Drained by his journey through the time portal, Jack stumbled across the lab. How have I altered her past?
Scott, a scarecrow of a man entered. “You know unauthorized trips are unacceptable.”
Jack hurried past his assistant, “Josephine in her office?”
“Who?”
Jack dashed down the hallway leading to his office. He settled behind his desk.
Scott whispered, “These excursions have a dangerous ripple effect.”
Jack speed dialed her number.
An unexpected voice mail answered.
Looking around, his office appeared different. The framed photograph of Josephine no longer occupied the credenza. “My wife?”
“What wife?” Scott’s voice contained traces of concern.
Jack eyed his cell; the screen no longer displayed his wedding photo.
Something had gone terribly wrong.
He jotted down ideas of how to trace her past; school records, municipal records. A sudden thought plunged him into the darkest recesses of fear.
Jack bolted from his seat, pushing Scott away. He raced down the hall, running past security, and out into the pouring rain.
Turning the ignition to his Infiniti QX80, his hands trembled. His mind raced through the endless possibilities. He crushed the accelerator.
Two hours later, he sped through the heavy black gates. He prayed he wouldn’t find the answer here. Please let it be anywhere but here.
The SUV screeched to a halt. Leaving the engine running, he raced out of the car, dashing over the wet grass.
Heavy rains drenched him until his white shirt clung to him like wet wall paper.
Please don’t let me find her here.
Arriving at his destination, he fell to his knees, sinking into the wet dirt. “What have I done?”
Kneeling in his wife’s family plot; Jack read the expiration date on her tombstone. One year after he stopped the child molester.
He had one opportunity to correct his error or she would be lost forever.
Crawling over her grave, he embraced the slick tombstone. “Oh God, I never meant for this to happen. Please, forgive me.”
Refusing to release the gravestone, Jack wept.
Cold rain and his burning tears failed to cleanse the regret that plagued him.
To be continued.
The Lonely Author 
I suppose I can wait for the next instalment
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Thank you so much for stopping by to read Derrick. I appreciate it.
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Excellent premise.
Hugs
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Thank you so much for all of your support. Much appreciated. Hugs
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Dude. I love how the story bounced. It flowed but there was this high and low, it was so cool. Looking forward to the continuation.
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Thank you for taking the time out to read. I appreciate it. I love all this time travel stuff. Also, wanted to mix in some fiction with the poetry. Thanks for your support.
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🙏❤️
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Loving this Chimp.
How long must he go on and change things before he saves his wife and makes it all as perfect as he dreams of…..
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Smiling. Image having the chance to save someone’s life for the better. Yet, making things worse. Thanks for reading my friend.
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It is a true dichotomy for sure….. But so well written. I love it…..!
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Thank you.
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Time travel. This has always fascinated me 😀 Nice change 🙂
Look forward to more 🙂
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It has always fascinated me too. I have always dreamed of going into the past and changing people’s lives for the better. Thanks for taking the time out to read and comment. Much appreciated.
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oh no…. where is this going to end… My knuckles are white from holding on to the table! I hope the next part comes soon!
🙂
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Smiling. You are too kind. Part three will,be next Thursday. I hope it doesn’t disappoint. Thank you for taking the time out to read and comment. xoxo
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I am looking forward to it! I am positive that it will not disapoint. 🙂
xo
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Smiling. Just like your comments never disappoint. xoxo
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S, sorry for pestering you. I answered the questions on Survivor’s Road blog. Perhaps you would like to read and get to know me better. And thanks for letting me know. You are a sweetheart.
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Oh, I would love to read your answers, deinitely! 😀 I will do that soon. How interesting. That will brighten up my day. 🙂
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Laughing. You are so sweet. Be well S.
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Intriguing…… 😉
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Smiling. Thank you my friend. Appreciate your words.
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Nicely done. I can’t wait for the second part. I know there will be oversized boobies in the next part lol
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LOL I am trying to behave. And it is hard for me not to think of them with my wife prancing around the house. lol
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😀
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Laughing. Sometimes it’s hard to concentrate.
