You & I - 20. Chapter 20

Wow! Amazing chapter. Thank you. 

Great chapter. It’s a sad fact that so many people don’t want to be around the disabled, they don’t take the persons feelings into account. I speak from experience because my son has Lymphedema in his right arm which makes it about 5 times what it should look like, I also took care of my grandmother who was confined to a wheelchair due to two factors, one she was the principal at a local elementary school and was in her office when the ceiling caved in on her causing her to have a stroke, two after she had the stroke she found out that she had ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease which is a form of muscular distrophy. I never knew her before she was in the wheelchair, I took care of her for the last five or six years she was alive. Even then people would stare and shy away from us when ever we went somewhere, I just wish that my sons could have known her as she passed away just four months after my youngest son was born. The chapter reminds me of the way people act when they find out that someone is disabled, like Max is saying that he may not want to be friends with Issac because he is in a wheelchair. Max feels like he would have to worry about Issac all the time he’s with him and his friends, he said he doesn’t think he will be able to keep up with them due to the fact that they’re very active and into sports. The thing that I got was that Max would like to be friends with Issac except he doesn’t know if he could handle being around him because he has enough to keep his mind going all the time. Issac understands that and hopes that they could be friends even though he’s in the wheelchair, and he’s willing to give him the time to think about it. I’m glad that Issac said that he would still go watch Max play his sport on Saturday.

Is Max an ass or is he just scared? What a dick!

An interesting twist.  

Last line in Max's letter:  "I just, I was expecting my best friend to be in a wheelchair."  Did you mean "wasn't", or am I missing something?

7 minutes ago, Backwoods Boy said:

An interesting twist.  

Last line in Max's letter:  "I just, I was expecting my best friend to be in a wheelchair."  Did you mean "wasn't", or am I missing something?

Ah yes, it was supposed to be wasn’t, sometimes after 3 edits, my eyes begin to miss mistakes. There is only so many times one can look at their own writing before it turns to crap if you catch my drift lol. Thanks though, I’ll correct this now so I know it’s one less mistake during publishing.

7 minutes ago, D.K. Daniels said:

Ah yes, it was supposed to be wasn’t, sometimes after 3 edits, my eyes begin to miss mistakes. There is only so many times one can look at their own writing before it turns to crap if you catch my drift lol. Thanks though, I’ll correct this now so I know it’s one less mistake during publishing.

How well I know.  One thing I always do is edit a printed copy (usually several times) before I post.  I always find more that way than on a computer screen.  

Awesome chapter.

37 minutes ago, Backwoods Boy said:

How well I know.  One thing I always do is edit a printed copy (usually several times) before I post.  I always find more that way than on a computer screen.  

I don’t like to waste paper, I care very much about the environment, so I don’t use excessive amounts of it can be avoided. The purpose of recycling is not to  increase the amount to recycle, but to decrease dependence from over using. If I must use print outs, it is the last edit I will do before a publication for paid. However, since what I write is my first draft here on Gayauthors, I tend to skip that step.at the rate I write, I’d use way to much paper, and that would torture my soul knowing I didn’t need to use paper, unless it was purposeful. Though all to their own, don’t get me started about post-it notes. I make up for paper in post-it’s. I have a head like a sieve.

11 hours ago, mfa607 said:

Wow! Amazing chapter. Thank you. 

Thanks, I’m delighted that you are enjoying the story. I hope you continue to stop by when posts are made

8 hours ago, Tonyr said:

Is Max an ass or is he just scared? What a dick!

Perhaps he’s just scared, I guess we’ll find out soon enough what sort of person he is. Though Im glad that it provoked a reaction that you questioned Max’s reaction.

43 minutes ago, chris191070 said:

Awesome chapter.

Glad the chapter was entertaining  I hope love the rest of the story equally

Thank you for this story. You keep adding depth to it and I certainly want to see where this is going. 

