Parker Owens

Andy has grown a lot; now Zander will have to get used to this new guy. Yes, emancipation is much less romantic. It might also require him to return to Carlsberg. Andy as a lawyer might be interesting. Whatever he does, he will be a formidable individual. Thank you for your thoughts and for reading this chapter in Andy's story.

For once Andy surprised you? Andy is smart enough to read a rule book and figure out some of its meaning. Regardless of whether his proposal is legal, his plan to free everyone of the clouds overshadowing him is his own and nobody else's. It's not a passive reaction. Zander is dense in that he is being confronted with an Andy who is growing and may no longer cling. And Kaz was certainly right - Zander was foolish. This happens, and reveals some of the blinders Zander may wear from time to time. As to an appeal, the county may see a legal challenge quite apart from the merits of Ms. Chandler's case. Nobody likes getting slapped down in court; perhaps Mr. Kowalski is making a point. Thanks very much for your insights into Zander and for reflecting on this chapter. I hope you continue to enjoy the remainder of Andy's journal.

This is the stronger, more assertive Andy we've been seeing emerge. His solution to his difficulties with FPS may not be foolproof, but it is quite powerful in its way. And, of course, Zander said 'yes.' Bruce was full of venom, to Zander's bewilderment. And perhaps Zander will need to get used to an Andy who loves him, but doesn't have to cling for protection. Writing this section was fun to imagine - hope it rang true to character. Thanks so much for your comments, and thank you so much for reading this chapter!

There are enough shoes left to drop to take care of a centipede. For now Andy is content at Zander's 'yes.' That's enough for this one moment. And you are right about Zander, in that he has been kind of oblivious. Kaz has been an excellent friend. Thanks for your reflections and thoughts, and thanks especially for reading this chapter.

Marriage may not be a perfect solution. But it's Andy's solution, I guess. Yes, marriage is very hard for anyone who practices it, I agree. I'm old enough to have seen first loves work out long term, and others crash and burn. Dating can work too (it didn't for me, but did for my brother). Thanks for your insight and your good thoughts. I appreciate your reading this chapter!

Funny how simple solutions often turn out to be tangled, too. Everything you say is generally true, of course. But if it is allowed to stand, Andy's solution cuts through a whole host of issues and courtroom time. Maybe Andy should be a lawyer. Thanks for your keen reading and insights. Thanks again for reading this chapter. It was just serendipity it came up in the week leading up to Valentines Day.

Your words make me glad - that's exactly what I was aiming for. Thanks for taking the time to read!

Prussian Blue like the moonlight on...? Thanks for your kind words.

I'm glad you felt the gentle and persistent tug these characters have on me. Just like that. Thanks for reading!

March 17 – Friday This week has not gone the way it was supposed to. Was I expecting a fairy tale? After Sunday, I'd hoped for better than this. Maybe happy endings don't really exist. Things could go really badly wrong. The reality is that I've pulled away from everyone, at least on the inside. All of my energy goes toward thinking. Plotting. In some ways, the last two days have been almost normal – on the outside, at least. On the inside, nothing is normal. I'm happy, then sad, charged up, t

David is more than Twoey's angel, but also Chuck's. It might have been hoped that the discussion about Kissing with Twoey might have gone longer and farther, but it was not to be. Nevertheless, I liked the connections being built from David's life to Twoey's through Lisa, through Chuck, through Ginny's cooking instruction. And the insatiable Matty to finish us all up. What a very lovely chapter. When does the exploding pastor happen? Wednesday? Can't wait.

Andy Watches Zander in School You move with fluid grace in all you do. Intently through the crowds of faceless ones who populate the halls you stalk your way. I am your prey, you must not see my face nor yet my clothes, lest anything betray intelligence of where I live in school. For in your pleasure you could lie in wait, to pounce and rend me into pieces fine. You'd feast upon my fear, but as you chew a moment's happiness I'd know: it's you. Zander Watches Andy Sleep I watc

Robbie and Fran certainly have a hot time, but it seems more and more that Robbie is having to work harder and harder at it. Sensation is one thing, and real out and out attraction is another. But if Fran and Robbie get hot, I imagine he and Nathan will be combustible; enough to heat the house in a Canadian winter. Thanks for this chapter!

