you had the Mom blush during the "speech", that made it more real.

Thanks for the comments, guys. I realize the sex may be a bit graphic for some tastes, but there is a good reason for it. In my work I deal with people with disabilities and sexual issues are a big and oft-neglected part of the rehabilitation process. Some people I work with have very specific problems and I need to discuss them in as much or more detail than what I'm presenting here. My goal is for my readers to understand that even under the worst of circumstances, people with disabilities are still people with emotional and sexual needs like the rest of us.

Great job on Ch 6!

My favorite part was Larry teaching Arron about football. Larry is absolutely great, and very well done.

Aaron's mother is certainly every teen's dream Mom! Talk about accepting! He's darn lucky in that respect.

Adam is a crack-up, and probably my favorite character so far.

Well I read the first 6 chapters and can hardly wait for the rest of them. The sex in the story is not to overblown but what you would expect from boys that age. But the sex is not what makes the story but the characters and their interaction. And you keep doing as well as you have so far and it will be a magnificent story. I am married also as you are and have my first story hosted at the story lovers site and know how hard it is to get plot right and not lose flow of the characters but you are doing a good job. keep it up I look forward to the rest of your story. Michoel

It all follows a natural path rather peacefully. I'm still kind of annoyed at the spoiler Altimexis gave away by explaining the title. This is quite a sweet story nevertheless. It's maybe a bit too explicit, not the sex, of course, but in its "educational" tone.

For instance: "When they went to Brian's games, it was often with Cindy and she accepted him as a friend, too. She was a sweet girl and he found he really liked her - not sexually, of course, but as a friend."
The "- not sexually, of course, but as a friend.": couldn't it be told more lightly by giving an example explaining what they laugh together about, or some illustration of this liking, which would give more flesh to Cindy and avoid overexplaining the obvious?

I hope my comments are actually seen as constructive criticism, I like the story!

Thanks for you feedback!

I do see your comments as constructive and I'm learning in the process. I took a lot of heat from WriteByMyself, who is one of my editors, over the spoiler and we actually argued back and forth for a while on this. I compared my spoiler to the inside flap of most hardcover books and the back of most paperbacks. I for one like to know what I'm getting into before I read a story, but I've discovered that a lot of people like to be surprised. I just didn't want poeple to start LiaC and then hate me for switching from a carefree, happy story to one that is much more serious. C James also complained about the spoiler, but then agreed that there needs to be a way for people searching for information on gay sex in the disabled to find my story. As a compromise, I did revise the foreward to be less explicit in what would happen, but to still state that the story involves issues of sexuality in a person with a disability. I don't state whether it is one of the main characters, or someone we haven't met, yet. When the story is complete and moves to a more permanent home, either through shared hosting or hosting here, or on another site, I will probably move the foreward, the afterword and any other comments to a separate page with a worning that it contains spoilers.

You raise a good point about my educational tone. Just wait until I start talking about rehabilitation later on. I can't help it, I'm an academician at heart. Thanks for pointing it out, though - I'll try to watch it in the future. If you can think of any other instances besides the example you gave, I'll see if I can remove them.

Having been through the spoiler debate with STL, I understand the issue. I don't know that we're talking "spoiler" here. Okay so we know that one of these kids is going to end up in a wheelchair, but we still don't know exactly how it happens and what all the consequences of that means for these two boys. With that said I don't know if the story is "spoiled" and therefore whether it was a spoiler at all.

To be quite honest, I'm enjoying this story tremendously so far. Both of the main characters are developed very nicely, but Altimexis has put alot of effort in developing all the supporting characters as well. Quite well done.
I loved the way they came out at the GSA dance. Quite romantic actually. Perfect timing for a warm up to valentine's day.

Yeah, okay, I know there's a tragic scene coming and all, but I think the point of the story is not how one of these boys gets hurt, but I think it's supposed to be about how they deal with it. We have to know how deeply they love each other to do that, Sooo with that said, I can't wait for the next chapters.

I really highly recommend the story as a great read.

Hugs all,
Rick

I'm enjoying the story; the only problem is knowing that some terrible misfortune is going to happen, sooner or later, to some character, confining him to life in a wheelchair. The threat hangs over the reader like some sword of Damocles, and we keep waiting and worrying with each new chapter: Is this going to be it?