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🙂
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Intriguing…I want to turn the next page and continue reading.
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Thank you so much for saying that. I appreciate you taking the time out to read and comment.
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I especially like, “crushed the accelerator”, and “shirt clung to him like wet wallpaper”–very rich descriptives. I felt the urgency in this–power-writing.
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Smiling. Aw, thanks. I struggle to keep my posts brief. So, I use little description to keep the word count down. Thank you for your kind words. And thanks for taking the time out to read and comment.
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Brevity IS tricky, isn’t it? That’s why I took up the short poetry forms this year–in the old days my poems were novella length, sheesh!
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Laughing. Brevity is a challenge. If a person stops at my blog to read, I try to be considerate & be brief. Everyone has a life beyond blogging as well as other bloggers to follow. I try not to consume anyone’s time. Your poems are brief. At least everything I have seen so far.
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I tried doing a blog with chapters from a novel in progress–“no comments” (just Likes) told me readers don’t have that kind of time to give on a frequent/regular basis. And I don’t blame them at all–I don’t have that kind of energy/time either 🙂
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Exactly. So I do these very short stories. Also, did little snippets of my novels. Who has the time to read long chapters? Sad but true. Either way, you’re a grat poetess.
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Well, thank you so much–I appreciate the compliment.
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Oh well done! I was so pleased to see another installment. How poignant that after all that…and now you will have to keep going because that story definitely does not stop there…
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No, it doesn’t stop here. Smiling. Thank you for reading and thanks for your kind words of support.
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My pleasure. Smiles. Thank you for writing more.
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Smiling. Thanks
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Jeez, you made me cry! And I want more. Of the story, not necessarily the tears. I love this. Seriously, Andrew, this is a book/movie dying to be made! You must do it! My sexy black dress is ready for the red carpet…
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Laughing so hard. Thank you for your kind words of support. My bus and train rides are now consumed with outlining of this novel/screenplay thanks to you & a few others. Part 3 is next Thursday. Do you have nice shoes for that dress?
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Of course… Are these okay? xo
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What are you doing later today?
Does that answer your question?
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I’ll be available… let me know where to meet you… and I’ll be there.
With bells on. And those shoes. Anything else up for discussion…
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Why change the subject? You would wear those shoes??
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Did I change the subject? You’re the one who asked me if I was doing anything later… Yes, I would wear those shoes… not for extended walks but I’m pretty sure that’s not the plan…
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Of course not. Chimp gives a sinister laugh.
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Oh my… that sounds sexy. Maybe you’ll do that for me again later…
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Would be my pleasure.
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Not the only one. Promise.
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Promise
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Well good, but I was promising, too….
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Cool. Then, it is decided.
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Ok, I’m thorughly hooked now…
*tapping my non-existant watch*
Do you have the next section written yet?! Well, what are you waiting for? Time’s a’wastin’, and in this story, time is too valuable to waste!
🙂
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Laughing. Thank you for your kind words. The next installment is outlined in my crazy head. It will be ready for next Thursday. Thank you so much for your wonderful words of support.
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Love it! Suspense, sci-fi, perhaps. More.
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Smiling. Thank you for stopping by to read.
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Looking forward to the next installmant
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Smiling. Thank you so much for stopping by to read and comment.
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Reblogged this on wwwpalfitness.
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Thank you so much for the reblog. I appreciate it Paul. You are so generous and kind. Thanks for your support.
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You’re quite welcome
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Interesting turn of events. I wonder if he can travel back in time again and change things?
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Smiling. It was the one turn he never expected. Yes, he will go back to try to undo this. Thank you so much for taking the time out to read and comment. Mucho appreciated.
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Time travel fiction offers a lot of entertaining mystery and suspenseful drama to choose from.
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Thank you for stopping by to read. I want to do a little less poetry and more ficiton. Thanks and have a great day.
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Will Jack’s wife come back from the grave? Will Jack end up saving all of humanity? Will Jack’s machine end up breaking down so that he is forever stuck in the year 1985? Stay tuned in for the next installment of ‘A Better Life’!
