Headstall

Hey, Albert. They are lovely.

Happy Saturday, all! I've been busy with responses and PMs, and I have to get moving. Have to go buy some stuff for my renovations and pick up my online grocery order... and I hate shopping. Last night I helped my son (along with my other son) put up a tower and the new StarLink system sold by Elon Musk. It went pretty well... they were the brawn and I was the brains. My son likes to game online, and he was always complaining my Bell internet wasn't good enough, so now he has his own. It's working perfectly for him.

Ah yes, my story within a story. I absolutely loved including this in Endings. Dawson touched me as a character, and I wanted to give him this after all the suffering and regret he dealt with. He's happy now! There is a little more in the next chapter with regards to a conversation, but this is pretty much their whole story. So happy you loved this too, my friend. Cheers!

Hey, Hal Lee! This was a fun first chapter to write. I'm pleased you found the characters interesting, and yes, the bath was an intriguing way to have Virgil and Wyatt interact. This was often how baths were done in the Old West. As far as the narration, you were always hearing Virgil's, the stranger's, thoughts. The story is told entirely from his point of view--in third person limited, which is how I tell most of my stories. You only know what the other characters are thinking by their dialogue or the actions, or Virgil's observations about each scene or situation. Sorry if you were confused, but I hope you will continue this story. I love writing westerns, and this one turned out rather well, Thanks very much for reading and sharing your thoughts with me. Cheers... Gary....

Some really good conversations in this chapter. I love how open Chase is when he talks to Stacey and his dad. You only do that when you are strong enough to see the world as it is. Nothing is being clouded with Chase, even if he might not know what is in Hank's mind, he has made his own decision to move forward. I guess what I'm trying to say is that he is no longer stuck. Reuniting with a good friend like Stacey is a very positive thing in my book. Chase can focus on many things now, and I think he can accept only friendship from Hank now. He's dropped all the baggage, so yeah, he can think of his ex in a positive way. It is an important point to reach... being in the driver's seat of your life. I love reading your thoughtful comments, buddy. They bring me right back into the story. Thank you so much. Cheers! G.

Yeah, I guess that's true. Dawson really spilled the beans about Brent, and shows how well he and Chase communicate. When I said the chapter was sad, I meant the fact these two friends would be parted. I was speaking for Chase. The fact is, this chapter is beautiful to me, in so many ways. As you say, Chase has finally been released from the chains of his grief. I am so proud of that first scene after he left the condo and felt the presence of his mother. His rational thinking was not colored in the least by depression, and that is a profound moment. I agree there is nothing but hope for an unfettered future for Chase now. He is ready... and what happens is no longer tied to Hank. He is his own man, strong enough to face all the truths and move forward. A lot of time has passed... the entire summer, and a lot of healing has taken place. Unfortunately, we can't say the same for Hank. We really don't know if he has even found any peace... because it sure didn't feel like he had at the condo. We shall see. So glad you found this a great chapter. I did too, and as I already said, I am beyond happy with how I got Chase to this point. Christine lives now the way she should... a healthy, vibrant memory who loved her family and wants only the best for them. She is no long the sickly, bedbound woman whose body failed her. She is Soaring now. One more thing... the way Chase supported Dawson was a beautiful thing to write.

Glad to hear it, buddy, because Dawson has been a godsend to Chase, and is my version of the best kind of friend. I have noticed that in dialogue things do get missed by readers sometimes. I suppose I do it myself, maybe because a lot of my dialogue can be rapidfire, and there is often a lot of it. Three cheers for Dawson!

I didn't realize that, but I get it. As far as being afraid to stick your foot in your mouth, you never need worry about that with me. I understand the turmoil this story caused in some readers. It keeps readers on edge, and I never minded anything anyone said. I did my best to be Switzerland while pointing out some stuff, but there were some really strong opinions of the circumstances and the characters. I'm glad you've chosen to reread it, and I hope you get enjoyment from it this time. I am actually honored by all the varied reactions to Endings. Cheers, my friend.

Thanks, Doc! Good validation, and I do need that at times. Does it measure up to a story like and a review? Just asking for a friend. Cook Outs and Cuddle Ups... that would make a great chapter title.

Thanks, Doc. As soon as the story entered my head, I knew where I wanted them to end up. Yes, Larkspur is a popular spot for my cowboys, but the town is growing fast, so now is the time for Virgil and Wyatt to find their piece of heaven on earth. Thanks very much for the support, my friend. So glad you liked it. Despite the shortness of the tale, I feel more and more like it measures up to my other westerns. Cheers! G. Oh! And we know Virgil has gaydar, so he'll be able to tell he has like minded friends in town. Hee Haw!

