Wednesday, November 07, 2007

A favor for a friend



In the morning Rex dropped me off at Jake's house. Jake already had his motorcycle out in the driveway and was working on it with some tools. I hoped that it was just some last-minute adjustments and not that something was wrong.

"Thanks for doing this, man," said Rex.

"No problem," said Jake. "Like I said, I was planning to ride to Vegas one of these days anyway."

Then Rex turned to me and sighed. "Good luck," he said. "And try to... try to have some fun on this trip if that's at all possible."

"Thanks," I said.

"Don't worry about Mom and Dad," said Rex. "I'll take care of damage control on the home front if anything happens." Then he got back in the car and left. Read the rest of the story ->

8 comments:

mathmom said...

I really like Jake's character here. He's honest, he has integrity. He is not avoiding having sex because he is not interested (or self-righteously pretending to not be interested), but because he can put it (and the consequences) in perspective with the rest of both their lives. What a great contrast with Walter and his "righteousness" and thoughtlessness.

Do you think that Jill's attitude toward sex is related to her mormon background, or do you think it is typical of modern 15 year olds?

C. L. Hanson said...

Hey Mathmom!!!

Yep, I'm very far from being a promoter of abstinence only, but sexual behavior can have all sorts of different consequences, and being able to think it through and behave responsibly isn't just a question of high/low libido.

As far as teen attitudes towards sex are concerned, I would guess that Mormon teens' attitudes aren't very different from teens in other religions that preach strict chastity.

Paul Sunstone said...

I agree with Mathmom. Jake has the integrity Walter lacks.

Chanson: "...I would guess that Mormon teens' attitudes aren't very different from teens in other religions that preach strict chastity."

That would be my guess too. The few kids I've known who were raised that way are very similar in their attitudes towards sex as the kids you portray here.

This story has really got me hooked on it. There's something to be said for publishing in installments -- it gives you plenty of time for mulling over the last installment and really thinking things through.

C. L. Hanson said...

Thanks Paul!!!

I like this format for publishing as well, particularly given my fondness for blogging! :D

Anonymous said...

I'm not even affiliated with LDS anything, and I find this quite a fun read, and this is coming from someone who reads 99% non fiction.

Or is this non fiction? LOL.

Good work :)

C. L. Hanson said...

Thanks MXRacer652!!!

It's fiction, but like much fiction, it's kinda reality-based... ;^)

Lynet said...

Awww... Jake is awesome!

C. L. Hanson said...

Hey Lynet!!!

Glad you like him! :D