The Longest Month

[Joy]

Writing this was torturous, not to mention living it! Posted with encouragement from a good friend.

[Freida Hammett]

Joy, Your writing was engrossing. I felt like I was reading a true story in a magazine--it was done so well. I wish you had expanded the last part--where you are in the room with Erik. The conclusion seems rather sudden. Or perhaps written a bit about his recovery while still making the tie-in with 9/11.

Your story also reminded me so much of the time I found my mom in the bathtub, eight hours after she had had a stroke. When I finally wrote about it and realized how guilty I felt for not finding her sooner, it was healing. I hope you have found some closure to this difficult time by writing about it. I thank you for your willingness to share such a great and well-written story. Freida (who used to live in Wake Forest and went to UNC--did Erick go to Duke?)

[Joy]

This is a true story.

Sadly, not only did he not go to Duke, Erik didn't graduate from high school. The story is still unfolding. It's been a long road. The ending is sudden because I chopped a big part out to rewrite. It sounded way too bitter. (I guess that time still hits way too raw.)

Freida, I've "known" you online for a few years, and forgot your NC connection. Thanks for reminding me!