I'm so glad that chicken pox (or pops, as my 6 year old son called them) stikes only once! Been inside watching Nicktoons for so long, I forgot what it's like to have an adult conversation!
But, now I'm back!
Beatrice,
One of the most stunning aspects of your fic is the way you describe things in normal, everday ways. The alarm clock, the lights in through the curtains, the scene on the fire escape, and in Chapter 21, the men's bathroom. Everything is through from their point of view, their world, their way. Beautiful in its focus and simplicity.
Dialogue, well, there's nobody out there in this fandom that writes dialogue the way that you do. Every line is spot on, in character and exactly the way that men would react and talk and converse and argue and discuss. So many times I read fanfic, and Jack and Ennis (and other characters) are forced to utter things that no self respecting man would say, gay or straight. They become women in cowboy hats. Not the way you write Ennis and Jack, though. Thanks!
And the sex...well...besides being smoking hot, hilarous and causing this reader to hyperventilate, it's once again like men would have sex. (and similar, I if remember correctly, the way that Ms. Proulx described their sex, also). Rough, hard and underneath there's the softer side of emotions. Not mushy, not overly romantic, just honest. Just men.
I love your Jack! I want to take him home with me! And poor Ennis! I've had crappy Monday's at work, but never on that level. So proud that he stood up for Jack! And Alma, well, feh on her. She's bitter to the nth degree, for sure. Randall, like Jack said EWWWWWW!!! Aguirre, again feh! But, I'm very disappointed in the Captain. Not very tolerant to react that way, and he shouldn't have even listened to that hearsay without verifying the information first. Not very police-like.
Oooo! Which one of the girls? Franny, I bet.
And now I guess we know where the title comes from. The condom is the Tainted Evidence, maybe?
Thanks for everything, Beatrice, thanks so much for sharing - Jack and Ennis and New York and TE!
Can't wait for Chapter #22!
RubyG