Hi all,

I hope you're all doing well and that the weather is nice wherever you are.  Things are a bit windy here but the sun is out!

Since last I wrote, the JABB web site issue has been resolved... for now.  Frankly, the whole thing was so irritating that I plan to look for a new web host once I have enough time to devote to it.  After the initial fix, I did find a few odd things that needed attention but, as of right now, if there are any issues... I don't know about them.  So please tell me if you're perusing around the web site and notice anything awry. 

Because of that and some other personal issues, I just haven't had the motivation or energy to write.  So clearly my goal of finishing "The Advocate" in the first quarter of this year didn't happen.  So I'm not giving myself a deadline.  It'll get finished when it gets finished.  To be clear, I'm doing pretty good.  There's just been some issues at work, most notably the death of a co-worker which was really shocking and still doesn't seem entirely real.  On a much lighter note, I'm also finding my creative energies more focused on my house just now.  It's been kind of nice doing fixer up tasks that have nothing to do with mice.  It's also probably better for my epilepsy that I not stare at a screen all the time.  But still...  I wish the writing came easier.

The most annoying part is I have so many scenes that are so vivid in my head.  It's not that I'm at a loss for ideas.  It's just the sitting down and typing it out that's hard.  Not for the first time, I've found myself wishing I could download my brain into text form.  That being said, I think part of my malaise is also some doubt.  "The Advocate" is very much an "Aslan is not a tame lion" sort of story.  In the past, I've made it clear that Joshua is very disappointed in and angry at a given story's antagonists.  But I've not spent much time showing that.  I just kinda write them off.  I think I literally put Joccy's dad on a bus.  But I feel like this story requires for Joshua to be more forceful and, yes, a little untamed.  Because the antagonists in this story are actually trying to replace him.  They may not see it that way.  And, of course, they can't really do that.  But, for me, that just adds a whole other layer to their other hateful, harmful behavior.  I don't know that I want to say it's the darkest story I've written.  There are some really lovely, gentle, beautiful moments... but there's also a scene roughly inspired by Yellowjackets.  To be clear, no one is getting eaten.  But there is a pretty freaky, grisly scene involving some eldritch woods.  And figuring out how I want to write Joshua in the midst of all of that is kind of daunting.  And lest anyone worry... nothing bad happens to Joshua in the woods.  They're his woods.  ;-) 

Anyway, maybe sending the opening scene out will prompt something.  Until next time...

God bless,
Jenni

The Opening Scene of "The Advocate"
Sunday, April 3rd, 2022

Shortly after midnight, Joshua stood on Willowveil's top balcony, admiring the full moon and the starry sky.  He tore his gaze away when he heard footsteps approaching.  Smiling, he waved Joccy and Takoda over.

"Here.  You look like you could use a drink... by which I mean spiced milk."  Takoda held a mug out to Joshua.

"Thank you.  I really could," Joshua agreed before taking a sip.

Joccy set her own mug down on a patio table and hugged Joshua.

"So much is happening..."

"It is," Joshua confirmed.

"So... to recap... we have one former demon who can now live peacefully with his human boyfriend.  That's a plus.  The Scribe of Heaven is on hiatus, that's something..." Takoda shook his head.  "The Twelve are back... that's good.  And some rogue church has decided to go full Christofascist.  That's... really bad."  He squeezed Joshua's shoulder.  "So... what can we do for you?"

"Tell me something good?" Joshua requested after kissing Joccy's hair.

"Well..."  Joccy gave Joshua another affectionate squeeze then moved to stand beside Takoda.  "We had an interesting discussion with Adam in between shows."

"Oh?"

Takoda looped his arm around Joccy's waist and nodded.

"So...  Since he's basically living full-time in Albany, he's just not been making it back to Tourkia as often as he would want to ensure nothing goes wrong... like with the plumbing or stuff like that.  So... he suggested, and only if you approved, of course, that maybe Joccy and I could... live there.  Together," Takoda explained.

Joshua grinned over the rim of his cup.

"Hmm."

