*collapses onto the forum*
Episode... huff... 42 is... done... and posted!But seriously this was very very hard for me to write. This is the chapter I’ve been building up to for a very, very, very long time. The flow of the conversation between Robynne and Uncle Taylor was something that has had me pacing about my room talking to myself for well over a year now. I tried my best for it flow, to jive, and to work. It’s just hard to make something like trying to convince your family that you’ve changed gender while you were gone seem like a normal conversation. It’s just not normal and never will be.
As you read it, just know I threw in some tidbits to try and give hints and reasons for some of Robynne's previous actions and attitudes. Some are more subtle than others. Feel free to point things out in our reviews
***SPOILERS***
One of the things I did to try to make this conversation more real is giving people full names when telling a story. I don’t know what it is about being a teenager in middle school, but I knew everyone’s first and last names. Maybe it was because of roll call at the beginning of class each year but I knew everyone’s last names and in stories I just always remember using the full names when talking to adults.
I debated back and forth what I should make Uncle Taylor’s occupation. I finally settled on dental hygienist because… well it’s not a bad paying job. It actually pays out fairly well and it has good job security to it. I guess I liked it most though because it helped display the sacrifice Taylor went to in raising Robert. He wanted to be a dentist (much more lucrative) but ultimately settled for less so he could pay the bills. It wasn’t the steepest reduction in pay, but it shows sacrifice I think.
I really loved Taylor’s reaction at the very end. For some reason “Huh” is the only response that made sense to me. I mean, what can you really say to that? It’s just crazy but it’s true. “Huh” was the best response! If anyone else says otherwise they are dirty, filthy, liars! Liars I say!
***END SPOILERS***
I hope this chapter lives up to your expectations. I know it was kind of going to be hard to live up to so if something didn't jive for you, feel free to comment on it. Emotions are the hardest thing for me to convey in writing so any suggestions or even just observations really help me improve.
Now I'm friggin' gonna eat somethin'!