I think I'm in love with Mrs. Halpert!  This was just a ton of fun and thank you for not making Jim the guy who picks out dresses. 

I could have sworn I left a review for the first chapter, but I see that I didn't and shame on me.  This is wonderful.  You hit all the right emotional moments during the phone call and fleshed out the unspoken words and feelings exactly how I imagined them.

He's not sure whether resisting the urge to hang up is courage or weakness. He doesn't care.

This is perfect Jim.  Beautifully done.

So many things to love about this chapter.  I started to copy my favorite lines, but it was nearly the whole thing.  The writing is just gorgeous, fluid and poetic, with no wasted words, and I could feel their emotions so vividly. 

Seriously, no Benihana Christmas, with the prank Jim rejected and then gave in to?  Jim watching her hug Roy, Pam watch him hug Karen?  Lotsa potential there, shootingstars.  Just sayin!  :) 

10

I can't tell you how excited I was to see this isn't finished.  I think it would be great as a one-shot, but you're going to give us more!  You captured that awkward feeling of being the "outsider" at the family table perfectly...listening to conversations about people you don't know or know very much about, not being clued in to histories and dynamics.  And the writing?  It's you, I know, but this seems different, and I can't put my finger on it, but I LOVE it.  Yeah, Jim needs a beer and you need a bunch of gold stars.

Author's Response: Well I'll tell ya what's different...it's this crazy ass 1st person I'm trying out! lol. Which, as I was telling Colette -- we will see how it goes. Not something I usually do at all...eek. I'm so glad you picked up on that "outsider" feeling...definitely what I was going for with Jim.  Thanks for beering me those stars! :-)

This is just unbelievably, subtly perfect.  Of course, Allison can make everything okay by making a ton of food and Frank is going to make really awful jokes about dying.  Because that's how real people deal (and don't deal) with huge emotional issues.  Poor Pam.  She can't face it and she can't walk away from it, either, even if it's only for awhile.  This is just unbelievably well done.  The characters are staying true to themselves in a difficult situation and you've pegged that situation perfectly. 

Look, I'm an accountant, see?  Adding one comma and subracting one comma...that's a wash.  A zero sum balance.  It amounts to nothing.  But it was a sneaky way for me to read this first!  MWAH HAHA!  Bawling at 5:15 am on a Monday is just a great way to go.  From the first image of Pam spooned up behind her mother by the light of the Christmas tree, I was a goner, and now I'm tearing up at work just thinking about it.  You're so...great.

Author's Response: hehehe...thanks Jim hehehe. But now I know you're evil plan to get sneak peaks! lol

Wow, this is really well done.  So much emotion and I really felt both of them agonizing.  So many great insights, but I loved Jim thinking that they were never friends, he was just the poor sadsack in love with her.  Heartbreaking.

I am beyond thrilled to see this updated.  Now you know that I'm not above begging, but at least this time it paid off.  It would be a crime and a sin if this were left unfinished.

These new chapters - man, everything rings so, so true in this situation.  What an amazing job you've done with these characters, the setting, their moods, inner thoughts and dialogue.  I know Doug is feeling a bit triumpant right now, but holy crap, I feel so sorry for everyone in this story.  My heart is just breaking for Molly and Pam.  Unfortunately, I know too well the feeling of being just lost for someone when for some unknown reason, it's just not right.  You've pegged Jim so perfectly and the guy-talk in the bar (I'm so glad I can picture the CPG and it's the perfect spot for this talk in my mind) is spot on.  I could go on, but I really, really wish you would. 

This story...Shassafrass...it's just killing me.  Please, please don't wait so long to update next time.  It's gorgeous, so full of emotion.  It's like you've taken these characters and perfectly transported them forward in time.  I love how the story is being revealed just a tiny bit at a time and my heart aches for all of them, but especially Molly.  And that is some kind storytelling - to make the reader care as much, if not more, about someone you just made up, than Jim and Pam themselves.  Okay, I'm a little into the wine here, so I can't be as specific as I'd like to be, so I'll just say thank you so much for updating.

Wow!  I wasn't expecting that!  I LOVE that I know this neighborhood and I'm a little creeped out how Pam found her way here.  How I love that you used "agita" and I'm really hoping Molly's a hometown girl.  Thank you so much for the longer chapter.  I am dying to know what happened with them 8 years ago, but you can take your sweet time getting to it, because the story is so good and your writing of it is so beautiful.  More!

Thank you so much for updating!  I couldn't stop thinking about this story.  I like how you're writing Molly so far - and I know it's juvenile, but I just love the phrase "rub one out."  And did you really have her use the word "chippie?"  So awesome.  If she really does invite them to dinner...well, I just can't wait for that chapter. 

Oh, so sad.  I love the idea of Michael being Mr. Mom, though.  That's just perfect for him.  And the Albright Knox!  I love the ide of them strolling through Delaware Park!

Author's Response: This really, really is such a great location. Not to mention, I really love it here. We moved here three years ago and I can't really see myself leaving.