Krista

Yeah.. the pace of this story finally had a cup of coffee.

“We better hurry,” Lacey grunted as she raked a pile of horse shit towards the center of the stall. It was our last one. “Why?” I asked as I scooped up the pile and dumped it into the wheelbarrow. I found out the floor in the stalls were concrete that continued from the gangway for draining, but it was also covered with a layer of dirt. It was softened more by wood chip bedding mixed with straw, and the horses spilled a lot of their hay. There was a sour, but sweet smell that lingered even

uh huh.

Nah, I think it is just a gas issue with you, Steven. --- And, Spring is my favorite season. I like seeing things coming back to life after a long and cold winter. Autumn is good for like two, maybe three weeks. Then the death of everything, dust, and the warning of Winter never works for me. The loss of daylight hours doesn't either. Winter sucks. I want 24 - 48 hours of a soft powdery, glittery, serene snowfall of a respectable two or three inches with no windchill and then you winter lovers can have it all back. -- And Steven, you 'have' to like Winter. Up there you have two seasons. Winter and 'Maybe Not Winter.'

You're a champion, let no one tell you any different.

I wasn't paying attention to Gabe's mannerisms a whole lot, but he is rather polite isn't he? Although a bit devious as well, but it was to get the paper out and he legitimately thought that in doing so, that it would 'help' Ridley, or at least wake him up a little. I don't think he was expecting that kiss for his efforts, but he obviously took that bonus. And I am being stubborn with the Matt story. I'm on the fence at the changes I'd have to make with Matt in order to make 'him' work. I don't know if his story would be worthwhile without those changes.

The only thing I don't like about your Title is that it took me nearly 500k to write a "Best Year.." and 5+ years to write the thing. I'm not taking any chances on repeating that, no, no, and no thank you.

'The Secret Life of Ashby'

I'll have to read this story again, to give this comment the weight it needs as I've forgotten bits and pieces of this story. I've been trying to avoid it, having the almost clean slate that I do... I'm still trying to commit to a story idea, but maybe the fact that I've yet to commit to it.. is the answer I need to move forward, wipe the slate back clean and get going with something else.

WHEN did you sneak into this story and comment??? And HOW did I miss it? lol... I feel that most of the time I'm functioning obliviously in this world. That kiss surprised everyone. Most of all though, I think it surprised Ridley and Gabe. Neither one of them went into this night hopeful for the outcome, trying to really get that outcome. It just happened. The Matt dynamics is what fell to the wayside with this story. Not just with how he dealt with Ridley, but also a lot of the hidden opportunities on the table that I could have explored if I wished to. It gives some weight to a Matt mini-series, but I'd have to commit an idea of him that would make it worthwhile and I'm on the fence about that idea as it is. Then again, I also don't want to give anyone hope that this story is more than just what is written, because I have no plans on making it so... just the character Matt has always been a lingering regret.

Thank you! Probably my favorite chapter in this small story. I loved the interactions, finally seeing more of the family dynamics outside of Ridley's head and where he put himself, and then Gabe.

He had some lovely insights on writing and he took the time to share those. That is something I'll always respect him for, the time he devoted to writing, helping build this community, and to give it back through his years of experience. It is the little things that make characters feel grounded and real. It is one of the more finer, but essential functions of writing in all perspectives, but to a much more substantial degree in First Person. It can do some of the heavy lifting at making your protagonist/narrative voice likable and fully realized within the writing.

Lol. I find myself forgetting my own writing and being pleasantly surprised... and well since I'm hard on myself... unpleasantly cringing at parts of it. But, overall I'm proud of most of it.

I find myself often rereading Ridley. Thank you for giving this story so much love.

And... I'm not touching the rest of that conversation y'all had in the wee hours of the morning. Not at all.

I'll take the happy accident, because I do not watch enough television/films/plays or anything for me to know much of any actress/actor unless it is one that I grew up knowing for decades when I actually used to watch television/films and so on. lol. Sometimes I feel about as cultured as a rock when it comes to these types of things. First music, now this.

They all do seem to have a close and complementary friendship with one another. The only spanner in all that being the two girls coming into the equation.

Or, Faith called and his mind went to the one thing that overruled every thought of his staying. It is a powerful thing, I wrote a poem about it... maybe I should post it in my Prompts section.

Ohhh.. my.. goodness. That is so cute and sadly sweet all at the same time. Those poor little things.

Two for two for the oh goodness reaction.

Oh goodness.

But all of that still only holds any sort of weight if Gavin is aware of Davin at all, or has guessed/figured out Joel. Twins usually do have a connection to where they see things about each other rather well, even if they're very similar... they see through it to deeper differences. But, Davin isn't sure that Gavin knows either. He says he, 'thinks' Gavin could have him figured out, but he's not certain, as Gavin has never said anything. And the poking about not having a girlfriend, overall, could be exactly that. Gavin may not see a Doel/Javin relationship. If he does, he hasn't said anything that hints that he does. We expect both twins to be open books, but we're starting to see they're not.

I can imagine the colorful presentation he'd give them too... lets hope he doesn't get out a pencil and paper to add illustrations. Seriously though, it would be nice for them to stop being skittish now, at least with one another.

Could we go four for four with these? 😮 And, to think not all characters in this story have yet to be revealed either. Or at least, their significance.