sojourn

That is probably the most profound comment I have ever seen. I am truly impressed. I have received emails from guys who admitted to these types of behaviors. To a man they expressed great remorse that they chose not to discuss their 'drunken' activities in the light of day. Thank you for posting such a thought provoking wonderfully worded comment. Jim

I think I should swear off one of those, either puns or cliffhangers. Which to choose, which to choose? Oh wait, I know, I'll toss a coin.... oh darn it rolled under the sofa... I'll have to get back to you on that decision later.😜 Thanks for posting your comments. Jim

I appreciate that. I am sorry this chapter didn't "grab you". I would like to hear your reasons. If you would prefer, you can send me a personal message or email me at sojourn1950@yahoo.com. Either way, I consider your input valuable. Several readers have given advice, perspectives and ideas that have made this a better story. At least, I like to think they did. Thanks for posting your comments. Jim

Yes, I couldn't very well comment on your observation without giving away the cliffhanger. Sorry about that. I am glad you approve. I did enjoy Raymond's outburst. I had fun writing it. Thanks for posting your comments. Jim

I hope I didn't set the bar so high that I have something I have to live up to. I did enjoy that tirade. I was quite proud of that. Raymond knew he was preaching a sermon condemning and associating bigotry with hypocrisy and criminal behavior. He controlled his language very well, I thought. He got everyone's attention by the use of shocking vulgarity. Once as a Naval Officer, during a high pressure training exercise. I overheard a fellow officer blame me for an understandable delay. The Captain had burst into CIC and demanded an explanation. The TAO panicked and put the blame on me, the more junior ASWO. I heard that and even though he outranked me, I slammed my headphones down onto the console and shouted, "THAT'S BULLSHIT!" I had never used profanity before in my three years aboard. CIC went deathly quiet. Believe me, CIC's are never quite while underway. I used that silence to explain the delay to the Captain, as the TAO should have. The Captain's response was simply, "Very well, carry on. But, hurry." I used that memory to write that scene. Maybe I should remember shooting down a drone with a surface to air missile the next time I need an explosive eruption... nah it doesn't translate to civilian werwy well. That Captain was one of only a handful of men I consider to be true leaders in the military. Most of us were just managers and most barely adequate. You know I value your comments. Thanks a lot Jim

WOW! I'm werwy askeered right now that you might want to sell me something. After saying such wonderful things about my story, I'd buy the Taj Mahal from you, without a warranty. Thanks for taking the time to post your comments. They help keep me motivated. Jim

As always your comments get me to thinking what the future holds for our expanding family. It looks like smooth sailing for awhile. I hope. Thanks for posting your comments. Jim

Brian, Thanks for saying such nice things about the story. I think looking at gay porn would have appalled most of the diner's customers. But watching one of the town's preachers in a gay porn video was just too good to pass up. Especially, if he wasn't 'your' preacher. I am sure most of them, even after having viewed this video, would deny ever having 'watched' gay porn. People are strange. thanks for posting your comments. Jim

He had a lot of anger to vent. Thanks for taking your time to comment. Jim

Comments like yours are sweet music to my ears. Thank you, Jim

As well you should be. I am sure I would have never would have put it together. Although, I used to be pretty good at guessing movie plots. I could point out the reasons a twist was predictable. After Paul's initial meeting with Raymond was posted without reader comments, I figured it would be a surprise.

Yeah, it was short, but it was loaded. Thanks for posting your comments. Jim

Yeah, this was shorter than average. (I checked the other 24 for comparison.) I felt it was important to get beyond the cliffhanger. But, I also felt it had the content to make up for being short. Some people should never be parents. Personally I think effective parenting should be mandatory education right alongside math, science, music, history and the arts. I think it should be impossible to create a baby until 25 years old and psychologically certified. Parenting should be based on legal contracts rather than a marriage license and stereotypes. I belie... Ok, folks... everybody calm down... this was only a drill. Had this been an actual tirade you would heard the warning sirens and expected to post your response. Thank god this was only a drill. Please carry on. There's nothing to see here. Thanks again for posting your comments. I hope you know they are all appreciated. Jim

Raymond cleared out a lot of deep seated negative emotions when he unloaded on her. Thanks for posting your comments and saying such nice things. Jim

I am beginning to think readers don't approve of cliffhangers. Cliffhangers are fun, there exciting, they brighten.... Nah, not really. They are no more than an object lesson in frustration. i am glad you hung in there... so whatcha think? Are my puns better than my cliffhangers? thanks for posting your comments. Jim

Maybe you would like to be onboard when Raymond gives Daniel a less than professional proctological examination. All in the name of science, of course. I sometimes think folks take things like "maternal instincts" too much for granted. Thanks again, Ott, Jim

Thank you Janet. I regard that as a high compliment. Jim

Let us hope the drama is minimized for a few days. Thanks for posting your comments. Jim

I think they all need time to assess and decompress. Raymond goes to Arkansas and then Jeff and Paul take off for Chicago. Thanks for posting your comments. Jim

LOL! There were several comments but when I read "werwy" I laughed out loud. Thanks for that. And as always thanks for taking your time out to post your comments. Jim

With fury in his eyes, Raymond bounded down the steps with Daniel right behind him. His voice was almost at a normal volume now but clearly projected so that everyone in the crowd could hear. “Just remember, dear mother, I have stayed out of your life, even avoided you and yours. It is you who have falsely accused, maligned, and assaulted my real family. You brought this upon yourself, you have no one else to blame. “You talk about degenerates! How about your sanctimonious husband who enjo

Snap, snap! I loved everything about your comment. I could easily get used to and spoiled by such comments. I won't comment/answer except to say, you are... Thanks for posting your comments. It's encouraging comments like yours that get me to writing and posting sooner. Jim edit: Deputy was... Hey! Wait a minute! I just realized I am giving away part of the next chapter. Sorry. Ignore this edit and the man behind the curtain.

I feel through posting this story, I have come to know you somewhat. I suspect you would make me laugh a lot. I also appreciate your comments on my sex scenes. Jim

Having spent more than 20 years in military service, three S's mean something entirely different, to me. I like yours better, at least for fiction. Thanks for posting your comments. Jim

How kind of you to say that. Thanks very much. one of your many fans, Jim