FanLit

This was EXCELLENT. I saw the notice for your story and thought I’d whet my appetite with a few paragraphs before I went to bed….about two hours later with the story completed, I’m now going to bed, lol. I will come back with a more complete review later, like when the sun is up, lol. So good, @Mrsgnomie. Thank you.

“My ma’s kid brother wrote me a while back and told me about a place in high country where’s there’s lots of land being opened up. There’s good game and good fishing, plenty of trees for building, lots of rivers and springs, and fertile land for growing. Says the town is a friendly place—heaven on earth, he called it—and he expects the railroad will make its way there soon enough. Land is three-fifty an acre, so I could afford a good chunk of it if I’ve a mind to head there.” “Then… are you saying you’re willing to come with me to Larkspur?” YAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️ I KNEW THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT LARKSPUR❣️❣️❣️❣️ LMAO!! And Virgil’s uncle is the doctor I thought was Boone’s father. I will be tickled pink if the day ever comes that I read a Larkspur follow up with the three pairs of lovebirds. 😍 If the Doc proved to be Boone’s father, that would make Virgil related to Boone, and Boone would have family….now that I think about it, Virgil and Boone remind me of each other, with their calm demeanor and deliberate ways. This was a great story, Gary, even if Virgil and Boone don’t wind up being family, lol. I love being in your literary world….felt spoiled I didn’t have to wait every Monday for this either. 😉 Very well done.

Lucas was worse than Vern and I thought Vern was bad enough!! Lucas’ conflicted feelings for Wyatt (and probably all men) led him to try and destroy what he couldn’t control; smart and ignorant can’t walk hand in hand, can they? “As far as Lucas, he was accusing you of what he was guilty of. Folks have a habit of doing such, especially when they’re riled and they’ve had a good share of whiskey.” Projection. Projection. Projection. The amount of times people do it staggers me….you’re too busy defending yourself from the verbal attack which is what the projector wants, attention deflected from them, *sigh* guilty people act guilty. I can’t say I feel much sympathy for Lucas’ fate either, he made the choices, now he has to face the consequences. 🎶Virgil and Wyatt sittin’ in a tree….k-i-s-s-i-n-g🎶

Dagnabit, that sweet soul can’t catch a break, Virgil’s about to make some more enemies, I reckon or deepen the score with Vern and Lucas. The conversation Virgil had with Wyatt about his sexual orientation was important and awe inspiring…. while I was no fly on the wall, I think validating conversations like this back then were very rare; it’s awful that Wyatt was raped but predators will predate. Wyatt needs to know what consensual, pleasurable sex is like and Virgil needs to add someone to his heart besides Norrie. Seeing how Virgil dismissed Lottie for her rotted teeth (and for being a woman, lol) reminded me how important (actually desirable) a feature it was for one to have a full mouth of white, clean teeth back in the day….that practically made someone marriage material back then, lol.

Thank you for pointing the name out, I’m pissed that I overlooked Murray, lol. Being a fast draw always fascinated me, granted it was a matter of life and death back then (and I guess now too? 🤷‍♀️) but that was no guarantee for speed.

“since scared folks tend to get nasty to hide away their fear.” That phrase sums up a lot of behavior, past and present. The name Virgil means “flourishing”, for Wyatt, I saw “brave at war” or “little warrior”….it would be a good thing for a little warrior to have a chance to flourish in some peace. I noticed the barkeep doesn’t have a name…. Ima call him Cinco for his five teeth and that the Spanish name would piss off that idiot Vern. Whether it turns into a romance between Virgil and Wyatt, it’s already a love story-genuine care and concern for another had to often take a back seat to survival and I respect Virgil mightily for sticking his neck out for the vulnerable. I think this will get worse before it gets better but I’m saddled on up for it, lol. 🐎 Nice start, Gary. 🍻

I’ve never had a snickerdoodle before, you all make them sound amazing. I'm a pastry girl (I’m including cakes and cookies in that term), seems like I’m overdue to try one.

My cereal go to’s are Fruit Loops and Honey Combs….when I was younger, Lucky Charms was my ish, lol. Tyler’s empathy glowed in his approach to get information about Neall….Dottie’s obvious pride of and devotion to her baby (cowlick and all, lol) was evident in her effusive description of him and was deeply touching….to know that the rescue mission may not succeed or if it does will bring back a vastly changed Neall ( who would still be loved by his family) brought tears to my eyes. Hope springs eternal in my heart but I suspect that there will be painful realizations on this journey, either through an unsuccessful rescue or victims damaged beyond repair. Tomorrow is indeed another day and it makes no sense to borrow troubles early.

