1 [Report This]Date: September 30, 2020 04:32 am Title: Chapter 4
Again, so moved, so swept away by this story. So glad I decided to read it.
Knowing this happened in your life, I can't help but wonder how much of your story is your own personal experience and how difficult that must have been for you and everyone in your life. It's weaved in so well to your story, the impact of this on the kids and how it takes away a little of their ability to be just a kid. The duality of CeCe being both child and having to grow up fast and be almost like a parent to her dad is so visible here.
On a personal note, love the fact that he loves Devil Wears Prada - the men in my life do, too. My son, especially. But what's not to love, that is a great movie and I just watched it again last weekend myself (my son ran into join me when he heard it on).
Looking forward to the next chapter.
Author's Response: Maxine, thank you so much again! I love hearing your thoughts. This story is deeply personal to me and very much related to my own experiences. It has been cathartic for me to work through them, but also to explore how a different family would handle it. I had to throw in a little nod to John Krasinski being a huge fan of Devil Wears Prada before he even met Emily Blunt, I love my little Easter eggs that I plant :) I’m excited to hear more of your thoughts. Another chapter coming soon!
1 [Report This]Date: September 23, 2020 10:27 am Title: Chapter 4
Well, finally things are looking up! I appreciate the way you've explored how fast this has forced Cece to grow up, making good on some of the foreshadowing in the earlier chapters. And the scene of her holding his hand in the hospital was very moving.
Subtle references caught: Jim screwing up Kelly's birthday in Lecture Circuit (and how much do I love that Jim is really good at birthdays when he actually cares?). Possibly Jim taking Cece to the Pacific?
Author's Response: Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! My dad went through a brain injury from an accident when I was about Cece's age, it has helped a lot in the writing of this, and is very cathartic for me. Things definitely are looking up for them, he's got a ways to go, but they're together again, finally.
And yes for the references! Also--my man JK loves him some Devil Wears Prada, I wonder why? lol and of course we had some ASL in there from QP. That will get a little further explained as we go on too. Thank you again for sticking with me!!
1 [Report This]Date: September 21, 2020 07:29 pm Title: Chapter 4
After all the build up, this was a great way to bring this to a climax. Clearly both Pam and Cece are off kilter and have been for a long time. Jim's presense being the centering force in their lives. It might be a little cliche, but to have it be Cece's hand be the key to getting the breathing tube out was just lovely. From personal experience, it's not fun to wake up with a tube down your throat preventing you from talking or breathing on your own. It's not a pleasant experience to be extubated either, but the relief of being able to breathe and talk on your own again is indescribable.
That the first words out of Jim's mouth are "My girls," just hits the heart in all sorts of ways. After so long, that's the first thing he says. Lovely. Likewise having Pam watch as Cece's hard exterior goes away and she can let it go was lovely as well.
Great chapter.