11 hours ago, D.K. Daniels said:

I don’t like to waste paper, I care very much about the environment, so I don’t use excessive amounts of it can be avoided. The purpose of recycling is not to  increase the amount to recycle, but to decrease dependence from over using. If I must use print outs, it is the last edit I will do before a publication for paid. However, since what I write is my first draft here on Gayauthors, I tend to skip that step.at the rate I write, I’d use way to much paper, and that would torture my soul knowing I didn’t need to use paper, unless it was purposeful. Though all to their own, don’t get me started about post-it notes. I make up for paper in post-it’s. I have a head like a sieve.

Some of the guys are right about reviewing a print out - it really makes a difference.  I write electronic documents all the time - we are blind to details in our own writing. When I print it out to read, I always find things that suddenly appear obvious.  Don't worry about the environment, paper is a crop (wood pulp) and paper yielding trees are planted as a crop, just with a longer time cycle than corn or wheat.  So, if you use paper, you are actually causing MORE trees to be planted. Kind of ironic, eh?  Use of paper is an energy expenditure, its not like people are chopping down forests to make memo pads or anything.

On 3/15/2019 at 1:21 PM, Butcher56 said:

Great chapter. It’s a sad fact that so many people don’t want to be around the disabled, they don’t take the persons feelings into account. I speak from experience because my son has Lymphedema in his right arm which makes it about 5 times what it should look like, I also took care of my grandmother who was confined to a wheelchair due to two factors, one she was the principal at a local elementary school and was in her office when the ceiling caved in on her causing her to have a stroke, two after she had the stroke she found out that she had ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease which is a form of muscular distrophy. I never knew her before she was in the wheelchair, I took care of her for the last five or six years she was alive. Even then people would stare and shy away from us when ever we went somewhere, I just wish that my sons could have known her as she passed away just four months after my youngest son was born. The chapter reminds me of the way people act when they find out that someone is disabled, like Max is saying that he may not want to be friends with Issac because he is in a wheelchair. Max feels like he would have to worry about Issac all the time he’s with him and his friends, he said he doesn’t think he will be able to keep up with them due to the fact that they’re very active and into sports. The thing that I got was that Max would like to be friends with Issac except he doesn’t know if he could handle being around him because he has enough to keep his mind going all the time. Issac understands that and hopes that they could be friends even though he’s in the wheelchair, and he’s willing to give him the time to think about it. I’m glad that Issac said that he would still go watch Max play his sport on Saturday.

I am glad that you enjoyed the chapter, and the story as far. One thing I have noticed is just this; what you have mentioned here. I reckon people just don't want the added responsibility, and I suppose it is a natural human recollection when you are confronted with it at first. Though as many may know, we carry on for the love of the person who may have the problem. They didn't ask for it, just as we didn't. Sadly, some people are more cynical than others and they are too invested in their own self-interests. I think the reason I wrote it into the story was that I thought it was a natural reaction. I reckon if I was put in Max's shoes, I would probably be a little disappointed, for what I do not know. Except, realizing the person needs me, we'd just get on with it. Life is funny sometimes, you can be disappointed, but you push your own self-interests aside. When I first began writing it, I didn't think Isaac was going to be in a wheelchair, I guess I just ended up here. Plus, I am sorry to hear about your grandmother, nobody knows what life can throw at a family or individual. Life is complicated enough, I think that the best thing we can do for humanity is to just keep an open mind. Likewise, with your son, I am delighted that you shared some personal story with me. Only, I am sorry to hear also. For me, I don't have knowledge of family or friends in these circumstances. I presume the only piece I have experienced that rings true to what I have written above, is pushing someone in a wheelchair while playing soccer... aka football. I was about 15, and our school contacted another school that worked alongside teenagers with special needs. All I can remember from the experience was that the kid was a lot lighter than I imagined it was possible to push and run. Though making someone happy is the key, seeing those who do not have the ability: express joy made the experience worthwhile for everyone involved. Therefore, I remained true to the idea that people just need some headspace to open up to a situation, and it may not be in a hypothetical way... it's just they become overwhelmed. Max I believe has a good heart, and he tries really hard to impress people. I'm sure he'll redeem himself, and the true friendship Max and Isaac built will beat his shock and self-interest.