A timely reminder of how far we’ve come & how much we can lose. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” -the originator of the quote is debatable but few truer statements have been made.

I am encompassed by so many feelings right now, I can’t choose an emoji. The first is JOY!! at seeing a piece from you but it is tempered due to the subject matter. You brilliantly brought us through the painful end to a destructive relationship. This piece will resonate with all who read it….for those who’ve experienced the same awakening, it taps into a wellspring of emotions walking down memory lane. I’m glad you got your hit in-it was deserved; it’s supposed to be wrong, violence begets violence, blah blah blah…..It’s not wrong when you’re defending yourself….it’s not wrong when it’s overdue….it’s not wrong when that’s the only passage to freedom. Freedom is never free-there is pain in rebirth, but it is worth it. Thank you for this Gary, your gift of storytelling was a wonderful way to start my day….I’ll think of an emoji soon, lol.

Nuh Uh……

“People could say ‘but it’s a dry heat' all they wanted. A hundred and fifteen degrees was brutal. Humidity or not.“ I HATE the heat. 🥵😡🤬 15 more days until Autumnal Equinox. The decision to make regarding which pup to go after first is a hard choice to make….Elijah should’ve listened to Kah-gey’s suggestion about getting the oldest first, even if evidence points otherwise because, that’s what he’s there for right now. TRAVEL ISN'T ALWAYS PRETTY. It isn't always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that's okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind. ANTHONY-BOURDAIN I think this will be the path for Elijah, Tyler and the hybrid pups (should they survive, 🙏)

104 notices before I even read the chapter. If you’re not breaking records, methinks you might be soon, lol. On to the reading…

To you, @scrubber6620 and all who live in areas plagued by the results of dangerous weather conditions:

Did you forget the San Andreas fault and the reminders it gives people in California of its existence?

Logan did practically show his hole to Tyler though….😮

Sorry the trailer park was visited by a tornado and that there was substantial damage; I know that home parks tend to be vulnerable targets for weather phenomena of that nature; I lived in a trailer when I was in college down south and used to cross my fingers during hurricane season….If there had to be damage, better property than people. 🎶Tyler got laaaiid….Tyler got laaaiiid🎶 The hookup scenario is exactly what he needs and it’s nice to try out the equipment again before he gets into anything serious; new romantic entanglements would be a dangerous distraction given what he’s facing right now with the rescue mission of the pups. “Logan chuckled. “A little twink named Danny, who I ran into on a trip to Atlanta a few years ago.” Is this Jarren’s Danny? I just started “A Decision for Jarren” after finishing the reread of “A Tattoo for Lex”; He was a great character. “Tyler loved sex. He loved fucking into a tight hole, and he loved getting his own hole fucked.” -I LOVE hearing appreciation of what I feel is a normal human urge- done under the right circumstances, I think the world would be a more peaceful place. “He watched Logan’s fine ass as he sauntered to the bathroom to rid himself of the party balloon attached to his dick.” ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️-the funny line in the chapter for me….big balls gon’ do what big balls gon’ do. I’m afraid about how real shit’s gonna get soon….

Recommendation-✅

“The next morning Cassie was bright eyed and bushy tailed after getting a good night’s sleep. She had taken Lex’s advice and downloaded a white noise app and that had drowned out the early morning chirping of the birds outside her window.” Yes, I’m rereading where it all started, 😊 I highlighted the above passage from this chapter because when I first read this story I didn’t sleep with a white noise machine….a few years older (and more seasoned 😉) now I can’t sleep without one, lol!! It started with listening to waterfall sounds on YouTube at work & evolved to now owning a machine that’s my nightly sedative….go figure. 🤷‍♀️ Ms. Helen is catching my eye more in this go round-between Lex and her, it seems you’ve always had the germ of supernatural exploration in your literary purview; though it’s not touched upon as much in your other stories (or is it? May have to reread 🤔) “The Hybrid Journey” isn’t really a surprise anymore, lol.

More for me & @Mrsgnomie

Math was my weakest subject but I did like algebra….and logic.

I can’t help but feel that our dear Kah-gey is the one directing Elijah’s ideas, instead of being his guardian angel, he is his navigator on this mission, dedicated to keeping him safe….whomever Elijah is paired with, it will always be three on their team. Your attention to detail on strategizing, as well as cataloging the lingering complications the hybrid pups are facing is to be applauded 👏 the whole endeavor is overwhelming in scope and yet nothing seems to be missed. While I’m sure this story may be a welcome distraction in the midst of your grieving, I thank you as a reader for having the strength to still want to share it….please know that any delays will be understood.