The Greens of Jericho

I love this story so much, and this chapter did not disappoint.   Thank you so much for sharing this with us!

Ah, I loved this story on so many levels, and rereading it tonight, I found myself noticing even more of the little touches--those little details--that make your writing such a pleasure to read.

So at the beginning of the story, you lulled me into this false sense of security.  Everything seemed to be working out so well--what with Jake and Heather's new living arrangement, the fun New Year's Eve spent with friends.  But then there was the stark news of April's death.  It really struck me much like running into a glass door.  You know it's there, know it's coming, but at the same time, you don't always see it coming.

What happened to April provides an undercurrent throughout the story of just how precarious life is for the inhabitants of this bizarro world.

I loved Jake and Heather constructing an episode of Law and Order.  I've never watched that show regularly, but I know enough of it to get a kick out of the scenarios they put forth.  What impressed me so much was how you segued from the invented episode of Law and Order to some genuine concerns Jake and Heather have about the future and their family plans.  I thought that was just masterful.  I also thought that their conversation had the perfect amount of--as my mother would say--sugar and spice.

Heather's going to New Bern worries me, as it does Jake. Yet it was so nice to be a spectator as they got to enjoy their first Valentine's Day together in Bizarro world.

My favorite line--hands down--was this:

QUOTE:

"Happy Valentine's."  He waited a beat and then smirking softly, added, "To me."

I enjoyed this so much.  Thanks for sharing it with us. :)

There's no doubt in my mind, Penny Lane; you are such a talented writer that I would probably find your shopping list to be masterful entertainment.  You have a way with words, and this latest installment was certainly no exception! 

"Just Two" was an interesting addition to your Romance of the Absurd series.  I must admit that I find the prospect of a Mary/Jake pairing far less troublesome than a Heather/Dale pairing.  That's probably due to my own imagination limitations.  I know this Dale is older and definitely grown up, but I keep seeing that scrawny kid. 

With that said, it's not completely out of the realm of possibility that Heather and Dale would eventually feel more for each other, particularly with the way you've laid out the story.  With the two of them getting separated from Jake and Johnston after Black Jack, having to rely on each other for survival, and forging a bond that would carry them for years, it does make sense.  The commonalities they share (that they are both essentially orphaned, they've survived togethe),as well as their differences they have (he's a shrewd businessman, she can fix nearly anything) complement each other. 

I liked the parallelisms within the story:

- Heather at the beginning being in good spirits/Dale at the end being in a good mood

- their perceptions of the other and how they've changed

- their perceptions of themselves and how that ties into this relationship they've forged with each other that they don't entirely define, it just is

I did find it curious that in all their time away they didn't try to make it back to Jericho.  I can only assume that with the state of unrest around them, going back would have been too difficult, or they have a sense that by going back, they would lose what they have now, which isn't something either is willing to do.

As always, I am eager to see what you have in store for us next!

Oh my!  I hardly know where to begin!

First off, it's interesting that Bill is the one telling us the story.  That gives the story a rather unique voice.

QUOTE: Jake was probably somewhere nearby, waiting 'til his cuts and bruises healed. He wouldn't want to let anyone in town see him before that. Jake's a good guy, but he's always been a little into his looks.

This totally cracked me up.  Bill's observations about Jake, how Hawkins was guarding him out at the cabin, etc. had me absolutely heehawing.  It's a two-prong joke.  Bill himself is humorous, but then there's what we as the audience know--that Jake was in Cheyenne.

It seems as though Eric has found quite an interesting solution to his women woes.  That, in itself, is shocking, though the fact that everyone seems to regard it as normal is even more shocking.  And funny.

Looking forward to seeing just what Stanley and Mimi are up to.

This is certainly a new side of Stanley and Mimi.  It's funny to think of them as spies, as neither of them seems subtle enough to sneak up on Helen Keller. (Yikes, that comment was definitely not PC)

Unless I'm missing my mark, it looks like you're poking fun at AU Jericho stories, or at the very least, those stories which make the characters bend to fit a plot.

I do have to say that like how you're answering the questions you drew from me in the prologue, though I have to admit that I keep finding more things to wonder about. 

Looking forward to seeing how this plays out.

This was hilarious!  Loved how you poked fun at how Heather is oft portrayed as a woman who can do anything...like raise six babies and still be the town's jack-of-all-trade. 

Also like how you have Bill seguing into the next story.

