Married, forty-ish tech writer who indulges her aspirations to write fiction by doing...this.
"And it wasn't even a good beard." Pam isn't happy with Jim's new look
Very cute. Yeah, the beard is not a good look for him, IMO. Good thoughts coming your way!
Pam struggles with doubt and suspicion when Jim's behavior over the summer doesn't make sense.
10 Wow. You build and sustain Pam's tension so beautifully that I was getting nauseated along with her. Pam knows what a dying relationship feels like; the minute things get weird, all of her old insecurities rise up to tell her that it is happening again. I also love that you have her ask him, outright, if everything is OK, because sometimes that is the hardest and scariest thing to do. Of course, his answer is the right one: Love looked back at her.
It is always a privilege and a pleasure to read something new from you, NEJ. Brilliant, as usual.
Takes place in season 2. Slightly OT. I always wondered what kind of moments Pam and Jim shared that the cameras didn't catch.10 Well, look who it is! This is a triumphant return to fic- I love that although these are all just a little AU, they are still true to character and plausible.
Author's Response: Aw, thanks so much! It's good to be back! I hadn't watched "The Office" all summer, but now that I've gotten season 4 and am watching again, I have inspiration for fic again.
Beautiful. I love the order you choose here, with some Creed to lighten the mood, and the twisted happiness of Dwangela to wrap it up. I love this.
Hee. Oh, poor Pam! But Clueless Michael is awesome.
Author's Response: Yeah, I kind of hated to do that to poor Pam because I\'m kicking her butt in another story I\'m writing too, but artists are supposed to suffer, aren\'t they?\r\n*grin* I\'d never \"written\" Michael really, but he\'s fun because frankly, he could say anything at any given moment in time. \r\nThanks for taking the time to review!
Pam, Jim, a first date and lots of alcohol.10 They've gone somewhere intimate now, to a place where no one else exists but the two of them. They've built this place together, brick by brick, over the years, without even realizing it. It has stood empty for the last year, shuttered and locked, awaiting their return like summer vacationers. It feels like they're finally ready to come back, open up the windows, dust off the furniture and settle in for good.
That is a beautiful image. Really nicely crafted.
10 His expression transforms into one of pure delight. "Wow, look at you blush."
I imagine they both took a lot of delight in being able to talk about such things openly for a long time. I really liked this piece. Great work!
I love it! I always find that writing Jim's pranks is one of the hardest things (TWSS), so I love how quick-witted you make him here. The banter is perfect, and the voices are exactly in-character. Love it!
Nice! I like that you had Jim just come right out with the "Withdrew, broke up" news. I think that's an approach I haven't seen yet, but it seems obvious that he wouldn't want to beat around the bush. I look forward to more!
This is really good. I love the idea that their families gave her grief (very realistic), and that she was still feeling guilty at this time. And the final line? Awww. Can't wait to see what else you come up with!
Author's Response: I can\'t even imagine the hell she must have gone through ending a 10 year relationship 3 days before the wedding. :( I\'m glad you enjoyed it!
When you walked in the door for the first time and there she was and her eyes lit up and her smile was blinding and then she was hugging you and she smelled like strawberries and felt like home and you were both so happy for just that one single moment before you remembered.
That? Is an amazingly good description of that moment. I like this whole chapter very much. The idea that Pam knows how to approach him when Karen just didn't? Spot-on. Good work!
Jim Halpert is a high school English teacher starting a new life at a new school in a new town.
Don't feel pressured- this is your vision and your gift to us. We must accept it gratefully. And I am grateful, because this chapter, too, is beautiful.
Author's Response: You put a lump in my throat, nqllisi! Thank you so much for this sweet comment. It's reassuring and gratifying to know you're reading and enjoying and I'm grateful to you for saying so! :-*
10 Ahh. I am sure you're going to get amazing, insightful, intelligent comments about this epilogue and about the story as a whole. Sadly, this is not one of them. This is, instead, an expression of thanks from someone who has feasted on this and been satisfied. What you've created and what you've left out form something whole and beautiful and balanced. Wonderful.
Author's Response: nqllisi, this is exactly what I expect from your stories: beautifully clear, honest, and concise thought and emotion. It was my absolute pleasure. I knew this story wasn't going to appeal to everyone but I really wanted to make something special for anyone who chose to read. I'm so glad you were one. Thank you so much.
Yay! Poor Pam really needs some friends outside the office, though. Heh. Really, this is lovely. You have Angela's voice and Pam's reactions down pat. Great work.
I love that Jim is still so fearful, here. I think that is pretty realistic. Nice characterization!
I just love the idea that the coal walk burned something away from Pam that needed to go. Lovely treatment of this subject.
PH. Oh, that's excellent. Really nicely done.
OUCH. Poor, poor Roy. I actually laughed out loud, but it was sort of the same way I laugh at the show, you know? Excellent.
Post- "Weight Loss." Joy just jumps off my computer screen as I read this. It's the joy we saw in their smiles. I like that you give us Pam's aftermath- we saw a little of Jim's in that wide, wonderful smile at the end of WL. Wonderful piece.
With these two, it has always been about what they aren't saying. I love this.
About time, isn't it? Beautiful.
This is simple and sweet, lighter than air but rooted in reality with lines like this: Surely this kind of joy burrowed its way into something, somewhere deep and ancient.
I'm glad you joined the chorus. This is lovely.
I love the documentarians. This is adorable.
10 You render me incoherent. I am stifled by fluff and consumed with squee, and it is all your fault. This sounds just like them and is so real.
Author's Response:
Incoherence is good. I'd apologize for stifling you except I'm not sorry. :) So glad you liked it!