CincyKris

You emerged us into an intense situation immediately. Great dialogue and urgency. I really want to read more!

I will be happy with any future chapters! Please take whatever time you need, this is one of my all time favorite series. Free or published. It’s that good. Thank you for your creativity and imagination. For some “on hold” stories, I have to reread a lot of the previous chapters. I can jump right in to yours.

Dropping would be easier. Maybe @Summerabbacat would find me a nice big sinkhole!

Only for the sake of the kids, do I hope Natasha improves her behavior. But it has been my experience that narcissists like her are not truly capable of change, and only put on a show for others until they're off the hook for whatever heinous acts they committed. I suppose if she had some intensive psychotherapy, but again, narcissists rarely accept blame or think they need help. Just look at the giant orange one for an example!

Miles' sister did a runner because it was her only option to save her life and sanity at the time. Sound familiar? If Miles can connect with her, and I think he will, I hope she will accept his love, support, and their crappy Uncle's secret lotto money. I can see Troy, Miles, and Marco making a life for themselves wherever they desire. Maybe lots of somewheres, with a base in Miami (winter) and a base at the ranch (summer). Also, it might depend on where Miles' sister has settled, especially if she has a family.

Ok, if swamp-ass is an ode to Florida! Which Cincinnati got a taste of today .... in mid-October! I want fall!

I don't trust Natasha as far as I can throw her, which is considerably less than I would prefer! We need to find out who Harlan works for, that is still a wildcard. Christmas in London will be fun, and very enlightening for the kids.

I enjoyed the relationship between Naren and Aster. It's intriguing to imagine everyone with their own AI personalities underlying and influencing the outward personality. Plus your AI is talking to all the other AI's. The meeting in the mining ship struck me as calm on the surface, one person speaking at a time. But there were 12 minds communicating, 6 of them simultaneously.

I really liked this opening chapter. I already feel that I know William and Andrew, and I look forward to knowing our diarist.

Xavier's obsession is intense. I have to admit that I usually don't read second person POV stories, I usually hate them. But this one is intriguing so I think ill stick with it. I'm concerned for the health of the other young man.

I loved the chapter and agree with comments on their blessings and bounty. One thing that struck me was how August sort of echoed the same message to Runyan from his grandmother. He had a hard time accepting her gifts, she had to talk him into it with words of love. Thankfully, Runyan and Willy James accepted with as much grace as August and Fletcher. The four will be successful because they will work together and cherish what they have been blessed with.

I think this is the first time in all your stories that you made me cry! It's amazing what a tiny, deformed, baby of almost any species does to our emotions! Go Rudy!

We just had a bad case of child abuse across the river in Kentucky. Two little girls were physically abused with visible bruises. Their teacher called child services. The 24 year old caseworker ordered them sent back to the mom and stepdad (whom the girls said hit, choked, and threatened their lives). The school appealed to the police and CPS. The CPS supervisor supported her caseworker and ordered them sent back. The police checked on them a few hours later and found the girls had been beaten more severely. They were removed this time. The caseworker, the supervisor, and the director (who tried to cover-up) have all been removed from their jobs. Sometimes the system works, but only after innocents get hurt. It would take a highly publicized event to get Donna removed. But, unfortunately she is handling parolees, and most of them do not have advocates or public sympathy.

I can't believe how happy I am for Toby! The place sounds perfect for all of them, but especially for Toby. Maybe it's because we share interests, though I'm no longer laden with very inconvenient youthful enthusiasm! Drew and Evie will be helpful setting up the "wild" portions. And the orchard trees.

Me too, though not stories, sadly. I just wrote up a handout for work and had to do it on paper first. My brain works better on paper.