TimGRmich

First, i enjoyed the story. when i was away from the characters for a while (waited a few days to continue reading), i felt like i was missing out on times with my friends -- i guess that's a sign of a good read, eh? i don't, and i'm guessing a lot of people on this site don't, read the reviews and updates -- we just read the story from beginning to end. when the epilogue (and that's a misnomer, in your case) ended the way it did, i literally thot my downloading of the story to my kindle had been cut off ... i mean that couldn't be the end, could it? then i read a few of the last reviews and saw, unfortunately, yes it was. i noticed in one you commented, "I have said a couple of times what i was going to do ..." but it might be helpful to keep in mind, many / most readers don't check out the reviews or the chapter intros -- we just read the story, so most of us would have had no idea of the abrupt ending that was approaching, no matter how many times you might have said forewarned others elsewhere. as i mentioned in another story, i'm not going to let the disappointing ending keep me from having appreciated the journey. would i have done it differently? absolutely. do i think you should have done it differently, especially after such a long read? of course. am i looking forward to more about jason / peter / darryl / dean? well, duh !! ;-) thanks for the good read ... up to the non-epilogue, that is. ;-) best wishes for continued success in your writing -- and especially to not taking too long to complete the trial scene. when the "epilogue" started with the trial, i thot, "oh, good. i wondered how that would turn out, and i'm glad he's including it. i sure my hope comes true: that the perps have to pay all the damages (lost wages, attorney fees, medical costs, etc., etc.) -- then peter would have some money & that allow the main characters to stop talking so very often about, "i'm uncomfortable with ..." i always wanted to step in the pages and say, "yeah, i got that, pete -- we all get it. w've all gotten it several times over -- MOVE THE FRICK ON, WOULD YA? !!" ;-)

Someone suggested i check out the anthologies to get a feel for which writers i'd like to pursue -- i mean, there are so many good ones on the site, it's hard to know where to begin. i guess, if you are assured the journey will be an enjoyable and worthwhile one, maybe it doesn't make so much difference which way you go? ;-) this anthology contribution of yours was the first i've read of your works -- i'll definitely be reading more from you hand & thanks for sharing your gifts with us here at GA. before reading this one, i had followed the suggestions of some other authors on here & downloaded to my kindle some of your already posted stories. thanks to all for their suggestions: i see my having followed them was a good move on my part. all the best for your continued writing, both in the "personal enjoyment" and "success" categories.

thought something like that would happen in the end, and it was nice that you left the specifics up to the reader's imagination instead of feeling the need to be descriptive. the way you brought about the getting together of the two, tho -- now that was cute and so relevant to the story. very cool, warm and a natural outgrowth of their over-the-years closeness. oh, and i'm with quonus: love the way mark didn't have to think much about it when sean asked the "are we still friends?" type question.

This was the first of your works i've read - thanks for suggesting it. i'm glad i put the plastic protective sheet on my kindle before reading -- keeps the tears out. ;-) And you've done me another favor ... convinced me that short stories are worth reading. i look forward to reading a bunch more & like your style a lot. having been a music major, i liked someone's description of quality: a whole bunch of people can play the note ... it's how you get from one to the next that is the difference (streisand comes to mind as a favorite in that area). in short, you got skills ... ;-) and i plan to avail myself of them frequently. thanks again.

personally, i liked the Ben / Jared stuff. Reminds me how things have changed over the years when a friend is found to be gay. Used to be, the first thing that happened was the roommate would tell everyone they could find, then trash the former friend's belongings before dumping them on the front lawn. Now, at least it's more common that the roomy would have some concern over losing a friend & not wanting that to happen while he adjusts to the new aspect of their friendship --- like Conner found with his friends & maybe wondering to himself, "what was I afraid of, and why didn't i do this earlier?". loved the way you worked the tension breaker "keep your hands off my ass" idea into the Ben / Jared conversation. i took that as a way of ben letting jared know, "while i get used to this, you should know: i'm still your bro." when he was holding jared's backpack, i was afraid he was going to say something like, "so, when you coming back for the rest of your stuff, cuz i sure as hell never want to see you again." but, i should have known you'd do a better job than that. you write with more depth than that & so far, do a great job with not making it obvious how things will turn out, but when they come to fruition, it's "right". ;-) i, too, am thankful for the way Connor is coming into himself. He reminds me of bamboo growth: nothing for so long & hidden underground, but once it breaks through, the growth is fast & very noticeable. Was very glad to see Connor step in and initiate assistance for Ronnie: shows what he's made of, and i paraphrase: nothing is so strong as true gentleness, and nothing so gentle as genuine strength. now stop reading your own press and start writing: we all want more !! ;-p