FanLit

Holy smokes, how the heck are we at chapter 23!! “and they gave plenty of privacy to the buildings farther back, especially the house what now wore a new coat of white paint with dark green trim.” Something that will always be a going concern with these young men. “He’d learned from his departed grandfather that doing things the right way was the only way.” Doing something right the first time is more efficient than having to go back and correct a mistake. “I don’t only love you, I’ve come to admire you more than anyone I’ve ever known.” Loving and liking someone are two different things, and don’t always go hand in hand….liking someone can keep a relationship afloat when someone isn’t always doing loving things. You’ve left us at a good place with these four enterprising men-I found India’s birth particularly moving….while the birth of every foal, ewe and ram, is not a guaranteed success, it seems our agriculturalists are doing all they can to even the odds in their continued husbandry. It is best for August to set boundaries with Albert, (I like Virginia being the intermediary, Albert’s preference for her visits only makes it a plausible choice)….shaking the pull of his familial loyalty will be harder, but just as necessary; I'm sure this past year has confirmed to him how potent the bonds of a chosen family can be, and often more deserved. I wish Rob well, maybe being out of Albert’s clutches will allow any Maureen-ness in him to come through. Admittedly, I am partial to Boone and Coy and the Eden that is Larkspur ☺️but this tale is another enjoyable journey to the Old West, with endearing characters I wish the best for, even knowing they are fictional, and if they weren’t, would be long gone. Thank you, Gary, for reminding that love is timeless and right, wherever and whomever one can find it with. One moon roped, and their future’s among the stars. 📿🌕 ✨⭐️ 🍻

Under other circumstances, it would not be a challenge to feel sympathy for mother Emery: Catholic guilt made a devout woman who sought comfort from an abusive marriage an ineffective mother and wife….it is her leaving her tyrannical husband to raise one child as a bully and to scapegoat the other that becomes harder to excuse; I agree she convinced herself she was doing what was best-given her circumstances, she was….it doesn’t excuse the fact her best was not good enough. Older generations endured cyclical abuse and trauma silently, continuing the cycle, I’m glad people now use concerted efforts to break generational curses, and not normalize them.

That makes two of us.

You are correct that hearing from Mark about his illness would be superfluous, considering the detailed description provided by Rob; excluding Damien 🙂, either half of this couple have proven, effective, entertaining narrators to the story, although hearing Mark’s perspective on this life threatening situation would be interesting. I was heartened to see the conversation between Amy and Rob during Mark’s illness, glad that she remains close to her brother in spite of the rest of her family. It a thankful blessing Mark had Mr. & Mrs. Myers, (who regard him as another son) as well as the parents of his other chosen brothers to bridge the emotional chasm of his biological family, although rejection from your primordial source will always leave a wound; Mark exorcised his pain into successful songwriting, for the band and himself. That Mother Emery would presume a rightful presence in the lives of any children Mark would have is incredible, given her ineffective job as his mother; Mark and Rob would never allow the cycle of abuse to continue with their children (well, child, as we know now). All of Mark’s subsequent success since his recovery is made sweeter, knowing what he overcame, and knowing what could recur; it makes Rob and his chosen family cherish him more- (imagine what Damien would do if he knew even a scintilla of detail about this!!) Thank you again, @unilive, for filling in the gaps, that truly epitomize savoring the sweet among the bitter.

💝 I have more to say, but yes, hearing this from Mark’s perspective would be interesting. I love Rob’s love for Mark. ❤️❤️ I’ll be back, lol.

😂😂😂😂 Oh my God, HOW TRUE!!!!

