Cole Matthews

Salix Babylonica 8 - The Warrens The willow submits to the wind and prospers until one day it is many willows - a wall against the wind. Frank Herbert Rush opened the door to their house and could smell the heady scents of cumin, peppers, beef and toasting corn. It was taco night at the Romer and Miller residence. These aromas made him smile. He was home. “What’s going on?” he called out as he took off his light coat and hung it on the hook in the hall. There were sounds of

They just need to make sense of the information. All the facts need some organization, and that's coming next. You are right though. People are never who they first appear to be. Great insights. Thanks so much for the comments!

We know more about Wylie now and that's going to lead to more answers. I'm so glad you're enjoying the story. I appreciate the comment and the thumbs up!!!

You're doing quite well actually. Rush and Ben are certainly clueless at exactly what has occurred. The police are confused. It's all such a jumble, but there is a pattern there and the pattern will become more obvious quite soon. There is order within the madness. Thanks for the awesome comments!!!

Well, that is quite true. It's not just willows that contribute to allergies, but they do so indiscriminately. Hahaha!!!

While I'm not usually a fan of dystopian stories, this one is very different. I thought the underlying sense of insecurity was so omnipresent it made the story feel real. It was like I was in middle and high school again, with the dull ache of dread walking with me through my days. The people of the story are living in cages that don't allow for any privacy or freedom of expression. There was the essence of Logan's Run and Brave New World, but entirely new and different. It reminded me of the rat and cage experiments where they deliberately crowded rats in small spaces to test their behavior. You can feel the oppressiveness of the state. I liked that Loy didn't give in and figured out how to save Kee. It was an ingenious solution, and it was done very well. Very impressive work!!! I loved it!

Great story with lots of action, intrigue, and some magic to help it along. I'm intrigued by the unrevealed conspirator who has been manipulating everyone against the king. What is the back story? I'm sure it will be tantalizingly wicked. Thanks Addy!

The elation and pain of young love and the struggles of finding boundaries. Nice vignette. Very touching.

Very cute story. I'm glad Martin found happiness.

There are such though provoking stories in this anthology. The buildup of the jealously was very well done. It wasn't a flash in the pan, but a steady growing sense of anxiety that grew until it burst like a water balloon splashing everyone involved. This is exactly how the emotion usually works and these characters demonstrate it so well. Fantastic Job!!!

Great job with the story because we see both men as they are and were. Mark is portrayed as the flawed man he was. He didn't know how to love properly and that comes through clearly. He was poisoned by circumstance and that made him act out abusively. You don't really excuse Mark's behavior. Chester is wounded deeply and it was at his lover's hand. The abuse Mark suffered and the neglect he felt both formed his sense of self, and it was probably too much for someone to handle gracefully. The isolation both Mark and Chester experienced due to this toxicity is so real. It captures the fear and reticence for those in abusive relationships. The isolation goes both ways; Chester hiding his complicity in the abuse and Mark hiding how he can't control himself. I'm not sure about the ending. Chester is so broken, I'm not sure he'd react so positively. Jordy may be a person who cares about him, but he'd be resistant I think. Regardless, it was a very good portrayal of the aftermath of abuse. It shows the humanity of both men and the tragedy as well. Thanks for sharing.

It's a good story because it's so true. In the end, Tommy was sick and tired of being sick. I don't think I could have stood by as Tarek did. I'd have to fight for his life. I do understand the idea behind it, but when events unfold, the emotions aren't so easily set aside. That's not to say Tarek was poorly presented. I think you did a great job portraying his love and his efforts to help Tommy. I'm just not sure most people could accept it. Pain is pain, and it's something that when chronic becomes a burden. That being said, I'm not an advocate for this kind of relief. Very well presented, intriguing, and with round, three-dimensional characters. It is a very good story and yes, heartbreaking. Thanks for sharing with us.

Good story. I appreciate two things about it. First, it is a story about an older gay man and a gay immigrant, which are two groups we don't read much about. It wasn't a 'hookup' story, thank heavens, but a story about two souls who needed some help. Both characters reached out in spite of their worries and fears and became friends. Jack needed someone like Mukisa to get his bearings again. Mukisa needed a support system. They were able grow because of each other's help. I like that kind of symbiosis that is organic, as you presented it, and not forced. Very nice job!!

Overall, the story was a good presentation of the situation in Nevada. (I read the CNN story and it followed the facts quite closely). It was very well written and paced nicely. You could feel the outrage and indignation. I''m going to offer a suggestion though. Rogelio's character shows only anger, and I'm not sure that's enough. Why was Rogelio so upset? What caused him to swear so angrily at someone who answered a phone? Why did he react so wildly about guns in his speech? I'm asking those questions, because it would be wonderful to know him better. There has to be a history of violence in his past or a fear of guns for some reason. Maybe he was mugged or someone he loved suffered from a gunshot. We are usually moved to anger by fear, and we just don't know what motivated him. Great job Carlos! You did get people talking about it.

Very interesting story. The scenario was very well fleshed out and the future world as described was quite complete. I would have liked more about the alien invaders. I loved the dynamic with the team and the action and tension were both engaging and moving. Great job!!

Thanks so much!! Lots going on, but now Clay has a friend. We will see what happens with Ben's interview and the aftermath. I really appreciate your comment.

Yes, Clay is clearly a person who is learning from his past. Ben is being a bit too adventurous, and we will see how that plays out. Thanks for the insightful reflection. I appreciate the comment.

That's an intriguing notion. We will see what else comes up because we don't know much about Eddie yet either. Great comment.

Absolutely right! Both boys need someone to lean on, and I think they will be good for one another. Clay is gaining confidence, maybe even a little too much. Thanks for the comment.

Ben is being rather dense about a murder investigation. It's inherently dangerous especially with a murderer or murderers on the loose. The suspects are slowly being ticked off. We are eliminating possibilities as we go. Rush is getting closer, and we will find out his ideas in the next chapter. Thanks for the awesome comment!!! I like it!

Salix Babylonica – Clouds Gather It is raining DNA outside. On the bank of the Oxford canal at the bottom of my garden is a large willow tree, and it is pumping downy seeds into the air. ... spreading DNA whose coded characters spell out specific instructions for building willow trees that will shed a new generation of downy seeds. ... It is raining instructions out there; it's raining programs; it's raining tree-growing, fluff-spreading, algorithms. That is not a metaphor, it is the p

Wonderful poem, and so true. It's the love and memories that make gold pale in comparison. I'm thankful for you, my friend.

Salix 6 – Feet of Clay Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind. Bruce Lee Ahead of him was a tussle. Someone was being harangued, and it was the usual shit. Clay hitched his backpack up on his shoulders more securely, and felt his lips curl into a snarl. He really hated high school. The bullshit coupled with the cliques and constant challenges were exhausting and so ridiculous. Living with Rush and B

I hope that means you're intrigued and enjoying it. Lots of connections in this chapter. Thanks for the comment!!! Very much appreciated!

You know a lot more about the story. We know about Steve's sister and the probable connection between Jake and Wylie. We found out about a fight, and some bad blood. The bartender's remarks are interesting I think. Anyway, I hope you're enjoying the ride. Thanks!!!