Headstall

Is this the ministry of health that eats roadkill bears and raccoon penises?

I think there is something readers might have missed for the most part. The title is Endings with an S. It is as much about Christine's ending as it is about Hank's and Chase's. Christine lives throughout this story, though she is dead and buried. That is the beauty of the human experience, that we still get to live in the hearts of those we leave behind. Her thoughtfulness is on full display in this chapter... she knew her son well. And Charles, as her messenger, did all he could. I don't know about you, but this chapter (still) makes me sob like a baby. Is there hope for these two 'idiots'? It's not looking good, but both men have a ways to go in their individual journeys. Cheers, Patrick.

I really enjoyed writing the camaraderie Chase and Dawson have. Good friendships are worth their weight in gold. Yeah, back up plans are never a good idea. You can't play with people, and fortunately, Chase has his dad to make that point. The fact he has him to talk to again is a huge plus to someone who has struggled like Chase has. He's gone through the same thing, and understands like others might not. And yeah, it's fair to wonder why Hank was so subdued when he came out of his building. At this point, we are all wondering what happened with Kevin. Thanks, buddy. I love being back in this story again. G

Such a good question, Patrick. Will it hurt Hank further to see Chase as someone who doesn't need him or anyone else anymore? To see he can move on. I would bet it will eat at him. Even when we tell ourselves we don't want something, it doesn't mean it's true. Depression and guilt tend to do that, color our feelings so we just end up reactionary. I think we saw some of that in this chapter. It is hard to believe Hank is in a good place. Is it fair to think Hank would be that small? Maybe not... he didn't ask to be Chase's rock in tough times, but he did step up. Cheers and thanks, my friend.

Oh, my, do we have a consensus? This story affected Terry ( @raven1) deeply, so much he had to leave it for a time. I totally understood, but really appreciated he came back and contributed with his thoughtful responses. @Marty is like me in how he reads a story. He lets it come to him, and he was a voice of reason and calm. That said, I love the emotional responses just as much. I wrote a story I wanted to hit home and hit hard.

It was phenomenal wasn't it? The amount of strong reactions and comments this chapter brought blew me away. As the author, these are my characters so I try to sit on the fence. If we think about all that's happened since the story started, what these men are facing in different ways, it's understandable readers reacted this way. As I've said before, endings are hard. That said, I agree Hank is coming across as a real prick, but remember where it's coming from. I also agree, and Chase does too, he can't go down the Dawson road. It wouldn't be fair to anyone. I'm glad you like Dawson though. Maybe if we actually knew Kevin, we might like him a bit more... or... maybe not. Thanks, Patrick! Cheers! G

Hey, Les! Lol. Thanks! I love when someone rereads a story of mine. Bearpaw was so rewarding for me... please leave a Story Like/Reaction on the front story page please. These reactions stir more interest.

Greetings, wingnuts and wizards.

Welcome to the Paddock, @Flun90 ! Also known as the asylum.

Awesome, B! That's amazing.

Despite some setbacks, it sounds like a fun day.

Hi, Les! So stoked you found this new story, and that is has your interest. Readers have been slow to find this one compared to others I have written, so hearing from you is much appreciated, my friend. Hope you like the next chapter too... and the next. Please leave Chapter and Story Reactions/Likes if you don't mind. Cheers... Gary

And some need shackles and straitjackets.

Not as far an I'm concerned.

Hello, patients. How was your Jello this morning? Remember, all plastic spoons must be returned to Big Bertha for counting.

Amen to Pennsylvania Avenue. That DL is running rampant, so let's just stick with this journey. Lol. Conniving Cooties... I like it! I hope they aren't contagious. August, fortunately, seems to have developed immunity. Have a great day, my dear friend.

I believe we see here just how messed up and bitter Hank is. He jumped to the wrong conclusion here... should he not consider he might have jumped to the wrong conclusion on that fateful evening? Lol. I can tell you with certainty Dawson was not the man in the stall. You're right, that would be creepy. We can only hope the kindness will come, but endings are often volatile and never truly resolved. Even a sort of friendship might not be in the cards. Thanks, Patrick. I agree this was an intense chapter. It can't have been easy for Dawson either.

I'm so sorry I missed this, Terry. Your observations were really astute. I understand someone taking sides, but it doesn't make much sense at this point. Easy for me to say I suppose. Bad timing is truly in effect in this story at this point. You're so right that neither man is ready, and that what happened in the garage is the exact reverse of what happened in the park. Love that you saw that. The truth is both men are hurting bad, and there are deeper reasns for it. This story ruffled a lot of feathers which was a good thing to me. It showed a fantastic level of engagement and thought. In the end, we have every right to judge characters, but it is also everyone's right to change their minds. Thanks for this, my dear friend. Cheers! Gary

I thought it would be inappropriate to mention you, the head nurse who dishes out the medication. Get's them all rattled, you know.

Greetings to the inmates of the asylum, and to spikey, your leader.

Hey, Doc. I think the letters will become a moot point if August goes ahead and tells Albert his plans. I'm sure there will be sparks though. Whether there is a full blown explosion remains to be seen. August turns twenty in a week, so he is certainly of age to own Barnswallow. We don't know Gran yet, but it would seem to me she is at least as smart as Albert. She has kept this under wraps for the four years the homestead has stood vacant, waiting for August to be ready. They don't see each other often, but they have stayed in pretty regular contact, so probably knew August was ready to stand up to his father. Hopefully, she's right. August may have good intentions not to accept financial help, but would he be able to hold to that? My guess is Gran is a force to be reckoned with. So yeah, he should take the frigging stake. I like the way you think, Doc. Dismemberment? Could be fitting. But... will this writer take the easy way out? Hmmm... maybe. I was the middle brother. My older brother escaped any responsibility growing up, and my younger brother was spoiled as the baby... until my sister came along and knocked him from his perch. Like you, I did the yard work, the dishes, the laundry, cleaned and waxed the floors every week, and looked after my mother when she had severe emotional problems. It was a tough life for a kid, so I understand you. It is hard not to be bitter, but the truth is I was the only one able to hold things together. My stepfather was useless in that regard. When my mother got pregnant with my sister(I was sixteen at the time) she came back to us, all her 'nerve' issues disappearing. I don't begrudge anything or anyone either, but it wasn't an easy time. My older brother is still selfish, but my younger did step up when my mother got sick in her elder years. It was what it was. I don't understand why the oldest son or child gets precedence over siblings though. I treated my four equally, and they will all inherit equally. Albert's ideas are antiquated now, but still we see it. Thanks, my friend. You always get me thinking. Cheers! G

Good tidings to all the folks in the looney bin.

I miss him being around every day.

You certainly are.

Lol. I think you mean creepy Cooleys. It's been pointed out to me those names are too similar. 'Ease on down, ease on down the road' makes me think of that movie The Wiz. Remember that one with Michael Jackson and Dianna Ross? That song was a hit. Yeah, you could be right about a showdown, and I suspect it could be a dangerous one for Fletcher. Still, what can Albert do? I doubt he would tie him up, and that's likely what it would take for a man who is taking ownership of himself. Once that is in a person's head it is a hard thing to back away from. Hurt his horse? Well... they had no trouble hurting those sheep, did they? Would I let them do that? Thank you, my dear friend. Happy you are onboard for this little journey.