84Mags

Just as your end note said, this isn’t my usual cup of tea. And the warnings concerned me. But you wrote it and I love your work, so I read this story. It’s hauntingly wonderful. Imaginative, creative, and heart wrenching. I’m glad I have an unseasonably warm and sunny day outside. Think I need to go take a walk after this one.

Oh my goodness, I want to give a standing ovation to Caroline Lee! Best wingman ever, intended or not. And Rick standing up to Rita right in front of Gus was everthing. If I sound a little gushing, it’s because I was smiling by the time food was ordered at the Lutheran church and kept grinning as the day meandered along. Even the threat of X-pants mystery man looming couldn’t bust my mood. As always, the title beautifully fit the the chapter and mirrored the day. Except, now I unfortunately have the Abba song Andante Andante stuck in my head. And, with all things Abba, that’ll worsen to Mama Mia later in the day. *sigh.

Jimmy’s distress is palatable; it is a living, breathing part of him. Even though I knew the deaths of his family/pack occurred years ago, I was shocked with Jimmy’s internal monologue saying it was fifty to sixty years ago. He was barely an adult at the time, so wouldn’t have the coping skills to process the tragedy, much less find peace in the subsequent decades alone. I hope finally opening up to Sawyer helps. And I’m secretly glad of his military and mercenary experience; both will be useful in a confrontation with Fergus.

I’ve read this chapter twice, and now sit pondering what I would do if I were Tristan. I think I’m going to go with the famous Emily Dickerson quote here, “The heart wants what it wants, or else it does not care.” Tristan has remained in love; while heartbroken, that hasn’t changed. He needs to cautiously hear Peter out. Given the same set of circumstances, I would do the same. So hurry up with the danged coffee because we need answers! ☕️

I am so glad Coy shared what he knew about Will, along with his fears about why Wes and Lee were killed, with Boone. Sometimes just saying what is troubling you out loud helps you to work through it. Cuddling at night is sure to help too!

And speaking of the parade... I am very curious who in the brass section caused the excitement in Joey and made Gus grin. Then further down the parade something or someone changed Marta’s mood for the better, too. 🤔

Your words weave a perfect portrait of small town USA 4th of July, from the children running into the street, the farm implements proudly on display, the candy bombs being hurled into the crowds, the elderly on rickety, woven lawn chairs, and the sweaty marching band members proudly playing. Having raised the later, I loved your shout out to euphoniums! Rick remains stuck ‘in his head’, observing while others participate. Perhaps if he takes a moment to really think about what Caroline Lee didn’t say, he would recognize an ally. Further, he might allow himself to wonder if Gus was watching him as well, and perhaps was disappointed with Rita’s display of air kisses.

Yes! You are correct; good catch. I must have been so wigged out about Irwin’s head rolling around that I missed that.

Another thought has nagged me since my original post. Fergus is a terrible predator and seems ill equipped to be a decent werewolf. He used a cushy blanket and military grade night vision goggles to stalk his prey all in the guise of Jimmy not sensing his presence. Yet later he told Granger to shift and do recon. As the alpha HE should be the most stealthy and most able to withstand the elements. If Fergus was the least bit attuned to his senses he would have smelled Sawyer before tonight. Hopefully all that bodes well for Jimmy when the inevitable showdown occurs.

I think my favorite part of today’s offering is that ‘big’ Tristan wasn’t ever accused of anything heinous with ‘little’ Tristan; onlookers saw the moment for what it truly was. Every part just swirled in realistic Christmas magic. Perhaps that magic will continue for Tristan’s dad...

Absolutely brilliant use of the flies to initially ramp up the intensity and later to let the reader know it was ok to breath again, although I must admit I didn’t take a full breath throughout the whole chapter. Fergus reacted to learning of Sawyer and Jimmy even worse than I thought he would. He is completely deranged. Never thought I would say this, but I feel sorry for Granger.

Wishing you all the best this Thanksgiving! Although it is certainly different for most of us this year, there is still much to be grateful for. As I go between oven and reading, the abbreviated Macy’s Parade is televised in the background. As I was reading your comment above, the Big Apple Gay and Lesbian Corp Band was on performing for our nation. Wonder what Rick might think. I know it made ME happy. PS: I forgot in my original comment to say how fun it was to hear from CJ and Oz! I have read and love @Carlos Hazday work. I stand by calling them biker babes too 😉

Rita really has a long range plan she’s setting in motion. Involving the school board must mean she is telling them about her new development plan and angling it as a tax boon for the district. If I am correct then it’s rather brilliant to get the board on her side before the administrators and teachers can react to the larger class sizes the new growth will cause. Coming from a small town perspective, I can tell you each new subdivision, especially the high end ones, cause a community uproar. The biker babe husbands are an important moment. I love that Rick was able to experience both their open love and Jared’s completely neutral response.

