What We Love (ePub)

What We Love is a multi-part a love story that traces eight years in the lives of Jacob and Kate. Jacob is confined to a wheelchair from a crippling bout with childhood polio. We learn about his childhood and illness through an interview with art critic Connie. A parallel story traces Connie's growth away from a criminally insane boyfriend through therapy to where she can have a normal relationship.Jacob's growth involves periodic setbacks. In the first one he gets badly mugged. Later in the story he has to work through a "painter's block." His worst crisis finds him repenting a one-night-stand he had with his apprentice painter during a bout of depression. As Jacob's love for Kate grows, they have two children after a miscarriage.Jacob's career takes off and he becomes an international star. His friend Sam Dunnard isn't so lucky, showing another side of the artist's life. He bumbles along into depression, tries to commit suicide, recovers, then nearly gets into a bad marriage and ultimately has some success before being felled by his health. Jacob is faced with a decision about whether to help Sam end his life, something about which he lies to Kate. The crux of the story comes during Jacob's trial on murder charges when Kate tenderly confesses that she knows what Jacob did and why. The story takes on a note of uncertainty as Jacob's success is ascendant but Kate is diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She is treated and the doctors are optimistic. The book ends on a positive note with a new set of paintings based on his love for Kate.