Hello everyone !
I'm terribly sorry I've not posted anything for so long.
I've read and considered all your reviews. Some criticisms are very valid and I honestly tried to take your comments into account and alter my story. However, the twirl of life took precedence. By the time I had suitable ideas about possible changes, I lost the general view and the will to do the writing.
I will nonetheless address the more common remarks.
plot holes : I devised this story as a collection of snapshots in their lives, to see how a relation could evolve between them. Because, honestly, how could they ever feel friendly towards each other ? I needed such a long time span, I saw no other alternative in terms of writing material. And, to be completely honest, I'm addicted to ellipsis. I've always loved them. So you have to make the connections because, indeed, it does creates holes and makes the story more difficult to read.
Lucie : I like her. I do. I even inserted a few entry points for future reference to her. But I also wanted a short story with relatively small chapters and I couldn't keep her. I used her as a focus point, as the mean to help the characters reconnect because she does bring a new perspective for them. I know it's not perfect and if ever I got the mojo back, I'll make a point in tying her again somewhere in the story.
I will use other characters the same way later on. Because even if I'm writing a story full of holes, I cannot write it with only 2 characters. Snapshots it may be, but I would like them to feel at least a modicum possible. I've yet to encounter a story without any insignificant characters. The world created would be very, very empty. So. Do not get attached to them, they will not stay, they are not supposed to.
Grammar : English is not my native language. Since I've not used or manipulated it for a long time, it's all the more difficult for me to write again.
Descriptions : I'm not prone to them. I've read - a lot. I took up literary studies. I'm a teacher. My husband and I have about a thousand books. All read. If only you knew how many descriptions I've skidded while reading... I didn't want a detailed story. I wanted snapshots. I wanted small openings in their lives. I wanted important points, where or when opinions might have changed. I wanted to show the difficulty to change, to consider other perspectives and points of view, to accept different conceptions of life or family or any important topics.
I'm an optimist. I'm naïve. I hope that people are capable of changing, of forgiving, of accepting. I hope people can be compassionate and generous. I wanted a story where I could insert all those lovey-dovey feelings we so rarely encounter in real life. I didn't want to develop any situation. just expose them. Like a photo or painting exposition. You do not have the whole picture. Just a part. And your imagination, your mind are filling the gaps. The images are just the starting point, the spark.
I offer you my apologies. I will not change my story as I wanted to. I will post it as I wrote it. I apologize if you're lost in my musings. I apologize for making you wait so long.
I hope those who followed me at the time will stay with me till the end. I hope you will read me with pleasure. I hope you will leave me reviews because if I do not take them into account right now for this story, I read them all and they stay with me, helping me to write better.