Parker Owens

Your writing about Haiku whispered in my head as I filtered through my walks and observations. Thank you for reading these. I’m tickled that the toad caught your fancy.

Late, as is often the case, but I can't help but say, whew to that lovely, hot ending. Matt tried very hard to get Loe to try some new approach to Jay, but he wasn't having any of it. Battling demons indeed. It makes me wonder what Loe is battling, and why distant yearning does more for him than fufilling some of what Jay needs?

New leaves drip at dawn while grey clouds hug the hillsides, disguising the rain. ~~~ One wary chipmunk keeps watch from a mossy log, perched like a furred bird. ~~~ Long-spurred violets bloom amongst the wild onions speckling them with white. ~~~ Catbirds sing off-key, tuning up while awaiting the warblers’ return. ~~~

Yes, Karma snagged several characters, and that was interesting to write about. Rita may yet return another day; somehow I can hope she might find redemption of a sort. She had plenty of crow to eat, as it is. Marta, away from Zoltan and Magda, has bloomed into far more than her parents wanted. She’s happy. I’m very, very glad you enjoyed the concert, and that its description worked to put you there, sitting next to Rick. Thanks so very much for reading, and for all your comments!

Simon will surely remember his chance encounter with Rick. Distance from home and childhood will help him too.

Too much madness, indeed. Thanks for sharing this.

Twenty five chapters? I have ideas, but nothing committed to paper (or its digital equivalent yet). Perhaps Rick and Gus might make another appearance one day, but for now, they have plenty of living on their own I would like to imagine. I'm delighted you enjoyed the cameo visits from CJ, Owen and Chipper. They were fun to imagine. Again, please accept my thanks for reading and for your very kind thoughts.

Thanks very much for your really kind words. They were awesome to find today. The music for Gus' program may have been eclectic, but I hope you enjoyed listening to some of it, either via the links at the end of the chapter, or through the words in the story. Acoustically, I have no doubt that Gus sounded fantastic in Carnegie Hall, and that Rick must have felt he had the best seat in the house. Marta now has a growing business, and plenty of technical work to keep her interested. She and Jared will be a splendid support for Rick and Gus. Rick and Gus appear to have become accepted fixtures in Eagle Lake. Rick's growth in many areas is notable - even if he still prefers not to drive in the big city. What makes me smile about both men is that they have plenty of living and growing still to do. Thank you very much for reading, and for your wonderful comments.

I enjoyed this chapter. Ritch shows steel and judgement in his approach to the insubordinate cadet with an entitlement issue. And CJ’s appearance at the airport may not turn out to be legendary, but his presentation later might balance his memorable introduction.

I’m so glad you read through Rick and Gus’ story. Simon will remember Rick, especially when he gets to be on his own in New York or Boston. Thanks so much for reading and for your thoughts throughout the story.

Thank you for taking time to read Rick and Gus’ story. I’m very glad you enjoyed it, and I hope the characters in Eagle Lake will inhabit your memory as they do mine.

Thank you for reading Rick and Gus’ story and for your many comments over its chapters. I really appreciate your very kind words with this Coda. There are many threads and ideas still worth pursuing connected to this story, and additional chapters might have been written. However, these seemed like detours in themselves, and it appeared that this was the best place to rest. Perhaps some time in the summer sun will be inspiring. Once again, many thanks!

You’re very kind and your words are excellent encouragement. Rick is a changed man, and who can’t say that Gus wasn’t a catalyst? By the end I hoped it was clear that they’ve both grown together. Thanks a so much for your comments and for reading.

I am very happy that you found this chapter, and this story enjoyable. Your comments are most generous, and I'm grateful. I wish I had mined your experiences for Rick's journey from LaGuardia to Carnegie Hall. Your descriptions sounded far too exciting! I imagine Rick was happy to let someone else do the driving. As for the Lovely Rita, I have wondered if she could ever be redeemed. It may indeed be possible. It's something I may take some time to think about under the summer sun, in any case. Thanks again for reading and for your comments.

I'm grateful you read the whole of Rick and Gus' story. Yes, it had to come to an end, but this seemed like a good resting place. Think of this as your well-earned summer vacation. Jared and Marta really made a deep impression on one another. The waited for one another - and she managed to escape whatever her parents had planned. As for Rita McKee's fate, I can confirm that her body does not rest at the bottom of Eagle Lake (or any other body of water). If there is redemption to be had, she may one day experience it. But that will require inspiration I do not currently have, alas. Thank you again for allowing this story to fill at least a part of your Thursdays for so long.