I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! While it certainly will be much different than in years past for most of us, I hope you are able to enjoy the next week off. I find myself beginning to recharge, as you put it, now that the election is finally decided and vaccines are on the way.

I love a good mystery! I’m worried about who SexyHunk is, and that he is coming to Eagle Lake at the exact same time as Rick’s dad. I am very intrigued about who bought Cedarcrest. Seems to me a world renowned concert pianist might have the funds to do so. Perhaps that’s hopeful thinking on my part. I wish Rick had googled Helene; I want her backstory. After the last chapter I assumed she caused Gus harm, intentional or not, and wonder that even more now. What if Gus is looking for a way out? And then there is (literally) poor Rita. Without the Cedarcrest sale she won’t be able to move forward with her plans to ‘remake’ Eagle Lake. She obviously trusts Rick with details and has been in contact with his dad. She needs Rick for her scheme. I hope he sees all the red flags soon.

The interaction with Jada went much better than I expected. That bodes well for Sawyer’s return to work. I’m not certain his next meeting with his mother will go as well, though. In the midst of this chapter’s tension, I really did laugh out loud at the menopause comparison. Unfortunately, I can currently attest to it being very much like turning into a werewolf, unwanted new facial hair growth and all! 😂

Yep, I most definitely over identify with Rick. My heart picked up and dropped throughout the chapter as events unfolded. Interestingly, both Rick and Gus lead lives they could love if not for being controlled by family. Neither have personal time that is their own to chart. The easy smile Gus displays is a nice counterbalance to Rick’s uncertainties. I hate that both have been touched by violence; a disagreement should never lead to harm. I like where this is going. Although in outward appearances and lifestyles Rick and Gus lead very different lives, they compliment each other well. They will be good for each other.

OH. MY. Sawyer isn’t the only one who is pretty dang perfect! Love this line: ‘Jimmy found himself floating in a place where libido and joy melted into a solitary mood.’ ... Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go take a very cold shower before work. 😉

I guess ‘never say never’ is true. But then I broke my rule one other time, also for you 😉, to comment your poem reminded me of Rick in Double Concerto. Today’s offering eased an emotional burden. It felt important to let you know that. Again, I am grateful.

I made a decision to never comment on poems because nothing I could say is as beautiful as the word art of poetry. But this was my past week and it made me cry. Thank you.

Me too! Guess that’s half the fun. 😊

This chapter was my morning smile as I wake up and enjoy the sunrise in a town very much like this one. I found myself thinking of our version of Rick’s stops and interactions, each being true to life. That bit of musing didn’t stop me from connecting a few dots about Rita. She appears to be more than a tad short on cash as she wheels and deals towards her end game. My guess is right now she is all smoke and mirrors from her perfectly manicured attire to her ‘group’ office. She’s buying time and borrowing towards the future assuming the small town business folks won’t figure her out before she hits a big payday. Rick’s time rowing on the lake did him good. He is also starting to connect a few dots! I don’t see him accepting the ‘dating’ app guy’s offer. He could end up surprising Rita when he figures out her plans. Much like his father, she underestimates Rick.

I agree with Jimmy... Sawyer is perfect! ~*mAtE*~

Brilliant chapter and absolutely perfect title. A modern day Handel would smile. This chapter was a much needed contemplation for Rick and what better place to explore his mind’s darkest wanderings than while paddling on a quiet lake’s night. I loved how his mother joined him on his journey, first in the constellations and later with her final words. Rick’s realization that Willy and the rape forever changed him might finally lead him to stop missing opportunities. It’s a start that he ‘drifted’ and then purposefully paddled over to his pianist. Perhaps, too, he will eventually recognize within his mother’s words and the softness of his father’s voice with her, that there is more to his father than hard edges and bitter disappointments.

Fergus isn’t just narcissistic, he is a fool. Irwin had a wife who belittled him and an Alpha who used him in a very demeaning way. It appears to me that going rogue, while horrific, was a way for Irwin’s wolf to express rage, gain back a level of power, and be in control. Fergus is so deeply in denial about his ‘games’ with the betas and the possible consequences. He doesn’t understand that the parts of Jimmy that attract him so much will ultimately be his undoing.