Balancing Romance and Sci-Fi: A Character Study

One of the problems with writing Erotic Science Fiction is the fact that many potential readers assume the focus is on the erotic elements rather than the underlying science fiction and general plot. To try and overcome this perception, I’m sharing some excerpts from my series, A New Past to share some of the “non-erotic” elements. This excerpt is from chapter sixteen of Book One and deals with family troubles for the main characters.

I drove home and decided I needed to fill Mom and Jim in on what was happening.  Mom was none too happy, but seemed to resolve herself to the fact that Janet was overreacting.

“Paul, we’ve talked many times, so I know you do love Jeryl.  I don’t believe it is the typical high school love that will fade in a few weeks or years.  When I see you two together, you remind me of myself and your father, or Jim and myself.  You treat her with love and respect as a partner, not as a playmate.

“You both have to realize that parents loving their children is a different kind of love.  We want to protect you and spend a long time in that role.  Over time, it becomes habit.  Sometimes it’s hard to let go and let you feel the pain that can come from adult decisions.  You and Jeryl have made plenty of adult decisions, but this one is a decision that Janet feels strongly about.  For some reason, she fixates on it.”

“She does.  All three girls have mentioned it.”

“Well, until she can resolve that fixation, she is not going to be willing to let go.  What I’d ask you to do, is make sure Jeryl doesn’t let this turn into her own fixation.  Don’t let her allow this to define the future of her relationship with her family.”

“I won’t.”  I knew the sense of loss I had felt the first time through, growing up without a father.  I would not let Jeryl experience that.  “Thanks for listening.”

I was surprised to see Jeryl’s Range Rover pull into the yard a couple of hours later.  I was more surprised to see Jerry get out from behind the driver’s seat and head toward our door.  Jim and I met him on the deck.  I think Jim was looking for a shotgun.

“Paul, can I talk to you for a bit?” he asked without preamble.

“Certainly, sir.”

We headed out to the office in the shop.  Jerry seemed a little lost as we sat down.  Finally, he collected his thoughts.  “Paul, I told you once that I believe you’re good for Jeryl.  I still do.  She has blossomed into a beautiful, charming young lady while she has been going out with you.  I hope her mother can come to realize that.”

“But?”

“But nothing.  It’s as clear as the sunrise that you two belong together.  I learned that lesson once, the hard way when I agreed that you shouldn’t see her.  It was like a light dimmed at our house.  I’m not about to let that happen again.”

“But?”

Jerry shook his head.  “But I also have to live under the same roof with both my wife and daughter who can’t even speak to each other right now.”

“I wish I could help.  If you have any suggestions, I’d be happy to hear them.”

Jerry looked me in the eye and then seemed to relax in his chair.  “You can keep loving Jeryl and try to be patient with the rest of us.”

“That I can do, sir.”

“Right now, I’m trying to keep things civil over there.  Janet told Jeryl she was grounded, as if that will make a difference.  Once I got them in separate rooms, I asked Janet if she really wanted to drive her daughter away.  That seemed to finally get through to her.  I think she has thought she could control the girls the way her mother controlled her, but she’s never acknowledged that Jeryl got her willpower from both of us, in spades.”

I chuckled.  “Jeryl is a lot more than strong-willed,” I said.  “She could give mules lessons in stubborn if she set her mind to it.”

Jerry actually smiled.  “She gets that from both Janet and I, so be careful.  Make sure she knows your boundaries.”

“I think she does.  I hope she does.”  We sat silently for a moment.  “Sir, if you don’t mind me asking, what makes Janet and her mother so opposed to me?”

Jerry sighed.  “I don’t know that it’s you specifically, but more what you represent.  Janet had an older sister.  Evidently, she got pregnant very young.  Her mother drove her off and then railed against Janet and then our daughters for the rest of her life.  The first time Janet introduced me to her, I thought she was going to shoot me.  Of course, I had already proposed at that point.  I think that’s the only reason Cynthia let me continue seeing Janet.”

“That’s sad.”

“It is.  Neither of them will discuss the matter in any rational way.  Janet’s sister and that baby are forbidden topics.”

“So, is there anything specific you’d like me to do?”

“I never imagined I would be discussing my youngest daughter’s sex life with her boyfriend, but I’d like to know that you two have been careful and protected.”

“We have.  Jeryl started on the pill over a year ago.  We both love each other deeply but aren’t ready to start a family yet.  In a few more years, we’ll see.”

“Have you talked about that far in the future?”

“Of course.  The weekend she got home from her grandmother’s two years ago I told her that all the money I’m making is for us, including her.  I want her by my side as long as she wants to be there.  She feels the same way.  I know it sounds cliché, but we complete each other.  I miss her smile and her laugh, and I appreciate her mind and wit.  I’m not interested in a physical plaything.  I fully intend on asking your permission to make her my wife in the future.  But we’re not ready to do that quite yet.”

“Why not?”

“I guess we both hear our parents telling us that high school romances seldom endure.”

Jerry shook his head.  “So, we caution you, you listen, and as a result you run the risk of losing each other.”

“We do listen, but I don’t think we are risking anything.”

“Well, I hope not.  In the meantime, I want you to know that when you do decide to ask me, I will give my blessing.  Janet may be another story, but you’ll have mine.”

“Thank you, sir.  And thank you for coming over today as well.”

Jerry stood to leave.  I followed him to the door.

“By the way, Paul, I’ll make sure Jeryl is at work on time Monday.  Grounding has never been a reason to miss work in our house.  I won’t let it start being one now.”

I held back my grin until he was pulling out of the driveway.  He had come a long way in thinking about me over the past few years.

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