Parker Owens

It's okay to get a little verklempt from time to time. This was one of those times. It happened to me as I re-edited the chapter, too. Thanks very much for reading and responding.

So glad you enjoyed this chapter. Evil Uncle Ray has been stewing in jail, and Ambrose's circumstantial evidence, plus Andy's journal could put him away for a very long time, indeed. There were new questions raised, too, but for now Andy has much information to digest. Thanks so much for you reactions, and for continuing to read Andy's journal.

Andy now has people who care about him and love him. We don't get to see everything that happens outside of Andy's vision - Ms. Chandler at FPS is surely going to die a very quiet, swift political death unless she can reverse her fortunes in court (seems very unlikely). Judge Harrison's reprimand and note to the county commission should see to that, though Andy wouldn't see it or even hear of it until well after the fact. I am glad you will retain a dog-eared copy of this story; I have a few such books in my collection that I can't resist visiting with like old friends from time to time. If I have introduced you to one such, then I am very happy indeed.

Yeah, it was, wasn't it? It felt really good to write this. Thanks for you comment, and for reading.

Thanks for your simple words of encouragement. I appreciate them coming from a gifted writer such as yourself. This was not Chapter Z, not yet, but there were quite a few loose ends tied up, or markers laid down (pick your metaphor). Hope you enjoy what's coming next.

I will consider myself hugged. (insert blush here) Many questions got laid to rest here, and Andy will have to deal with them, eventually. Andy ironically has several rival claims on him. Thanks for your very kind and generous words; I am glad you liked this chapter, as I felt very good in writing it, too. Thanks for reading Andy's journal, and hope you continue to enjoy it.

I am so very pleased you like this story, and enjoyed this chapter, especially. It was a fun section to write. Thanks for your encouragement, and I hope you enjoy the remainder of Andy's journal.

No - Andy isn't alone. In fact, it appears there could potentially be a number of people trying to claim him. Thanks for continuing to read Andy's journal - and for your lovely "wow." That's very encouraging.

I am glad you felt the same insistent tug on your consciousness from this story as I had in writing it. Nice to be able to share. This chapter certainly tied up many loose ends, and may let Andy finally feel more secure about many things. Thanks for your encouraging words, and for taking time out to read Andy's journal some more.

Okay, I am officially and completely grossed out by Pastor Ugh and David's mother. David's plan to blackmail the pair will get them off his case (probably, though the pair's own nuclear retaliation cannot be ruled out), but in any case the descending silence may not restore parental relations in the household for the better. I really feel for David's father; he loves his sons, one of whom is going through a tough time grasping his own identity; probably loves his wife (despite her infatuation with fundamentalism) and appears to be a supportive and kind person. Can't imagine he knows much joy in getting silence and stonewall treatment from David or his wife. Doubt he'll put up with it for long, which could be a real wild card David isn't counting on. Sam is a great ally for David, true. Twoey is probably worried out of his mind, and Ginny is possibly annoyed. Not good. Matty is getting less and less attractive; Chuck needs friends and acceptance, not an abrupt introduction to gay sex ed., at least if Chuck's thoughts are any indicator. This marvelous chapter is a splendid thought-generator! Any chance we might get another chapter in about 24...minutes?

I am so very glad you like this chapter. Lots of questions got answered, true. You may yet get your wish to see an Andy-Eustace reunion Your generous encouragement continues to inspire - thanks for reading and for your reflections.

I would like to thank you for continuing to read Andy's journal, and for the magic words every author loves to see in a review ..."looking forward to more." Thanks also for the words "our Andy." Glad you have enjoyed the story enough to take him into your heart, too.

Sometimes, it is so, so hard to write a response to a review knowing that there are things one absolutely mustn't say. I am glad Ambrose gained some redemption for you in this chapter. He really is a good guy. His colleagues in Carlsberg were distracted, perhaps - or fooled by what appeared to be a lead that went nowhere for too long. By the time they refocused, they had a new suspect in custody (Ray) and Andy had wandered off into the mountains and complete obscurity. The principal in Carlsberg was a total jackass - you have him pinned perfectly. Not only was he wilfully blind, but he continued to feel the need to justify himself long after the fact of Andy's disappearance and suspected (by Carlsberg police, anyhow) death. Some people simply can't admit that their thinking might be faulty. Unlike Ambrose, who single-mindedly searched for the truth and discovered something quite different to his original suspicions. About James F. Ackerman, Stefan-Eric-Andy never knew JFA well enough to divine his social connections; very likely JFA was simply a well known and respected athlete who hid his darkness well. This happens far more frequently in schools than any teacher or administrator would care to admit. You have said so many kind and generous things in your multiple reviews that I cannot thank you enough. I am profoundly grateful you have stuck with the story, and I appreciate your many insights. Thanks for being such a good reader of Andy's journal.

