Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Oh no! You killed off a cat! Your readers will have a cow over this one. I guess this really illustrates how a drug addict gets so absorbed in the drugs that he forgets about his own loved ones. I would think Brian should have changed from this point but apparently, it was just a step in continued addiction...

 Comment Written 02-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 03-Jul-2024

Hopefully the last step before he decides to do something about it. I'm a cat owner, and I got very emotional writing this chapter.

reply by lyenochka on 03-Jul-2024

It is devastating especially to a young man. I remember when a co-worker's son accidentally ran over his dog. He learned never to drive when angry.

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

Brian is in big trouble. I have a feeling Fran is starting to figure things out. I can't wait to read more. You're doing a good job writing this story. It is one that needs to be told.

 Comment Written 02-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 02-Jul-2024

Thanks very much, Barbara. Some people have to sink pretty far down before they can find their way back. We'll see how deep that hole really is.

Comment from Debbie D'Arcy

Excellent

This is the start of his drug abuse being seen to impact severely on others. He has no real concern for anyone or anything beyond his own selfish dependency. And Fran is getting very suspicious. I like how you cover the effects of his habit now on his physical health with acne erupting on his face, thus conveying a message to your reader of deterrence/observation. I note that you vary the apostrophe when talking about grades. Personally I don't think As and Cs require one. Also, I would love to see more of the present day observations as a footnote. I thought this gave your story even more depth and significance. But well done, Jim. It's all moving forward with pleasing pace and credibility. Fran will be his saviour because she's genuinely fond of him and has assumed the role her parents vacated. Debbie

 Comment Written 02-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 02-Jul-2024

Correct. This is the start of it. Let's hope it doesn't lead to worse things.

Thanks for pointing out the inconsistent treatment of the letter grades. I think I will use apostrophes in all of them because As looks like the word "as." Style guides say both ways are acceptable (with and without the apostrophe.)

You made an excellent suggestion about another observation from the present, and I have included one at the beginning of the next chapter. I will have to remember to do that from time to time, as I agree that it gives the story more significance and depth. Thank you for that, Debbie.

Comment from jmdg1954

Excellent

Wow. I'm guessing this chapter was difficult to write. I'm an animal lover (though I never had a cat), currently I'm owned by three dogs.

Years ago we had a Brittany spaniel, Amber and white coloring whose name was Chloe. We had to put her to sleep at a young age of 10.

Let's see how this affects Brian going forward. Good chapter moving the story along.

John

 Comment Written 02-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 02-Jul-2024

Thanks, John. I am a cat owner, and it was very emotional for me to write this chapter. This event causes him lasting distress, and you'll see the effect in the next chapter. Maybe he has finally hit bottom with this.

reply by jmdg1954 on 02-Jul-2024

It was well done!

Comment from Pam Lonsdale

Excellent

I wonder when the paper-writing business would become too much and crowd out his own much needed studies.

Oh, no! Poor Chloe didn't deserve this. Of course, these is an example of the least that can happen when people with addictions are "in charge". Still, it was tough for this cat-lover to read.

I hope Fran catches on soon because I don't think Brian is going to come clean.

Thanks, Jim.

xo
Pam

 Comment Written 02-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 02-Jul-2024

I am a cat lover too, Pam, and this chapter was a hard one for me to write. It was very emotional, and I had a tough time getting through it when I read it to my wife. Hopefully Brian will take it to heart and learn from the tragedy and seek the help he desperately needs at this point before he's responsible for something even worse.

Comment from Dolly'sPoems

Excellent

Shame about the cat, but drugs can wipe our memory clean and I wouldn't recommend taking anything like this for a long time. These powerful painkillers numb the body and we sometimes have to teach our bodies to cope with pain as it forgets how to do it over time. My Granddaughter still loves history and I hope she continues to be interested as it is very important to be aware of our past. Let's hope Brian has learned with the incident with the cat to take better care of his health and be more aware of others. Another fine, well written chapter Jim, I am enjoying your story, it is natural and understandable from a teenager's point of view, love Dolly x x x

 Comment Written 02-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 02-Jul-2024

Thanks so much for your wonderful review, Dolly. This chapter is hard to read (and it was hard to write too), but hopefully it will serve as a wake-up call to Brian that he needs help.

Comment from Wayne Fowler

Excellent

Well written.
You write an admirable character in Brian. It's hard to see him as the leading protagonist, though. It's easy enough to see how Fran could get to this point without major suspicions. But after the cat scene, I would think she might drug-test him based on her law enforcement background.
Best wishes.

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 Comment Written 02-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 02-Jul-2024

Thanks, Wayne. That won't become necessary as you'll see in the next chapter. This event becomes a turning point for Brian, and, as unfortunate as it was, may have been what he needs to stop thinking about himself so much and get the help he so desperately requires.

Comment from Tom Horonzy

Excellent

This chapter is as well written as any previous one. It tells a harrowing story of an addict's thought process, which has no regard for anyone or anything else.

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 Comment Written 02-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 02-Jul-2024

Thanks, Tom. It's a self-centered existence, to be sure. It takes a lot for an addict to realize their actions have consequences, not only to themselves but to others, in this case a cat. Hopefully, this will be a lesson to him that he really needs help.