Valkyrie

Thank you for bringing us on this picturesque walk with you. These are better than any photograph.

So very true. We need to enjoy the time we have with those we love. Thank you so much for the kind words.

Thank you. Yes, they very much do live on as long as we remember them. Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment.

Thank you! I'm glad there were a few curveballs for you. I don't like my stories to be too straightforward

Their relationship was clearly meant to be. It was definitely a winding road, but worth it in the end. Thanks for sharing their story with us

This story brings back memories of when one of my good friends from elementary school moved away. I was really upset, but we promised to keep in touch. There were no cell phones back then, but he promised to write. I was so excited to get a letter from him, and I wrote one back immediately, only to find out my mom had thrown away the envelope the letter came in. My friend hadn't put his address in the letter, so I had no way of sending my letter to him. He never wrote a second one. I'm surprised it took Gavin and Tristan so long to find a way to stay in touch. I would have thought they'd exchange letters or emails or even texts sooner, but at least they were able to finally reconnect. I'm wondering what happened to bring about Gavin's silence. I don't want to assume it was because he read the story

The powers that be decided that they were too exclusionary. They want people out in the mainstream workforce, which is unrealistic, and quite frankly, not appropriate for all individuals. Nobody bothered actually talking to the individuals who worked in the sheltered workshops, none of whom wanted them to close. It was a supportive environment with their peers, where they could earn a little bit of spending money. So now people who should be working, but can't find appropriate employment, have to go to day habs, without walls, or other similar programs. It's better than having nothing to do, but it's a shame the state didn't see the bigger picture or actually listen to the people the change was affecting.

There's no anthology banners this time?

The personal nature of this story shone through clearly. The treatment of people with developmental disabilities has definitely come a long way, thank goodness! I just rewatched the documentary about Willowbrook and it's a somber reminder of what these individuals have had to endure. They are capable of so much when given the right support and opportunities. Unfortunately, New York has done away with sheltered workshops, which is a travesty, but the decision was made by people with no experience with the DD population and think they know what's best. But I digress and will get off my soapbox now. Thank you for sharing this story with us!

I'm hoping to read them all this weekend.

Exactly! Thank you so much for your kind words.

Thank you Your description is spot on.

I read that you read it.

Thank you for reading and commenting. I'm glad you liked it.

Thank you so much! I cried when I wrote it. It brought back a lot of memories. I'm glad it didn't leave you sad.

Thank you!

Very true. Thank you

Thank you! I'm glad you liked the use of the weather and the elements. I wanted them to parallel Cory's journey, so I'm happy that came across.

Thank you so much!

It is a beautiful path that unobtrusively leads to you. Yes, I like it because it seems so bright and friendly. “Cory O’Connor?” I jumped and scrambled to my feet. I hadn’t heard the car pull up. “Yeah, that’s me.” The teenager standing in front of me held up two grease-stained paper bags. At least, I assumed he was a teenager since he was driving. He looked like he was twelve. “I’m with Uber Eats. You ordered Arby’s?” “Yup. Did they remember the honey mustar

Cory and Mark are BFFs who have faced all of life’s milestones together. They’re about to travel a dark path, until realizing the light will shine again on a different day. This story is an exploration of friendship and grief, and may be difficult for some to read.

Interesting answers. I can't guess because I already know who it is *pouts* but I'm interested to see who everyone else thinks it is.

This is a perfect illustration of 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder'. Yan Rui may not be physically attractive, but he's a better person than the healer or the jarheads. I'm also curious about how he will repay the debt to the old healer.

It's also the Prompt Team's first prompt