This may be a structural flaw of telling the story from the beginning. One solution would have been to begin with some sort of prologue: Wheelie Lover is sitting in his wheelchair talking to either his physical therapist or perhaps a counselor as he comes to psychological grips with the fact that he may never walk again. Dealing with that grief is going to be a major problem for anyone able-bodied who becomes paraplegic. It is noticed that he has a dedicated friend and lover who comes every day to visit and help him, and Wheelie Lover begins to relate to his therapist the tale of the relationship at the point of where you began chapter one, perhaps telling the story as part of his coming to terms with his new condition. You lose the tension of the reader guessing who will be the unfortunate one, but that tension may already be getting in the way of the story.

A story with similar structure I can think of is Sequoyah's "Moon Watching" (http://www.sequoyahsplace.com/Stories/MOON...ching_title.htm). The story is about a loving relationship between Tom and Derrick, and Tom's recovery to life after Derrick's death. It opens with a brief description of Tom seeing Derrick's body one brief time before interment, then backs up to the start of their relationship and continues afterwards as Tom makes his life whole again. (Tom's character eventually gets absorbed into Sequoyah's other story "Mountain Magic.") The downside is that we know that Tom and Derrick's love is doomed, but the upside is that we realize that this isn't the ultimate focus of the story.

--Rigel

I'm getting criticism from both directions on this issue. Captain Rick started Sky with a prologue and that was one of the first criticisms leveled at him. One of my editors has made it quite clear that there should have been no spoilers - let the reader assume the chair is a love seat or something. I have another reader who has a disability and was thrilled to come across my story - something that wouldn't have happened had it not been for the foreword to LiaC. What I did do is to revise the foreword to be a little more circumspect about what will happen. If you reread it, all mention of an accident is gone and in its place is that the story deals with gay love and sex in a disabled person. That at least leaves the reader open to a variety of different scenarios, rather than telling them that one of the main characters will be injured.

However, since you do know what's coming, I can assure you that everything leading up to the accident is important to the plot and that although the "happy" chapters are nearly over, the remaining 2/3 of the story will be equally worth your time, and even more uplifting. I'm not going to say any more - no need for additional spoilers.

I'm not doubting that the remainder of the story will be worth my time.

It's just that I keep reading with an eye to wondering how you're going to set up the disabilitating event. [Is that a word?] At this point, I can guess that it seems likely that it's either an excessive byproduct of something Brian's parents do stop Brian from associating with Aaron, or some unfortunate consequence of Brian's reactions to his parents' restrictions. The precise nature of the misfortune should be irrelevant to me--The problem is that this speculation becomes my focus in reading, rather than the developing relationship between Brian and Aaron.

My comments may be premature, and maybe I should have waited to see the entire complete story, but the way in which you are telling it (having already spilled the beans about a disability with the illustration http://www.rainbowcommunitywritingproject.com/wheelchair.jpg at http://www.rainbowcommunitywritingproject....veinaChair.html is like having ominous chords of background music foreshadowing an terrible event amidst happy scenes of childhood, spoiling both.

--Rigel

Altemexis, there is a rule at play here: you can't please everyone. So, when in doubt, keep the writer (you) happy.

I think your evision was the right compromise to make, though. I'll also point out that writers sometimes change their minds. I know for a fact that the plotline of my story has changed a few times as I've been writing it. So, one can never be certain of anything.

It's looking good so far!

Rigel's feelings are similar to mine. But yes, Altimexis, you're the boss there. That's the problem of posting a story in the make and getting feedback as you write it. If you're actually done with it, don't change anything plotwise.
As for chapter 9, distress kicks in all right with these bigoted parents' reaction.

Having just read Chapter 12, I'm facing an interesting cocktail, partly morbid fascination and partly the "ick" factor. I want to know the details, and I DON'T want to know the details, and in the tension between those two reactions lies my complex reaction to the chapter. I've had a lot of medical school friends, housemates, and relatives in my life, who shared with me what interns and residents do, and the concept of grand rounds, which is what Brian faced with a whole batch of interns and residents discussing his case while standing around him but not interacting with him. It's a strangely dehumanizing experience for the patient, especially given the perspective you've presented it from.

I look forward to further developments. You've given us at least some faint rays of hope for love in a post-paraplegic world. Thanks for not making us wait forever. (I was originally going to say, "Thanks for putting us out of our misery," but that's simultaneously inaccurate and an overstatement.) And thanks also for introducing me to Coldplay's "Don't Panic"--a little googling allowed me to listen to a couple of versions courtesy of YouTube. My eclectic taste in music is as broad as Brian's, and while I'd heard of Coldplay before and even heard them, I don't think I ever had reason to pay such analytically close attention to one of their songs before tonight.