This was a very special chapter. 💝 The discovery of Brewster Gustavus Falkner’s grave was very moving to me….it makes perfect sense the final resting place for his body be in a discreet, serene, place on the property he gave his blood, sweat and tears to; no doubt the happiest moments of his earthly existence was on that land; resting here, he’s close to Harriet, and Maureen, even Augustus and Rob, in some way. That Maureen was deftly able to name her child after her father, (knowing her husband would be against it) speaks to awareness of who and what kind of man Albert was. Maureen Falkner Cooley was a loving, yet formidable woman-given her parents, it’s no surprise she was determined to go (and get) her own way-loving who she loved, yet not in total subjugation to her husband….was Maureen always going to be Albert’s moral savior (as much as he could have one), or would he have eventually showed the depths of his true self to her? Though it took a long time to marry again, Albert does seem to be drawn to strong women, as Virginia seems to share similar characteristics with Maureen; for him to be drawn to that type of woman is surprising to me, as I would expect Albert to want a docile, submissive wife. I’m also surprised he would want Virginia to run “what she can, and he put it in writing.” as well as “keep a close eye on your brother too,” ….what in tarnation was/is Rob up to?!?! (or maybe not up to?) Watching our fearsome foursome putting their plans into action the day after receiving their bounty put a big smile on my face…Willy James is no joke!! LOL!! There is a very compatible bond between these young men: “August shook his head as he watched the pair, enjoying how close they were all becoming. Never a need to hide a thing from each other, or express some silliness if’n they wanted.” There will always be strength and support to shore anyone’s weaknesses and fears within this crew. Harriet recognized how important that Runyan understood her feelings about him: “a good man is a good man and they come in different shades—and if August and Fletcher consider you and Willy James family, then so do I.” “You understanding me, Runyan, that you’re part of our family now too?” While actions speak louder than words, there is no question Ms. Harriet and Ms. Dorothea will be able to back up their words of acceptance and inclusion. When will the Crawley’s visit Barnswallow? How many years will Albert Cooley spend incarcerated? Will Virginia make room for Rob when she takes over the Cooley empire? Find out in the next installment of “Roping the Moon” 📿🌕

Though I’m about a month early, I wanted to let you know I’m thankful for you sharing this story, I’m going to miss this world after the last chapter….hopefully your muses inspire you to do a revisit-then again, knowing you, you may leave them at a very satisfying place for us to say adieu. I’m also thankful for the examples this story has shown that proper therapy can produce; one has to be receptive, and you have to find the therapist that resonates with you but Lynn would not have been able to have a healthy relationship as a wife and mother without it….Troy, Robbie, and Miles managed to emerge from their respective places with it, as well; in a real life example, after the last few years, what sanity I retain now is a result of laying my burdens down with these amazing (and in my opinion, unsung) first responders. One’s happily ever after after trauma can only be achieved with learned coping skills, and it requires lifetime maintenance. “Charlie saw our looks of confusion and explained “Mila couldn’t say microwave when she was learning to talk and called it a ‘Michael-wave’. The name stuck, and now it’s just Michael.” “Alex’s eyes were huge “I thought you losted your brother”. Kids do come up with the damndest things, indeed. Lol. Pineapple chili white wine? Sounds like it’ll be a regular drink, oh, like a cinnamon fireball. 🙂 I think there were some other bits of food porn, but I’ll have to go over the chapter later, gotta take my son to the dentist, lol. Thanks, Superwoman. 🎁

Well, @unilive, I’d say the saga you’re taking us on with Mark’s illness is worth a six year wait (though I can’t believe it’s been that long). Funny how initials can mask a multitude- thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is more than a mouthful (maybe a tongue twister?), TTP makes it sound way more benign than it displays itself to be. It’s disturbing to think this timebomb was ticking in Mark all this time, and can recur again….it’s also amazing this whole thing managed to happen without any publicity while it was happening, and after. I love how all the guys and Rachel rushed to Mark’s side; the familial love they have for each other will always be at the core of everything they do-it would have been no different had it been Rob, Damon, Jordan, or Dylan in peril, their bond of family makes them the band they are. I’ll be curious to know if Mark’s maternal sister will be informed, or the adult units who raised him; you’ve not even completed telling this tale and I totally understand why everyone (Rob especially) satellite but not smother Mark with concern. I’m SO grateful you’ve posted this-when the time comes that someone else stumbles into this world you’ve created they won’t have to wait as long as I have to find out about ‘The Incident’, lol. I'll be here waiting for more whenever you have it. Thank you 🎁

