Marty

It can be indeed. It took me far too long, but I did get there in the end. But everyone is on a different journey. What works for one person will not necessarily work for everyone.

Another beautiful story, Tim. At least I know now to have a roll of kitchen towels (my equivalent of a box of tissues) next to me before I start to read one of your offerings. 😊 It is always sad to watch a loved one slowly getting sicker and sicker, before eventually dying. But I will always remember what a church minister said to me once at the graveside of a friend's mother who had died suddenly of a massive heart attack, and I was reflecting that it must be a nice way to die - quickly, without a long period of pain and suffering - unlike watching my father's slow and painful battle before he had died of cancer just a few years earlier. The minister's response was "It may be nice for the one leaving, but think about the loved ones that are left behind and had no time to prepare." I almost envy your ability to pack so much using so few words.

Nad, Ireland

Nobber, Ireland (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobber)

Tim, I'm struggling for words. Such a beautiful, yet achingly sad story. I have hit the "Love" button, but almost feel there should be another button to express how it made me feel. A very difficult subject matter to write about, I know - but you pulled it off amazingly. There are some stories that I almost wish I had never read - and this is one of them - but I'm actually glad to have read it. That last sentence probably doesn't make much sense, but I did start by saying that I'm struggling for words. Suicide is not easy to talk about, let alone to write about. It takes a brave author to do so. I congratulate you for having the courage to write this story, and feel humbled by just how well you managed it. You have my total respect.

The night hides the world, but reveals a universe. Iranian Proverb

Great story, Geron! Maybe John would have been more sensible had he taken up Mr Henderson's offer to run them and the tree home in the truck. But, had he done so, he would have missed that all so important epiphany as they were crossing Felker's field. (And the chocolate chip bit right at the end was simply delightful)

Ovens, Ireland

Sadly, in those days a lot of us found it necessary to spend time in that very long river that flows through North Africa to empty into the Mediterranean, droughtquake. ☹️ (The Nile - denial)

Thanks, Geron! As for a follow up, this was only ever meant to be a stand alone story. Perhaps sometime, but certainly not anywhere in the foreseeable future, I'll revisit Simon and Andy. I've two other long unfinished stories that I must try to finish writing first, however. But... never say never! 😊

Seems like there's plenty of drama and comedy at the shelter you mention in the first paragraph that could provide lots of inspiration. And cameo characters can also often act as a sort of writing prompt. In my Misunderstood short story, which is basically total fiction, I used a real life character (the schoolboy who needed piggy backing down the mountain) as a means of bringing the two main protagonists together. I really did need to piggy back one of my pupils off a mountain once. Oh, and thanks for the heads up on the movie. I'll put it on my to do list and try and check it out. 😊

Hi Geron You'll maybe notice that I show this story as being On Hold here in GA. I do have a lot more written, but it's one of the two novels I mentioned in this blog post yesterday that I have been struggling with for the past ten years or more. I do intend to get back to it eventually but, because I know just how stop-and-start my writing can be, I really don't want to be upsetting readers on GA by starting to upload more chapters here and then making them wait months (or even years) for the next update. I did that on another (now defunct) site around ten years back, and it upset me to see readers getting upset about being left hanging. If and when I ever get it finished I shall upload it here (perhaps one chapter every few days). In the meantime, expect to see more single chapter stories (and poems) from me.

Great minds think alike? (Or Fools never differ? 😉)

I look forward to reading whatever you manage to come up with. Without intending to influence you in any way I, am particularly interested in The Major's story - and possibly John's as well. More of Kevin and Ian's story may be interesting (either more of the back-story or perhaps what happens to them going forward) but, without meaning to sound jaded or too critical, GA is full of that sort of stuff (I don't think I've said that the way I mean it - I really don't mean it to sound bad in any way whatsoever). Another possibility, of course, is to simply expand on the happenings in The Boot, as you hinted in an earlier comment that you might. Stories about homelessness and shelters are often told from the perspective of the homeless person themselves. It might be interesting and refreshing to see a different perspective... Anyway, those are just some random thoughts of my own. Please don't feel that I am trying to put you under any sort of pressure.

Louisburgh, Ireland

Watching young inquisitive minds grow and expand is a joy and a privilege. It helps to keep me young as well.

And I'm looking forward to reading more of yours. 😊

Thanks for the kind words. And, yes, I am planning on doing more of it. It's right near the top of my To Do list.

Thanks, Geron. I'm glad someone liked my little piece of nonsense. 😊

Ah, now I understand! The way I first read it made it sound as though you thought I had deliberately set out to fool you. Perhaps it's more a case of you fooling yourself. 😉 But, of course, I am a reader - as well as a writer. Reading is enjoyable. And one of the good things about reading stuff here on GA is the opportunity to comment, criticise (or perhaps critique would be a better word), and praise other authors' pieces of work. That's the payment, if you like. We're amateurs who write for the love of it - not professionals who get paid to write. Our payment is the feedback we receive from our readers.

lol ! Thanks, Geron. 😊 (Not sure what you mean when you say that I fooled you, though...) 😕 😂

Nob End, England https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nob_End

Inch, Ireland (Coming late to this game - apologies if I got the rules wrong)

Thanks, Mancunian. I know I had the talent. I'm just hoping (and do actually believe) that it will all come back to me. I just hope it doesn't take too long though, as I'm definitely getting older by the day. 😉 And hold on to that dream of yours. Dreams really can come true. I've read your stories. You have a real talent as well. 😊

Awe shucks! That's really kind of you to say, Mancunian. And I have to say that I think exactly the same about your story-telling abilities.