A story I read with creeping dread, knowing things wouldn't end well.
The dad's love for his daughter and his longing to protect her collide with the boy's death.
As a parent I was thinking Call call the boy's parents! Call the school! Set up an intervention! We are our brothers' keepers. As a writer I was thinking Moving and well-written.
A wonderful style, Anthony, clean and sharp but not forced. I want to learn more about the narrator. I hear him, but I want to know who he is. I want to know what he has lost and what he might lose.
I get this theme on so many levels! I have young teenage daughters whose compassion has also let them get too involved in the drama of others. I have also, despite having taught them this compassion, had to tell them to "ease up" and not to let too many problems overwhelm them. It's such an interesting line to walk. And then when you've been personally involved in distancing yourself from people with destructive behavior...how do you explain how complicated that is? Which is interesting how your character "hates" his ex wife. Obviously, hate is never that simple, because you still care enough to hate... lots to think about here! Thanks!
Hey Jodie. This is a really thoughtful thing to say. I can't tell you how gratifying it is to hear (or read) that someone took the time for a close reading of the piece like you did and came away recognizing something familiar, despite not being easy to deal with. Thank you.
A story I read with creeping dread, knowing things wouldn't end well.
The dad's love for his daughter and his longing to protect her collide with the boy's death.
As a parent I was thinking Call call the boy's parents! Call the school! Set up an intervention! We are our brothers' keepers. As a writer I was thinking Moving and well-written.
Thank you for your thoughtful reading. I appreciate the good vibes.
A wonderful style, Anthony, clean and sharp but not forced. I want to learn more about the narrator. I hear him, but I want to know who he is. I want to know what he has lost and what he might lose.
Ah, Damon. If I knew who it was, I’d never tell. It may get break both our hearts. Thank you for the kind words.
I get this theme on so many levels! I have young teenage daughters whose compassion has also let them get too involved in the drama of others. I have also, despite having taught them this compassion, had to tell them to "ease up" and not to let too many problems overwhelm them. It's such an interesting line to walk. And then when you've been personally involved in distancing yourself from people with destructive behavior...how do you explain how complicated that is? Which is interesting how your character "hates" his ex wife. Obviously, hate is never that simple, because you still care enough to hate... lots to think about here! Thanks!
Hey Jodie. This is a really thoughtful thing to say. I can't tell you how gratifying it is to hear (or read) that someone took the time for a close reading of the piece like you did and came away recognizing something familiar, despite not being easy to deal with. Thank you.