Vcs

With Chapter 15 come the descriptions of two women no one seems to like, at least as far as readers are concerned. Shayna [Pronounced: Shāy-nä] Age : 20 Appearance : petite Height : 5’4” Eyes : dark grey Caucasian Hair : bleached blonde Receptionist to Dr. MacLarroy, daughter to Dixie Mae, like mother-like daughter, narcissist, schemer, bigot, loves her sparkly-blue eye shadow and red lipstick, dresses provocatively, has been said to go after anything with ‘three legs’ single or married, has amazing ‘dykedar’ but zero ‘gaydar’, referred to as: Chiennailleuse: man-chaser, Salope: (c u next Tuesday) Dixie Mae Age : 54 Appearance : pudgy, frumpy, dresses provocatively Height : 5’6” Eyes : dark grey Caucasian Hair : bleached blonde Mother to Shayna and ‘cut from the same cloth’, narcissist, schemer, bigot, never leaves home without her ‘face’ and red lipstick, mid-fifties, known for being caught on church security footage ‘fornicating in the chapel’, carries her bible everywhere, prefers bouffant or beehive hairstyles, like her daughter, Dixie Mae is referred to as a: Chiennailleuse, Salope.

Continued... "Doc, have you heard from Dr. MacLarroy about when Matthew is coming home?” “Sooner than I expected, CC. In fact, I was going to mention he’ll be here on Saturday with a friend.” Tuck smiled. “Someone special?” “Apparently so, but we don’t know who. Mac hinted that he and Mary are expecting to hear an announcement.” ---------- “Who has an announcement?” “Good morning, Jake, Mannly. Doc was saying Matthew will be joining us on Saturday for the sing-

Daddy's guns—what an image @Summerabbacat. Willie always did look a bit mature to me. It's interesting to see him of more recent age.

It's been a bit cluttered in there of late. I'm still laughing, thinking about @drsawzall's suggestion of "Mind if I smell you?" Can you imagine @PJGee anyone being brave enough to even consider volunteering to sniff that lot? At first reading, my thoughts went to writing a chapter about one of the characters using that line. Funnier, though, was picturing their faces in response to the idea. Yes, again, more ahead...

Holy shhhhhh.... You always come up with magnificent one-liners @drsawzall. Hmmm, wonder if one of the cast wants to volunteer for.... Oops, hold on. < Internal conversations happening... Okay, okay, I hear you guys... Yes, I'll tell him... NO! He's a nice guy; I am NOT saying that! Geez, get a grip. > Sorry, @drsawzall, in an attempt to clean up the collective responses so my laptop and GA don't melt from the onslaught of questionable verbiage, let's just say they all responded with "Hell no, we're not sniffing..." 🤣 🤣 🤣 Now, who's had a rough day? Okay, think of this: Don't you wish you lived in my head???

One can only hope! You have me cracking up, @drsawzall. Mmm, rocking the sleeveless denim top, ah yes, great sight!

My thought exactly 🤮

They all do at that, @sandeman. There's nothing like that kind of support when one has experienced trauma, be it one or an entire ranchful of people. The intent, initially, wasn't to get so heavily into the aftereffects of PTSD, but there simply is no way around it. Homophobia, and let's face it, all the other bigoted b.s. in our world just refuse to quit. It's interesting and, honestly, rather depressing to be able to hear those same references used in the story in my head while writing. There was one schmuck talking about his own son, and I so want to tell that fool: If you stay the hell out of his bedroom, then you wouldn't have to worry about what they're doing. The really crazy thing is the adult son and his boyfriend live with the guy, and given his views, one would think he wouldn't just barge in their room without knocking. SMH

I've always been amazed by those who think more fragrance will cover body odor and other stench. @Wiyot, you're right with bleh.

Oh my, we are all so hoping @Doha. Perhaps, with somewhat of an audience for his chat with the sheriff and their input, Little Man will find the strength and courage to share what he observed and remembered, even if it's not much. 🤞

I'll be honest, @Doha, it's a hell of a place to be stuck in, and it's really tempting to shake someone when they're there and say, "Come on, out with it!" What a place, if only...

Having been up until the wee hours yet again, I slept in this morning and must say, receiving a laugh so soon is tremendously welcome @Summerabbacat. Your comments so often have me rolling. Love the names you've come up with. Bwahahaha Interesting question that, on who Kidd really is. Again?! Okay, it's time to boost your immune system. I'm saddened to hear the bugs have caught you again. Hmmm, I'll have to look up my recipe for Spiced Tea. My sweetie always said that and my Matzo Ball Soup were cure-alls.

Thank you, @dboggs9700! Seems they would have, but who knows, maybe something threw them all off? As for panicking, he sure did that the night before. What will Little Man tell the sheriff? So far he seems to have been hesitant to come out with anything. Is that due to memory loss or fear of being a nuisance?

