A Better Life (Conclusion)
A flash of light as overwhelming as a thunderbolt ignited the room.
Dressed in jeans, sneakers, dark blouse with her sleeves rolled up, Josephine crossed through the time portal.
Knotting her long black hair behind her, she raced down the hallway. The eeriness of parading through a school she hadn’t seen in decades chilled her spine.
Dashing down the corridor, she stopped in her tracks. Using the red hammer, she broke the glass. Not a dangerous weapon as the shooter’s, but a fire extinguisher would have to do.
Two loud bangs in the distance startled her.
The shooter reached the security desk.
Less than ninety seconds before he shoots Jack.
Josephine scooted down the hallway, ducking into the empty classroom.
Several loud pops advised her two teachers just died. The killer would turn the corner in seconds.
She bit her lips in hopes of containing her breath. She swore the killer would hear her maddening heartbeat.
A loud gunshot appeared to explode in her ear.
She leaned forward to see the gunman shoot the fallen principal.
Within seconds Jack would turn the corner.
She darted out of the room. Swinging the extinguisher, she missed his head and struck a shoulder.
Killer spun around. The crazed look in his eyes shook her with fear.
Josephine sprayed foam into the gunman’s face as he fired two quick shots.
The first one struck a door.
The second hit her chest sending her crashing against the wall.
She watched Jack reach the shooter and knock him to the ground, disarming him in the process.
“Josephine, what are you doing here?” Jack ran to her. “Come on.”
Lifted off the ground, she held onto Jack as he carried her into the empty classroom.
He pressed the button on her wristband. They embraced and entered the light, collapsing on the ground in the familiar lab.
“Why did you risk your life like that?” He cried out.
Still dazed she could barely speak.
“Scott, call for an ambulance.”
Jack ripped her blouse open. Buttons flew in every direction. The priceless look of relief on his face when he found the Kevlar vest made her smile. “Are you okay?”
“I will be when you promise to leave the past alone.” Grabbing her husband by the collar, she lowered him until their lips locked. “I love my time traveling fool.”
Thanks to everyone who followed my time traveling love story. I will be posting something tomorrow asking questions and seeking suggestions. Thank you.
Excellent.
Hugs
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Thank you David. Have a great day.
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A bit scary, that time traveling!
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Not any scarier than travelng on United Airlines according to Forbes magazine.
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Nice twist, good set up for a series! Liking it a lot…
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Thank you. I envision the movie like that. After all of his efforts, she will have to straight it all out in the end. Nothing wrong with the lady being the final hero. Thank you for following this story.
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I love that idea!
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Smooches baby. Great minds think alike. You and Sandra better get those gowns ready.
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Can hardly wait! Mwah right back at ya ❤
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This was really a terrific story, very enjoyable to read. I hope you find much success with wherever you take it in the future.
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Thank you so much Sandra for following this tale. You was one of the person who showed me this was more than a one short story tale. Appreciate that. Thanks for your support.
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My pleasure. I think this is one of my favorite things I’ve ever read from you.
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Awww. Thank you for saying that. I will work on the screenplay. You get that gown ready.
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Will do. Diane and I can coordinate so we match! lol
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Please, the strappy shoes. Those lovely feet will look spectacular.
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How could I forget those? Hopefully I don’t trip.
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Laughing. You know how to walk in them. Don’t you?
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Of course… but I may be distracted by some hot actor or many camera flashes.
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We have to find someone hot to be Jack. Guess yo won’t be with Diane and I for very long.
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lol! I’m sure I could choose someone appropriate. Just have to make sure he doesn’t bring a date. 🙂
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Make sure he really is a man too. You know Hollywood.
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I will be sure to verify.
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You don’t like the actor who does Thor?
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I love him. Yum! But for some reason, I picture Jack with dark hair. The guy from Hawaii Five-0… He plays McGarrett… I want him. LOL
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Ok. He is a good looking dude. LOL
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On the edge of my seat all the way to the last line – the ending is so much fun. Great story.
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Laughing. Thank you for saying that. Now to turn this into a screenplay and then a novel. Thanks for following story. I appreciate that my friend.
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Yes, you should expand this to a novel. My one concern was that it moved too fast but now I see why you began with a short story version. You’ve suggested many elements to expand in a longer format, and you’ll have room to write in secondary characters and a more complex, read, dangerous, plot. There’s much here to develop, the concept is engaging, even thrilling, and it will be a terrific novel. Yes, for sure!
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Exactly. This has screenplay written all over it. Novel will be trickier. But once I start layering things like you suggest it will slow the story down. Hey, blogging provided the perfect test audience. Thanks for your support.
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Wow. Beautiful.
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Thank you so much for following this story. I appreciate all of your support.
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Of course!
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I love happy endings. Great story my dear Chimp.
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Thank you. I rarely write happy endings, but I couldn’t see this end any other way. Thanks for following it.
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Pleasure.
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I have just read this. I must read the rest of it. Brilliant writing skills 🙂
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Thank you so much for reading. I appreciate it. Have a great day.
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Don’t tell me that is the end!!!! Nooo!!!