Oh my!  I think Trish's sister-wives needed another pair of hands to help around the commune.  I always thought Eric was being led around by his--well, you know--but now I know for certain.

How funny that Trish goes to investigate the polygamists and becomes one.

I just reread this...for probably the fourth time.  I think each time I read it, I find a new nuance or a detail I'd not noticed the previous time through.  Just wonderful!  I love this installment in the Romance of the Absurd series.  You hit just the right tone with the characters as they ran the gamut of emotions during their time trapped in the tunnels, forging a tenuous bond while waiting to be reunited with their loved ones.

Thanks for sharing this with us, Penny!

Penny Lane, what a nice installment!  I have to admit for a second there with Stanley calling Mimi to come downstairs, I envisioned the grown up Mimi.  Nice job on with that!  Of course, when you then described Mimi as giggling, running, and holding out her arms for Stanley to pick her up,  I knew differently . I really liked your description of how she did those chlid-like things, like patting each post on the porch and the little game they were playing about who Mimi loved.  It struck a chord within me because it reminded me so much of when I was a child.

So Stanley and Darcy?  Yes, that would be complicated!  I've always liked both characters very much.  I can see the appeal on both their parts.  They're both inherently good people with a strong sense of family.  Both possess mettle in abundance and are in a similar situation as single-parents, albeit for different reasons.  Even though Darcy turned down his dinner invitation, one could never argue that Stanley is out of the picture entirely with her idea of stopping by Bailey's and hanging out with him. 

And I really liked the way you ended it.  Though their lives weren't what they'd imagined and had been filled with tragedy, Stanley still had things he looked forward to.

Oh, Marzee, what a treat it was to read this chapter!  I liked how you balanced the levity of Jake and Heather going to Buffalo to meet the family with the seriousness of the situation in which they find themselves in the present. 

One of the things that I think you do so well is describe the character's expression, tone, and movements.  Your words really do bring the story to life for me as I read. 

The small touches you add also make your story so special.  For instance, the Rapunzel reference, the vetting process for 'Cowboy' Jake, the thrifty comment, and the debate on what qualifies as supplemental food (which intrigues the political scientist in me). 

I've been really curious to see how you would handle the "Marines" coming to Jericho, so I'm very excited to read more.  And, of course, I can hardly wait for Jake to meet the rest of Heather's family.

Great job!

Another wonderful chapter, Marzee Doats!  I read it shortly after it was posted and wanted to write a review then, but time limitations prohibited me from doing so at that time...and then things got busier.  So sorry it's taken so long to tell you what a jewel this was!

I loved your take on the faux Marines.  I thought this storyline had some nice touches, from Gray scrambling to get supplies for them, weighing the costs and benefits, to the chemistry that popped off the screen between Maggie and Michael.  I found myself wishing that Maggie would give up the charade and stay there with him, but I am looking forward to (perhaps) seeing her again in New Bern and after.  I'll enjoy seeing where you take these two in the future.

And Jake and Heather in Buffalo... yeah, I knew the Lisinski siblings weren't going to make it easy for their only sister.  There were so many parts that brought a smile to my face, from the Lisinski Home for Wayward boys to "engaged's not married." I thought Jake handled himself well with Joe, though having knowledge of what's to come (and knowing that his work does take him away from Heather eventually) does add an extra layer of interest when reading those scenes.  It's fascinating to read how the character perceive their lives will be and compare that to what we know did/does happen.

I also enjoyed what you did with the Optimus Prime references.  It also made me laugh and smile.

Thank you so much for such an enjoyable installment.  Your combination of wit, heart, and character development always leaves me wanting more.

This was so cute, Marzee.  I thought you had a good handle on Johnston's voice.  His reaction to Jake snorting got me tickled.  And who else could better tell Jake a few hard truths?  Thanks for a fun bedtime story. :)

Another wonderful story from you, Dponice!  I like how you captured Johnston's voice so clearly in this. 

This cracked me up:

QUOTE: Even as I realized this kiss must have happened when I was so sick, my second thought was to wonder if you were an idiot.

As did this:

QUOTE: Where before you never did the same post twice in a row, now you patrol one post. Highway 40 has never been so interesting before. Stanley and Jimmy think you should just build a shack out there.

Jake definitely needed to hear some hard truths.  Johnston's assessment of the situation is, of course, right on the money.  Here's to hoping that Jake will heed what his father tells him. :)