"Nothing would really change!" Joccy assured.  "I mean... we wouldn't act differently.  We know what's allowed and what's not and we're both very fine with that.  It... well, it would just be nice to not have to worry about little ones suddenly bursting into our room when we're, well..."

"Canoodling?" Joshua suggested helpfully.

"Yeah... umm... that..." Takoda agreed before letting out a nervous chuckle.  "We're very... extremely... grateful to Andrew and JenniAnn for putting us up for so long.  And we still intend to visit Willowveil regularly!  Definitely once Bible study resumes.  We miss leading the kids' class.  But this would just give us a chance to help Adam out and... and just see how we handle ourselves.  On our own."

"I mean the only expense we'd really have is for food.  And I can handle that with what Vincent pays me for helping in the nursery," Joccy assured.

"And what I get from when I help Andrew out with his carpentry," Takoda added.

Joshua nodded.

"Sounds like you've given a lot of thought to this."

The couple nodded.

"Are you wanting a blessing?" Joshua asked.

Joccy and Takoda exchanged another look before the former spoke.

"Eventually.  Yes.  But... we haven't decided how yet.  I... I would prefer something intimate.  Like Andrew's and JenniAnn's first one.  But I know that would crush my mom and sister."

"I would like Wahkan to be there," Takoda requested.  "And I feel like it's only right we invite Andrew and JenniAnn after all the help they've given us."

"And then Vincent, too, by the same token...  And Kelly.  And Mary, Lucius, Jemima, Serge, and Bach...  Okay, so I'm not sure."  Joccy frowned.  "So we've not figured that out."

"Well, think about it.  And both is always an option," Joshua offered.  "In the meantime...  I think it's a good idea."

Joccy and Takoda beamed.

"Really?!" the former exclaimed.

Joshua laughed.

"Of course.  I mean... I was fine with Ed and Steve living together for these past three years.  Even Andrew and JenniAnn were living together before their first ceremony.  And you've already been sharing a room.  And... you might as well move while I'm here.  Adam's right.  The upkeep on the house has suffered.  There'll be a couple doors to plane.  Probably some squeaky cupboards to oil.  Adam took some of the shelving to Albany so those will need to be replaced.  Abi will be around, too, so..."

Both Joccy and Takoda enthusiastically embraced Joshua. 

"Thank you, Joshua."  Takoda squeezed his hand.  "But we're not putting you to work.  You have enough..."

"I'd like to," Joshua interrupted.  "I really would.  Shelves are easy.  Predictable.  It'll be nice to have that sort of escape.  And I know they'll be appreciated."  He cupped Joccy's cheek.  "We'll figure something nice out for your snow globe collection.  They've been boxed up long enough."

"That would be nice..." Joccy affirmed.

Joshua nodded then turned to look back out at the stars and moon.

"Things...  You're right, Takoda.  Christofascist is the word but... it's even more than that.  'Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves'...  They'd be safer with a wolf.  A wolf can destroy the body... but it can't damage the soul, the spirit."

Joccy and Takoda exchanged concerned looks. 

"Joshua..."  Joccy lightly stroked his back. 

Joshua sucked in a deep breath and slowly let it out then turned around and beamed.

"My Edgar is back.  That's a very, very good thing."

Joccy smiled and nodded.

"It is.  And JenniAnn is no worse for the wear.  Well, maybe with elevated blood sugar.  Did they really eat four boxes of Pop-Tarts between the three of them?"

Joshua chuckled. 

"I don't think they were full boxes... but it appeared to be a lot of Pop-Tarts based on the wrappers."

"Has Edgar always had a sweet tooth?" Takoda asked, glad to have a subject that made Joshua smile.

"Always."  Joshua waved to a bench and the three sat down.  "The way he could eat honey cakes...  Ama said he got it from me."  He beamed.  "The way his eyes would glaze over and his nose would scrunch up just a bit..."

Joccy and Takoda listened, long into the night, as Joshua gushed about his latest prodigal.  They prayed that soon... somehow... his sheep that had strayed into a hate-fueled church would find their way back, too.

To be continued...


This newsletter is dedicated to John Dye for bringing Andrew to life.  He continues to be such a comfort to me when unexpected tragedies arise.

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