I need more!!
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Laughing. Yeah, it is. Thank you for following along. I don’t want to drag this out. I am going to try to write a screenplay with a fuller story and characters. Thank you so much.
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I hope so. Do it quickly and make sure it gets made.
I will need regular fixes…!
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Thank you.
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Hmm, by the end of your story you have me re-thinking my old “time traveling” bias…I’ve never had much interest in time traveling, but now I’m hearing my ghost-love call……
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Haha Hey, time travel can be used for good and bad. But it can have severe consequences. Careful with the ghost love. You have inspired me with that thought. Thanks
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Oooh, glad to share some inspiration 🙂
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A great love story, well written! Thank you for sharing it!
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Thank you for reading it. I appreciate your support. Thanks.
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Oh thank goodness! I need a happy ending!
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Happy endings & Chimp are rare friends. But I couldn’t see this end any other way. Thank you for following my story Meg. Now to flush this story out. Thanks for everything.
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You’re welcome! I really enjoyed it!
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Thanks Meg. Hey, you introduced me to Kevin. I don’t know, Chimp and Kevin together can be dangerous.
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Uh oh! Now you have me worried!
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lol
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Read it all in one go and its such a loving story. With A great ending.
Loved the read Thank you.
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Thank you so much for reading. I appreciate it. It started out as one short story, but friends asked me to expand it. Thanks for stopping by.
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I sometimes have that with the story itself. It just wants t grow.
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It is a good thing when that happens. Thanks for stopping by.
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Nice ending…..to be expected…to be sure! 😉
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Thank you for following this tale. Yeah, I couldn’t see it end on a sad note. Thanks.
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😉
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I was hoping she had on a bullet proof vest. Bravo!! Now I can sleep at night. 🙂
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Well, goes to show ladies think things out & prepare better than men do. Oops maybe I shouldn’t have said that. Thanks for reading. Laughing. I appreciate that. Have a great day.
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Hahaha!! Yup you might have just walked into a serious firestorm. It was a good read and after being on pins and needles wondering how it was going to end, I’m happy to say that my heartbeat has now returned to normal.
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Thanks for saying that. You are too kind. Thanks.
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You’re welcome 🙂
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Nicely wrapped up.
You kept the action going and I like how you mislead the reader into thinking she was actually hit by the shot.
Cool mini series with lots of twists and turns 🙂
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Thank you so much. Coming from you that means quite a bit. I am currently fleshing out the characters and story. Hoping to turn it into a screenplay over the summer. Hopefully by years end I can start the novel. Blogworld does provide a nice little test audience. Thanks for reading.
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Yeah I wasthinking that today, it’s a kind of beta testing ground for all fiction.
It’ll be a cool screenplay. Scriptwriting is fun to write as well.
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If we keep the write short to make sure people read and and provide feedback, it is the perfect testing ground. Thanks for your feedback.
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True enough. Although I just went against my usual practice and dropped a 1k piece..not sure about you but 500~ tends to be the sweet spot for readers/comments.
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I think so too. More than that will get a mere like.
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I used to be one of those strong women heroes. It makes sense to me! Great story.
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Used to be??? You are my hero NOW. You are strong.
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Thanks. 🙂
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This was wonderful! I’m so glad you continued to write their story after the first one. I loved the ending on this.
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Everyone convinced me to. I never saw it as a larger story. But i do now. Thank you for following and for showing me it was much for that that first little story. Thank you so much.
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Truly my pleasure Andrew. Smiles.
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Phew!!! Oh thank god that the woman was smart and saved the day! I am so happy that they are together and alive…. there are too many unhappy endings already in the world, so I love this happy ending! 🙂
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Thank you for reading. And thank you for your kind words. I susually don’t write happy endings, but this needed to be a happy one. Thank you so much for reading my work and thanks for your kind words of support. Hugs
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I know – I don’t think I have ever written, (or had) a happy ending. Haha. But, they are needed sometimes, or it all gets too heavy for us, poor humans. (I do not know if you are at all familiar with a Swedish author, he was very famous back in the day, his name is Strindberg (August Strindberg). Anyway, he had a quote: “Human beings are to be pitied!” 🙂 So, we do need happy endings, sometimes! I hope you and your wife had a great brthday celebration!!
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Never heard that quote. It is a good one. Yeah, happy endings are needed in life. The birthday celebration spanned the entire weekend. So, I am trying to catch up to my weekend reading. Thank you for everything.
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Great that you are back from the weekend, I hope it was great! 🙂
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It was a fantastic weekend. I am trying to catch up to my blog reading. We had guests dropping in all weekend. With plenty of surprises and maybe a little too much wine.
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Sounds like a perfect weekend indeed! 😀 I am glad you had that. We must cherish those precious moments. xo
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Exactly. Cherish the good moments. xoxo
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You have just made my entire day! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this. You are an AMAZING writer and you continue to ignite my imagination with your amazing stories.
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You just made mine. Smiling so hard. Thank you for saying that. You have been so supportive. I am so happy blogging because it gave me a chance to meet wonderful people like you who bring so much light and hope into my life. Thank you for being the amazing person that you are. Love you.
