Comment from Wayne Fowler

Excellent

So far so good. Well written.
Private apologies only go so far and last so long, though. Files have lives of their own, and people's motives can change. Also there is a segment of rumor and conspiracy believers who will never believe the truth.
Alan will still have a problem if he returns to education anywhere near Grantham.
Best wishes.

 Comment Written 29-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 29-Feb-2024

Thanks, Wayne. I agree, and he has no plans to go back to teaching high school, as we'll see later. The only teaching he plans to do for the time being will be the computer classes he plans to hold at his store.

Tina will indeed pay a penalty as we'll find out eventually.

Comment from tfawcus

Exceptional

Another fine chapter, Jim. The reactions of Tina's mother and the Principal are believable, and it will be interesting to find out how they follow up on their abject apologies. I imagine there's not much they will be able to do to restore David's reputation without jeopardising their own.

 Comment Written 29-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 29-Feb-2024

Thank you very much, Tony, and for that wonderful 6. I am just thrilled you are enjoying this as much as you have.

Your remark has convinced me to put back something I had written then taken out. I think it's important after all, to see how this event affected the lives of the others involved in addition to just Alan.

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Hooray! Tina did tell everything to her mother. And it was good that Earl was there, too. Both of them will need to call up everyone they spread the false story to and try to make amends. But I think Alan has a good life and hopefully, he'll stay with his business.

 Comment Written 29-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 29-Feb-2024

Yes, they've set themselves up for a difficult road ahead, but that's justice, I believe, and perhaps the only way Tina will truly learn will be to accept the consequences of her actions.

Comment from Wendy G

Excellent

A fine chapter, and I am glad the truth is out in the open. At least she told the whole truth and her mother believed her. But what about the nurse who overheard part of it and doubtless has jumped to the wrong conclusion. Will she tell Ginnie? An excellent and well written chapter!
Wendy

 Comment Written 29-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 29-Feb-2024

Thanks very much, Wendy. Tina had enough sense not to perpetuate the lie any further and will hopefully grow from this experience.

Ah, yes, the nurse in the hall. What will happen with that? This certainly has the potential for ruining things between Alan and Ginnie. We'll find out soon enough.

Comment from Barry Penfold

Excellent

Another good instalment of this story. Conversation pieces are realistic and help develop the relationship of characters and also the storyline. Looking forward to the next instalment. Have a great day.
Regards
Barry Penfold.

 Comment Written 29-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 29-Feb-2024

Thanks very much, Barry. Glad you're continuing to enjoy it. Just another few chapters, and this part of the story will wrap up, then it's on to the real thrust of the novel.

Comment from Tom Horonzy

Excellent

It is nothing less than what expected, but you, being you, could have taken the other option and had her swear it was Phelps that beat her tonight and he was here to make sure.
Now, I have no idea where the story will go.

 Comment Written 28-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 29-Feb-2024

You know, that idea never occurred to me--that he went to the hospital to make sure she told the correct version of the story. I always assumed that his whole reason for going was because he's a good guy, and she needed his help, at least until her mother arrived. I'll have to ask him sometime if he thought she would confess the way she did and that she was going to tell her mother the same story or would try to mess him up again.

Comment from Carol Hillebrenner

Excellent

As usual you story is an attention getter. I was not certain the mother would listen to reason. His former boss has a lot to make up for also. But I don't think Alan would be better off returning to his former teaching job if it is offered and he can support himself with his little shop.

 Comment Written 28-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 29-Feb-2024

I agree with you. He's happy where he is now. No need to give that up to go back where there may still be suspicions by the ignorant.

Comment from lancellot

Excellent

Well, that was all very nice. Tina's mother listened and loves her. David got three apologies. Tina got... well, I understand (kids make mistakes).

I think, when doing your post adjustments, that you add the police in here somewhere. I minor with those types of attack injuries, being brought in by an adult male non-family member (and somehow stays), doctors would have had to reach her parents themselves and call police.

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 Comment Written 28-Feb-2024

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reply by the author on 29-Feb-2024

You're probably right about that. The police do come to interview her but not until after he is gone. They come to interview him in the next chapter. The thing is, if I have them interview her while he is there, they may think he's put her up to it. When they interview him the next day at his store, he tells them the story that she also had told them, which makes it far less likely. They will also interview Tony and eventually nail him. That's still to come.

reply by lancellot on 29-Feb-2024

I hope not, but I know only Tony will be held accountable, treated as the bad person, and punished. Not Tina.