empath

Good question! Some days I wonder the same thing. Thanks for reading and responding!

I can't kill him off, because I look forward to your ever growing list of poetic adjectives!

Wednesday, June 24th, 1992 Melissa set the paper aside and wiped away her tears after reading Samantha’s story a second time. She had been caught off guard but excited by the early morning call from Samantha James suggesting they meet for breakfast. Melissa had quickly agreed, throwing out the first place that came to mind. She hadn’t known what to expect from the intoxicating woman, but the article before her was truly a surprise. This is beautiful and heartbreaking, Samantha,” M

Welcome! I’m pretty new as well. Glad you’re you, and glad you’re here!

Thank you for sharing. What a beautiful example of chosen family!

When we focus on the needs of others (human or not), we often find that our own are met in return. Thank you for sharing, my friend. Give Frida and Missy some extra love from me!

Unwanted Son By Sam James There is magic in a newborn’s first cry. His parents can’t help but feel overwhelming love for the tiny new human. That’s how it’s supposed to be, but sometimes those first cries are simply the herald announcing a lifetime of misery to a world that doesn’t want him. The child becomes another unwanted son. This past Monday, Thomas Miller received his day in court. You may remember the name. It was in the news last February. Thomas Miller killed his o

I was wondering how long it would be before that suggestion was raised. 😀

Sorry to disappoint! hehe

Hmmm… Juan is pretty confused. You never know.

All very valid points, especially since use of video in interrogation rooms was pretty new in 1992. Certainly, wire-tapping and audio recording were not uncommon. Fortunately, as @mayday points out, I too think Charlie is sunk seven different ways. I don’t want to ruin anything I haven’t written yet, though! It has been interesting to rewind the technology clock thirty years. It’s easy to forget how recently the world looked and functioned very differently than what we are currently used to. Cell phones were rare, Computers and internet were not common place in most people’s lives, and nothing was digital.

The two men spent the afternoon working their cases and making pickups for Riz. Their shift was finally ending. The crooked detectives dropped the cash they had collected at the restaurant before driving back towards the station. They both felt fortunate that Jason Rizzo hadn’t been there to insult them for a second time in one day. Despite that small mercy, they knew what was expected. It couldn’t be put off any longer. “How we gonna do it?” Joe Gallo, the thin one, asked his partne

Thanks @mayday! Chapter nine is written. I planned to post last night, but it needs another revision. Work is really getting in the way this week... Rude! 😀

I was particularly proud of that line.

While the timing mostly just worked out, it has been on my mind a lot as I’ve been thinking about human rights and the cost of obtaining and maintaining them. There are so many men and women like Juan, who have dedicated large parts of their lives, and so much more than time, to fight for the freedom of others both in the US and abroad. The Marines have always been an interesting branch to me, first in, last out. Anyway, thank you @Cane23 for making a real world connection. Like Juan, veterans often have a difficult time finding their way outside of the armed services. Society can be dismissive or mean. When added to the trauma of deployment, separation, and sometimes combat, the results can be heartbreaking and life-shattering. That is what I think about on Veteran’s Day. How might I make a difference in the life of someone who sacrificed of themselves for me and my family. A sincere and inadequate thank you to any and all who have served my country or any other in the name of human liberty and freedom! ❤️ Semper Fidelis

“Ramos, I was wondering when you were going call.” There was both concern and an obvious fondness in the deep voice that answered his call. “Sir. It’s good to hear your voice.” Juan was surprised by the sudden emotion he felt and had to work to hold back tears. There was a long pause before Juan’s former Captain spoke. “Are you alright, son? I’ve received two unofficial reference checks in the last five hours. The first had me thinking you were being scouted,

I appreciate all of the excitement! Thomas' trial was always meant to be a catalyst for the collected cast of dissatisfied characters, each with their own stories of bigotry, dehumanization, prejudice, trauma, and discrimination. In the end, I want my characters to find healing, hope, and family while making their world a more tolerant and loving place. Maybe telling their stories will make a small impact in our own world as well. Much love! ❤️

Thank you for all the responses and comments! It is fun to read what you all think. It was a rough week for many of us here in the US, so I didn't get as much writing done as I wanted to. I’m glad it seems to have been worth the wait! On to chapter 8!

Tuesday, June 23rd, 1992 Thomas didn’t know what time it was or how long he had managed to sleep this time. It was still dark outside, or at least as dark as the Gold Coast got. He scanned the king-sized bed from the small corner he occupied. The bed was too big. It made him feel small. Thomas felt almost too comfortable to relax on the soft, luxurious mattress under silk-smooth sheets. He listened to Roger’s whimpering in the room across the hall for over a minut

Orange man with a smirk, Makes promises of progress. He revokes our rights. He has the power; He promises to use it. My country hates me. He stirs emotions, Through words, ideas, actions. His platform is hate. All men are equal, Some truths are self-evident. White, cis, straight at least. America’s dream: Life, Liberty, Happiness. It’s not for everyone! You smile like a wolf,

That isn’t likely… I hope. lol But there may be another 42 convolutedly connected stories to tell.

Based in the recommendations to date, I clearly need to up the humor level! Unfortunately, there hasn't been a lot of funny things to talk about. I will. Eventually. Thank you all for the comments and reactions. It makes my day to hear what everyone thinks!

I love the suggested plot line! 🤣 I have some research to do on probate and inheritance law… but you are right. Hopefully, everyone get’s a chance to catch their breath soon! Roger hasn’t really had a “home” and has been living alone for along time. It will be interesting to see what happens! Are you suggesting the detective and the defense lawyer hook up? That sounds like a Hollywood plot for sure. Thank you @drsawzall! I wish I was done writing this story so I could read it too! That sounds more conceited than I intended, but this story is driving itself in some interesting ways. I know where it ends and many of the things that happen along the way, but I’ve been surprised by some of the twists and turns that have make their way into my outline.

“Was jail really bad? You didn’t get raped, did you?” Brendon had tried not to think about Thomas being in jail, but now that he knew his boyfriend was safe, he couldn’t help it. Thomas snorted. “You’re such a dork. No, I didn’t get raped.” Thomas felt happy for the first time in recent memory. “I was in jail, not prison. Besides, I’m a kid, so they kept me in a separate area mostly by myself. I only saw other prisoners a couple of times, and never in the shower.”

Thanks for reading! And foreshadowing. hehe