The opening scene is so beautiful and wonderfully written. Jared and Jensen walking down the street, occasionally brushing until Jared finally gave in and took Jensen’s hand in his. And Jensen pulling the hoodie down so that Jared could see his face, and it’s totally understandable that Jared couldn’t resist kissing Jensen. I laughed out loud though when Jensen told Jared that kissing wasn’t talking. I love these two!!
But then Jensen fled! I understand his reaction to finding out what Jared and Jeff had discussed, but… no!!!
I didn’t think Jensen ran because of any delusions, but fear that he was going to be locked up again. He stated before that if that happened, he wouldn’t survive it this time, which makes me think that he suffered some kind of abuse when he was previously locked up. And then when Jeff confirmed my fears that Jensen had been held at a mental facility - and, oh gosh, it was a municipal facility and for six months! - that pretty much did it for me. I couldn’t blame Jensen for running!
And I could feel Jeff’s sorrow at losing a part of his brother to medication. This was written so well, so true (I had a cousin who was mentally ill and this section reminded me so much of him - his creativity and his humor - he went off his meds and unfortunately it ended in the most tragic of ways):
“I get it, Jay. I do. I miss my brother sometimes. My real brother. The way he is on the medication … it’s not the same. Sure, it makes for a sane existence. No more impromptu treasure hunts or quests for holy artifacts or conversations with the shadow people.
No witches or curses. Ordinary life walking my beat is hard to compete with all that. But I also don’t have to go to sleep worrying every night if some human monster is forcing himself on my brother while he’s battling the gnomes that came to life in the yard next door.”
You really blew me away with this chapter. It is hard to love someone with a mental illness (my dad also suffers from one). The part about the medications, that it’s really just trying to find what works best for each person, is so true. It’s a lot of trial and error and it’s not easy watching someone you love suffer through all that.
I’m glad that Jeff shared with Jared about Joel and Seth, and I certainly understand Jared not wanting to think of himself as Seth, but I still think that Jared got it right in the first place. Jensen is not mentally ill, that his problems are more physical, that Jensen does believe that a witch cursed him - if that happened (the curse) right before whatever caused Jensen’s physical injuries, then that’s what may have caused it to become ‘real’ for Jensen. His last cognitive memory.
I’m not surprised that when Jared found his own apartment, he made sure there would be a place for Jensen. It wouldn’t have made sense if he didn’t do that. Jensen is already so much a part of him. And yay! He gets to finally adopt Sadie. :)
I was surprised at Chad but so very happy that he seems to care about Jared and felt remorse for calling the cops on Jensen. But most of all - he saw Jensen!!! And he went out specifically to find Jensen, and he gave him an apple. I want to hug Chad!
Interesting dinner between Jared, Jeff and Joel. I wasn’t surprised that Joel had seen Seth as Jeff had described how close they had been, and that they always seemed to find each other. And, oh wow, this part:
Joel stared hard at his brother. “You’re wrong. I’m not talking about the monsters. But he sure as hell needs saving. I just … don’t know if I can. Not every fairy tale ends happy.” Glowing, cat-like eyes bore into Jared suddenly. “You understand, don’t you? I see it in you. You know.”
But then Jensen fled! I understand his reaction to finding out what Jared and Jeff had discussed, but… no!!!
I didn’t think Jensen ran because of any delusions, but fear that he was going to be locked up again. He stated before that if that happened, he wouldn’t survive it this time, which makes me think that he suffered some kind of abuse when he was previously locked up. And then when Jeff confirmed my fears that Jensen had been held at a mental facility - and, oh gosh, it was a municipal facility and for six months! - that pretty much did it for me. I couldn’t blame Jensen for running!
And I could feel Jeff’s sorrow at losing a part of his brother to medication. This was written so well, so true (I had a cousin who was mentally ill and this section reminded me so much of him - his creativity and his humor - he went off his meds and unfortunately it ended in the most tragic of ways):
“I get it, Jay. I do. I miss my brother sometimes. My real brother. The way he is on the medication … it’s not the same. Sure, it makes for a sane existence. No more impromptu treasure hunts or quests for holy artifacts or conversations with the shadow people.
No witches or curses. Ordinary life walking my beat is hard to compete with all that. But I also don’t have to go to sleep worrying every night if some human monster is forcing himself on my brother while he’s battling the gnomes that came to life in the yard next door.”
You really blew me away with this chapter. It is hard to love someone with a mental illness (my dad also suffers from one). The part about the medications, that it’s really just trying to find what works best for each person, is so true. It’s a lot of trial and error and it’s not easy watching someone you love suffer through all that.
I’m glad that Jeff shared with Jared about Joel and Seth, and I certainly understand Jared not wanting to think of himself as Seth, but I still think that Jared got it right in the first place. Jensen is not mentally ill, that his problems are more physical, that Jensen does believe that a witch cursed him - if that happened (the curse) right before whatever caused Jensen’s physical injuries, then that’s what may have caused it to become ‘real’ for Jensen. His last cognitive memory.
I’m not surprised that when Jared found his own apartment, he made sure there would be a place for Jensen. It wouldn’t have made sense if he didn’t do that. Jensen is already so much a part of him. And yay! He gets to finally adopt Sadie. :)
I was surprised at Chad but so very happy that he seems to care about Jared and felt remorse for calling the cops on Jensen. But most of all - he saw Jensen!!! And he went out specifically to find Jensen, and he gave him an apple. I want to hug Chad!
Interesting dinner between Jared, Jeff and Joel. I wasn’t surprised that Joel had seen Seth as Jeff had described how close they had been, and that they always seemed to find each other. And, oh wow, this part:
Joel stared hard at his brother. “You’re wrong. I’m not talking about the monsters. But he sure as hell needs saving. I just … don’t know if I can. Not every fairy tale ends happy.” Glowing, cat-like eyes bore into Jared suddenly. “You understand, don’t you? I see it in you. You know.”
Jared swallowed. “Know what?”
“How to love.”
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