Headstall

Hello.

I squealed!

There's no such lake, silly.

Someone sounds like a jealous bitch.

Hello, all!

Yup. It's Chris.

Drewth!

There's a contestant on Big Brother named Drew and he was called a liar tonight by two people, and now they are calling his lies Drewth. Even he said it. I kid you not. Drewth has gone international!!!

Yep. It definitely took fortitude and some luck to survive back then. If you didn't learn quick, you often perished. All we can do is hope Willy James is tougher than they are thinking he is.

So sad. The man could rock a teddy.

That would be ideal, Patrick, but is it too much wishful thinking? I love how invested readers are in the fate of Willy James....

Thanks so much! It is a subtle scene, but I had hoped it would pack some punch. It's understandable for August to worry... love does that... but Fletcher let him know in no uncertain terms that all he needs is him and their shared future. I'm often accused of being sappy, which is actually true, but I write mostly for these moments between characters... seeing them think while they talk, and having them share what they truly feel with us. Okay... rambling again. Yes, Runyan had quite the story to tell. As much as they were all worried for the boys, I don't believe any pictured it playing out like it did. There is no where to hide from such brutality. I have to say I love writing Runyan's character. He's the kind of character who could carry his own story. Gran is next, and I'm eager for readers to meet her. Cheers and thanks, my friend.

Happy almost birthday, Page!

I'm pleased you see that, Cane. There is potential danger around every corner in these times I'm writing about. It's not that the Old West was lawless, because it wasn't, but new frontiers attracted all kinds of people who were experts at using and manipulating and hurting others to gain a benefit. Robbers watched roads and trails for targets, as well as trains and towns with only a sheriff or a deputy spread too thin. Vigilantes were another danger, taking law into their own hands, and of course, making fatal mistakes. The real problem was that people were spread so thin as to be vulnerable to all kinds of things, not counting the very real natural dangers of the time. So... Runyan is right to be worried about Willy James. He's a man who can handle himself, but is Willy James? They are in Warrensville and almost home. August is already feeling it. Thanks, my friend.

Heartbreaking.

Sounds like they need you for all four days for the combined 3 year class.

No Drewth in this.

That is so sad. To be so lucky to have survived a war only to die before his twentieth birthday.

And there were many other young men/boys who lied about their age in order to fight in the civil war. A horrendously sad time in U. S. history. It wasn't uncommon to have eight children born and have none of them live past infancy or adolescence. Conditions were not conducive to survival for many who tried to eke out a life in an oft brutal world, and many children were left parentless. You're right, Doc, that childhood innocence is a relatively new concept for the 'new world'. Researching these times has been a real eye opener. I think of my boys at eight years old and I can't begin to imagine....

Wow. That's a long flight. Feels like you just left for your vacation a week ago.

Greetings.

I'm sure someday in the distant future someone might find bones washed into the creek, but marshy swamps generally keep their secrets. I'm convinced the two lads are safe in this instance. Runyan is a smart fellow. Yeah, Warrensville's welcome almost makes us forget what Runyan just went through. What is that saying... bad things happen when good men do nothing? Runyan is one of the good ones who did something. As a writer, I find it especially intriguing when someone who has taken some big kicks throughout his life, rises to the occasion, his dignity and compassion still intact. There is an inner strength there. He certainly didn't need to go back, but he did, and now those two young men have a good chance to be happy together. Thanks, buddy. I appreciate you hanging in with me.