“I felt Lynn stand next to me. She pointed at each boy and said, “That’s Emil, and the younger one is Alex.” Then she took the picture of her daughter in her hands and turned it to me. “This is Mila.” My head jerked up. Mila? “She’s named after an uncle she’s never met.” Called it!!!! 😄

I like devil's advocates, lol. You may be correct in your estimation, it is a testament to your character development that she is so loathsome in her "instrumental part", lol.

I sure hope that was out a first floor window....

"August turned his head and stared into shining eyes. “I love you so much I swear it pains me deep sometimes. You’re beautiful.” For Fletcher to hear such words from the one he’d been pining over for years on this special night, the first one in their new home, on their marital bed, has to be a dream come true….he can have no doubt at this point that his feelings are returned, on this evenfall when his love presented him with a roped moon, as well as the sun and the stars, because August was loved more than he knew, and what August has, Fletcher has, as they were one in spirit long before this night joined their bodies. “Look around us, cowboy, we have more than we ever dared hope for, don’t we?” August nodded, his gaze staying on Fletcher. “The thing I want most, the only thing I’ll ever need, is right here in our marriage bed.” While Fletcher knew this, it’s just as meaningful to hear, because when one commits for love, feast or famine is the same: "Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?" (part of Matthew 6:25) “Expect I spurted enough seed to fill your stomach.” "Oh, can feel that seed coming out… reckon it didn’t make it to my stomach after all.” “I’ll try harder next time.” Love and laughter are the best combination, that these two could share that during this particular first, speaks to the level of comfort and trust they have with each other….it augurs well for them that this be the foundation they build their future on. This was the first night both couples got to spend together in a bed all their own, a special, memorable, night for both couples this evening, no matter what went on in their beds (although there is little doubt to what that was, 🍆💙) Is there a grave for Grandpa Brewster? I feel like August would want to pay his respects to the man who provided such a bountiful future for him, that maybe they all would; though talking to him on the land he built with love and intellect is plenty enough, too. What will the morrow bring after such an amazing day and night? Where will the beautiful wood carving finally rest? Which 'cock' will crow first, 'cum' sunrise? ☺️ Find out, in the next installment of “Roping the Moon? 📿🌕

While my heart was in my throat reading the leadup to "The Incident", I was hurting for Robbie and Rachel, as well. Rachel and Damon are definitely a genuinely happy couple, but there is no question Mark will always be someone Rachel loves....something very special to our Mr. Emery, isn't it? Rachel, Robbie, and Damien have developed a deep, lasting love for him that will never go away; Robbie is the only one lucky enough to experience equal reciprocity from Mark.

"Eighteen months earlier, I'd been wondering if I'd ever hear his voice again. And now here he was, sitting in front of 2,500 people, guitar across his knee, looking happier and more confident than I'd seen him in ages." So reading this, I thought: OMG, another hint of "The Incident". I was going to write to you: Do you want begging for the details? Because, my curiosity is very great, lol. Little did I know this would be the chapter you'd finally slake my thirst for what happened....well start to, anyway. I do thank you for addressing this @unilive, and as I'm typing this with a tear running down my cheek, and eyes full, I'm reminding myself: 1/ it's a fictional story (which seems to matter not in my genuine affection for them, lol) and 2/ this is a flashback-Mark is okay. I eagerly anticipate knowing the rest, even though it will be worrisome and painful (I will tell myself they are okay then, too). This a seminal chapter-for us who are invested in the story, and in the history of this group of friends/band/chosen family, as what affects one of them affects all of them, though there does seem to be some special jou jou over Mark and Robbie (just saying 🙂). This is bittersweet chapter: happy to know what has happened, sad to know that it happened. Overall, I am glad you have started to tell. Thank you. 🙏