Parker Owens

You are very kind in your remarks. Your thoughts about Age are quite poetic in themselves. Thank you for the note about Unborn. I am happy the twist worked out.

"Lief" is such a handy word sometimes. I'm glad it is in your lexicon. The long, late-running winter surely played a part in bringing Age to paper. Too much snow at the wrong time of year will do that. I am glad Unborn worked out for you. Thank you for your kind words and comments.

I hesitated to post Unborn because I wondered if it would put some readers off before getting to that moment. I have so many scraps with the unborn in my notes and on my desk and dresser... I am sure it is the late and long winter that makes me feel Age so much. We travel together down that road. Thank you very much for reading these and for your comments.

Eric is drawn to Toby; it’s the effect of a friendly smile, perhaps. He’s known so few of them. Ambrose is certainly interested in this new boy who is working on the farm. That’s natural; he’s clearly watching out for his aging parent. Thanks for continuing to read the journal and for your thoughts.

@Butcher56: Eric is glad for the job, the shelter, and the chance to eat, surely. And from Eustace, he is getting something he’s never experienced before: trust. The respect Eustace shows Eric may be worth more than any of these. Thanks for reading the journal, and for your comments.

Eric / Stephan has enough money to eat a little, and that's good. He's definitely wary, but still very unsure of how to make his way. Running is the one thing he knows he must do. I am glad the journal is drawing you in. Thank you for reading!

Age I'm weary of death, and he of me, though soon in his arms I'm sure to be; I'll shudder and shake in his cold, cold clutch where it's winter eternally. I've never been fond of skulls and such and black fashion clothes don't thrill me much, a rainbow of color I'd lief as take when stillness my heart must touch. Though sleep has its charms, I'll stay awake recalling to mind that cheerful ache I woke to each morning, content with joy, for embraces I'd not forsake. But

Yes, guilty as charged. I’m a teacher. We all teach, to some degree or another. Stefan taught me a great deal as I wrote his story.

Stefan had managed to escape by the luck of misperception and mistaken identity. For once, luck is on his side. He has endured so much. Yet he is still on the run, still hunted. Thank you for reading and commenting.

Thank you for beginning the journal Stefan wrote. It is not an easy read, but one that too many kids might understand too well these days. I hope you continue to read and comment as you are moved to do so. Thanks again.

You are certainly correct about that.

Poor Cameron. He's had the worst luck of all. Devin is being an ass; he knows something is wrong, but how to make it right? Being a pain to Kevin is hardly going to work. But I suppose teens learn the hard way, don't they?

This pair of love poems will lead me to my heart’s meditation tonight. They are beautiful. They reflect love that can shine everywhere, for everyone. Thank you.

I’m enjoying this story. It says so much to so many about things that cannot be repeated enough. And to watch Jimmy and Drake slowly slide toward each other is delightful.

Galen is healing, at least to some extent. As much as it hurt him (and those of us readers, too) to say it, perhaps he needed to work some things out beyond the confines of the farm. He actually could talk to the flirtatious and aggressive Ben, though he averted any description of how he came to be the way he is. But Galen is a long way from being nearly incapacitated as he was when he and Josh went to NYC. Ben repelled him, but so does the idea of a real, honest relationship with Josh. He can't talk about it with Josh, even though they love each other. Perhaps Eddie can help, or point Galen to more resources. Galen feels broken; it will take a very long time to feel anything close to whole again. He can hardly be blamed for feeling frustrated and impatient. Great chapter - it makes clear that there are no easy routes, no easy answers.

Color me gobsmacked and utterly surprised to see Predator Prey featured this week. Thank you @spikey582 for such a kind and generous review. @Mikiesboy , @Carlos Hazday , @northie , and @Valkyrie , I appreciate your wonderful words about this story. I am deeply humbled, but grinned all through my first class of the day...

I could no more be a waiter than I could qualify for the Olympics - and I can do the math. Great story! Hope he gets to see the customer in a different venue...

Oh my... lovely idea...

You have my prayers and best thoughts.

Sometimes parents get an idea or an impression, and it leads them far astray. Brett recognizes this in César’s ‘thinking like an accountant.’ Now to see if César can think like a parent who may have irrevocably damaged his relationship with both his son, future son in law, and his husband. That may concentrate his mind considerably. Great chapter!

Hi! Glad you are here!

Something evil is definitely afoot. The captain will be on his guard, we hope. What to make of Kohen, and his quick thinking? And what will those who engineered the death of the crew member make of these, too? You are weaving a great tale.

Thus was a great entry, Carlos! I really enjoyed hearing from this variety of authors.

Thank you so much for these words. They mean so much to me. I hope these are happy tears, tears of joy and hope. It is immensely encouraging to know that this story affected you, and that you have read it twice through. I am very grateful.

For me, it is the final stanza that connects with me the most. The sculptor is pleased; this is what matters, what fulfills.