There's a lot of pain, grief, and guilt going around. Sorting through it all and getting through the healing process won't be easy for anyone. Seeing the aftereffects of such trauma is definitely not easy. I was originally going to include Galen's time in the hospital, but after discussing it with my beta, we decided not to. I'm glad you felt it worked. Thanks for the awesome comment
Yeah, Josh's eyes have been opened in the worst way possible The Monster of Milwaukee? I'm not familiar with that. Yes, this chapter was very difficult to write. I wish I had a Jody I like to imagine all sorts of karmically appropriate things happening to Roger in prison
Haha wait till you read Circumnavigation if you haven't already. I learned from the master of cliffies I got you so wrapped up in the story that you invented a new character... George/Galen Binge mode, activated!
Oh yeah, this is definitely the chapter to bitch-slap Josh! Things are a mess and not going to get better anytime soon. I think the only appropriate reaction here is some major head shaking
Thanks! I'm glad you like the story so much. Waking up to over 200 notifications was quite the surprise! lol I'm loving reading all your comments and re-living the story through them.
Galen and Josh both have their flaws. Josh is stuck in the past, re-living a tragedy he should have faced ages ago. Hopefully getting it out in the open will help him finally move past it. I agree that she shouldn't have shared it with Galen, but it may be just the kick in the ass Josh needs. Time will tell!
Aww... poor Tigger I still miss all my departed cats too.
Josh isn't a bad guy. He's someone who's made a lot of mistakes and can be too stubborn for his own good. I can't find much to say redeeming about Roger so I'll Thanks for leaving me such great comments to wake up to
I think I would have been chased away with torches and pitchforks if I hadn't given Buck to Galen I'm glad you found some good recipes! Josh approves Sometimes people have to be whacked over the head with a proverbial 2x4 before they understand something. We'll see if that's the case here Thanks for the great comment!
Merry Christmas everyone!
It's a quiet holiday for me this year. My mom came over tonight and we had some snacks and I had pumpkin chili for dinner. I made peanut butter bars with salted caramel milk chocolate ganache. We watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Tomorrow, I'll have breakfast at my house and open presents from my friends, then head over to my mom's for lunch and dinner. It'll just be the two of us because of the covid surge here.
Twelve Drummers Drumming
Benjamin huddled into his thin wool coat and drew his cap as far down as he could, hoping to protect his ears. It was a futile attempt; however, since the fabric offered little in the way of actual protection from the elements. He grit his teeth and leaned into the wind as he waded through the snowdrifts, taking care to protect his precious cargo. He’d risked his life to get it; he’d be damned if he was going to lose it.
A profound sense of dread settled in
Thanks! I don't think I gave a chronology here in relation to the end of The Hollow Hills, but it wouldn't be three years - more like a year and half or so. I do plan on writing a prequel and a sequel at some point, though.