Exactly. They watched a young man who had done nothing but his job be abused by a loudmouth asshole. It was shameful, and further proof how rotten the town was. Still, Virgil and Wyatt gave them hope now that the gang of rustlers and thieves can be defeated. They owe them a lot. As I said before, Virgil is attentive. He sees everything, not the least of which was Wyatt's true nature. Thanks, doc. Hope you like how it all wraps up. Cheers! G.

Short stories can be tricky to get right, but I didn't really feel rushed. I was careful though, to get everything in I wanted to. It's great to hear it worked well for you, Doc. Wyatt's situation is kind of tragic, but I think if you asked him he wouldn't see it that way. He just accepts things as they are because he's really known no other way. Yet, he does want something better for himself, and I think Virgil is stirring those feelings up just a bit. He may be resigned to staying in Matador Hill for possibly years longer, but he's never had someone care about what happens to him before. Maybe it will spur him on. Thanks, Doc for reading and supporting this. It means a lot to me. Cheers!

Virgil does have great situational awareness, something needed when you are a stranger in town. he notices everything, understanding before he even went into the saloon that the town was an unhappy one. You are so right about accuracy. Often, the one to die was not the fastest draw, but the experienced gunslingers were generally accurate as well as fast.

Thanks, Dan, for reading this series and commenting. A review would be nice too... just saying. For me this is a quiet little series that hits very close to home. Many of us can relate to being alone and wondering what our future holds. The pandemic has changed things at a terrible time for me, but I don't believe in giving up. Sixty is not old... seventy is not old... eighty is not old... unless we stop looking ahead. Even if I get put in a home one day, I will be checking out the possibilities. So pleased to hear you found this beautiful... and yeah, I can be soothing. The Watcher Series is my guilty pleasure when I am feeling down. Thanks again... cheers... Gary....

Baskets of geraniums. This was a lovely story to read, Val. I believe, though David wasn't behind the purple door, he knew Greg had to go through it to get where he needed to be. It wasn't just the ramblings of a sick and dying man. Always happy to read about older men finding and accepting love. As well, I find the idea of ghosts comforting, and Josef was a welcomed one. Well told as always. Cheers!

But he has his integrity.

Why would you not trust, dugh? He is nothing but honorable... and he's not Texan.

I'm good, Tink. How are you?

Bonus bonus...

Unfortunately... just wallpaper.

Friday bonus!

Happy Friday, all!

Thanks, Doc. Not a lot of time in a short story so the writing has to be economical. Still it is important not to shortchange the reader. We have to be able to place ourselves in that town, and in that saloon. Matador Hill is full of tension... exactly as you describe it. The rot is setting in. Virgil and Wyatt's connection happened instantly, once their eyes met in that smoke-dirty mirror. I've experienced that... that one glance that intrigues and captures my attention. And then when they meet in person, the conversation worked despite them being strangers. Virgil opened up rather quickly, and that tells me he needs a friend. Thanks again, bud. I appreciate you reading, and always look forward to hearing your thoughts. Cheers! Gary....

I've said all along that Christine's death must have affected Hank deeply, and here is where we see it. We see how close they are. I'm glad you found this comforting, Terry. I sobbed while rereading it, but there were good tears. I don't understand your feelings on Dawson in this chapter, I must admit, but that is the beauty of such a story. It invokes different things in different readers. As I see it, he was being honest about how he saw things, and really wanted happiness for his friend. He was trying to light a fire under Chase, but he is a man dealing with regret, and that definitely seeped into the conversation. I adore the closeness of these two... they can be blunt with one another, but the respect is always there. I agree Chase was not on his best behavior with Hank, but there is so much feeling between them still, and things escalated. However, I don't see Kevin and Hank as victims. Hank verified he slept with Kevin, and while that is his business, it was a final nail in their coffin, As far as Kevin, it sounds like he really wants a relationship with Hank, and I have to wonder why he doesn't see what we see... Hank's unresolved feelings for another man. Personally, I would never go there. He was supposed to be Chase's friend too. You're right... it would be good for hank to reach out to his mother, but it would appear chances of that are really slim. Hank needs help, though. That is obvious. Thanks for hanging in and getting to this point... and for being so engaged. I love that because it makes me feel like I did a good job of showing the ups and downs people go through. Cheers, Buddy.