Parker Owens

It was indeed a merciful disposition for Scott. His cooperation was essential, and his willingness to be forthcoming made a good impression. As for Dr. Abelló, I would expect that would make Graham's boss some kind of distant cousin. It was irresistible. That Scott would make any attempt to meet with his parents is a testament to Graham's persistence and innate goodness. That they should rebuff him entirely is an indelible stain they will never be able to erase. I do hope Hagos keeps a careful eye on Ellie. Spearfishing with her might be dangerous. Kenny died at the hands of a rival organization; that turf war was inevitable. Sooner or later, he would have mate that fate, I fear. Thank you for your very kind words. I am grateful for your comments and thoughts as the story progressed. It is wonderful to know this story engaged your interest and that you enjoyed it.

Huzzah, indeed. Rita's plans have been effectively stymied; as long as it's more expensive to see College Hill developed than it is to leave it as is, then the Hill will stay as it always was. Rick's coming out to Jerry gives him more reason just to be himself, and to let their friendship deepen. I really enjoyed writing that scene. Many thanks to you for reading, and for your responses.

Heinrich and Rita are getting what they deserve, reaping as they have sown. It's hard to believe Heinrich's friends who still live in town will listen to him spout about much of anything now that he has been proven so spectacularly wrong. Rick will not have to rub anything in; the old man's friends will snub him or distance themselves. Writing the scene coming out to Jerry was a lot of fun. Thank you very much for reading and for your comments.

Rita? Conniving? Manipulative, overbearing, scheming... but, conniving, too? I'll add that to the list. Heinrich is about to find out that Rita isn't the goddess of capitalism he made her out to be. It will be even more galling to know that his own son was the one to bring her project to a screeching halt. Yes, Jerry Guttmacher is a true and loyal friend; Rick never needed his friends more. Thanks very much for your thoughts and for continuing to read the story!

Rita is definitely in trouble. She underestimated Rick badly. She expected a big payday, and certainly spent pre-development money, probably paid advances to contractors, and (the big one) paid big fees to line up the project lines of credit to start clearing and building as soon as possible. Not sure how much any of her investors will get back. I very much doubt Irene knew enough about Heinrich's financial shell gaming to do much about it. Like Rick, she is just a longtime employee. As for Rita's engagement to Willy, she implied at the meeting she knew about at least some of his indiscretions, though probably not about his predatory behavior with Rick. Her desire was for status and power. I am very happy you felt Rick's conversation with Jerry sounded right. I enjoyed writing that part very much. Thanks again for reading and for your thoughts.

If Rick comes out to Irene, the news will get back to Heinrich Senior, no question about it. The only variable is how fast the news will travel. Rita has been neutralized and faces some very unhappy investors - and unanticipated debt - as a result of underestimating Rick. Going into business on his own may be not only possible, but necessary, assuming Heinrich's money is tied up in a failing project. Which would hurt the old man more? Bankruptcy or knowing Rick is gay? Rick has stirred up plenty of shit for now; and the best part is that the fan is pointed directly at Rita and Heinrich Senior. Thank you very much for reading, and for your commentary.

Rick has opened a commanding lead over Rita and Heinrich, hasn't he? Heinrich might have learned his lesson, finally. On the other hand, Rita appears to have allied herself to the one person who deserves her. Thank you very much for reading and for your comments!

That the meeting was tense would be understandable; it will take a while for the town to heal, as there appeared to be people on both sides of the issue. Because everyone basically trusts Rick to talk about water and plumbing, his words couldn't be ignored as inconvenient news or grumbling from NIMBYs. You are very kind in your comments; we both have a good picture of how small towns and municipalities work. I truly hope your home town is mending, and that people will be able to talk to each other.

The supply of white horses in Eagle Lake is notably low, unfortunately. Rick has a very long fuse, and when he decides to blow up, it can be emphatic, direct, and unexpectedly painful. Rita has discovered this; she underestimated him fatally. Jerry wasn't going to let the hickey matter rest - but it was fun to write Rick surprising Jerry by coming out. Heinrich Senior already has a lot to process. Soon he'll have more. Thanks very much for your thoughts and for reading!

I'm glad you liked the scene in which Rick came out to Jerry. I enjoyed writing it very much. In the previous chapter, Rick rebuffed Peter Beck's attempts and conversation and bonhomie. That, and the fact that Rick dated his wife - and was able to be the Hero Who Saved the Basement - might make Mr. Beck a little jealous or standoffish. Heinrich may or may not lose every penny he invested, but the old man certainly will take a substantial hit. Losing money is not something Senior takes lightly. Rick is so mad at his father right now, he's blocked the old man's phone and he's not speaking to him. For now, Rick is on his way to see Irene. Zoltan will have to wait. Thanks for reading, and for your comments!

Rick is no doormat, not anymore. Rita now must contend with a collapsing project, contractors who must be paid for preliminary work, and disappointed investors wanting their money back. She will have her work cut out for her, to say the least. If Heinrich leveraged his money and his business fully to get in on Rita's sure-fire opportunity, he is in for a very rude awakening. Rick may have no choice but to go out on his own. Jerry is a much more loyal and steadfast friend than Rick gave him credit for. That scene was fun to write. I like your tune! Thanks very much for your thoughts and comments.

Not sure I would wish that on anyone.

Whoa. Talk about life imitating art! Your tale of your hometown made me wonder if someone besides you has been reading Rick's story. You're quite right that the whole day (taken over the past couple of chapters) has been intense and packed with events. Now that Rita's full scheme has been exposed, perhaps you will have difficulty choosing your candidate for the Eagle Lake's Biggest Villain contest. She would have cost the taxpayers plenty of money and headaches. Rick averted that with his simple, powerful words. Rita may not go down without some sort of nasty battle, but if her project collapses, then she will have to return what's left of the money she raised - or at least, that which does not belong to her future husband. Jerry and Caroline are steadfast, loyal friends. He needs them now, especially. Thanks for your comments, and for continuing to read the story!

Rick found his voice and his courage. That part was fun to write. I'm glad you found Rick's sudden discovery of strength to be appropriate to the name of the chapter. Though it was sudden here, his strength has been building throughout the story, bit by bit. Thanks very much for reading.

Rita counted on Rick being like his father - sniffing after every dollar, and keeping mum to be sure of his share of the possible profits. You're absolutely right that he is a very different person than Heinrich Senior, and Rita didn't expect it. Neither did the School Board President, for that matter. Your words are very kind, and I'm glad you are enjoying the story.

Rita can't disappear too easily; unless she wants to be a fugitive, she's going to have to face the music. Whatever Rick chooses to do, he won't be taking orders from Heinrich Senior anymore; and who in town would trust the old man anyway? Thanks very much for your response and for reading. Oh, and your vote in the Eagle Lake's Biggest Villain contest has been registered.

Rick was indeed the right person to talk about the serious drawbacks to Rita's proposal. He's been in most of the basements in town, and he's a trusted voice on matters having to do with water and plumbing. He didn't highlight how Rita would walk away with a ton of money, he just made it clear that selling College Hill would cost the taxpayers a pile of extra money, and add huge headaches in the process. The School Board can't escape responsibility or knowledge, either, nor can Heinrich suddenly change his tune. Jerry was an awesome friend in that golden moment when Rick felt safe to come out to him. Heinrich Senior now has multiple headaches; saving the arranged marriage to the least popular woman in town may be the least of them. Thanks very much for your comments, and for continuing to read the story.

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.