Date: June 04, 2008 08:24 am Title: Prologue
That was a powerful chapter. My Dad was in the hospital alot hooked up to many machines so I can empathize with them. Great job!
Author's Response: Thanks very much! It means a lot when people who've been through similar situations say it rings true.
Date: June 04, 2008 07:14 am Title: A Dark Night Continues
Yay, update! First of all, ouch for all the times Pam realized she hurt Jim to protect her own peace of mind. The general consensus has often seemed to be that she was just oblivious to her effect on him but I think it was definitely more like this...she's a smart girl, she would've known exactly what she was saying in each of those instances. Looking forward to the next installment!
Author's Response: Yup, I absolutely agree with you. NO WAY anyone with four neurons firing could have missed all those looks that Jim gave Pam in S2. And Pam's got a lot more than four neurons firing!
Date: June 04, 2008 05:48 am Title: A Dark Night Continues
Aha -- the back story for why the parents don't know about the wife! Nice detour through Pam's brain and her own defense mechanisms with Jim, also.
Author's Response: Thanks, Lisahoo!
Date: June 04, 2008 05:45 am Title: A Dark Night Continues
WOW!!!!!!! God, VB, I think I need a minute here. Whew. I could really cry right now. Excellent, excellent chapter. And that last visual of them sleeping in the chair? Guh. I really, really can't wait for an update. Help a sister out, will ya?!
Author's Response: I will work on helping you out! I did kinda like the image of them sleeping in the chair together, too! Thanks!
Date: June 04, 2008 02:09 am Title: A Dark Night Continues
Very moving - I love how Pam pulls herself together, decides to be there for him but falls apart when she is reminded of her father - and Jim is there for her. The elopement is a nice touch - good cover story!
Author's Response:
Thanks! I figured I have to give Jim a FEW moments to be there for Pam. He wouldn't be Jim otherwise, right?
8 [Report This]Date: June 03, 2008 11:17 pm Title: A Dark Night Continues
oh so sad. great chapter!
Author's Response: Thank you!
Date: June 03, 2008 10:34 pm Title: A Dark Night Continues
I love how much they are there for each other. Kind of hate Karen's existence more in this story than ever before. I really love this story and get do a little happy dance whenever its updated. Please keep them coming...maybe a little bit quicker...but I'll take what I can get.
Author's Response:
Ooh! You made my day with your "happy dance!" I don't thinkI can crank them out any faster, though! I'll try.
We will, of COURSE, be dealing with Miss Karen later!
Date: June 03, 2008 10:25 pm Title: A Dark Night Continues
I adore this story and the character development you are choosing to create. It is rare that I read a story with such heart, emotion, and love. Great great great job with everything. The dialogue flows seamlessly and everything is true to the Jim and Pam and I know and love :)
Author's Response: Wow! Thank you SO MUCH for the kind words! What a nice review!
10 [Report This]Date: June 03, 2008 06:35 am Title: Music and Sculpture and Pain
that's a really nice quote.. and i feel it really applies to their situation. i feel like i can apply it to personal experiences too, so it's doubly awesome. :)
Author's Response: Thanks! Gotta love Michelangelo
Date: May 29, 2008 04:00 pm Title: Prologue
Just finished reading this story. My favorite parts are when you are describing when Pam and Jim are physically close to each other. Pam seems really organized and put together in the story. Sometimes I get lost w/ all the medical stuff, but that just because me. Not you!
As Pam wrapped her arms around him, Jim reflexively encircled her in his own and rested his cheek on her head. The warmth of her body, the gentleness of her touch, her soft hair under his skin all felt so reassuring, so consoling. So right.
Very nice.
Author's Response: Thanks very much, Alamos! I hope you continue to like the story as I post more chapters. There will be more medical stuff but I'm going to try to keep it from getting overwhelming.
Date: May 29, 2008 07:04 am Title: Music and Sculpture and Pain
I really enjoyed this chapter. Look forward to reading more.
Author's Response: Thanks!
Date: May 29, 2008 06:37 am Title: Music and Sculpture and Pain
I'm loving the quick updates! I didn't have time to leave a review for the last chapter, but I'm loving how people are noticing the "couple" and how supportive Pam is of her hubby! That will be interesting terrain for them to navigate. And, ooh, I'd love to know what Jim had to tell his mom during their alone time. It's so great how Pam is able to be alongside him through it all because she's experienced it before. Thanks for having them start to have a conversation about where their relationship has taken them so far.
Great job! Maybe I'll get to read another chapter later today???? :-) Here's to wishful thinking...
Author's Response: Thanks so much, berrycakefan! I am writing now. (I write on my drive to work, to tell the truth! Very little traffic & a long, pretty straight road ... don't tell the troopers, though!) BUT I had an idea for a conversation between Pam & Larissa, so it's actually a future chapter. Probably no post today. I DO think we'll finally encounter Mr. H in the next chapter.
