Parker Owens

Chilling, riveting, horrific. And Sawyer has another night to survive, only to establish himself as rabid, monstrous, and incredibly dangerous, all while Jimmy is no less torn in agony than his mate. Will they find deliverance in a merciful bullet? That tragedy seems too much to contemplate.

Willy may or may not have recognized Rick. But now Rick has more reasons to bury himself in his work. Thanks for your thoughts and for reading.

Heinrich is likely to be feeling burnt and frustrated by events. On the other hand, Rick has had lots of practice frustrating his father. It’s hard to feel sorry for Rita in this scene, seeing how much she has put Rick through. Thanks so much for reading this chapter!

This was a fascinating and delightful tale. I enjoyed every line.

I loved the description of old Mr. Corker. That was a great introduction of a fun town character. I'm concerned about what Lemon was up to in trying to dissuade our boys from buying the land they wanted. I suspect that isn't the last we've heard of that. But now our friends have plenty of horsepower to work their land together, and make it prosper. It will surely take a ton of work, making it ready to till and plant. Right now, in these sunny days, so much seems possible - even if Boone and Coy can't kiss on the main street right out in the open. However, they have their land and each other, and that's enough for them, it seems. This was a wonderful chapter. Thank you!

You conveyed a visceral response in this prompt. I could feel the disbelief and fear there. Excellent.

I’m very glad you enjoyed both the music and the chapter. You’re most welcome! Thanks for reading!

Caroline has had a soft spot for Rick for a long while, it seems. She knows him as well as a neighbor might. You and Rick are thinking along the same lines as far as Jared goes. He’s no better than Gus at playing sibling peacekeeper, but he figured out a good possible ally. It sounds as if you have figured Rick out from reading carefully. I appreciate that very much!

Thank you for making the connection between the text of this chapter and what is perhaps the most well-known setting of these words in the Requiem. You and I both are fans of the Faure Requiem. The Libera Me echoed in my head as I wrote the last section of this chapter. I hope other readers will hear it, too. In Paradisium is another unforgettable part of the Requiem. I wish anything I write could do it justice.

Even if it's only an internal denunciation - and an internal turn to something better - this is an important moment for Rick, and I am glad you recognized it here. He is unlikely to forget completely about his relationship to his father, and all the expectations that have come from that. How could he? Yet it seems Rick may have put those expectations into a different perspective, one that allows him room to consider his own wants and needs. You're also right that Rick has support in his community - more than he may realize or hope for. His years of disappointment probably color the way he sees things. Jerry is a good friend, and a constant one. Conscious or unconscious in his choice of words, he said something that cannot help but encourage Rick. And he needs that: he's anxious enough about the upcoming music festival. Thanks very much for your thoughts, and for reading!

I think your fear is well-founded. Rita is highly motivated by her project, and we both know how little moderation either one of Rick's two antagonists exercise. Events will unfold as they will. Hopefully, neither Willy nor Rita enjoy music festivals. Thank you very much for reading, and for speculating on the chapter.

Rick and Heinrich seem headed for a collision sooner or later, don't they? I suppose it all depends on how long Rick's fuse can burn, and on whether Senior continues his relentless pushing of his son's buttons. Given that fairly constant irritation, it may be hard for Rick to focus on what Rita is up to. I'm very glad you read this chapter, and enjoyed reading your comments.

Yes, there was plenty of sadness here. That passage of if only, if only required a number of attempts to write. I hope you think it came out right. I like that you've noticed that the tempo and volume has slowly increased; there are rumbling, ominous bass notes in Willy's appearance, and Rita's plans keep up their staccato beat while Heinrich's braying brass theme plays over it all. If I were Rick, I'd be holding my hands over my ears. If Gus shines through as a sweet melody against the cacophony, one to stir the heart, then perhaps I've done all right so far. Thanks for your reflections, and for reading the chapter!

Perhaps Rita has other things to think about besides her outstanding bill with Rick and Heinrich. Rick is perfectly happy to steer very, very clear of Rita and Willy, whatever they may be up to. It certainly appears that Rita is thinking about expenses, doesn't it? Rick is much more interested in going to the music festival with Gus than he is in Rita's venture. He's trying to look forward, while still dealing with the present. Given the stresses of the moment, that might be a tall order. Thank you very , very much for reading, and for your thoughts.

I'm very happy you are enjoying the story. That's enough to make any author's heart sing. Thank you. Rita is a very successful salesperson, that appears to be indisputable. However, it isn't clear that whatever plans or projects she's had elsewhere ever panned out. Perhaps she wants to use Eagle Lake to make her mark. Whoever else is in on the deal is keeping mum, but word is bound to get out eventually, you're right. The Kohlers were never landlords in the usual sense; they were lumber barons who made money cutting timber for building, paper and so on. Whatever they owned in Eagle Lake or farther north would have been forest land. Thanks very much for reading, and for your responses.

I loved your Willy Warnings. Indeed, if Willy and Rita combine, one might worry about a Rilly Vortex: two operators looking for suckers. However, Rita is being very careful not to reveal her plans - though it's clear from her questions that they're bigger than Rick first guessed. Gus has found his way into Rick's heart, that's certain. The man occupies his mind more and more. The pianist appears to enjoy Rick's company, too. Rick seems to be laying down his past with Willy, so that he can imagine something better for himself. Thank you very much for reading this chapter, and for your responses!

You made me smile when you offered that connection Rick made to old-time farmers. The if-only's have haunted Rick for a long time. It was nice to write a sequence in which he could try to banish them, and so be liberated from his past. As you astutely pointed out, he is trying to lay an old death to rest. Now perhaps he can look forward to the future, as long as the present doesn't get in the way. Thank you very much for reading!

You hit upon the horror of what might have been a ghastly lunch for Rick. I'm sure he's glad to have missed seeing What's-her-name and Willy headed into a restaurant. You've also seen Rick's plan. Perhaps it will work, even. In any case, Mrs. Lee likes the Takacs children, and Gus. How could she not smile? Thank you for reading! Your thoughts are encouraging.

Rick may be looking beyond his past. Gus may have given him a way to see a different future than the one he has understood for many years. But there is always that pesky present to live through... thanks very much for reading, and for your thoughts.

“So tell me again when you want to borrow my car?” Rick stood at Caroline Lee’s door. He shivered. The morning sun on the far side of the house cast a deep shade where he stood. It would warm up plenty later on, but for now the air remained crisp and cool. The hour wasn’t too early for Rick’s neighbor. He knew she often rose with the sun. At the moment, Mrs. Lee smiled, but had not yet agreed to Rick’s request. “If you can spare it, I need it this coming weekend. Saturday,” Rick replie

I love how Jimmy and Sawyer use humor and desire to weather the first night. You’ve given us a vivid description of what it might feel like to experience the transformation, the shift that must come soon. Maybe next time?

Thanks for sharing this. It’s distilled and bittersweet.

What a wonderful territory for each man to explore. You show us their delight in each other so well. Coy and Boone will remember this night for a long time.

I really enjoyed this first chapter. My heart breaks for Lee, and for every Lee who has no Refuge or Greg to help him.

Events must develop at Rick’s pace; he has a long, long fuse, and he’s let it burn for years. Perhaps he’ll blow up spectacularly, like Mt St Helens, or maybe not. As for recognizing his own worth, Rick appears to know his own competence, but he surely lacks confidence outside his experience.