Your youth at the time was perfectly reflected in the short sentences. I could feel the bewilderment and uncertainty mixed with the naivety you felt in relationships.
Truly beautiful writing. Loved the way the emotions are carried throughout. For example, the sentence "The first time we kissed, I mostly remember what I didn’t feel" is just a perfect way to convey what didn't transpire.
I think the teenage years are confusing enough, without also being a time of so many new and disorienting experiences—especially when setting boundaries almost never feels like one of them.
Honestly? I’m still figuring that one out, even now. 😊
Thanks, Graham. The more I write about my dad, particularly at that most difficult time in both of our lives, I continue to realize just how lucky I am to be his son.
There is great feeling here. I'm a little confused about Helen and June. The story focuses on June -- a wonderful, intriguing antagonist, but what is Helen's role? I'd like to see a scene of the narrator with the two women, and a scene from the mysterious church...That's all just to say I find the characters and story interesting.
Thanks for your feedback. Truth is often stranger than fiction, isn't it? Over the years since all of this happened, I've always given more thought to June, as she inserted herself into my life at a very difficult time and proceeded to break every boundary, before I even knew what boundaries where.
Looking back, there was always an air of sadness that surrounded Helen. She was a really lovely woman who desparately wanted to find a partner and settle down, but there were few prospects within her own peer group who shared her religious beliefs, and so she tried dating much younger men. She was beautiful, smart, funny, and kind, and she really struggled when it came to finding someone who both appreciated that and shared her faith.
Your youth at the time was perfectly reflected in the short sentences. I could feel the bewilderment and uncertainty mixed with the naivety you felt in relationships.
Truly beautiful writing. Loved the way the emotions are carried throughout. For example, the sentence "The first time we kissed, I mostly remember what I didn’t feel" is just a perfect way to convey what didn't transpire.
Thank you, Anne-Marie.
Sometimes we see more when we consider the absence of things, don't we?
Yes. Very true.
A sensitive subject, both emotionally and medically. I liked the way dad handled it.
I love your writing. You write about a difficult, awkward, cringy situation with so much depth and honesty. ❤️
Thanks, Carol.
I think the teenage years are confusing enough, without also being a time of so many new and disorienting experiences—especially when setting boundaries almost never feels like one of them.
Honestly? I’m still figuring that one out, even now. 😊
Thanks, Graham. The more I write about my dad, particularly at that most difficult time in both of our lives, I continue to realize just how lucky I am to be his son.
There is great feeling here. I'm a little confused about Helen and June. The story focuses on June -- a wonderful, intriguing antagonist, but what is Helen's role? I'd like to see a scene of the narrator with the two women, and a scene from the mysterious church...That's all just to say I find the characters and story interesting.
Hi Melanie,
Thanks for your feedback. Truth is often stranger than fiction, isn't it? Over the years since all of this happened, I've always given more thought to June, as she inserted herself into my life at a very difficult time and proceeded to break every boundary, before I even knew what boundaries where.
Looking back, there was always an air of sadness that surrounded Helen. She was a really lovely woman who desparately wanted to find a partner and settle down, but there were few prospects within her own peer group who shared her religious beliefs, and so she tried dating much younger men. She was beautiful, smart, funny, and kind, and she really struggled when it came to finding someone who both appreciated that and shared her faith.
Thanks for your response. Maybe you'll write more about these two women -- they provide an interesting foil for each other.