Joanie you truly are a treasure to the written word. Thanks for sharing this with the world. I've been raped myself and it never fails to make me teary eyed to hear that someone else has had to deal with it. It happens in all different shapes and sizes and colors and patterns that there is no telling who will say they, too, have survived it. I am glad you had someone you could trust that was so supportive for you in that time.

And I'm slightly jealous. I'm going to be 24 next month and never loved anyone, let alone told them.

Fabulous work, Joan.

Thank you.

Joan...what a beautiful story! my heart raced and i had tears in my eyes, reading your heartfelt and honest words. don't leave us hanging....we'll be waiting to hear what happened when Eric came back.

Joan,
Thank you for sharing both the horrific and the wonderful. I too hope you decide to share the more about Eric with us.

Very powerful and moving.

Lovely, heart wrenching story. Beautiful writing. Yay! for Eric. Hugs.

Joanie, big hug. This must have been hard to write about but I thank you for sharing it.

Eric sounds like such a good catch. I hope you write about what happens next with him.

Are you going to write an update or sequel?
I'd love to read it.

Scott, I don't know if I'm going to follow up on this one. The rest of it isn't nearly as heartwarming and easy to read.

Nothing wrong with some negativity.

That was lovely...

After a long time i reaaly felt filled , with your words .. Please write the rest -- Shankar.