--Rigel

I hadn't had chance to read Ch 111, so tonight I was able to read Ch 11 & 12 together.

Altemexis, there were superbly done. The professionalism shines though, as does the gritty reality of what it is like to be a patient helplessly facing something unexpected and unknown.

Bravo.

I was puzzled by chapter 10, but these last three chapters are my favorite up to now. I felt really moved and sad about the whole situation. At the same time, everything falls into place. There was a bitter taste after ch. 10, because I felt like they were about to be punished for having sex, which is something I wouldn't feel comfortable with, but it's nicely put in perspective in the next two chapters. Guilt and responsibility are obviously always at stake in devastating events, but the fact that it's widely discussed by all the characters involved give the reader food for thought rather than just plain melodramatic narrative.

I hear what you're saying, but punishment for having sex was never the intent. The ending of chapter 10 was only for drama - the quintessential cliff-hanger, so to speak.

What actually comes out of the accident will bring both families closer to their boys and to each other. It will help both Aaron and Brian grow to become stronger, more self-assured young men who become true leaders - not that I think a serious injury and disability were required for these things to happen, but the whole purpose of the story is to explore relationships before and after a disabling event. We'll see both the positive and negative changes that take place in our characters. Sexually, what emerges will be beautiful.

Aaaaah! You're giving away more of what's to come! Trust your storytelling to let us know what's going to happen as we read the story! Seriously, trust us readers to get your message as we enjoy seeing the plot unfolding before our eyes. Which have been watery for the last two chapters, by the way.

Chapters 14& 15 were shocking, heart-rending, heart-warming, and amazing, all at once.

I very much appreciate the care and detail you are putting in on the medical and legal issues; those really make this real.

The police, well, their behavior might seen far-fetched to some, but it sadly is realistic in some cases. One thing especially; pushing hard when they have essentially no case. I've seen this happen.

Poor Brian; what a roller-coaster. I see mood swings there; courage overlying despair, and that is darn realistic for a patient with an unrecoverable condition.

Very well done indeed.

I didn't see chapter 14 advertised; maybe it's a blessing since I could read chapter 15 right after and see Aaron out of jail. There's enough moving drama in your story not to add more through having to wait! The plot develops well, and I hope Bill Epstein and his old goat of a friend will find out who the reckless driver was. The whole arrest/ jail episode is quite nightmarish. But the adults in the boys' environment are mostly nice people. I'm glad Brian's parents change a bit their minds, but they seem to do so very fast. It's plausible that faced with such a dramatic event they would indeed adapt quickly and see things in a new light, but the conversation between them, with Brian's mom going really far sounds a bit over the top to me.

Still a very nice story that says a few things about real life through a cleverly made fiction. We'll see what happens in rehab, too. Keep it coming, especially if the worst is over. I hope I'll smile a bit more later on, since the last few chapters got me to shed quite a few tears.

Thank you so much, Bondwriter. That's just the kind of feedback I need.

One of the things I like about eFiction is that you can always go back and edit what you write. I knew that the turn-around was rather abrupt, but it's difficult to convey what's going on with everyone in every chapter. The turnaround actually began when Brian's parents confronted him - his mother was already having doubts, but there were too many things to convey to bring them up.

I've re-edited chapter 14, making June Sandler a little less religious and giving her a degree in psychology - perhaps now, it well make more sense. I'd be curious to know what you think.

The emotional turmoil, and the sidestepping of grief was excellently done. I was amazed by it.

However, what amazed me the most was Brian's dissertation on how to find out if someone is gay. That was brilliant!
Sounds very realistic too.

The issue I see here is that Brian, to me, sounds to be in a state akin to denial; the reality of his situation hasn't hit him on an emotional level yet. When it does, watch out.

GREAT chapter!

CJ

Yes, another fine chapter. Lots of hard facts, but the little couple makes it all the more emotional. And yes, Brian certainly has tough moments ahead.

I just wanted to say a quick "Hi" to Dylls and Brad, a couple of gay 15 yo boys in Manhattan who are a real life Brian and Aaron, respectively. It's good to know that my story is touching so many people, and that my portrayal is so real. To quote Dylls, "ur story touched my heart so much is made me start talking about how i feel and its funny the flash backs are starting to ease uo some." I'm gratified to be able to play a role in helping someone to cope with their own recovery from something like this. Not so coincidentally, Brian will discuss his own flashbacks during a counseling session toward the end of the story. My apology to Bondwriter and others who'd rather not know what's ahead, but I don't really think this is giving much away - it's just an example of the care I've put into making the story realistic.

