Valkyrie

Rob's stories are what brought me to GA, and this is one of my favorites. I'm so happy I was able to participate in this review. I love the format, BTW. I like reading the different perspectives.

Now that they know Eddie's involved, hopefully they will get some answers. I hope that they are able to get ahold of Bryan before they question Eddie. Something tells me that his phone is going to go to voicemail while he's at the movies and MD will be present at the interrogation and manipulate Eddie into lying. I can't wait for more!

The mac and cheese is the key. How often do you hear that? lol Eddie mentioned the mac and cheese falling on the floor, and MD doesn't like it...now that Bryan saw it in the pantry, maybe it will randomly click in his head and he'll question his brother about it more. Or maybe it's just wishful thinking on my part... My heart aches for poor Wyatt. And Bryan. I hope there's some hope soon. Nice job, as always.

The idea of a young man still holding onto his 'invisible friend' into early adulthood, then realizing he needs to let go is intriguing. I love the concept. I think it would be interesting to follow them throughout their lives, from childhood through growing up. Will he have the courage to let him go? Or will he let him go for a while, only to have him resurface later, maybe during a difficult time. Nice job.

Thanks, Albert. Sometimes it can be hard to find a way to fit in some of the words on the list and sometimes they become a central part of the story. Good luck! I look forward to checking out your response. Thanks for the review. I'm glad you liked it.

Thanks for all your help. You push me to better myself as a writer, and I really appreciate it. Thanks for the review. I'm glad you liked it.

Thanks, Wayne. I'm glad you liked it.

I've never heard of that show. I'll have to check it out. I'd like to think that one day we'll be reunited with those that have passed. Thanks for the review. I'm glad you enjoyed the story.

Thanks for a great review, Bill. I'd like to think this is what awaits us when the time comes.

Awww...your review made my day. Thanks so much.

I'm so glad that Jasmine is living the life she should have been encouraged to from the beginning. She has a tremendous amount of courage to survive what she went through.

I agree with you. Their reaction is not fair. Unfortunately, it's something that happens more often than we would like. I've both experienced and witnessed this effect - whether it was deserved or not. Nick has James now and they are very happy together. I'd like to think that everyone was able to move on and embrace their future, while remembering the good parts of the past. Thanks for the review.

Thank you, dughlas. I appreciate the review.

Thanks so much, Gary. I was wondering what would happen in the afterlife if someone had more than one 'love of their lives'. Frank lived a good life and deserved to be reunited with both of them. I'm glad you liked my vision of their paradise.

There's a sense of foreboding as Sally and Tom make their way up the stairs of the creepy hotel...then bam! The bat makes its appearance and confirms that all is not well at Hotel Amber/Ember. The chanting song at the end reminds me of A Nightmare on Elm Street. Nicely done. So much was conveyed in so few words. That's very hard to do well, but you do a great job of it. I liked it just as much as when I read it the first time.

Thanks, Lisa! Thanks again for editing for me. Your polish really helped make the story shine. It is sad how Nick's friends all abandoned him. Unfortunately, it's a scenario that I've seen played out in real life and it's not pretty or fun. I thought about Nick and Josie having kids, but decided to let them have a clean break. I'm glad you liked the story.

Very thought-provoking, Bill.

Thanks Lisa, and thanks so much for editing it for me. I'm glad you enjoyed it so much.

I loved this piece. As with all your work, I would love to read more. I love the little vignettes of how he's helped other people. I'd love to see what happens when he meets someone he could fall in love with. Nice job, Wayne.

I'm entranced with Triton too, and I don't even particularly like the water...lol I really enjoyed this story and you did a great job with the revisions. You have a real knack for making me want more of your stories. I hope you decide to revisit these guys, whether for a future anthology or even a full story. There aren't too many mermen stories out there, and I think it would be fascinating to explore a relationship between these two. Providing Marcus says 'yes', that is...

Wow, Cole. What a very powerful story. I'm sorry to see Ben and Rush break up. I think Rush made a great decision to open his own agency. I don't think he'd be happy working for a corporation or another PI. I can understand him wanting to take Clay under his wing and protect him from his parents. His parents don't seem like bad people, but they clearly are in over their heads with dealing with a teenager with so many issues. I'm wondering if there isn't an underlying mental illness at play here, in addition to the issues related to his abuse. While things seem on the upswing for Clay, I can't help but feel that it's temporary and something big is looming on the horizon. I can understand Ben's feelings, and wonder if he isn't at least partially right when he says that Clay is in love with Rush. Garrett was older, right? It's not too far of a stretch for Clay to fall in love with his benefactor, then. I have a feeling that the future is going to get darker before it gets brighter. I wonder if Ben will be there to pick up the pieces, or if it is truly over for them. There are so many blurred edges in this story. Fantastic job, Cole. You've really got me thinking.

You captured Julian's nervousness perfectly. I love how he stuck to the presentation, despite Romeo's questions. He gets an A for effort. lol I love the ending and the tenderness of them sitting on the floor of his office, eating their expensive food and looking at the slide show. All the nervousness was over and they could enjoy their anniversary with the surprise out of the way. Great story, Addy. I really like these guys.

I picked a good day to call in sick. (yes...I really am sick ) I look forward to reading all the submissions. Thanks Renee for all your hard work on the anthologies.

“It’s time for me to go. Kevin told me so.” The old man’s voice was low, and his breathing labored. “Don’t say that, Great-Grandpa. Stay… I don’t want you to go.” The boy’s face twisted with the effort of holding back his tears. “Ninety-three years is enough, buddy. It’s time to go be with Grampy. He needs me.” The boy hugged his great-grandfather tightly, sobbing into his chest. “But I love you, and I’ll miss you. We need you, too.” “Come here, Chad.” A gray-haired woman put he

“I’ll see your fifty and raise you a hundred.” I slid the money to the center of the table and sat back in my chair. I had a great poker face, and did my best to maintain it. I knew Josie well enough to know she was bluffing. I intended to call that bluff, no matter how much it cost me. The other four players folded in rapid succession, leaving only my best friend and me left in the round. She narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing my face for any ‘tells’. I raised an eyebrow. “Well? In or o