Wow. Boo! Argh. Welcome back Jim. I saw that you have been busy (here) relatively recently. This is the first story of yours that I’ve read in a while and it left me with a bundle of emotion. Wow, just wow.

What a story. Just wow. So sad. Great work. Strong, powerful, emotional.

@Robert – Thanks. It’s good to be back writing again. I’ve missed it. I hope you’ll go through the rest of my stories. I love writing for an audience! :)

@JC – It’s certainly a mixed bag. Personally, I’m curious about the circumstances that led both father and son to this moment.

o_O Good God Jim, do you have any happy stories??

However this could be read as either the father hurling his son from the cliff, or trying to catch him as he fell. Because this would be too depressing otherwise, I will read it as option B… :D

Good story though!!

It’s… rare. I just really like dark fiction, and so the vast majority tend that direction. I’ve written a couple recently (“Golem” and “Delivery”) that are less dark. :)

And I deliberately left the ending open to interpretation, though you can probably guess which way I prefer.

Wow, this is great. I love the idyllic quality of the first three paragraphs… and the shock when we realize the truth. Nicely written.

Thank you! I do enjoy a good twist. :)

At first I was relatively disappointed with the cliche of the first few paragraphs—ironically, I also read fathers as feathers. The clash of emotions works really well at the end.

And as for coming back to writing, I feel you.

Also, go Boilermakers!

Heh, yeah, I can see now how that might be a little confusing. :)

And are you a Purdue alumnus? Or just a fan?

My dad’s an alumnus. Therefore, we get plenty of calls asking for more money. But I still support them.

Really, I was more excited about finding another Hoosier. ElshaHawk’s the only other one I know of.

I saw your name, and saw that he was flying LIKE feathers, not WITH feathers, and instantly knew what the ending would be. Still good in execution though.

I don’t mind predictability so long as the execution is done well. It’s gratifying that you enjoyed it. :)

Well, it’s not that the story is predictable. It’s that you’re predictable. Which is fine. It means you have a personal style.

Haunting, but hard to understand exactly what caused the father to drop the kid. Was it simply the euphoria of the moment? Regardless though, I approve.

Hey, there’s always room for a prequel. ;-)

whoa, this went from the cute possibility that he was spinning the kid by his arms, to maybe his legs since his arms were free, to SPLAT. Unexpected. Then again, it is your style to twist. Maybe try one where you don’t? :P

Well, I have written a couple of stories lately that don’t have dark twists. You should check ’em out. ;-)

I was not expecting the ending, thought it was quite brilliant.

Thank you! :)