Wayne Gray

Hehe. Thanks! Harlan is back to his tricks, isn’t he? As for how he deals with Huck, well just keep on reading 🙂 Thanks for the comment!

Hi, Jeffrey. No problem; the story is here to read when you're ready to read it. Writing a mute character was absolutely a challenge. I'm glad you feel that I pulled it off so far. Thanks for the comment on the song and my singing. I'm not a musician. I dabble in songwriting because I love music, but it's not my profession. If I lost my voice I don't know if I could power through that. It'd be hard. I certainly empathize with Bailey there. Thanks for the great comments. 🙂

Hi GanymedeRex. Yep, he's getting about 60% of his old pay while in the military in disability money from the US Navy (there are a few variations of amounts possible - I was in the military, and I worked in a VA clinic for a while after discharge, so I have a bit of background here). That's how he could afford to live in San Francisco without a job for a little. But it's nowhere near enough to survive for any long length of time there. That money goes much further in Northern California, away from the city. His disability also pays for his phone since he uses it as a tool to communicate, and he has healthcare for life. Thanks for the comment, and glad to have you reading.

Thanks, David. Really kind of you. 🙂 I'll be honest - that scene with Huck and Rayne ... that's similar to the scene I wished I'd have had at some point in my own life with my dad. I imagined it over and again, how it'd go. So it was nice to give it to Rayne. That quote from Harlan ... I may have made it up, but it feels too good for me to have come up with it. So I probably read it, or maybe it's a paraphrased version of one I've read before. I do like it. It fits so well there.

Thanks, kbois. 🙂 You know, the goal isn't necessarily to "prove" Harlan is worth loving; rather it's to show that he's not a simple creature. He's complex, and I want to prove only that he can't be summed up easily. Harlan is one of my favorite characters because of his complexity. Even though he's got a job few can relate to, he feels very real to me.

Yeah, I did. But ... I'm so glad you chose to read anyway. This isn't a story about miracles - it's one of legacy. How does a limited life leave a mark on the world, long after it is gone? Well ... I hope Tad helped answer that. Thanks for the comments, Quixo. 🙂

Well, this one is special. You'll see. Enjoy the story. 🙂

Thanks, Quixo. I'm glad you found this one. I'm gonna warn you ... this story is really emotional. If you're okay with that, then by all means proceed.

Thanks, molly. Things are okay. Plugging along, doing my best. I hope the day is going well for you too. We're almost through this week!

You're very right. He's complicated, not clean cut, nothing is quite clear with him. We'll see more of all of those qualities you mentioned, and we'll get a better picture of the man behind the mask he almost always wears. If we get to it'll be thanks to Bailey, and his influence over him. Thanks for the comment, Parker. 🙂

Thanks, tim. People are allowed to dislike and distrust Harlan. I don't take that personally. you're right about the "family" dynamic, and Harlan lived in that world for many years. Harlan's job for Luca (his old boss), specifically, was to hunt down other family who betrayed or sought to betray the organization. So ... he was the scariest of the scary. Like an internal affairs for the mob. It is smart to fear what he's capable of doing. Though now that he's working for Corbin, things have changed drastically. Corbin has yet to ask him to slip back into his old role - he has had no need to do so. So far, Corbin's organization has not done anything illegal. Maybe that's a part of why Harlan is beginning to notice Bailey. He feels like he's allowed to have a life again. But ... should he be allowed to? I don't think I can answer that one.

Thanks for the comment, Tom. There are lots of new connections happening for all of our guys. There are important changes in multiple lives, one in particular that may have saved a life (Rayne). Maybe they are broken, and maybe that's just fine.

Hehe. I know what you mean. It felt a bit like a "happily ever after" chapter, didn't it? But that'd have left far too many things dangling, and I don't like doing that. No. Before we can enjoy the sunset, we've got to make it through the day. Thanks for the comment, frosenblum!

Somehow, I'm sure you're right. We'll get to see Gary again ... so we'll get to find out. 🙂 Thanks, droughtquake.

I like the lines you mentioned too. This story has a few of those. Hehehe. Huck is a father again. It took some meddling on Harlan's part, but he is. I think Harlan earned his moment with Bailey. Harlan's feeling something for Bailey, and it's getting returned too. They're both content, thanks to allowing each other in a bit. There are obstacles ... and those will come up. But they seem to be on the right path. Thanks for the comments!

Thanks, Geemeedee. Well, Huck has some making up to do, that's certain. He has started immediately too. Now, Harlan ... heh. Yeah. He does have some explaining to do. And that'll be fun. 😄

Thanks, Rupert. I'm glad you're reading and enjoying. 🙂

Thanks, Butcher. Huck never wanted to be apart from his son, and now he gets to fix the problem caused by that. He's trying to be the dad that Rayne needs. It took a while, but he got there - thanks to Harlan. He'll get more help too from others at the campground. That's just what they do.

Oh, I had to put it in here. No way I could leave this scene out of the new edition!

Thanks, CLJobe! Did you notice the topic our pastor chose? Forgiveness. Hrm. I wonder what sort of flock he has built, railing against the different and the "other." I wonder how he feels about his chances at being forgiven, should his sin be brought to light? Harlan really has done some dark things. He has had to, considering the world he lived in. Now with Corbin he's allowed to relax a bit. He's allowed to let himself be a human being, and less of the monster in the dark (though we have seen he can still pull that off just fine). But you're right. Luckily this is fiction, and a mob enforcer can show more care for his fellow man than a supposed servant of God. Though ... stranger things have happened in real life.

Thanks, chris! I'm happy you liked it. Yeah, it was a feel-good chapter. Huck and Rayne needed this so badly, and then Bailey and Harlan both did as well. Their situations are very different, but yes all of these souls needed what they're giving each other.

Thanks, kbois! Huck and Rayne really needed this breakthrough. Right now, Huck knows how he feels about his son. He knows he felt crappy for how he had treated Rayne, and that loving him feels much better and right. That's really all there is to his approach. He just wants to love his son - no matter what. Bailey has had a hard go. Next chapter, a little more will be revealed there concerning Bailey's past, and what put him in the place he's in now. We know he was hurt in an accident. Well, more is coming on that so stick around. I'm familiar with the show, but I've not watched it. I've heard good things though. From what I know, I can see why you'd call out the similarity. 😄 Thanks again!

Huck nodded in greeting at the church-going regulars and took his habitual seat near the front. His hip was flush with the end of the pew, and nobody took up the few feet beside him. That was reserved for the family Huck used to come with. He looked over at the empty spot, his eyes a little lost. Then Huck's attention went back to the front of the room. Pastor Rogers slowly walked across the slightly elevated stage, a sheaf of papers in his hand. Huck straightened, preparing to hear the

Thanks, rick! Characters should grow and change, I think. The core remains the same, really ... but as we get to know them by watching how they react to new situations, we come to understand more about who they really are. I would like to believe that Harlan is an example of that.

Thanks for the comment! I'm happy you're interested in both sets. Oh, yes. Harlan is quite the cat with the canary right now. Read another chapter and you'll see why. 😉