Krista

There's a saying down here: That man is corn fed and pure southern bred. I think that fits.

Sounds like the making of a good short story, really. But maybe not with a weasel type character, don't think he could ever manage that level of reflection. Maybe one that's realized he fucked up somehow, but only after the truck breaks down and he has no quick escape and only his mind to think back. Tons of retrospection with little dialog though... might be messy.

I so would... I've put my little foot down though. I can't be picking it back up. Other than being completely scared that all of you will quit me after a few more chapters, because I am living in the 'future' and y'all the present with this whole thing. It has been a very lovely experience having you guys read this story and show it love. It does make me want to continue it, obviously. I have ideas I could continue. Y'all have brought things up that I wish I covered on a more substantial and wordy level... The window closed for that kind of thinking as soon as chapter one posted. I am far too worried to start writing anything with this story knowing that I could turn it into the dumpster fire that was TBY's posting schedule. It took me over a year I think... when I finally sat down to write this story, to physically write it. I think I took half a year away from this story after posting it in the Secret Author contest? Give or take... bad with dates as I am. So yeah. I could always work in the background on some of these concepts, ideas, character things, and dynamics that have been brought up. If it works out in posting window, then they might be seen. But, saying that will give hope... and I don't make those promises anymore. I burned people and tanked all my credibility in the past by doing so. People were so angry with me for not writing the "promised" sequel to "Are You Christian," for example.

I am the absolute worst with keeping track of ages and birthdays. I just tend to forget and have to genuinely calculate how old my children actually are all the time. I mean, I didn't make light the fact that Davin and Gavin's parents gave them a "sweet 16" gift for their eighteenth birthday. But here my happy ass is, maybe about to be guilty of the exact same thing if I'm not careful. Mind you, there's four of them, five if you count my husband who is equally bad at remembering birthdays and ages... and there's only one sweet and innocent me. Although, I know the exact ages of both dogs and can recall them without thinking, so there's that too.

I don't know... at this pace-rate, 500k may not even get us to Halloween in the timeline... maybe it does, but what evidence is there in that? Be careful what you wish for... lol. And, I have been so tempted. I know how this story ends, but there are bits and pieces, theories, and comments that make me go... "Well damn, that's an interesting concept..." There's always a... temptation. Moth to a flame, really.

If my flight goes over an hour... I'm about at my wit's end.

Yeah, farm tags are an after thought here, but it does save some on insurance. Trace's truck probably has them. I've not made that kind of distinction in the writing. I think their income is more fluid, as in... there's large pay outs when he sells his young stock and such and that has to carry over to the next large payout. It is also a one-income house, Celia doesn't work. We don't know what grade/quality Trace's cattle are either, which would determine how big those payouts can be. He's willing to buy the very bulls he wants though, despite their cost. But, yeah, there is a thought process and decision with finances with them and I think most of that is due to the ever changing market of beef cattle... they can go high or completely bottom out...

Jackson is the Mustang guy. I don't see Joel in a Mustang. He's more of a truck guy, I'm thinking. And no, it would've been too much. Joel would have refused it and ran off... 😮 that's why I didn't go for it, the boy nearly freaked out over the possibility of owing them for shoes before Trace rolled him right up to the door.

I think Joel would want his truck. If you remember as well: His father was going to hand over the keys and let him have it back. It was his mother that kept that from happening. But, Joel also came to the realization that the truck would be a lot more trouble than it is worth. It is old, has tons of mileage, and likely parts and upkeep that would take special care and money that he didn't have. I don't see the Truck going to Cody either, but maybe... he's rather young and the truck will just decay worse than it already is... time might be a factor there. That's also if his older brother doesn't start borrowing it for the hell of it and it finally breaks completely down.

Lol.. I used to watch Soaps with my mother when I was far too young to know what the hell was going on. I've not watched them sense, and neither does she... and, my husband's pass code is literally four of the same number... you can get into it accidentally so easily. Mine is 8 numbers and it combines two milestone days in my life. Which I have to remind my husband of whenever he wishes to use my phone - and both involve him of course.

Just dogs out being dogs, I'm guessing. I think they only truly show their real ambition when cows are involved. Otherwise, they probably cycle between naps, snacks, and sleeping spots out in the lawn, on the porch, or on the couch. Also, I may have overlooked them entirely this chapter. Poor dears... but yeah, nothing out of the ordinary happened to them off-screen or anything. And to add: every time I said: "I didn't know them well enough to remember their names..." as a thought from Joel... was totally me NOT remembering their names and being too lazy to load up my character sheet so that I could 'use' their names in the writing. Not until @wildone called me out for it, because he knows that I use that tactic and it annoys me enough to go back and learn names.

Yeah, he can at least start moving on with a more sturdy thought process about it. He saw how final and set in stone his parents really were. And he saw that Cody wasn't lost to him. And yeah, night with a parents and G-rated movies... ick. It will be sad for me when my children get to the age where they roll their eyes at me when I suggest something similar.

Cinzilla also seems like the person that would weaponize the "phone tree," if those are still a thing. She'd probably insist that it still be a thing as well.

Putting a lot of thoughts in Colt's head aren't we? But, I can see Colt grasping onto the fact that Joel has been a bit of an eclipse around the house since he walked through the door. Using that to his advantage knowing his parents. He did find out recently though that his parents are still paying him attention though. Ouch. But yeah, Joel has proven out not to be a hindrance, tattler, and etc. So yeah, why not throw him a bone. And to Colt's credit... he also seems to be more than willing to keep the promise not to tell Joel's secrets? Of course, we've only had mere hours of him knowing... and the boy probably hasn't been truly tested yet.

By others, do you mean Gavin/Davin/Colt/Lacey? Because, I would think that that he would leave that part to Joel, as it is his story to tell. I know I wouldn't want that kind of thing discussed without my consent, sexuality, mental health, etc. Trace made him a promise not to. Out of necessity, he probably told Celia the 'weight' of Joel... although he did outright ask her if Trace spilled the beans and Celia told him that he hadn't. But, out of respect for his wife, he probably did emphasize how much pain Joel was in. The twins do seem rather scrappy. They did stand up to Jonny and Roy the first time and they barely knew who Joel was. They just seem like the type.

Is this another instance where my self-sheltered culture shortcomings is coming back to bite me?

Ages... pfft.. just like... 17 chapters and over 100k words. Please.

I guess Colt reads as sneaky... with the camping trips, the sneaking around with Sierra, and all that... hmm.