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I owe your daughter a bouquet of flowers for encouraging you to write here. It has changed my life too. Meeting amazing people like you, has filled my life with such joy and knowledge. I absolutely can’t wait to see what you have for us next. Love you too, Sweetheart.
XOXOXO
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Ah, you remember that. Thanks. I owe her so much as well. What’s next?? Even I don’t know yet. Thank you for everything. Really want to give you tht hug.,
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I’m waiting. Arms open wide. Lips puckered. Ready to hold you tight, tight, tight. 💋
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Damn, I bet you’d do wonders for my back.
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I’d make sure your recovering back was one of the last things on your mind. 😘
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SIGH
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More like heavy panting and breathing, with a moan or ten thrown in. 😈
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Or twenty…. Just saying. 😀
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My kind of Chimp! Hope you like to sweat too! 😈
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Work out all the time. Sweat is a daily routine. Wink
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Not the kind you get in the gym. I mean the kind that leaves your body limp, lifeless and completely spent in a puddle of animal carnage on the floor. Do you like THAT kind of sweat? 😈
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OF COURSE. SMOOCHES. I WANT TO LOVE UNTIL IT HURTS
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ABSOFUCKINGLUTELY! 💋💋💋💋💋💋
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I love the ending! I love the twist of her going to save him and her last lines are perfect! Fantastic!
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Thank you so much. Now to work on the novel.screenplay. Thanks for following this story.
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You’re welcome 🙂 it was a compelling story.
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Smiling from ear to ear.
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🙂 as well you should
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Reblogged this on Crazy Pasta Child.
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Thank you so much for the reblog. I appreciate the support. Have a great weekend.
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Great conclusion. You kept the reader’s adrenaline flowing right to the end. Well done.
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Thank you so much for sayinig that. And thanks for reading.
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And who doesn’t love a happy ending! Great series. Loved it!
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Thank you so much for your supportive words. You were oneperson who encouraged me to make my original story bigger. Thank you for that. And thanks for your support. Appreciate that.
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The real hero here is you. Your mind and those fingers did the magic on the keyboard that brought this to life. I’m glad I could play my cameo. Look forward to reading more of such wonderful posts from you. 🙂
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Very nice writing! I’ve enjoyed all the parts to your story. Looking forward to tomorrow’s post too.
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Thank you for reading and for your kind words. I appreciate your support.
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You’re most welcome 😊 and I hope you both had beautiful birthdays yesterday.
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It turned into a weekend thing with plenty of friends stopping by. Thank you.
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The whole series was packed with suspense and action — and the conclusion didn’t disappoint. I like that Josephine went back to save him. Much better than those old fairy tales with only men doing the saving. And leave it to a woman to be smart and wear a bullet-proof vest. That might need to be on the list of essential equipment for time travelers 🙂
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Hey, women can be very bit the hero. lol A woman wouldn’t show up unprepared. Thank you for reading and for your kind words. Much appreciated.
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A happy ending is a beautiful ending. Josephine has led him on a good dance, but I enjoyed how he was ran after to keep her safe.
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Smiling. Yeah, happy endings are rewarding. Thanks for following my time traveling tale. Appreciate it.
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It’s a pleasure to read, ‘cos you wrote it so well 🙂
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Thanks for saying that.
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This is where you shine! Jealous I’m crap at storytelling.
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Awww, thank you my dear friend. Sorry, I got so tied up today I wasn’t able to call in. I promise I will. Missed hering your sweet voice. Be well. xoxo
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No worries. Next time! xoxo
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Great stuff! I must go back and read/re-read all of it in sequence. 🙂
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Thank you so much. Appreciate it.
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Sigh of relief
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Smiling. Thank you for reading.
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Andrew! This was a great story!! I loved it! So glad it turned out well in the end! 😊 True love! You did an awesome job! You should be very proud of your writing! 😀
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Thank you so much for saying that. I will try to turn it into a novel and screenplay. Obviously flushing out the characters and building upon the story. Thanks for your support. Appreciate it.
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It’s going to be amazing! 😀 You are very welcome! Can’t wait to read the novel!
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Aw, thanks. You are too kind. Thank you so much.
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Anytime, Andrew! Hope you and Allie are having a wonderful birthday week celebration! 😀
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It is going to be an amazing weekend. We have so many people visiting us the next three days. Some for breakfast, some for lunch, others for dinner. It is going to be a revolving door of fun. Thanks.
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Yay! Fun is good! 😀
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lol
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I am happy to have them back where they belong, safe and sound.
I enjoyed how the woman thought about high school for a moment before she figured out her weapon. Fire extinguisher is an original one, I think!! Nicely told and I see no problems, Andrew! 🙂
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Laughing. Thank you for following this little tale. Now, I have to get to work on turning it into a script. Thanks for your kind words of support.
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Excellent! Excellent! What more do I expect from your talented self? ❤
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Thank you for reading and for your kind words.
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You are welcome my friend! 🙂
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So very talented 😀
Loved the whole story
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Thank you so much for following it
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Always😊 great writings
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Thanks
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