Dylls and Brad, I wish you guys the best of luck. I hope to hear from you again as the story develops. If you're reading this, please feel free to post to this thread - I think all the readers would like to know what it's like in real life to be gay, out, proud and experiencing love in a chair for real. I know I would.

hi just to let you know both Brad and i love your story and i too can understand what the guys are going thorugh all our love and please keep writing dyllsnbradxxx123

Welcome to GA!!

Reviewer: dyllaneandbrad Signed Date: 03/24/07 - 11:04AM Title: LIFE IN A CHAIR



Life in a chair is not only well written but emotionally accurate portrayal of how the hopes, Fear, and lives of two teenaged boys cope with gay life with one of them able bodied and other in a wheelchair . You will I'm sure find yourselves on an emotional roller coaster ride that will have you going from happiness , sadness , anger , and even guilt . The strong underlying love that is so obvious throughout the story will touch the most hardened of hearts.

From a personal level I found myself feeling the both highs and lows of their relationship. The stresses and problems of being a young gay teen who is now in a wheel chair after an auto smash . Being told that I can no longer walk was not only scary but made me feel angry and withdraw.

The uncertainties about sex being too afraid to ask the question. The quiet reflection. Times of utter despair & loneness. The what if or he wont need me that will and often creep into relationships. Altimexis writes about these very topics and is able to bring forth the love shown by Aaron toward Brian, made me realize that I too could learn from the story and with my boyfriends help and love and encouragement that I too, sorry We both together could have a future. If you to know someone or is someone who is going through life in a chair, be it Gay, Lesbian, Straight or Bisexual then I can honestly hand on heart say please, please read this story and even if your not in the situation as both Brian, Aaron Brad and myself are in then you too will get something more then a good read.

I really enjoyed Ch 17, and the obstacles faced by someone in a wheelchair were spot-on in my opinion.
I was in a wheelchair for a few weeks as a teenager, and I knew it was temporary so it wasn't the same thing, but the difficulties
are all too real.

There is something I'd like to add here; All too often, I've seen people in wheelchairs be avoided in public; people won't make eye contact. Making eye contact and smiling can mean a lot to a person, especially a person oft deprived of it, so I always make a point of doing so and suggest that others think on this issue too.

I was amazed that a 15 y/o would quote the ADA as Aaron did, but I can see why he's been reading (as mentioned in the text).

The one thing that blew my mind was Brian discussing Sex with his parents present!

BTW, one question regarding the exchange on HIV; isn't there a delay of up to a few months month between initial infection and the ability of a test to detect the infection?

Great chapter!

There is a reason for the discussion in front of the parents, and current recommendations are to test and then retest in 6 months. Aaron and Brian are pushing it by assuming they were already HIV negative, since they were complete virgins before they met. Much of this is discussed in the next chapter, and there is a lengthy disclaimer at the end.

I'm DELIGHTED to see that you will cover the HIV issue; A pet peeve of mine is stories wherein the protagonists get tested within hours
of risky behavior (willing or unwilling) and then are portrayed as being guaranteed HiV free.

Hmmmm, I can see where both Aaron and Brian already have risk factors for HiV given that they were in an accident and received medical treatment, Brian certainly, and there are likely other factors that I'm missing.

Fortunately, the blood supply is so well tested that you're about a likely to get an STD from kissing. The risk isn't zero, but it's less than one in a million. I hadn't really included that in the story because, frankly, it's an insignificant part of the discussion.

My pet peeve is with authors who have their characters fastidiously use condoms for anal sex, but then suck each other off and swallow. This includes the vast majority of net authors out there. The fact is that oral sex is definitely unsafe without the use of condoms or a dental dam. People can and do transmit HIV, Hepatitis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and a host of other STDs and other viral diseases through oral sex. Even if Aaron and Brian were virgins before they met, they could still transmit Herpes Simplex type 1 to their partner's genitals. All of that said, there are reasons for wanting to include unprotected oral sex in Love in a Chair, particularly with respect to demonstrating functional sex in a paraplegic, so I needed an excuse for them to have unprotected oral sex, hence the need for the disclaimer.

Cheers to this new chapter, that still manages to mix successfully the informative/ educational aspect and the fictional/ narrative one with talent. Great info above, and thanks to Dyllan and Brad for adding a little freshness in this thread through their comments.

Reviewer: dyllaneandbrad Signed Date: 03/31/07 - 08:57PM Title: Familly & Friends

Chapter 18 families and friends.