I like this very much. I can relate to the feelings it brings up, and to the frustration of not being able to ease the pain. Thank you for this one.

I have always liked the way you use words in your other poems. It continues here. This has a wonderful, breathless quality to it that you convey deftly and effectively. You have kissed someone unforgettably, here. Lucky guy.

What a lovely start to this story. Patrick appears to be a guy with a lonely gift. A perfect eccentricity in England. Who is the lucky Dane?

I have encountered more than I would like; some are polite and persistent, others outspoken and aggressive. The latter are dangerous, like the Chandler woman. She got her snoot smacked by the judge, which is the least she deserves. Pity she couldn't join your dad. Andy is still anxious, though. Thanks for reading Andy's story here, and for your comments.

I wish I saw that more often. Could not agree more - I wish that was normal for everyone. Thanks for reading and for commenting.

Oh my. This is so tragically true. Makes me remember the story of an ancient professor I heard about, walking on campus during an unusually warm January. Shaking his cane at the sprouting flowers, he cried: "Get back, you fools!" Perfect thought.

This is grand, Gary. The imagery of the birds on the wing over and around you as run is as vivid as cinema. Love the way your rhymes propel us forward as if we were running with you.

You are right in that Andy's legal issues are not resolved, not by half. But you are also right about allies: starting with Zander, then moving out to Kaz and Terry and Monica and Garrett, and still further to the Judge and Mrs. Marjorie, Andy now has some shelter from the storm, should he choose to trust them. Judge Harrison is a county-level judge in a smallish mostly rural county, dealing in family and probate court matters. At least, that's how I perceived him and his role. He does enough daily work with families and children that he knows the regulations in his sleep, I imagine - though the clearly antiquated 'foundling statute' that Garrett found seemed to surprise him somewhat. Andy may develop that pugnacious character you mention, but I think that is a very long way off. Besides, at heart, Andy seems to be more likely to conciliate than fight, unless he is cornered. Bruce and his family have a backstory I thought about, but it is something I thought far too cumbersome to add to Andy's journal. Perhaps there is another avenue waiting to be explored, but we'll see. No promises. I'm sorry you dread the day A to Z will end. It has to happen eventually. I'm so very glad you have enjoyed it. The characters have come to inhabit my heart and brain, which is both good and bad - I'd like some room there to be able to write something else! Thanks for your generous words and insightful review. Most of all, I am glad you continue to read Andy's story.

Here we have the unfair limitation of seeing the world through the lens of Andy's journal. Ms. Chandler's comeuppance will likely be a very quiet political knifing; a deft demotion or transfer by the county authority she so rudely embarrassed. The trouble is, Andy is unlikely to see it or know about it until long after the fact. But Judge Harrison's rebuke will surely start those wheels turning. It is very hard for Andy to stop thinking about flight as a real alternative. He loves Zander and his family, though, and they are worth the fight. Thanks for reading A to Z, and for your cogent review.

You are certainly right - Ms. Chandler could still do Andy a lot of harm, and he knows it. Andy is anxious and unhappy about this. And breathe the words 'Uncle Ray' anywhere near him, and he's likely to bolt. The track tryout was fun to experience from Andy's perspective, wasn't it? And maybe Andy will give Kaz a run for his new, but they may be in different events. Thanks for your commentary, perceptive as always. And thanks especially for reading A to Z this far.

Hollow and empty, you paint that perfectly well. This is an exercise in sadness, a portrait of unhappy loneliness. Expertly done - enough to make me weep.

Judge Harrison is a good ally to have; clearly Ms. Chandler didn't count on that. She's unlikely to let matters stand, but the restraining order/injunction now in place will force her to think of something else. Andy's urge to run overcame any thought of calling out for help. When has anyone come to his aid before? And I never want to race Andy anywhere. Could get hurt that way. Maybe Andy should have called out "pervert!" and watched the fun. He didn't think of that, either. Thanks for your thoughts and I really appreciate your continuing to read Andy's story.