sojourn

Thanks, as always, your comments are insightful. There is a little bit of my own children in Maria. As to the journal, rumors as to it's existence first surfaced in my first story, "Gordy Comes Home". Eventually, I am sure, we will read their journal. Thanks again, Jim

Wow! I couldn't have said it better. Thanks for that and all your other encouraging comments. Jim

I have made the change, so it will be our little secret.? Thanks again, Jim

I think I already explained, much to my embarrassment, the rug from my memory was actually a flocati "sheepskin" rug. I only remembered the sensuous feeling on my naked skin. I will go back and edit that part. Thanks for posting your comments and for keeping me on my toes. Jim

Now, I'm gonna have to work especially hard on the next chapter. Thanks for the encouraging comment. Jim

I am especially grateful for comments like yours and Ott's. I was more than a little concerned about this particular chapter. I massaged it for days after I wrote it. It was "finished" when I posted 19. I can't tell you how many times I went back over it just to get to the point where I could post it with some sense of satisfaction. Thanks again, Jim

Trust me. I have some very fond memories of, what I just was reminded was actually a "sheep skin" rug. Thanks to google. I highly recommend it. And Thank you for posting your comment. Jim

I believe that love can be calm and soothing or loud and passionate. It's just really hard to contain with words. As for Bumpkis... I suspect he is considering how to get his revenge, even as we read. Bwaahaha.. choke, gasp. (Shades of "Blazing Saddles" here. Thanks, Jim

Children, at times, really can be fearless. Maria certainly can be. Yeah, I actually wrote that scene before I realized it was a movie quote. Then I just had to have Jeff called out on it. I was very careful about fowl language around my boys. I taught them that using bad language simply relects a poorly developed vocabulary. To this day, my youngest will not cuss. I will admit my word usage after they were "grown up" could, did and still will get quite colorful. My youngest insists on using euphemisms, which he knows... just plain irritates the hell out of me. Thanks, I am thankful you took your time, again, to post your comments. Jim

Thank you so much! I am considering writing Winston and John's story at some time in the future. I had a flocati sheepskin rug I bought in Greece. After a military move or two, it got lost. Looking back, I think my then wife just threw it out. She was never very sensual. But, I enjoyed that rug while we had it. Should have lost her before I lost the rug. Thanks Ott, for the comment and the memory. Jim

At last, the ride into town allowed Paul to settle into a calm resolve. Absentmindedly he realized that when Sam and Dave held hands, the driver's hand was always on top. They didn’t usually hold hands, but when they did, the driver's hand was always free to grab the steering wheel or a gun. He equated it with sitting with your back to the wall, just that little extra cautious, professional behavior. He made a note to mention it to Jeff and to copy their action in the future. That is, if either

YOU! Are definitely, my kind of people. ? Jim

Yeah, I have heard that sentiment before. The first time I read it I thought, "WTF" "what happens at six o'clock. Then I burst out laughing. Oh yeah, Daniel and Raymond happen at 6 am. I bet you guys think they are going to engage in some kind of recreational noncreational sexual congress... well you could be wrong. Just because Daniel gets aroused at high speed and just because Raymond owes the handsome Sheriff a bj, and just because they will be all alone in Raymond's new old home doesn't mean they won't behave like mature adults. After all, Raymond is an attorney and Daniel is a lawman, both professions which require considerable self restraint. So don't expect to see clothes flying the moment they make eye contact. Shame, shame for thinking they will be mating like bunnies with the slightest provocation. At least give them the chance to get inside, away from prying eyes. Then, they can do it like really horny bunnies.? Thanks for posting your comment. I am just proofing the next chapter and hope to post it soon. Jim

I have never considered Julie as being capable of anything less than positive. Now that you mention it... I still can't see it. Julie had been away from her town for a number of years. I think she is trying to help make a more positive environment. Thanks so much for posting your comment. As long long as folks, like you, take their time to "like" and "comment" I feel an obligation to "keep them coming". Thanks, Jim

I like to think that Raymond can muster his forces so readily because he truly treats them as family. He didn't have much family life growing up, so when he hires a new teammate, he subconsciously asks himself, "could I live this guy/girl as a brother/sister/cousin etc." As to Christmas... I too am amazed that Jeff came home basically a week ago and 19 chapters later, I am still writing. I think it was the Martians in "Stranger in a Strange Land" who said, "Waiting is."? Thanks for your continued interest and insightful comments. Jim

DanMond? I love it! LOL! Maybe I should ask Julie about lottery numbers. Nah. I know what her answer would be.? Thanks for taking your time to post your comments. Jim

For a moment, I wondered, "what happens at 6:00"? Then it hit me. LOL! thanks for posting your comment. There is something different about your comment. It does not show with the others. I wonder why? Jim

I am glad this chapter is getting some positive feedback. I have this feeling you are right, I suspect Raymond will face some unexpected challenges in his pursuit of Daniel and letting so of his sophisticated lifestyle. Thanks, as always your comments make me think. Jim

Brian, as always you comments get me to thinking. Maybe I should have given Raymond and Daniel their own story. It is at least as interesting as Jeff and Paul's. Tink and Tom are going to simmer on the sidelines for quite a while. They deserve and will have their day in the sun. Just don't look for it until after the next solar eclipse.? Miss Julie has been a Master Manipulator, with questionable psychic powers, since the first time she and her Great Dane, Bruno said hello in T.R.'s Tale. your comment reminds me to add popcorn to my shopping list. You must be psychic to know I am down to my last microwaveable bag. Now, if only I could tap into your powers. I could rule the world... Note to self- buy popcorn, reduce caffeine intake. thanks, Jim

Thank you, I do worry about if there is enough sex or action or just the kind of things that make people look forward to the next chapter. It is when folks take their time to post a comment or email simply telling me they are enjoying the story that I feel more "comfortable" with my writing. Thanks again, Jim

Thank you. I always enjoy your comments. Trust me. Maria is front and center in the next chapter. Regarding Raymond's mother... I try to understand a character's motivation. I usually succeed in seeing some good in the worst. However, I have lived enough to know there're really people out there void of even a spark of compassion or human decency. They are closer than we would like to think. Your comment regarding chemistry makes me wonder. Would some guy who tripped my trigger, in my youth, still impact me today? There may be a story in that thought. Jim

Ott, You told me you had "liked" and "commented". I was about to email you back and say, "That's great! Only next time, how about you like and comment on my story." Once I "refreshed" the page I realized you had "liked" and "commented" on my story. Oops! My bad. See! Proof positive I am "technically" challenged. Thanks so much for your email and like and your nicely worded comment. Jim

I must be tired or old... or both. Seriously, for a moment I tried to figure out who among the characters was named, "Jim". LMAO! As to surprises, I certainly hope... horrible surprises...not so much. Thanks for your comments. Like I said before, they make me think. Jim (the one who writes this stuff.)

Thank you. Your comments always cheer me. I sometimes feel that writing this story is like swimming in blue jeans. It takes a lot of work and I don't seem to make much progress. Thanks again, Jim

Raymond and Joe had spent the morning fielding calls that typically started with a wife calling to express her thanks for the good time they shared last night. That would soon meld into the husband, who just happened to be standing there, wanting to talk with Joe. Mellie would switch the call into Joe's office and Joe and Raymond would then listen to several reasons why Joe should consider running for Mayor. Raymond simply grinned and winked and occasionally nodded each time someone expressed an