Well we had to say we both enjoyed this chapter as well as the other 17.

I'm sorry this is more than a review but a observation of sorts please bear with us and sorry for use off the words marked with .**

My Dad kind of let me down when I came out to him in fact he left home and tried to have me "FIXED" at a religious camp. It failed I'm glad to say. At times the people that are supposed to love you/us the most are often the ones who don't show the love we need or fail they just us at our most vulnerable times in our lives either by design or by accident or by pressures of how will the Guys at work or church think of me if they find out my son is gay/or a fagot** .(sorry for choice of word**)

A lot of our instincts or behaviour as we grow up come from the way were taught as youngsters. Very small kids don't see color at first. If you place some two yr olds in a play pen or room together they will happily play and interact in a loving way and even hug each other openly or even bed down and sleep hugging each other.

As the children grow up and if one of the children is shown a racist point of view or a bigoted point of view then often the child becomes racist or bigoted themselves as well not really understanding why. Or if a child is told not to play with the disabled kid or the "queer** kid" (sorry for choice of word**)then often the bigotry is transferred to the next generation often a gay kid is a bully to other gays or a racist as a cover in fear of punishment of retribution from family or friends.

Although this is not all ways the case and of course there are always those who do turn out to do the right thing.

My dad has finally come round although he's still not 100% happy with my sexuality or me having relationship he's more accepting towards us both as a couple. and classes Brad as a son . Especially during my illnesses brad has also show him that in fact it is love and not the fact Brad want to get his rocks off.

It transpire his hate is more to do with him being scared that we will be hurt and maybe killed but in his way of protection he hurt us both far, far worse than a school bully or bigot could have done. Just as Brian's Mom and Dad were at first so against their son being gay and having a gay relationship, but in this wonderfully written chapter it seems the fact the two of them are now changing their outlook as they see their love and commitment the boys are showing towards each other.

Also the fact that Alan is gay or now at least bisexual and he is able to admit this fact openly is a huge step forward in their family healing.

We're glad that and hope that both the boys and families can continue to over come this part of their live but I think they may face problems as we often all face some prejudices in our own lives.



Once again thank you Altimexis

writen by Brad for

DyllsnBradxxx123

There is a destiny that makes us Brothers,

None goes his way alone;

All that we send into the hearts of others, Comes back into our own.

(Author unknown)

Another good chapter indeed. A lot has changed in Aaron's and Brian's lives since the beginning of the story! The church episode is great, and the change Brian's dad has gone through is even more impressive than the boys'. As apparently it rings true to lots of people's ears, cheers to this great character.
Aaron won't be spared the hearing. But at least there's now serious evidence of the reckless driver doing it. Though there's little hope the police will apologize for behaving as jerks.

Great chapter!!

One thing bothered me though;


How can Aaron have a sterling record if he doesn't have a driver's license?

I liked the disclaimer at the end, and the listing of the fact that HIV has a latency period (and thus, a negative test is not proof conclusive, and may very well be a false negative during the latency period, especially the first month after contact).

The "being out at school" sounds ominous. Brian isn't exactly in a position to defend himself, or run.

I loved the scene in the Church. That was a classic.

I don't know if many people saw this was up. Lots of love showing in everyday life in this chapter. Both between Aaron and Brian, and through the whole family circle. Really glad there was this turnaround in Brian's family, it helps out big time. And the fact A&B have been intimate before does play a part in them being able to cope with all the everyday cares Brian needs.
Now, the big cliffhanger: the hearing. Quite anxious to read it.

Completely agreed.

That hearing looks ominous to me. I'm wondering how the law works on things like that. I've heard (not sure if it is true) that in drunk-driving cases, the drunk driver can be prosecuted for an accident even if clearly not at fault. I'm wondering if the same applies to unliscenesed drivers?

Poor Brian; he's starting to face the permanence of it all.

Phew! The hearing went well! A really nice feelgood chapter. I cannot imagine the drama had Brian's parents kept acting as they did just after the accident! The romance is really sweet (as it has been from the beginning actually).

This chapter was one heck of a releif, and I was happy to see that Aaron didn't get the book thrown at him.
I liked the courtroom scene, and HArvy.

That was a touch of a cliffhanger though, alluding to the next day, which if I recall is their first day "out" at school?

This chapter (21) illustrates all too well that for many people in wheelchairs due to spinal injuries, there is far more involved than merely being unable to walk.

Brian passing out is (guessing here) a complication of his condition, but I'm at a loss as to what it might be.

