Comment from Karen Cherry Threadgill

Exceptional

You write this with such clarity. I am so lucky I was not addicted to the meds. As if the constant pain is not hard enough to bear. we could also be saddled with addiction. Why can't the geniuses find something non addictive that works? Hence, your story! Karen

 Comment Written 08-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 08-Jul-2024

Thank you very much, Karen. That particular chapter was difficult for me to write because I am a cat owner. Our cat loves to hang out in our walkup attic, and we place a towel in the door for him to be able to go in and out himself. So far, it's never been dislodged, but I think we would notice if we hadn't seen him for a few days.

Thanks very much for the 6 stars too.

reply by Karen Cherry Threadgill on 08-Jul-2024

I will catch up with all your stuff eventually. I imagine it will be a month before I am settled. Until then I am in limbo. :-) Karen

reply by Karen Cherry Threadgill on 08-Jul-2024

I am not supposed to, but I have had kitties from time to time. I love the purring and how they always wanted to sit in my lamp on the couch. And how they curled up in the small of back and purred me to sleep. :-)

Comment from Pearl Edwards

Exceptional

We are starting to see how Brian's addiction is changing his behaviour. To forget to feed his cat, now the death should be on him, but instantly he turns to his own relief. Sad. Qwll written chapter Jim.
cheers,
valda

 Comment Written 05-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 05-Jul-2024

Thanks very much, Valda. His addiction is most definitely manifesting itself in very harmful ways that have culminated in a tragedy, but yet, he can't get over resorting to the source of his problem to block it out. That happens all too often with addicts, and the downward spiral continues.

Thanks also for those 6 stars as well. Much appreciated.

Comment from lancellot

Excellent

His big sister is either not a good deputy or she sees only what she wants to see. His memory is failing, grades slipping, then his extra work writing papers for other people must be suffering too. I'm sure we will see the backlash from that.

 Comment Written 04-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 05-Jul-2024

I would agree with the second part of your either/or. See my response to your review of Chapter 11 for more on this.

Comment from T B Botts

Exceptional

Wow Jim,
this was a really powerful chapter. It brings home just how addictive and all consuming drug use can be. Fortunately, it was only the cat that suffered, although that's bad enough, especially when it was a cat that he loved. Thank God he wasn't a parent in charge of a child's well being, as happens all too often in this country. I can relate to the pain that he's suffering after the accident, but now his addiction is really impacting others. He's fortunate to have a sister who loves him and isn't going to let his behavior slide. I'm a little surprised she didn't see the drug issue sooner though. Well done Jim.
Have a blessed day. Happy 4th!
Tom

 Comment Written 04-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 05-Jul-2024

Thank you so much for your great review and the 6 stars too. Yes, it was only a cat and how much more devastating would it have been had it been a person? I didn't want to heap that on him.

The son of a good friend of mine killed two people through reckless driving while drunk when he was 18 years old. He has been in jail for a long time now as a result. Now that was a devastating event that he will always regret for the rest of his life.

I think some parents may be slow to react to evidence of their child's drug or alcohol use because they just don't want to believe it is happening, where outsiders are not as blinded by being so close to the person. Despite the fact that she has been trained to see the signs, it's tough when it's your own child or sibling to accept them as signs.

Comment from tfawcus

Exceptional

A terrific chapter, Jim. You demonstrate the angst, the shame, and the need of an addict brilliantly through your characterisation of Brian. You have left us hanging here. Has his drug-taking gone a step too far?

 Comment Written 04-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 04-Jul-2024

Thanks very much, Tony. He's really blown it this time. We'll find out the consequences very shortly. If he survives this, perhaps this will be the thing that turns him around and sets him on a better path. It's a shame it had to get to this point, but sometimes that's what it takes.

Thank you kindly for that extra star too!

Comment from Wendy G

Excellent

How terrible. I hoped this would now come as a warning to him - but it doesn't seem like it. Addiction is a terrible thing when you can weep for a dead pet because of your own neglect, and then just seek the pleasure of another "high" straight after. Fran should be seeing the signs now, surely! A very sad chapter, but a very well written one.
Wendy

 Comment Written 03-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 03-Jul-2024

Thanks, Wendy. It was hard for me to write this chapter being a cat owner myself. But Brian needed some proof of the harm he is doing not only to himself, but others. Perhaps he is at the bottom now? We'll see.

Comment from Carol Hillebrenner

Excellent

His addiction is completely out of hand. I understand about chronic pain, and it is hard to deal with, but oxy is not the way. By the time you kill something you love, you are about as addicted as you can get.

 Comment Written 02-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 03-Jul-2024

I think you're right about that. Sad though it was, fortunately it was only a cat. Maybe this will be a sign to him that he really needs help.

Comment from Thesis

Excellent

I'm disappointed in the character for letting this happen to his cat.I know it's the effect of the drugs, but it's not okay. Lying to cover it up, is not okay . He has more than a serious issue.

 Comment Written 02-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 02-Jul-2024

You've got that right. Let's see if he can dig himself out of the hole he's in.

Comment from Rachelle Allen

Exceptional

I am still going to go back and get caught up with this, one chapter at a time, but I was so on board from last week's chapter that I couldn't discipline to go back first before going on.

Oy. You have done a stellar job with this. I feel as if he's trudging through mud that's getting deeper and more impenetrable with each step forward. You also handled the Chloe incident with aplomb. Rather than hating him, I just felt so sorry for him for being this caught up in his addiction that he couldn't even do something basic for his beloved cat.

It's really getting away from him now. He's in way too deep yet can't make himself admit it or ask for help.

What a great job you are doing with this, Jim. So realistic and poignant. Can't wait for the next chapter. xoxo

 Comment Written 02-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 03-Jul-2024

Thank you so much, Rachelle, for your excellent comments and those 6 stars too. I'm so glad you found this novel and are enjoying it. I'm happy that you have some compassion for Brian, and you don't hate him despite his self-centered, often thoughtless behavior. I think you'll come to like him even more as he matures and learns to understand his problem.

He has reached bottom, for now, and the next chapter will begin his comeback.

Comment from royowen

Excellent

I wonder if he might had overdosed, what a stuff up, once one decides to go go down the wrong path the more difficult life becomes, I can imagine the loss of a pet, we've always adored our pets, and we've never neglected them, I would be devastated, I think Fran will find out, well done Gretchen, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 02-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 03-Jul-2024

Good instincts about the OD, Roy. Yes, he has made his life very difficult now, and he's going to require a lot of help to get out of the hole he's dug himself into. I, too, have a cat, and this was a tough chapter for me to write. - Jim

reply by royowen on 03-Jul-2024

Good job Jim