He will at that, @Charles26. I get he has trauma-induced amnesia, but it's frustrating his reluctance to 'bother' the others when he experiences something that could possibly lead to answers. Rational thinking, though, isn't always clear for victims. 🥲

Here we go: with Chapter 14 come the descriptions of both Doc and Sam... Doc Age : 34 Appearance : slender, slightly muscular Height : 5” 11” Hair : light brown, sun-bleached highlights Caucasian Eyes : blue Vet at Two Spirits Horse Ranch, former volunteer paramedic, Sam’s partner, in ‘The Life,' genial personality, shy smile, devoted to others on the ranch, protective, cordial though serious when it comes to those under his care, be they ‘man or beast,' quick-witted, often serious though will break out in a jig when the mood strikes. Sam Age : 44 Appearance : muscular, solid Height : 6” 1” Hair : blonde w/ grey wisps Caucasian Eyes : powder blue Ranch Foreman of Two Spirits Horse Ranch, plays banjo, Doc’s partner, in ‘The Life,' steadfast, is a deeply loving man dedicated to the ranch and his Two Spirits family, often serious, firm but fair, a bit reserved, tends to be a bit gruff and no-nonsense, carrying a serious expression.

Continued... Jake glanced at Hank and straightened at the man’s sudden tilt of the head. Their silent conversation continued for a few seconds before Hank nodded. Jake looked around and back at the other man, his eyebrows arched. Almost instantly, Hank, Frank, Coop, and a couple of others from the ranch stood inconspicuously on alert. ---------- Jake sighed, sitting higher in his seat, and slid a protective arm around his date. “Mannly, I have a surprise for you.” “Really?” L

Woohoo it worked! Thank you @Summerabbacat!! The video is better quality too than you might think. Thanks again 🤗

That he was, @VBlew and I just love how appreciative Little Man is of every kindness. He was adorable with the horses, nuzzling with Starlight, whispering to her, and giggling when Midnight tickled him while eating his apple. Horses are such amazing, magical creatures. Poor Jake just can't keep his thoughts in his head. Sweet innocent Mannly seems to have an incredible power over him. Ugh, sometimes characters come along even in stories that are so tempting to just reach out and smack 'em. No, I wouldn't, but I can't deny that it's tempting. Talking about Starlight and Midnight brought to mind a wonderful place I love to visit, Assateague Island. Those who, like myself, love horses are sure to enjoy seeing and learning about the wild equines there and the history of how they came to be. //dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/eastern/assateague.aspx

Both observation and question are great; thank you @Charles26! It takes someone observant to pick up cues and is even more apparent to those who have experienced trauma of some kind. My take on it at this point in the story is that, yes, Hank and Jake have a clue. Notice the way Hank put his hand on Mannly’s shoulder and then Jake put his arm around him, both protective stances. As for why pretend? There are so many reasons. First, shame is inherent for so many who've fallen "victim." I’ve not met a survivor, and I’m specifically speaking of males now, who hasn’t felt some degree of shame. Is it justified or warranted? Absolutely not, but then society teaches so many beliefs that start with “real men don't..." There is no place for shame in being targeted for any kind of assault. Next, there’s fear, wondering if he’s truly safe and who he can trust completely. What if they find out how damaged he is? Will he be told he’s too much trouble, too broken, thrown out of the only place he has that’s safe? He can’t even remember who he is. Yes, on some level he knows he’s safe. Accepting it, though, is risky, and before he can completely trust others, Mannly first must learn to trust himself. There’s so much more... The final point, though, is denial. There’s a saying, “Denial is not a river in Egypt." Unfortunately, when struggling to come to terms, some cling to the hope that the river exists. It doesn’t, of course, and denial just gets one as far as that non-existent river in Egypt. I hope this helps. For all those who are survivors themselves or have someone in their lives who've experienced trauma, I leave you with gentle hugs to pick up and hold close when you are ready. 🤗 🤗 🤗

And you didn't include a link @Summerabbacat? I'm a little punchy from lack of sleep, so forgive me when I say - Shame on you! LOL Guess I'll have to trust my Google skills to find it. Yeah, I really shouldn't be fussing at anyone given brains here forgot to include the chapter title when revising this morning. Worse yet, I wasn't the one to come up with such a great title. Thank you again by the way. I love what you came up with!

Oh, come on now @dboggs9700, you two are killing me. Hmmm, what if... Nah, that'd never work. Besides, we all love their collab on that song too much, so we don't want to chance getting in the way of another.

Holy smokes, @Summerabbacat, you sure get me laughing! I missed the whole Dallas show, so I am just guessing who Sue Ellen's sister was. Poor Midnight, you leave that gorgeous black stallion alone! LOL As for thugs, I'm past ready for them to get theirs. When, how, who, where??? Puuullleeease, someone tell me they get got!

Thank you kindly; @dboggs9700, it's good to see you back. I'll be honest, it's so hard to tell where to break. Hang in there with me, please; there's more to come...

Thank you @Summerabbacat. Writing for GA is a bit different than what I've done before, as it really does feel like the characters of In the Bar are surprisingly enthusiastic about having their stories told. Jo, for instance, really wanted to tell how he arrived at the ranch. Judeo-Christian beliefs certainly have had their influence. Hopefully, the telling will respectfully do justice to everyone's persuasion.

Oy vey, @Wiyot! So, I'm responsible for tears and gagging? Wow, that's quite an accomplishment for so early here in the U.S.! You deserve a couple of 🤗🤗 On a side note, @Summerabbacat, you didn't tell me I needed a gag warning. 🤣