A Way With Words - Chapter 36

[soulan]

This chapter is taking a while to get right. I’m still working on the B part but I’m posting this half because it’s ready and it’s a bit long anyway.

Comments

[sjmarv]

You do such a wonderful job of creating the scenes in each chapter. I've never been to Boston, but I feel like I would recognize so many places through this story. It would be great if I could run into as many incarnations of Jack Twist as AWWW's Ennis does!

It feels so right that the puzzle of who he really is falls into place as Ennis sees Jack's full smile - knowing what he feels for Kaj, preparing himself for what that trip will mean and how it will change his relationship with Jay. There's still some distance yet for him to travel before he knows it's not Kaj, but Jack who is his true love.

Will Part B introduce us to Elliott? Is it fear of HIV and AIDS from Elliott's death that kept Ennis so long in the dark about hi true nature? Looking forward to Part B!

Susan

[soulan]

Ennis has to learn some lessons through Kaj before he can connect with Jack. In a way, this is a MO!Every Character story.

Elliot will make his appearance in another part B, but not the one that goes with this chapter. Fear of AIDS is one factor in Ennis' denial, though not the only one.

I hope you manage to visit Boston someday. I haven't seen the movie The Town but another reader who did says she recognized a lot of landmarks mentioned in this story, notably the Citgo sign. :)

felt like I was with them

[joetheone]

You did a wonderful image of everything as you always do and I felt as if I was right with them on their shoulders hearing smelling and experiencing their emotions. Jack is just as confused by Ennis as Ennis is confused about him. I feel it and wonder. The relationship triangle they have is something very real for so many and the coming out of that triangle is difficult to say the least. I have a feeling jay will come out of it better in the long run although hurt and disappointed in the beginning. I so long for a trip to Boston every time I read this I was just up in May and August so should not long for it but your story makes me want to escape. Although I spend most of my time north of the city in Newburyport when in the area. Oh well longing memories and cold winters make me happy although living along Lake Erie is no spring either. Joe

Re: felt like I was with them

[soulan]

You've got a point about it being a triangle - no pun intended! Nor had I been thinking about that as I made all the references to triangles in the story. Right now Ennis and Jack are each preoccupied with someone else, but also intrigued with and confused about the other without wanting to show it.

Spring was my least favorite season in Boston. It felt like a long, drawn out extension of winter with maybe two weeks of truly springlike weather before summer hit. When the boyfriend who became my husband came over from London to visit me in April, we went to an evening game at Fenway and absolutely froze.

[mariez65]

"Be sure and wear white," Ennis said before hanging up, "or they won't let you watch."

LOL. Seriously, how can anyone resist this guy? And he got the corners of Jack's mouth to twitch - I'm going to count that as progress!

There was no puzzle here, no. The picture was a seamless whole, not isolated pieces he could explain away.

Wow. I love how you - and Ennis - pull everything together here.

He could feel Elliot's cold skin under his hands, saw Jay's paper mask soaked with tears.

There has never been a time in history when it has been easy for a gay man to come out, isn't easy today - but the 1980s... damn. Your usual excellent writing - thanks for posting this part :)

[soulan]

That puzzle is still sitting on the coffee table, inspiring me. LOL (We're going to put in away on New Year's Eve.)

[ramona4jake]

What is happening with Jack ? He's just a shadow.... like he almost lost his soul ! And Ennis wants to what - come out ?! Not that is a bad thing....
Thank you, cannot wait to find out more, especially about Jack !

[soulan]

You may find Jack excruciatingly slow to reveal everything about himself. It will all come out in a rush in about a year from now (in story time).

[crackcoffee]

Still reading, still enjoying. Thanks for posting, can't wait for part B.