The Greens of Jericho

Reviewer: Marzee Doats Signed [Report This]
Date: 01 Feb 2009 8:14:37 PM Title: Part Ten: As Daylight Breaks

Oh, Penny!  What a satisfying and thought provoking ending to this great story.  Enjoyed isn't exactly the right word for how I feel about Once Removed because there were a lot of painful parts to this story, but the resolution is positive, and that's a relief.

I really felt for poor Jake as I was reading this.  He sure had been for a trip down the rabbit hole.  No wonder he's having trouble sorting out what's real and what's a dream. 

I'm going to be bad and just say it.  We need a fabric softener sheet for Emily because she's got a major case of static cling!  No wonder Jake couldn't wait to get away. 

I was intrigued by Gail's and Eric's dreams about April and then Heather's about Bonnie.  Since 'ghosts' seem to have their say in this universe, I can't help but think that those two spirits were in on some of the plot.  I especially like that Bonnie was working on Heather and not Emily.  (I'm being bad again! ;-) )

 

Quote:

“We'll see you then, buddy!” said Stanley. “Now I've got to get the wife to her appointment, or she'll flip out on me.”

“Wife?” stammered Jake.

Stanley and Mimi glanced at each other, sharing a sly smile. “We'll talk later, Jake. Glad to see you're okay!” said Mimi.

She rolled up her window, and with that, they drove away, leaving Jake to stare after them. For a moment, he wondered if he'd woken up in yet another dream world. He'd been away such a short time, but so much had happened, it all seemed strange to him. Still, seeing Stanley and Mimi leaning against each other, laughing like that - he wanted this world for them.

Ahhhhhh!  This was so satisfying to read after after seeing the wrecks that Mimi and Stanley became in the 'Jake Removed' world.  I feel exactly like Jake.  I want this world for them.  After everything that's happened, they deserve it.

 

I'm so glad that Jake got to see that Woody was alive, and the busload of children, too, Stacy especially.  The fact that she watched him go, and that she smiled at him just really got to me.  He saved their lives, hers most definitely, and he deserves to feel that lightness in his step, knowing that everything has once again been restored. 

 

Quote:

“Of course, the news that you're back has got everyone excited, and so people are planning to come out here tonight. Stanley said he hoped you'd be here, and Jimmy and Bill are both planning on telling you all about their parts in the defeat of Major Beck's regime.”

This just made me grin.  Jimmy and Bill, revolutionary war heroes.  I hope they have sandwiches named after them.  Maybe Jericho's Finest Ham & Cheese? :-D

Very intrigued by the 'real world' Skylar.  She's really grown up and Jake, who's probbly never had a conversation with her before, was certainly put on notice of this fact.  I like that Skylr can become something in both versions of Jericho, though I thik she, like everyone else, will survive longer in the one with Jake.

 

Quote:

“I'm sorry I put you in that position. I should never have -”

“Jake -”

“I didn't think how bad things could get, what could happen -”

“Jake, really.” She turned to look directly at him. “I did what I thought needed to be done. That's how it works, right? We all play our part?”

He stared at her for a few seconds. He couldn't tell if it was amazement that she could talk that way after nearly being destroyed by the secret he'd asked her to keep, or amazement at seeing her standing in the sunshine, her hair blowing around her face. He took a breath. “I know a lot of things have happened. I'm dealing with things; you are too. Sorry I haven't been a very good friend.” He swallowed, imagining again how she had looked when she had answered the door with a gun. “I just wanted to tell you how glad I am that you're okay. That you came home from New Bern, and Cheyenne. How glad I am that you're alive. And -” he paused to take one more breath, “- how glad I am that I met you on that bus.”

First of all, thank you for writing an apology for Jake that seems worthy of the position he put Heather in.  His declaration of friendship was wonderful too. :-)  I'm not doing any of it justice, but I just love what you have given us here.  It's a lovely start for the Jake/Heather relationship in your universe.  I can see a wonderfully meandering line from here to Starrless Sky Story.

Thanks, Penny!  This was such an interesting 'what if' ride.  I actually did enjoy it.  Thoroughly!

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Author's Response:

Thanks!

I really did enjoy, I confess, writing all the emotional and tragic turns in this story. It is interesting to push characters to their limits and see how far the emotions can go.

Emily is rather attached to Jake here, but she is worried and thinking about someone else, instead of isolating herself, so I'm sure it is a relief to Jake.

April and Bonnie do show their presence a bit more in this part, though I like to think the ghosts are hovering on the edges of the dream world, just a little bit. Hovering around the people they love, but also putting some things to rest and helping out the friend they have in common.

Stanley and Mimi are definitely much more hopeful, and stronger, in this world that they face together, than they would be in the one where they've separated, despite the tragedies that have befallen them.

I think, besides realizing the impact his actions of saving the children had on the town in general, Jake realizes for the first time here the impact it really had on each of them.

I like your suggestion for a sandwich named after Jimmy and Bill :)

I think Skylar of the real world shows hints of freedom fighter Skylar, and Jake will recognize them now, when he might not have seen them before. You're right that she will live longer in this universe, and she will have slightly more guidance from the adults in this world, though she is still developing an independence most of them have not recognized as Jake now does.

Of course Jake needed to make amends to Heather, for real life stuff and, though she doesn't know it, the dream that affected him so profoundly. I'm glad you enjoyed their moment here.

Thanks for going along for this ride, and I'm glad you enjoyed it!