For Andy, this was a moment that light could flood his whole being. The darkness in which he has lived for so long is fading, at least for the time being. Thanks so very much for your comment and for reading so faithfully.
Certainly Zander's heart must have stopped, or close to it. But who knows what happened? Perhaps that makes me evil, but that remains to be seen in the ensuing chapters, I suppose. Thanks again for reading and for your comments!
It certainly looks as if another shoe dropped, if not a hobnailed boot. It landed squarely on poor Andy, however. He has bolted to his hidey hole, but he remains much shaken. Thank you for adding your thoughts.
Thank you very, very much for your comments. I suspect any kind of poetry would be lost on the man in question. More and more signals of approaching spring have emerged for those who take a moment to stand still and observe. Again, thank you for reading and for adding your thoughts.
Andy’s definitely wary of parties and getting too close. He’s been hurt too many times. Yet, Zander exerts a magnetic pull on him. You’ve identified this - thanks for your observations!
It’s a sure sign of friendship that Zander and Kaz and Terry cornered Andy into running. But friendship is so unusual to him that he may not fully recognize it. I do like your characterization of friendship as poetry! Thanks so much for reading and for your comments.
It makes me smile to know these characters engaged you so deeply. Even though I wrote this story a while ago, they live with me and inhabit my mind every day. Zander’s father reacted in a way I could only wish for everyone who comes out. Thanks a million for reading, and especially for your comments.
Thank you very very much for your comment. This chapter amounts to an earthquake in Andy’s life. You’re quite right about Andy’s cautious approach to any event; doubly so in response to the one boy he can’t ignore. Thanks again!
A Memo To Elon
This past week
I stood still and listened
to the hopeful song of the cardinal
calling over the sapsuckers drumming in the woods
and the river’s riotous laughter
as it chased broken ice
to the sea.
This past week
I sniffed the morning air
for signs of waking and warming earth
astir and restless in its late winter slumber
with dreams of vivid autumn colors
that promise to blossom
into green.
I am frustrated by being allowed only one emoji/reaction icon. This is a masterful piece of writing, a fantastic work that left my imagination and heart working overtime.
Definitely messy and not the chocolate-heart valentine one might expect. But there’s a blueberry’s worth of hope, too. Thanks for your very kind words!