Discuss current stories **THERE BE SPOILERS!!**

[Celeste]

So here's my week-late commentary:

I honestly never got the feeling that Sam is using Chris. I feel like the sex scene was really one-sided, but it wasn't just because Sam is a dev. I think it could be equally attributed to the fact that Chris is kind of awkward (and we already know he doesn't like PDAs). I don't know, I just think it's a really realistic story and not everything should turn out perfectly the first time.

But Sam obviously likes him for things other than his disability. I mean, gosh, look how adorably nerdy they always are together (um, axial tilt scene in the museum?). I just really like this story and where it's going. Thank you!

[Deleted]

I think this update helped smooth things over a ton. It helped me to see the balance in their relationship. It showed the care Sam tries to put into the relationship - but also how they are both holding so much back from one another.

Sorry that I was pushy...I understand now what you are doing with this story and I think it is a really good idea. Just keeping the balance between having Sam be "creepy" and "realistically dev-typical" and likeable to readers (because face-it: as devs we all want to think the best of ourselves) - but this chapter is really helping with that.

[janewheeler]

It's interesting: this story really reminded me about the differences between my own dev experiences and those of many others on this board. I haven't had such strong dev tendencies that they've gotten in the way of finding a longterm, satisfying relationship. I haven't gotten as far as telling a friend in person so she nudges me about it every time she sees a guy in a chair.

But particularly with these last few sections, I've seen how this story has done a good job of reflecting that kind of reality, which isn't usually discussed.

So... if this isn't the story for me, that's no big deal. But even if I still don't think it reflects my own experiences, it's kind of nice to see that other people are confirming that it reflects THEIR truth.

[Celeste]

Loved the new update! It's definitely realistic (and I can relate to it) because I'm so afraid of having family members connect the dots about my devoteeism. Although I feel like if I had a boyfriend that perfectly nerdy and adorable I would be telling everyone.

And I can totally relate to having friends that know about it. Because I do. You know, we'll be at a sleepover and one girl will be talking about her steady boyfriend, the next will be talking about her crush on Jarvis Cocker, and I'll be gushing about how I found a picture with four young Australian Paralympic athletes in it. So I definitely make a connection with the "you like redheads, I like wheelchair users" thing.

Anyways, love it as usual. Thanks again!

[janewheeler]

I've told a close friend... but she's a close Internet friend. We know all about each others' lives, and on occasion we call and text (mostly when in dressing rooms ). But it's not the same as being somewhere with someone in person.

As I've said before, all I get is my husband telling me not to leave him for Patton Oswalt and his character from Young Adult *giggle*

[Pigeon]

Parents are what terrify me! I mean, the handful of friends I've told all just sort of hugged me (in person or via the internet) and pointed out that they have their kinks too and just want me to be happy... One may or may not have then gotten me drunk to celebrate my "growing up". But parents? scary... Especially after my sister came out last year (she's not a dev... but it was an ... interesting ... series of discussions).
So, I don't blame Sam for hiding Chris at all, because it doesn't take much to put two and two together. Even though he is fantastic and nerdy and just a real guy. Of course, somehow I doubt Chris would see it that way?

[Inigo Montoya]

I'm going to share... I've done it before, did it last night and then took it down... and I always get these horrified responses. (OMG!!! You told???) But I told my mom. It just seemed the sensible thing to do at the time. Early on here, I had a (VERY embarrassing) tendency to think that I was in deeper with guys here than I actually was. (Played, played played... Did I mention super embarrassing?) And so, at the point that I was going to fly out to meet a guy, I just told her. (She and I have this deal that when I'm traveling to meet internet peeps, for the sake of her ax-murderer paranoia, I give her all the info I have about them.) At that point he was the second guy in a row, with a disability, that she knew about.

I had been horrified at the idea that she might figure it out. I had hidden books from her... made sure that I bought other books that didn't have dis heroes. Etc. So, when I felt it was time to tell, I was extremely nervous. But then, it was incredibly anti-climactic. And she kind of already knew... because, idk, maybe y'all are better at hiding a life-long interest in disability than I am. I truly suck at stealth. But her response was, literally, "Oh, well, that explains a lot." Since then, I learned from her that when I was too young to have the motor skills for it, she helped me bandage my dolls arms and legs. We've also had other discussions... like why is it that many disabled people are anti-dev, etc. But maybe my mom is just super cool that way?

Anyway, it now makes things much, much easier that she knows. I haven't discussed it with my dad... mainly because I'm pretty sure that he still couldn't sit through a sex scene in a movie with me... the relationships differ. But it's a huge relief that, should the occasion arise, I could take home as many guys in wheelchairs as I chose. At this point, I'm pretty sure the occasion ISN'T going to arise at all. So, you could say it was all in vain.

When I date, I still date AB guys. And my mother encourages that... to not shut myself off from a population of men... but, at my advanced age, I think her main concern is that I find a good man who loves me. I don't think she cares too much about what variety he comes in.

**** I am sharing this, not to imply that anyone else should tell their parents, but rather to show that it might not be the horrible thing that you imagine if they found out. Then again, it might be, I don't know your parents. Also, I'm old. I was in my late 30s when I told my mom. And I'm also not horrified at the idea (or knowledge) that my parents still have an active sex life. So, anyway, just sharing.

[Pigeon]

(1) Inigo, you're lucky.
(2) Fantastic new chapter. I HATE Chris's mom so much (maybe partially because she reminds me of my ex's mom...)
(3) I can't believe Sam hasn't introduced him to her parents and she's moving!!! That's going to be a fantastically fun conversation when it comes up.
(4) What about her job? (Sorry... practical concerns. Also not in love).

[alexa2010]

I love the new chapter.
It's great that she will move with him!
I'm curious how she will tell her parents and how they react!!

[Inigo Montoya]

I think it's a great chapter. Yes, unfortunate things happen. No, it's not handled great... but that's one of the reasons I like your stories. And, well, things like that happen.

I wonder if Sam's mom considers him not so attractive because of the way that lots of people look at w/c users. Don't I remember Sam talking... yes I do... Here's the quote...

Not just that, he's young, maybe early thirties, and he is freaking adorable. Not rugged handsome like Patrick maybe, just really just so cute. He's got a plaid shirt on and glasses, and he's got this cute nerd thing going on that I've always found really compelling. Glasses especially are something I always have found very sexy. Maybe because they’re sort of like a wheelchair for the eyes. Glasses on a guy who’s already in a wheelchair is like a double bonus.

Her initial impression does talk about the reasons she's attracted to him BESIDES the wheelchair.

[Inigo Montoya]

Well, and her mom had a huge crush on Patrick, right?

[janewheeler]

Aw, Chris, it'll be okay!

Just... please don't let that "one thing" she can do end up being "take a pee of my own and say that I wet the bed and now we're even." It's been done

[Pigeon]

Mar 5, 2013 2:02:42 GMT -5 janewheeler said:

Just... please don't let that "one thing" she can do end up being "take a pee of my own and say that I wet the bed and now we're even." It's been done

+1

I'm going to contend that wetting the bed is better than having your period because pee comes out without a stain and can be neutralized pretty easily... Also that at some point in everyone's lives, they've wet a bed at someone else's house. I know Chris probably won't appreciate my logic, but it's still there.

[alexa2010]

I can't say anything to No. 3! But it seems that 1 and 2 happened to most of us! So embarassing!

[janewheeler]

This is TOTAL TMI, but once I had sex with a guy at what I thought was the tail end of my period... and either it wasn't or the sex made it more obvious, because WOW was it all over the place the next morning. For some reason it looked like I had peed AND had a crimson tidal wave. Ouch.

Haven't done it since