The principal at Carlsberg will probably never face prosecution for his wilful blindness; probably will take early retirement. Perhaps we can hope he simply fades into complete irrelevancy as the world goes on to ignore him - something that would probably gall the man every day of his remaining existence. Uncle Allan's appearance opens some new windows on Andy's world, but that hasn't really sunk in yet with Andy. I am very happy you enjoyed this chapter, and I thank you for your insights. And thanks again for reading Andy's journal.

You are very kind to write so encouragingly; and I am sorry that Andy's story has tugged hard on your heartstrings. I am delighted that you have stuck with Andy through his very eventful year, and I thank you for reading his tale.

Mike - I am very glad you enjoyed meeting Andy. I thought a tale such as his deserved a real fleshing out of his growth and development. So often stories of this kind pass over a character's development with economical "time passes" paragraphs. Sometimes that works, sometimes not. For Andy, it didn't seem to. I know that many have found the initial chapters to be too dark and unhappy to be able to continue. I am grateful to you that you chose to persevere through the horror that is unfortunately all too real for many kids. And I thank you for your kind and encouraging words.

Wow. Better than breakfast beer - that's high praise, I think. I am very happy you thought this chapter was worth waiting for. Xleroc raised many interesting questions, and I wish I could answer them all here. Alas, I mustn't. I think you might be right about your 'nitpick.' If I ever get the time to do an overhaul and re-edit, this one of the things I'll look at. I smile to think you have grown fond of Andy. All the A to Z characters have become deeply embedded in my brain, and I find they inhabit my thinking. Thank you for your response to this chapter, and I am delighted you enjoyed it. More importantly, I am glad you have taken the time to read Andy's journal.

You are right in that this chapter is bittersweet; and perhaps more complex than the fairy tale it appears to be on the surface. Andy is surely blown away by being discovered, and then to learn of all the discoveries Ambrose has made in consequence of his investigations. Ambrose's commentary clearly aims the finger of blame for Andy's mother's death toward Gunnar; circumstantial evidence, plus Andy's journal, points to Ray as Gunnar's killer. There is a lot of poetic (or karmic?) justice in this chapter, isn't there? It was fun thinking about it all. To Eric, Ambrose was a hazard, a potential danger. This would color what he recalled and wrote about himin the summer. Now something else is revealed to an Eric now called Andy - a tenacious investigator who wanted to know the truth. That Monica and Garrett were ready to interpose themselves between danger and Andy speaks volumes about how much they love the new boy in their lives. Thanks so much for your very generous and thoughtful reflections. Of course, I am very glad you have followed Andy's story.

I cannot promise sparkling. However, I am glad you thought this chapter was moving and fulfilling. Andy must have had his emotional insides wrenched in a bunch of different directions - roller coasters will be a breeze for him after this. And yes, there is love for him now, love he can believe in. Thanks so much for your very kind reviews, and for your encouragement. Most importantly, thank you for taking the time to read Andy's journal.

Well Andy is certainly sprinting forward, whatever he might do on the track team. Thank you so much for your kind review, and for reading Andy's story.

Certainly the circumstantial evidence Ambrose mentioned, plus Andy's journal points very strongly toward Ray as Gunnar Ericsson's killer. I am very glad you have enjoyed Andy's story - I find the characters have gotten deeply embedded in my psyche. And thank you for your many kind and thoughtful reviews, too.

Thank you so much for your patience while I shoveled out yesterday! I am also glad you liked this relevatory chapter. As to your questions...some will have to remain out there, hanging...(sorry ) But... 1. Circumstantial evidence in the journal, together with what Ambrose told Andy points pretty clearly at Uncle Ray as Gunnar Ericsson's killer. 2. Can't say anything about this one. 3. James Fucking Ackerman got found out for planting flashbangs and smoke bombs in school - at least, that's what Ambrose suggests. His punishment is not mentioned, but will probably mean something pretty nasty. 4. This is not something Andy really knows. Allan will have to prove his relationship to Andy, which can take a little time.

Entry for March 19, Sunday, continued…. I couldn't believe it. I was staring into the face of Ambrose Whitley. I was stunned. If I'd kept my wits, I would have sprinted for the barn, gone on through the llama enclosure and headed for the woods. Instead, I just stood there, motionless. How had Ambrose tracked me down? What mistake had I made? I had been so close to real happiness – and now he'd found me. "Excuse me," I heard Garrett say, "but who are you, and what do you want?" He was ready

You feel hurt, you write hurt. I totally agree with Tim, poets write what is deeply felt. But know that I feel a desire to support you, and hope you are healing, too. Hugs and thanks for sharing.

And now I am hanging off the cliff, by a thread. Hanging. OM(f)G indeed. What just happened? That David is not answering his phone is incredibly worrisome. What did he see, or what did they do? You had a perfectly splendid chapter going, all ready to hand it to the social studies teacher on a platter, all sorts of good things happening with Twoey, and then...I can't wait for more, and the sooner the better. Like, right now would be good.