3 hours ago, GanymedeRex said:

Some of the guys are right about reviewing a print out - it really makes a difference.  I write electronic documents all the time - we are blind to details in our own writing. When I print it out to read, I always find things that suddenly appear obvious.  Don't worry about the environment, paper is a crop (wood pulp) and paper yielding trees are planted as a crop, just with a longer time cycle than corn or wheat.  So, if you use paper, you are actually causing MORE trees to be planted. Kind of ironic, eh?  Use of paper is an energy expenditure, its not like people are chopping down forests to make memo pads or anything.

4

Oh, I have no doubt regarding the paper. I prefer to not use it as it is a waste of natural resources if I must edit a story 10 times. I do use print outs, except, it will be the last edit of all. Though thanks. 

5 hours ago, Bleu said:

Thank you for this story. You keep adding depth to it and I certainly want to see where this is going. 

Oh yes, I do like myself some depth and complicated human advances. Thanks for the comment, I thrilled you are enjoying the story

I agree on paper edits - usually I use the screen and only do a printout once.  That printout helps though.

When the two of them started writing due to the project, they likely had no intention of becoming friends.  Friendship is a thing that grows. Sometimes friendship grow into love.  It is no wonder that so many relationships fall apart. They start of with love and sex and skip the friend part.  Yes there were hints given by Issac and maybe Issac didn’t really see how max was expressing himself.  Issac said he is not gay, he likely didn’t see that Max was developing very strong feelings for him. He simply didn’t think that way.  Max is looking for companionship, he is missing out on the love his dominate male figure (dad) should be giving him.  Issac has that love, he even called it overly protective.  I think Max will come around. He is in a bit of a shock right now. He has to make an adjustment.  He is a good guy and will do what is right.  Issac did do what was right too. Rather than just saying, end of project, good buy, he did reveal his true identity.  He could have stayed quiet and left Max always wondering.  Now the author (DK) has the responsibility to give us a satisfactory ending as well. 😊

On 3/18/2019 at 6:23 PM, OzLoGo said:

When the two of them started writing due to the project, they likely had no intention of becoming friends.  Friendship is a thing that grows. Sometimes friendship grow into love.  It is no wonder that so many relationships fall apart. They start of with love and sex and skip the friend part.  Yes there were hints given by Issac and maybe Issac didn’t really see how max was expressing himself.  Issac said he is not gay, he likely didn’t see that Max was developing very strong feelings for him. He simply didn’t think that way.  Max is looking for companionship, he is missing out on the love his dominate male figure (dad) should be giving him.  Issac has that love, he even called it overly protective.  I think Max will come around. He is in a bit of a shock right now. He has to make an adjustment.  He is a good guy and will do what is right.  Issac did do what was right too. Rather than just saying, end of project, good buy, he did reveal his true identity.  He could have stayed quiet and left Max always wondering.  Now the author (DK) has the responsibility to give us a satisfactory ending as well. 😊

I'll agree I didn't plan on making them friends either, they just spoke and spoke and soon, a friendship blossomed. I think I kind of ran into this project a little blindsided like I seem to do with some of my stories. Though once I figured out that they were two different peer groups, I wanted to showcase the two complete polar opposites that each of the boys really wanted from life, and the other counterpart had that. In a way, I think it was some of these absences and desires that grew on the boys after a while and helped with developing the friendship they have established. I guessed around chapter 4-8, that the boys were only going to be friends, and that this was not going to be a normal love story, instead, a friendship one. At times, I had a little difficulty writing primarily from a narrow viewpoint, because all my friendships have been primarily made in the real world so it was a new experience even for me. I hope now with the ending in sight, that it carries on the boy's friendship, but ends the letters, and that folks can imagine a future where the boys will go far after the story has it's cut off point.