It's the Octopus that makes me nauseous every time. I used to be able to ride anything when I was Justin's age, but now as old as Ron-I can't enjoy an amusement park any more. Oh well, had to end sometime. I like how you worked the word "outside" in this chapter. Way back when i was a newly wed we would go to those North Carolina Festivals. My favorite was the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival. You described it well
All those little town have their festivals -- Old Fashioned Days or Heritage Days. I'm basing a lot of this on ones I've been to mainly in Virginia and North Carolina. I love that stuff.
But then he grinned. As much as he liked being Brian's equal in their relationship -- and Justin had no doubt that they were equal in every way -- it also gave him a thrill when Brian acted like a tough guy. When he put on his big, bad jocker persona and laid down the law to Justin. Then Brian held his head a little higher. Walked with more of a swagger. And also fucked with more aggression and hunger, like he had when they were still in the Quad. As much as Justin loved the sweet and vulnerable Brian, he had to admit that the hard-edged, slightly dangerous Brian excited the hell out of him. I love this!
Columbia South Carolina has a festival called the Okra Strutt. A friend from Ohio came with me once- all excited to eat fried okra- which is not exactly good for you but...I was raised on the stuff- after one taste- she wasn't exactly impressed, LOL. (But her dog thought it was a delightful treat.)
Well I liked this chapter a lot. For one you mingle the slight Jenny problem with the festival and make the whole experience less perfect, but something they can manage together and survive. =) I liked your word play with outside, too!
Thanks Gael for this chapter. B cuts in on J's confusion and disgust with the real chance - he sees that this can enable him to separate himself and J from Jennifer and Ron - they have unwittingly played into his hands - he replays how it was between him and J inside, the only way he is sure of operating. Although he refers to 'outside' and no bars around the moon he is emphasising that he and J are one together with invisible 'bars' around them in their loving relationship - separate from the oldies. Not inside but thrown together just as much and intensely as if they were inside. I'm so clumsy at describing how I see this chapter - and your writing is so graceful - great!
The bit about his old room - not only prison itself moulded him but his parents rejection of him - I wonder if he'll ever catch up with them at all???!!!
Brian is still trying to process being outside after a decade in prison. He's literally a stranger in a strange land. He and Justin cling to each other out of love, but also out of a powerful need -- and shared experience.
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Days or Heritage Days. I'm basing a lot of this on ones
I've been to mainly in Virginia and North Carolina. I
love that stuff.
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I love the slightly dangerous Brian, too!
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Thank you. Took me 2 ½ days to get caught up... I hardly slept at all.
I love the slightly dangerous Brian, too!
What's not to love! It's like dark bread, made of something other than air.
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Very nice- glad the boys are on the outside now.
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I liked your word play with outside, too!
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The bit about his old room - not only prison itself moulded him but his parents rejection of him - I wonder if he'll ever catch up with them at all???!!!
Thanks again Gael.
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a decade in prison. He's literally a stranger in a
strange land. He and Justin cling to each other out
of love, but also out of a powerful need -- and
shared experience.
Reply
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