9 [Report This]Date: May 28, 2008 10:33 pm Title: Prologue
Yay! You updated! I have to say, I think one of the things I love the most about this story is how Pam gets to be the one taking care of things. I'm a sucker for strong, nurturing Pam, and I think the way you brought it about was just great. Plus I really love the idea of them pretending to be married. Can't wait for the next update :D.
Author's Response: Thanks, Kestrel. I'm kinda glad now that it's taken me so long to get the train outta the station because the story I originally intended did not have such a strong Pam. I am enjoying this, too.
Date: May 28, 2008 06:28 pm Title: Music and Sculpture and Pain
love it. great chapter!
Author's Response: Thanks!
Date: May 28, 2008 06:24 pm Title: Music and Sculpture and Pain
Love how Pam has an art metaphor to explain where her reserves of patience with Jim are coming from. It's one of the mysteries of human nature, how when we get wrapped up in our own problems, looking outward and easing someone else's pain keeps our mind off our own pain.
It's also something I see in Pam's character, that she is a kind person, but she's no doormat either. There's a time for her to hash things out with Jim, but at this moment, he needs her friendship. There is a reason she is the one he turns to -- not only her experience with her father, but also her capacity for compassion.
Author's Response: Wow, thanks, lisahoo! I'm glad to see the things I'm trying to convey are indeed coming across.
Date: May 28, 2008 05:52 pm Title: Music and Sculpture and Pain
VB, you captured so well the helpless and frightened feeling that a child, no matter how old, feels when a parent is ill.
“I don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t here with me, Pam.” He breathed it out so softly, she almost wasn’t sure she’d heard it. Guh. A stake through my heart but so...great.
Date: May 28, 2008 04:31 pm Title: Music and Sculpture and Pain
This story has me captivated. Please continue soon. :)
Author's Response: Thank you so much!
Date: May 28, 2008 04:22 pm Title: Music and Sculpture and Pain
Way to go on the quick update! And way to have Pam both offer comfort and speak her mind. Of course she would see him in artistic metaphors--I liked this:
I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free. She liked to think that her Jim was somehow trapped inside this new evolved Jim, struggling to get out.
I don't know if you've been to Florence, but in the Michelangelo museum where the original David is kept, there is a hallway with a bunch of half-finished/started marble sculptures where it looks like the subject is struggling to free itself from the stone. It's easy to see that metaphor applied to Jim through all of season three.
Looking forward to more :) though you've got me a little worried about how bad off his dad is...
Author's Response:
I studied art history some and am familiar with those sculptures. They're exactly what I was thinking of!
More soon, I hope! I'm on a roll. Thanks for the review!
Date: May 23, 2008 01:42 pm Title: Prologue
I'm not sure about comedy in this story, but you could make it work -- for some reason I'm thinking about "While You Were Sleeping". (Hey, I'm a chick, I'm aloud to have seen (owned) that movie!!)
Wherever the spirit takes you, VB...
Date: May 23, 2008 01:09 pm Title: Pam
loved it I'm ready for some JAM :)
Author's Response:
JAM will be forthcoming ... in a while!
Thanks for taking the time to review!
Date: May 23, 2008 07:11 am Title: Pam
You've made my day, VB! Another update so soon. Keep it up! I'm just so invested in this story. I really am looking forward to seeing where you take it.
As Pam headed back to Mrs. Halpert’s room, she overheard Michele say, “They seem like a really sweet couple.” She smiled sadly to herself, wishing it were true. They really ARE a sweet couple. They just have to get their act together.
Author's Response:
You make my day all the time! I really appreciate your leaving such supportive & enthusiastic reviews for every chapter.
10 [Report This]Date: May 23, 2008 05:27 am Title: Pam
I went back and read all of this the other day and it's just fantastic. I'm a sucker for Jim and Pam aren't together, but he needs her stories and this is awesome. I can't wait to read more.
Author's Response:
You have made my day – Nice reviews from Callisto and GodInThisChilis on the same day?!?!? I LOVE your stories! I'm so excited that you are enjoying mine.
Date: May 23, 2008 05:25 am Title: Prologue
I love Pam being so take-charge and being the strong one. I see an interesting scenario coming up when Jim's parents find out he's 'married.' Keep it up!
Author's Response: Thanks so much, callisto! I am so excited to get a review from you because I think your stories are so outstanding!
Date: May 23, 2008 04:10 am Title: Pam
Uh oh, I sense either drama or comedy coming up when Mrs. Halpert wakes up and needs to 'meet' her 'daughter-in-law'. Glad to see the regular updates!!
Author's Response: Now comedy ... that's something I hadn't thought of as a possible "meet the in-laws" scenario. Which is kind of funny now that I wrote that sentence. If I'd thought of "meet the in-laws scenario" at all, comedy would've had to jump out at me. This gives me something to think about...
10 [Report This]Date: May 22, 2008 11:56 pm Title: Pam
Keep it up! I love this story :)
Author's Response: Thanks. I think I have a structure in mind now, so it shouldn't be so long between posts ... I hope!