Cole Matthews

Wonderful job filling in the details. The final work came together perfectly. Awesome!!!!

Kissing friends. I like it. Cassie, this was a wonderful tale with lots of interesting twists and turns. I feel like I know Chase quite well and even Terry to some extent. The storyline is really strong and while I could anticipate the ending, you made it fresh and vibrant. Fantastic story and thanks for sharing it with us. I don't think Terry will be able to wait the whole month. I think he will break his own pact with Chase!!!!

Your writing is incredibly strong. I could sense Brian's hesitation and Nate's gentle urging quite poignantly. Great job!

And that's exactly how it feels as we crush, find companionship, it rejects us, and then we are furious more at ourselves than at the Bradys in the world. This was a very powerful portrayal of coming out. However, it probably could have ended with Brady walking away. That is usually what happens. Great job! You moved me. Thanks!

Thanks Puppi!!! I'm glad it touched you. It is a difficult situation to deal with. Thank heavens nobody was hurt and our cats were fine. It feels good reading this tale translates to others who haven't been in this situation. It means I did my job well. Thanks!!!

There were two things which led to this story. The first was a brief account of how art therapy helps people cope with stress and anxiety. The second was a personal account of a person who expressed how telling her story helped her get control or 'own' the experience. From those ideas, I decided I needed to write this for myself. I sat down the Sunday following the burglary and fleshed out the bones of it. Monday morning I woke up feeling more together and safe. More than anything, I wanted this story to be an example to others the power of art to heal. Thanks for the kind words and review Lisa. I really appreciate it.

Thanks so much. I really tried to drag the reader in slowly. As you said, I feared having bold accusations would become unbelievable. In life, we are usually led down the garden path, not bludgeoned at our front door. I really appreciate the kind words and review for a story that helped me get on with my life. Thanks!!!

Your response is really quite telling to me. First of all, the police here responded forcefully and respectfully. We both felt it mattered to them. The other part that bothers me is how you were subjected to a robbery and it seems no one matters. I think that's common. It's not right. It is sad. Sorry.

Northie!, I'm glad it worked for you. I'm also happy it made you react physically. For any artist, it makes us feel a bit of satisfaction our expressions affected emotions. I hope it also made you think these emotions effect how we act. Thank you.

I hope you never have to deal with it. Trust me, it's not something you want to experience. I'm glad the story worked for you. Thank you for the wonderful review. I appreciate your sentiment. !

Thank You Carlos!!!!! I appreciate the review. How we deal with these things matters. There are many factors involved. My heart grows with a comment as supportive as this. You rock!!!

Oh, Cassie, this is a thrill. I had the nightmare about the cat after our incident. Not this, exactly, however, it was this disturbing. There was a maelstrom of emotions, which you appreciate, and for that I'm grateful. It was hard to write, I'm glad I did it, and I healed from it. Art heals. As always, you are an inspiration to me. Thank you.

Thank you Defiance. It was a trial, but one that strengthened us. I don't go there in the story, but it does give us determination. I appreciate the awesome comment.

Gary, I think you're right about that. Once you are violated in a way, it doesn't disappear. We can get 'over' it or make it something we 'deal with' however, it haunts us. When we read ghost stories, we are delving into a writer's psyche when he or she had their sense of security impaired. We all know this happens in life. This story helped me work through it. Thanks for the lovely comments.

Thank you tim. This was an exercise in recovery. Art is a great way to heal, as this piece proved to me. Everyone has their own path, but for both Ran and I, we found the phantom iron butterfly to be a symbol of healing. Thanks!!!

Thank you Al! The concept of the 'iron butterfly' is my own invention, as far as I know. However, we don't know how things come to influence us. We can endeavor to explore and interpret them. This is an exploration of terror, insecurity and emotional recovery. As always, I love you my friend. Thanks!!!!

The violations are something we can survive. Sometimes, the effects can have lasting consequences. In this case, the guys got past it. After it happened to us, Ran and I united, but we've witnessed the destruction it causes. Not everyone gets beyond it. Thanks for the kind and thoughtful review.

You have given us untold amounts of enjoyment! You've earned it.

This is awesome! You've earned the promo with fantastic characters, plotting and dynamic writing. This is a wonderful event because Sui is a vital part of our community. Read these stories and your pulse will race with the tension. Congrats!

What a lovely story! That's exactly the kinds of misunderstandings and assumptions that are pitfalls in a relationship. You created a very plausible and real story of falling out and reconnection. I can feel Duncan's anger first at Leon and then Carl. You did a wonderful job plotting the twists and turns in the story. Fantastic job!

I like the story and the characters are interesting. I think Ben's selective mutism makes for trait that rounds him. This dystopian world is intriguing. There is much you could do with it. For example, what was the disease that left teens and took everyone else? How do people react recreating society's? Are there incidences of the noble savage, are most dictatorial or maybe more consensus driven? Are there different pockets? Really lots of things to do with this introduction. Great job!

This story was difficult to read, but it tells an interesting, if raw, story. Whether we like our family dynamics or not, they are there. The sins of the past linger unless they are resolved. The worst demons exist in the mind and torment until released. It was a far darker ending than I think you intended. The narrator will now have a taste for killing. Powerful subject matter.

A very haunting tale, and a lovely way to express how we linger to help those we love. Really interesting character and one I won't forget. Thanks!

There are several things in this chapter which are stunning. First off, Jackson's parents realize something is happening. Parents do, though sometimes not exactly why. Next, we have Jackson looking around for Luke. We also see Luke trying to resist. He can't. He is trying yet we can see he knows. Jackson's friends know him. They see what's going on. Jacksons radar is trained on Luke. Yet, they don't know. Well, they do but they don't. Luke and jack are like magnet and steel. Fantastic job! I feel like they are star-crossed lovers. Neither is ready, except Jackson is more passionate. Luke is still not accepting. I get that. To be honest, Luke needs time and Jackson may be devastated. I can't wait for what your vision is. This is really wonderful. Thanks for sharing Krista!

I fingered the list and fiddled with my pen. As hard as I tried, I couldn’t remember exactly what items had been in the middle drawer. I swore the debit cards for the health savings accounts were there, but I couldn’t be sure. After we had picked up all our belongings and placed them back as best we could, it was so hard to be certain. The past two days had been a frenzy of activity after finding the condo tossed and calling the police. “Dew, can you do me a favor?” Malcolm called from arou