timestamp meme

[cynthia_arrow]

Give me one of my own stories, and a timestamp sometime in the future after the end of the story, or sometime in the past before the story started, and I'll write you at least a hundred words of what happened then, whether it's five minutes before the story started or ten years in the future.I might ramble at you, storyteller-like, or I might write

Comments

[cynthia_arrow]

Ooh, that's a tough one. (In general, this is tough. Even though it's my story, I feel like the only knowable parts are the ones that were written. For everything else, any smart reader's guess is as good as mine. :) )

I imagine not much has changed in James's life, and in fact in some ways his life might've changed only for the worse. He's got these feelings, things he can't ignore or shut out anymore, but I suspect he doesn't know how to pursue anything, mainly because he still doesn't quite know what he wants. It was probably easier when all his doubts and questions were shadowy and nebulous, rather than the new certainties he has. But I hope those are certainties, and they do change him--and through him other people, maybe, at least on a small scale.

Jack, on the other hand, had something like a breakthrough in Alabama. Sure, he's probably just as frustrated as ever about the war and what he's doing as a protester, but maybe he's a little more secure about himself, perhaps even a little more open-minded, too. I think he's probably in a relationship, with someone stubborn and horribly secure. He's maybe finally broken from his parents (which does give him some heartburn, and he's working on that). And hopefully there's been some word on Marc, over in Vietnam.

But I don't know that the two of them, James and Jack, ever see each other again. I think it would be easier for them not to try, unfortunately. Gah, boys. :(

[fosfomifira]

I'm terribly sorry that it took me so long to get back to you. Bad days and all that, not much of an excuse.

I wanted to thank you for indulging me. It wasn't until after I hit post that I realized that I should have asked something easier, but this story really stuck with me and I wanted to hear more about Jack and James, all the time knowing that a happy ending wasn't likely for them. *gets teary*

I can see Jack finally breaking free from his parents and what a world of good that'd do for him, like being in a relationship, allowing himself to be more himself, if that make any sense. As for James, it breaks my heart, but it rings true, what you say about his certainties and the pain they bring him. I think he, unlike Jack, wasn't and isn't yet ready for change. Makes me wonder what would get him to change for good, or if that's not in the cards for him. And though I agree that Jack and James meeting again wouldn't make things easier for them, well, they don't do easy, do they?

Again, thank you so much for this little insight and again, I'm so sorry I didn't get back to you sooner.