From the author of: "Beleaguered". "The Pink Reich", "The Sisterhood of Secrets and Lies" and other titles. --- Joe's adversity began in his teens when a careless dare landed him in shallow water and deep trouble. The result was that he lived out the remainder of his years confined to a wheelchair while doing his best to live a "normal" life. He had the same desires and needs as any other person his age; to fall in love and live happily ever after. ---
Instead, he found himself falling in love with a sex worker without the pleasure of being a client. It seemed too much to hope for that he would be able to hold the interest of a highly desirable escort who was in great demand. Despite signs of interest from a pay-for-play gigolo, premature abandon kept two would-be companions apart. ---
When it was over, Joe was left believing that his destiny was to be a party of one. Friendships pulled up the slack but lacked an intimate exchange of the heart since his body had limitations. Opportunity presented itself again later in life with an amorous exchange stolen away by difficult circumstances. Time lost was uncertain to return. ---
In the end, Joe finds redemption of what he once thought was the impossible. It becomes a proverbial situation of one door closing while another opens. Time grants a finality that is loving and kind. It brings relief to the angst of feeling that he will never know the romantic side of life that others take for granted
. The brevity of life dictates the need to appreciate what has taken a lifetime to deliver.