[LJ Idol 10: Week 9 Runoff] And the Damage Done

[cheshire23]

[Content Warning]
Content Warning: Car accident, life-threatening injuries to non-major characters, sports-related concussions, police mentioned


I.

Melissa was fine.  Physically.

Mentally?  Well, it was going to be hard to get past the part where she wrecked her new car on the way home from a seminar on Work-Life Balance for New Teachers

Comments

[murielle]

Well done! A topical topic, caringly and carefully shared. Touching, and enlightening.

[cheshire23]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[halfshellvenus]

I liked how you planted all the seeds of that final secret, without revealing the details until the end.

And I can understand why that topic and those implications would forever be a touchy subject for Katie. The aftermath of that incident must have been brutal, on top of how hard she was probably blaming herself.

[cheshire23]

Yeah, pretty horrible to suddenly see yourself in the news as "name being withheld because of her age" and so forth. To say nothing of all the rest of it. Definitely a touchy subject.

[swirlsofblue]

Love this, especially the way you twine Katie's past throughout the build of the piece, hinting at things, and it's such a gut punch. Love the way it comes back round in that final line.

[cheshire23]

Yeah, she's a bit indignant at her girlfriend, but for a lot of good reasons.

[tonithegreat]

Aw. This was delightful! Two relatable characters and a lot of story without it feeling like so much exposition. Bravo!

[cheshire23]

Thanks!

These two might make more appearances if the right topics come along. :)

[flipflop_diva]

Wow, this was great! I couldn't stop reading. So sad, but so well written, and it all felt very, very real.

[cheshire23]

I'm glad you liked it!