You and Rick are in the minority concerning pre-flight safety messaging, I fear. As for driving in NYC, Rick was treated the services of a person who has plenty of confidence, and the skills of a NASCAR driver. I hope the journey to Carnegie Hall didn't leave you feeling queasy. At least the concert delighted you, and I'm glad the descriptions helped you listen as you read. Were the links at the end helpful? Marta and Jared have teamed up on a more permanent basis; better still, because Jared appears to be working with Rick, that means Rick and Gus might be able to do more than go fishing together. It is not too late for Heinrich Senior to reconcile to his son, and it is to be wondered if he realizes his own mortality. Time for the old man is running low. Thank you so much for reading, and for all your many comments!

Thank you very much for the intracranial applause. Your words are most kind, and I appreciate your thoughtful reading of Rick's story. Rick would not wish evil on anyone, least of all his father, yet the old man had a stroke or a coronary coming. He could not seem to live into any other vision but his own. This not only led him to be a terror to his son, but also sent him astray into the schemes of Rita McKee. Her project was actually legitimate, though her means of fundraising weren't, and she rushed through her highly important environmental "homework." Many things have occurred in the years intervening between Rick's arrival in Chicago and the trip to New York, but one of the most important is Rick's marriage to Gus. I have no doubt that the event would have been greeted with many broad smiles in Eagle Lake. Again, many thanks for reading!

I am glad Rick, Gus and everyone in Eagle Lake will live on in your memory, as they reside in mine. Your comments are really very kind, and I have been most grateful to find yours every week. Marta and Jared will be a fun couple together - and given her contacts through her parents' network, her luthierie business is bound to take off. The Catch and Release name for the festival seemed just right for something Rick and Gus must have worked on together. I included Simon and his mother in the story because I have been struck by how many memorable encounters I have had with fellow passengers on various trips. I vividly recall some of these brief, never-to-be-repeated conversations. For Simon, a soon-to-be-uncloseted-freshman in university, his chance to talk with Rick must have represented a hopeful glance into a future he could not well imagine. Please accept my thanks for reading, and for your many observations and thoughts.

I'm very glad you found Rick and Gus' story enjoyable. Including those special guests at the reception was a great deal of fun. I'm certain Gus and Chipper had fun improvising. Thanks so much for reading and for commenting.

Thank you very much for reading Rick and Gus' story. By the last chapter, they have grown into the love and comfort of each other, and that seems to be spreading outwards from them both. Willy definitely ran out his string, and Heinrich rediscovered his human frailty. Unfortunately, that discovery did not include the ability to reconcile with the son was never quite good enough, and could not fulfill impossible expectations. Zoltan and Magda got taken to the cleaners, perhaps - but more, they have had to face their own fallibility. Simon's parents will probably have a similarly rude awakening. Once again, thanks so much for your comments and for reading.

I think I remember the main character...

You're very kind in your comments. While it was a bit of a leap forward in time, it was fun to see Gus and Rick fully alive together. While this story had to end, I'm hoping inspiration will arrive this summer for a new project. Thank you very, very much for reading Rick's story.

I've only got 20 more years to wait.

You are most welcome. Thank you for your many insightful and interesting comments. Marta knew her own way out of Zoltan and Magda's presdestination plan; graduate early and run to Eagle Lake. You're possibly right that more chapters might have been wrung out of reckoning Gus and Rick's new lives in Eagle Lake. However, it seemed better to let them simply be. Maybe there's a follow-on story waiting to emerge from a dream one day. Simon is not one of my old characters, and you're quite right; there may also be a story in him. His mother is quite as controlling as Zoltan and Magda, as you point out. In fact, there are lots of potential threads one could pursue - I kind of like Cash Lagrande, too. Many thanks for reading this story!

Thanks a million for all your patient and kind work with my drafts of Rick's story, making it turn out so well. Karma, indeed. Heinrich and Willy must live with their choices; Zoltan may indeed be humbled by events. Rita may one day bounce back, if she can put away her bourbon. Rick grew and changed, and Gus was the catalyst. It is indeed all about what love might do. Gus will be ready in 2041!