Parker Owens

Rita may or may not cough up the cash she owes Rick and his father's firm. It looks as if her finances may suddenly seem quite constrained. At least Rick has kept her from developing something purely awful on College Hill. Thank you very much for your kind thoughts, and for reading the story.

Rick's simplicity and sincerity carried the day. Everyone knows Rick, and trusts him when he talks about things he knows well. It was a grave mistake for Rita to underestimate him. Thanks for reading, and for your thoughts.

There are moments in life when anything at all seems possible. Elation with the result of the meeting let Rick come out to his friend; Jerry didn't fulfill Rick's fears, he affirmed his friendship. So now Rita can get all of Zoltan's hate mail. I will let you choose which malefactor you want to single out as Eagle Lake's Biggest Villain. Assuming the project cannot go forward, the partnership Rita formed will be unwound, its debts paid, and whatever is left will get returned to the investors. If the plans and site maps were any indication, she has already spent some of the money, perhaps a lot of it. Peter Beck may seem cold in this chapter, but Rick was kind of aloof to him when he was working in the basement. Moreover, when Mr. Beck realized his wife and Rick dated back in high school, he may have gotten a bit jealous of the man who knew how to fix the basement disaster. Thanks for your thoughts and comments, and for reading the story!

“Well, hello, stranger. I didn’t expect to see you here tonight.” Startled, Rick turned toward the voice just behind his left shoulder. He stopped in the wide hallway outside the wood-grained double doors of the lecture room at Eagle Lake High School where an extraordinary meeting of the School Board would soon convene. He recognized his most recent customer, Debbie Beck smiling at him. Her husband was a few steps behind her, frowning at his cell phone. “Oh. Hiya, Debbie.” “Did yo

You have painted a portrait of sadness and desperation here. We now know Kevin’s hurt and the deep wellspring of his ache. But how will he ever heal, I wonder?

Ellie the Amazon makes a perfect rescue. Graham and Scott might now have a bit more safety than before, with Kenny out of the picture. The State Police will be glad to nurse Kenny back to health so can be questioned at length. Thank goodness Graham was forgetful! Thanks for reading and for your thoughts!

I was especially struck by #5; I really liked how you returned again and again to “normal.” #1 made me smile. I really liked the images it employed. #2 Was a perfect observation on how we have lived in a time of pandemic relativity. I read #7 and then reread it a second time, savoring it for memories that don’t belong to me, but which I can picture and find a place in nonetheless.

I enjoyed this story immensely. You found a very satisfying way to show us how Sawyer and Jimmy will survive and thrive in their new, much-altered world. May they live to raise new generations steeped in love.

Thanks, Gary. I wondered if you could hear the owls too.

Ethan is finally able to let down enough of his guard to let Johnathan in. You’ve shown us Ethan enraged and frightening; you’ve shown him vulnerable and trembling. Soon perhaps we’ll see the real man whom Jonathan loved enough to kiss and care for. Great chapter.

Thank you for reading the first sextet. I reckoned that 30 days in April divides nicely by six, so I started a day early. I’m glad you liked the cat poem; I hoped to evoke scenes of cats I have known. I’m going to work on the next one tonight!

I rather liked certual as a neologism. If reinventing words was good enough for Ogden Nash, I figured it could work for me. I’m glad you liked the three night haiku, too. I’ll be back with more in a few days. Thank you for your thoughts!

Thank you! I enjoyed the first six days.

I’m afraid it was irresistible to try a literal approach to a prompt to start the poem with the words: “this poem.” Thank you very much for looking in on this first installment. There will be more.

Scott isn't going to mention Kenny on the boat - that would be too awkward to try to explain. Graham didn't abandon Scott; that in itself is a huge change in Scott's life. He expected to be abandoned. You're right that the police are not Scott's friends, and Scott is not off the hook. His cooperation may mean a lot to them, but in the end, he will have to face a certain amount of music. You are absolutely right that Scott is in danger, yet Scott thought that danger was worth it to come clean in honor of his promise to Graham. Thanks so very much for reading and for responding!

April 1st April First means the creek is awash with bright-faced, black-booted fishermen; the slate-grey morning sky greets their optimism with laughter reserved for the hopeful, and snow squalls white enough for the fool. April 2nd Moonlight parts the clouds to show the constellations peering at bare trees. Owls call before dawn deep amongst the tall hemlocks recou

Poems Written for National Poetry Writing Month, 2021. I hope you find them enjoyable.

I’m very glad you have begun this story. I hope you enjoy its gentle progress. Thanks for reading!

Yes. Just keep things that aren’t, um, chewable, out of the macerator...

I loved the way you connected Scrooge to Scott. That was awesome. Thank you. No, Graham’s place and Sand River are a long way from Piney Point.

Scott is alone with his guilt and blame. It hurts, and the abyss begins to look attractive. He wants Graham back again, but that’s not in his control. Thanks for reading, and for your thoughts.

It was fun to think of how to complete this chapter. I'm glad the chickens appealed to you. Thank you!

Technically, that's the title of the cabin. It's not clear whether Kenny came with the State Police, or if their appearance is coincidental. Whatever the case, you're right: Scott has no reason to feel safe. Thanks for reading and for your comments.

Zoltan is living the life of old-fashioned imperious impresario. In Gus, he has an immensely talented performer with a contract that makes Gus work. The grand estate of Cedarcrest must hold possibilities for Zoltan, though we don't know what they are. I doubt it's his retirement home.

I only regret I was so obvious that you could predict what was coming on College Hill, alas. As for Wanda, it appears that if an assertion is made often enough, it will come to seem like inevitable truth. I hope she hadn't made any bets. Thanks for commenting!