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Hahaha Jack decides to forget his wife and start dating cashier from Pottery Barn. lol
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Yeah, she is kind of hot…
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lol
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I like this a lot.
Toying with time always comes with a price.
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Exactly. And when it involves love, all the more interesting. Thank you for readfing and contributing your kind words.
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Oh Sir! I’m breathless. What an absolutely wonderful, captivating and consuming piece you have written. I thought Devil Girl would be my favorite of all time, now I have doubt. Please don’t stop. My mind hungers for more. Feed me, please. My mind is open and my tongue is out. xoxo
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Thanks for the last visual. Thank you for your kind wors of support. Your words of encouragement has been a God send. You and others have me thinking of a screenplay. Thank you.
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Quit thinking and start doing. I want my “Hey! I know that guy” moment at the theater. And it’s ALL about me, right? 😊
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A few of my friends Sandra and Diane are getting gowns to accompany me to the Hollywood premier. I really would like for you to accompany me. With the Sirs blessings of course. Thanks for your kind words.
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Baby, I’m there if you ask. 😊
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Awwww. I will be asking.
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Can’t wait! Maybe we should get together and practice, just in case. 😉
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I get the impression, meeting you will be one of the great moments of my life.
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I’d make sure of it! xoxo
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You know what? Me too. xoxo
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Goodie! You do realize, it’s GOING to happen, right? I want to meet for dinner and talk for hours. 💋
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Sounds great. Yes, it’s going to happen.
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Can’t wait! 😃
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I sent you a message.
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More please
Great flow
As always Sheldon
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Thank you so much Sheldon. I appreciate your support.
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You have me hooked, Andrew. This has echoes of The Butterfly Effect…have you seen the movie? Well, done my friend!
I’m going to send a quick email your way.
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Oh, I forgot about that movie. I like it. Thank you. Don’t tell me I have a typo?? I have to stop writing in the middle of the night. Thanks.
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😀
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Oh the paradox of time travel… Jack must fix this! Eagerly waiting another installment! Love it!
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Smiling. Thank you for saying that. My mind is flowing well. Happy that I have started moving back into fiction. Thanks for your support.
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That’s wonderful to hear! I’m glad the muse is chattering! 😃
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Laughing. She is. Thanks
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Lovely story! You never fail to keep us intrigued. A pleasure to read!
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Thank you so much for stopping by to read. I appreciate our words of support.
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Wonderfully written my friend. A beautiful story unfolding.
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Do you know, I was wondering where you were. I am having problems with my WordPress delivering messages 3 and 4 days late. I though you were in that group. Ready to go postal again. I hope you are well. I am trying to outline a plot for this story. I think I could write a screenplay this year, if I were given the time. Damn, I need that time machine. Thanks for reading. Be well.
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I’m here. I have been stupidly busy today. I worked till 11:00 last night and I’m exhausted. I’m going home at 5:00 and crashing. A screenplay would be great. Make time Drew. Just do it. Lock yourself away and just do it. You’re most welcome, and you also.
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Scarlett, all work and no play….tsk tsk. Please get rest. Yes, I will have to lock myself somewhere. Thank you. xoxo
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Nice I like where this is going.
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Thank you for taking the time out to read and comment. Much appreciated. Have a good one.
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Action, tension, emotion and time travel; just a great combination when a talented writer knows how to combine them. WELL DONE!
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Laughing. Thank you for saying that. Followers have pushed me to continue this story. Thanks for reading and for the kind words.
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Just WOW!!!! Next installment is when?
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Smiling. Thank you for taking the time out to read. Next Thursday. Plotting it in my head as I tyoe this. Thank you. See what I mean about the love in all my writing. I find love takes suspense, thrillers and all writing to another level of tension.
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Never really had any doubt.
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Smiling. Thanks
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Waiting to see what happens… Better not make me sad!!!
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I won’t. Thanks for stopping by to read.
