Best Forgotten--what is this now? Part 33? Anyway--

[chazper]

Another month (in fact another year!) and another part of this story. Note: no, it's still not done. The holidays intruded and I'm sorry, but I just can't make it a simple, happy ending. If you'd like, though, stop reading four paragraphs before the end and you can consider the story completed

Comments

[marsalka]

Happy new year! Complete with Evil cliffhanger to start 2012!

[chazper]

Happy new year to you too! As for the cliffhanger--it's only a little, little evil, right?

[fredsmith518]

Firstly, all good wishes for 2012
secondly, it's a treat you are carrying this on, thank you, it pulls me right back into the OC verse
I very much liked Kirsten looking through the glass, the tangible seperation mirroring the mental one and especially that even so, Kirsten was protecting Ryan
loved Lucy, a real nurse treating the whole family's hurts
lovely picture of Kirsten and Ryan together, mirroring Sandy's gestures, making the link and this line is gorgeous, The slight curve of her lips mirrored his, twin smiles like shy slivers of sunlight.
and then the ending, don't know exactly what Ryan is thinking, but you've linked them here and as she is uncomfortable, it makes perfect sense that he is also
delighted that there is more story to tell:)

[chazper]

It's so sweet of you, as always, to quote your favorite lines, fred. Thank you. I'm also pleased that you're looking forward to still more of this story.

Have a wonderful new year!

[60schic]

*sigh* Now that you have Ryan in the protective custody of the Cohens, I honestly don't care if if you keep this going on indefinitely. I'm not sure what you have Ryan thinking, but if a verbal beating of Cal by Kirsten, in front of Ryan is what it takes to make him whole again, I'm all for that.

[chazper]

I don't know why this story won't just end itself, but every time I'm there, some character does something or says something that just spins it along. I blame the lingering effects from all those drugs Ryan was given. (No, honestly there is another reason for his reaction, I promise.)

So . . . 2012! I hope you have a wonderful year, chic.

[60schic]

Thanks - I am so bad at returning comments these days. And forget about the Christmas cards this year!

[beachtree]

Comcastic is most definitely not living up to their hype, so we'll see if this one's a keeper. To save you from repetition and guarantee at least part of a comment, I'll be lazy (efficient and practical?) and say "see previous installment's comment" when it comes to how compromised Ryan would be physically, psychologically and emotionally after his prolonged ordeal, consistently harsh and dehumanizing treatment that was designed to strip him of his identity and confuse- at the least- his memories and sense of reality. Then there's the combination of isolation and drugs, with the emphasis on Dr. Killer's hellish cocktails that would all wreak havoc and turn Ryan's world upside down. His perceptions would be more than cloudy at this point, and it's not clear what he's been exposed to before Lucy had to make him "sick" to keep the monstrous procedure at bay. With all of that to consider and all the energy Ryan devoted to keeping a grasp on his reality while trying to convince someone else that it- and he- existed, he has to be beyond

[chazper]

A belated happy new year to you too, beach! I postponed so much school-related work until after the holidays that I postponed fun things like reading your comments. You always find so much in my stories--more insight and nuance than I deserve credit for, but it is so, so gratifying. It makes me want to start writing again this instant. Unfortunately, it's back into the classroom tomorrow so that means all I can write this evening are lesson plans. But I'll keep all these comments in mind when I return to this story next weekend. Meanwhile, as always, many, many thanks.

[beachtree]

Wow. I was feeling guilty that you'd put the time and effort into writing this, and far more than "phoning it in," when I lazily opted to my ref to the previous installment's comment. I'd gone back to take a look and didn't want to repeat myself, but didn't know how long Comcastic would allow access to type anything at all while I figured out the best course of action. I hoped you didn't think I was copping out, but there is continuity, something certain "paid to write for former and present TV series" don't seem to grasp or practice. Go figure! With that in mind, I certainly appreciate your kind words, although, to incorporate a Ryan perspective, I don't deem myself worthy. Besides, the sub-text and dimension is there with the nuance and layers, right down to the choice of modifiers. Maybe your less-aware hand didn't type word-for-word with your fully conscious one, but they're a united team nonetheless

[mel39]

Ouch. Poor Kiki. Poor Ryan. Oh just poor the lot of them. :(

[chazper]

But it's the end of another month so . . . hope in sight?