Maybe Brian suffers from a respiratory problem as he's playing the trumpet?
This chapter does not hide the problems both guys have to face.
Maybe the way Brian has Chad changing his mind over Mrs Sampson is a bit over the top. Whereas some really nice kids do exist, if Aaron and Brian could be shown having (some minor) flaws, it would enhance the moments when their goodness really matters.

Bondwriter got it, I think, on all counts, per Ch 22!

These boys sure are full of resources and have a way to turn wrongs into rights. Another nice chapter, in which they earn respect at school. And are they lucky to live in a supportive environment. For me this has become a nice feelgood weekly read. Thanks Altimexis.

OK, I've been stewing regarding what to say about "Love in a Chair" for several chapters. I do have some minor concerns, but the reason for my recalcitrance is that I don't know if this is just a matter of my personal taste (which should be ignored) or if it is more general, and might be useful. I still can't decide, so I thoguht I'd share it with the caveat of "a large grain of salt" and let you decide.

The detailed descriptions of Brians bowel and urinary problems are a negative for me. I know it's important to mention them, but could you refer to them in the narration in passing rather than describing them in detail? Or via dialog (always a good tool when you don't want detail).

The other thing that bothered me was the description of Brian and Arron's lovemaking, with Arron rubbing the scar over Brian's injury. That gave me goosebumps, and not the good kind. BUT, the reason may be personal and thus meaningless; I have a scar , from an accident when I was 10, that took a lot of stitches. I have a rather large scar from it. Still, to this day, I hate to touch it, it just gives me the creeps. I certainly have never let anyone else touch it, and the odd time that's happened, I end up literally leaping away. It doesn't hurt, the problem is psychological, but as a result it struck me as very odd that Brian would be ok to be touched on his wound.

The last concern I have is the same as Bondwriter's; So far, Brian and Arron have come across as far too well-adjusted to a new and devastating situation. I've seen no trace of anger from Brian at all, and I'd have expected anger, at least. Just my opinions.

CJ

CJ, constructive criticism is always appreciated.



You're not the first person to mention this, actually. One of my editors (I won't mention names here) also mentioned being grossed out be mention of Brian's bowel care, so much so that I had to clearly mark these sections so he could skip them. The problem is that it is just these aspects of living with a spinal cord injury that are so important to the story. Of course I could have glossed over them or put them into a narrative, but it wouldn't have been real. IMO it's very important that these aspects of Brian's care be discussed, that their impact on sexuality be considered and that they ultimately be treated as if they are completely normal. Any of us could find ourselves in Brian's shoes, so to speak, some day. One of my closest friends from school (the guy I had the crush on in The New Job) is now a quadriplegic, thanks to a skiing injury (and he was an expert skier).

I'm curious, however, to know what other people think. Why is it that people who are perfectly comfortable with descriptions of fingers and even tongues being stuck up people's assholes are squeamish at the thought of a suppository being stuck up the same place?



Actually, scars can be highly erotic, but only if one has incorporated them into their own body image, first. Simply massaging one's scar daily can help one to get over their squeamishness and to accept the scar as a part of who they are. I'll discuss this in quite a bit more detail in the sequel to Love in a Chair (yes, there will be a sequel if there is interest), in which a teenager with an amputation must learn to deal with the loss of a limb.

It's interesting how different people adapt to an injury. A good analogy is diabetes. Most of us would cringe at the idea of sticking themselves to check their blood sugar, or injecting themselves with insulin and, yet, many people do this every day. I guess you could say that we all adapt to the best of our abilities. I just wanted to make Brian's adaptation seem as normal as possible.



Oh, you are so perceptive. We are on the cusp of decent into Brian's anger, grief and despair, and I'm not going to say anything more about it for now.

Altimexis

The latest suggestion is a good one. Though these scenes did not fill me with joy, they did not get me sad as the accident or the police interview, which were quite detailed themselves. That was my comment in a previous post, that their intimacy before the accident made this possible. And you made it sound like it was one occasion of being close to each other. So maybe using other narrative devices could be good, but I'd say these are important in the whole endeavor, and to me, it makes Aaron more heroic.


Then, unless you've seen cases like this in real-life (as I would imagine there isn't one single reaction to spinal cord injury), I'd say it's a bit mean for the reader. Here we are, with two really nice kids, whom some would call goody-two shoes even; most people they meet are sympathetic (and gay!); and it's not about to end happily with health issues under control? Without the least hint of Brian difficulties to get by, we'll see how it goes down, but I'm not sure it's going to be pleasant.