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Way to go! This was a ticking bomb of imagery and suspense. I loved it! 🙂
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Smiling from ear to ear. Glad you liked it. Thank you so much for reading and for you kind words.
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You are always welcome dear friend! happy to make you smile 🙂
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Thanks
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So here’s the part-2 you weren’t sure you’d write. Nice one.
Have a good day. 🙂
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Smiling. So many people suggested it, I had to. Thank you so much for stopping by to read. I appreciate that.
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Carry on. Pleasure to read. 🙂
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This is just a big tease; no, you are a big tease! The short installment will not satiate my thirst or appetite, Andrew.
I like how you started. . .
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Laughing. Thank you. I like to keep my posts brief. Next Thursday will be chapter 3 of the story. Thank you so much for reading.
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Well, I am holding my breath. Well done Chimp for creating the tensed, delightful suspense in my mind
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Thank yuo so much for saying that. And thanks for taking the time out to read. Mucho appreciated.
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I really enjoyed both parts of this story. He’s going back in time with great intentions, but the consequences look quite complicated. A good lesson not to mess with time travel 🙂
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LOL Yeah, the consequences of time travel can be rough. Thank you so much for taking the time out to read and comment. Have a great weekend.
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I want to read more! It’s a great story. But I don’t know you, can I trust you with the characters I fall in love with? But I want to read what happens, even if it leads me to sadness.
Me, I like happily forever after endings. Know it’s not the way of real life, but like I tell my husband, I don’t read books or watch movies for a “real life” experience. I’m trying to ESCAPE the real….
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Understood. Please truest me. I do tend to write tragic endings, but I can’t see that happneing to Jack, not when he has the best of intentions. So don’t worry. Thank you for taking the time out to read.
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Oh my God. I hope he fixes this! You’re an amazing writer. What a thriller!
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Thank you so much for taking the time out to read. I appreciate it.
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You’re welcome. I enjoyed your work 🙂 I’ll be back, like the terminator said 🙂
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Laughing
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😀
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Aaah This is like teasing a reader’s mind and making them want more!! I know you excel at it but come on…
when is the next part coming? :p
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Thursday of next week, Thanks for reading. I appreciate it.
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will book it. lol 😉
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Thanks. Have a great day.
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Andrew! I feel like I was right there with Jack as he was running and worried about what happened to Josephine! 😀 Okay, it will work out, he can go back and fix this…I mean they did get married and he had a picture. What was he supposed to do? Just let that bad awful thing happen to her? No. Jack wouldn’t have that. This is great, I really like this story so far! 😀 It gets better every week!! Keep up the awesome work, Andrew! 🙂
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Smiling. Thank you so much for reading. Glad you are enjoying this. I am having fun writing it. Jack is going to find a way to undo this and get his wife back. Thanks so much.
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Yay! I can’t wait until they are together again!! 🙂 You’re welcome!
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Smiling
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Awww – I’m enjoying this story so much
Love the thought of time travel! It can be scary too.. Waiting for more..😊
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Thanks. I am having fun writing it. Thursday is the next chapter. Thanks for reading.
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Sweet 😊 I look forward to it
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Thank you for linking to my time traveling tale of love. Appreciate it. Be well.
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So well written. Really enjoyed this.
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Thank you so much for following my time traveling tale. I appreciate that. And thanks for the words of encouragement.
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Oh, it’s my pleasure. I love this genre, was always fascinated by time travel so this is right up my alley! 🙂
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Smiling. Me too. Thanks. Have a good one.
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You too.
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Thanks
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This story is badass
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Laughing. Thanks for taking the time out to read. I appreciate it.
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No worries. Keep it coming 😀
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Love it! Glad I saw 3 posted today. OMW back to 3 😬.
White knuckles in anticipation…
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Laughing. Thank you so much. I appreciate that.
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You’ve got it! You’re welcome!
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I am sad and have high hopes for husband to find his wife. I hope he can save her life by going back through the time portal, Andrew.
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Laughing. Thank you for reading. I appreciate it.
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