Parker Owens
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Everything posted by Parker Owens
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You offer a slim ray of hope; but the overall story is so real and tragic. Too many adults now suffer because of what adults felt they could do as their natural right.
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No, the man beneath Ted has no name, not yet. I'm hoping you find that a little intriguing. Thanks for the comment.
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Thank you so much for reading. It makes me happy to know you're enjoying the story. You identified a number of possible hurdles and speedbumps with which Gus and Rick must deal, but perhaps they are developing the confidence in each other needed to work them out together. That is, unless someone else throws a monkeywrench into the works. Many thanks for your comments.
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The dream sequence was fun to write. If it gave the idea that Rick could let go of the dusty, dilapidated old self, and release his true self into light and wholeness, then I may have been successful. The deepening intimacy between Rick and Gus has made me smile as I write. Thanks for smiling with me.
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The summer of Willy Kohler altered the course of Rick's life. The same can be said for this summer. Gus has helped Rick grow and change. Perhaps one could say he has reclaimed himself from his past, and that he can now see the promise of brighter days ahead. I'm hoping the dream sequence brought those kinds of ideas and images to mind. I appreciate your encouragement; I thank you so much for reading and for your thoughts.
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Gus certainly is persistent in getting Rick to see a less shadowed, more positive view of himself. I'm hoping the dream sequence presaged this. Their relationship has deepened beyond anything Rick has ever experienced. Rounding up the chickens for Mrs. Lee may be diverting, but just now, Gus and Rick will take a nice, long shower together. Many thanks for reading, and for your kind comments.
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As I said in an earlier response, dreams can be interpreted in many ways, and they are elusive as smoke. My thought in writing the sequence was to call Rick out of the old, dusty and dead past, and into the present; to invite him out of darkness and into light. You seem to have captured this in your comments. Gus and Rick connected through the music, and into the perfection of being themselves together. Thank you very much for your very welcome thoughts and for reading the story.
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You're most kind. Gus is indeed persistent at knocking down Rick's walls of self-doubt. Maybe Rick will believe himself, one day. The dream sequence was fun to write. Dreams can have many interpretations, of course. My own is that the dream may invite Rick out of darkness and into light, and out of the dusty, dead past and into the present. But you're right about secrets in Eagle Lake; unless they are carefully guarded, they will come out. Thank you for your encouraging comments and for continuing to read this story.
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What a perfect way to express it: no doubt there will be something to ruffle the feathers of both men. Life invariably intervenes, doesn't it? Many thanks for reading!
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I very much enjoyed writing the piano scene. That kind of closeness complements their physical attraction. It makes me very happy you liked the chickens in the yard! Thanks for reading!
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Rick is admitting to himself that he's falling for Gus. You're right that he is finding it harder and harder to imagine life without him. His responses to Gus show that he also finds it hard to believe Gus might feel for him, too. But the delight is that Gus seems determined to make him believe. I'm glad that listening to the perfect is an approach to the day that might lighten our hours. Many thanks for reading, and for your comments.
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Dreams are slippery things, and this particular dream will have its own meaning for Rick. It may be calling him out of darkness into light, and out of the past into the present. After a nice long shower, Rick and Gus may need to deal with Mrs. Lee's chickens. But that's for later. For now, we can imagine them taking care of one another. That's enough for one lovely morning. Thank you for reading, and for your thoughts.
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The old house wasn’t one he knew, yet it felt familiar; as recognizable as the palm of his hand. Paint peeled on the woodwork; moss grew on the roof and there were missing shingles in the siding, giving the whole place a seedy and gap-toothed appearance. Rotting steps led to a porch with floorboards so springy he hesitated to cross over to the front door. He had no need of his notebook; he somehow knew this was the right house, the right address. He swung the rusty screen door open s
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Fergus is dead, and good riddance to him. Gone, tragically, are the lives of his wolves, wasted in the service of his pride and vanity. Jimmy, stronger and better, prevailed. Now it is Sawyer’s turn to save Jimmy. Perhaps in so doing, he can regain his wholeness.
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Another One of Those Family Photographs
Parker Owens commented on Drew Payne's story chapter in Another One of Those Family Photographs
Graeme’s story is a tragedy, for you paint him as caught in a web of pitiless fundamentalism. Its transactional gospel of wealth and health cannot save him, for it is not the truth. The worst that could happen is for Sophie and their church to rally round him and tie him ever tighter to its toxic community. -
It’s a beautiful poem.
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Cadet Third Class • V
Parker Owens commented on Carlos Hazday's story chapter in Cadet Third Class • V
I enjoyed this chapter. Ritch got called out by Miranda, and while he apologized handsomely, perhaps he gave some thought to what he says. The trip to Mexico showed again just how well Ritch and CJ and Ozzie know how to enjoy their downtime. And lucky Joel! -
Gus and Rick seem to complement each other so they are more together than they are individually. The intersection is indeed a perfect metaphor for Rick at this moment: indicator blinking, intending to go in the proper, expected direction. It’s Gus who steers him home. It’s a place they both need to be. Thank you very much for your encouraging comments and observations. You’re most kind.
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Thank you for your window on the world, which tells of something better than those dark days you mentioned. It’s heartening to know you and your partner have been happy.
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You’re very good to have read this chapter and imagined the performance and perhaps heard the music. Describing music is trickier than I originally thought. You’re most generous in your comments, for which I’m very grateful.
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The other motorist was merely someone confused about what the motionless pickup truck at the intersection was going to do, rather than one of Heinrich Senior's spies and tale bearers. Cedarcrest may be a wonderful place, but Gus sees Rick as home. No doubt that will echo in Rick's mind for a long time to come. Thank you for reading and for your thoughts.
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I'm so glad you listened to the music. It's so expressive, allowing the listener to paint pictures in the mind. Gus' story is echoed in a thousand true accounts of murder, violence and oppression visited upon the powerless. Your comments remind me how important it is to be mindful and aware in what I support, purchase or say. While hatred and division have always existed, their rapid amplification for political and financial gain seems unique in modern times. These scourges are worth linking arms and facing, together. As for Rick, he finds he cares more and more about Gus with each passing hour. That Gus should think of Rick as home must turn his own shadows into bright day. Thank you for continuing to read, and for your excellent comments.
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I envy you your source of excellent coffee! You bring up a stark comparison in the heavy-handed ICE policing and the Guatemalan military supporting the expropriation of the village where Gus was born. While the events I described were fictional, they are not very far from the truth of actual events - both here and in Central America. Rick's quick thinking is what saved Gus this time. Dr. Nesbitt and Sister Felicity were fun to consider and write for. I suspect the good Doctor will be in the hospital administrator's office demanding the job of that security guard as soon as it opens. She's definitely the right person to have in Gus' corner. Many thanks😊!
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If Dr. Nesbitt has anything to say about the matter, the hospital security guard will soon be an ex-hospital security guard. Gus posed zero threat to anyone at the hospital, and could hardly have been said to be suspicious except to someone looking for trouble. As you point out, Gus is helping Rick to heal and admit the sun into the darkened room of his life. But for now, the day's adventures must have exhausted them both, especially Gus. Thank you very much for your thoughts, and for reading.
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If anyone can crack open Rick's long-sealed memories, it will be Gus. That may take time. For now, Gus seems to have found in Rick a man who will embraces him in love and care, who can be trusted with the tragedies and trauma of his rootless and uncertain life. I am very glad you enjoyed the Saint-Saens descriptions. I hope you listened to the etudes and felt they'd been done proper justice. Many thanks for your thoughts, and for reading Rick and Gus' story.
