Ron

That was a nice two-part tale, Valkyrie.

The midnight conversation between Eddie and Rory was a superbly captured moment - some humor, honesty, love, compassion and that ever present but now pressing need for Rory to make that decision. Well done.

Welcome to GA, CalWBrook88! Nice to have you with us.

I really enjoyed this chapter. Being privy to Rory's thoughts--which can be a little overmuch, and fussy--somehow felt like a privilege this time.

Ack-cough-cough! There, I got that cube of sugar out of my mouth. "Awww, that was so sweet, Valkyrie."

Hello Robert. Welcome to GA.

Air travel. Tight schedule? Ha-ha-ha, yeah . . . right! I've sat on the Tarmac far too often!! Cute story. And, a big bear of a man named Georgie - equally cute.

I'm sure there will be lots of shared wet eyes among your readers. At first this seemed like too short of a chapter to follow-up on the events in chapter twenty-two, and yet you've managed to capture exactly the right tone, and words. It expresses Luke's grief and the immediate aftermath of Greg's death well. Sorta-kinda perfect, really.

Happy Birthday Kiltie

Aaron always impresses me as a character that is extremely adapted to his role, and can't step out of it. No matter how much he expresses a desire for change and even though he makes the attempt, he can't help his behavior, and he slips back into this manipulative and controlling persona he maintains.

← It seems I can't say that but I can say HAPPY BIRTHDAY MANN!!

Boy, the fun just keeps coming for Rory. I bet finding out something like this from an outsider--good use of Aaron, by the way--after all of the other things, might akin to getting hit over the head by two-by-four. Aaron still feels a little slimy to me.

Thanks for reading Dave. There is another 'Sam and Jeremy' story being edited. I'll post it soon. Glad you to hear you liked the story.

Two words: Popcorn Shrimp! Unfortunately, I have a horrible allergic reaction to the bivalve family, deep fried or otherwise. Doesn't mean I didn't like them; how else would I find out.

Ha, that's true. The one time that I managed to get into one of these stories (was thrust), I managed to climb up a tree with Cole to get away. It seems that I have been most fortunate! lol

Hello Alex. Nice introduction and glad to hear you've found a new home.

It's hard to comment sometimes when the writing is this good. <-- Oh hey, I just did!

I highly suspected that Greg was going down in this chapter and that included by way of an automobile, just not exactly how it happened. That doesn't necessarily make me pleased with being right. I'm looking forward to reading how you will bring these characters out from the little hell in which they find themselves in this chapter. I am sure in your estimable style; you will not leave us disappointed.

It's the mention of sapient, or intelligent life, that is missing from the article, as Bill mentions. It is unlikely that anything humans will do that will remotely give us the capability of finding and initiating a first contact with intelligent life. It's also quite possible that no other species with intelligence is capable of interstellar travel, and no one will be contacting us. The biggest drawback to branching out into space and other planets is a lack of a cohesive and inclusive plan involving all the peoples of the earth. Without that, governments are duplicating each other's efforts and wasting money. At the end of the day, we are all earthlings and we have but one home, and we shouldn't lose sight of that through our diversity and squabbles. That's loosely the way I see it.

Another great interview Cia, and Mann--intertaining and interesting answers. It's nice to know a little of what it is that makes an author tick.

Hello Stacey. Read away, dig away.

It speaks well for the dad that he thinks the way that he does, but as a parent . . . I'm pretty sure the boy is in charge at this point.

Cole makes a good point, which leads me to ask - Is there another tale of the crew from the Santa Claus in the works, Mr. M. Ramblings? You hinted at it. What's kind of timetable are we looking at, huh?

I understand the reasoning but I have got to agree with Rustle, sometimes the purge can be a contrary end to an otherwise well meaning effort. In the end, only you can decide whether it was effective for you in the long run, but I do hope you gain some good perspective on things after having done it. I wish you good fortune and a settled heart, Wayne.

Happy Birthday Layla!!