28 Comments
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John Lightle's avatar

The way you told this story feels as if it were eerily real. Good work, mister.

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Justin Deming's avatar

Thank you, John! I appreciate you reading.

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Kim Deming's avatar

Wow that was quite a story!! The way you write amazes me !!

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Justin Deming's avatar

Thanks, Mom! 💜

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Meg Oolders's avatar

💜🔥

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Justin Deming's avatar

🙏😊

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Claire Walster's avatar

First story I've had time to read in a while and oh my goodness did it deliver. I was simply riveted, Justin!

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Justin Deming's avatar

Aww, thanks, Claire! It’s great to hear from you. I hope all is well! 😊

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Jim Cummings's avatar

Great writing Justin. I like the way you keep the soundtrack threading-through the piece. So many of our youthful memories, good or bad, are associated with the songs of the era.

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Justin Deming's avatar

Thank you so much, Jim! I’m glad you liked the story and that particular element. Couldn’t agree more with you. Many songs take me back to a specific time and place in an instant!

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Colin Devonshire's avatar

Great story, thanks.

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Justin Deming's avatar

Thanks for reading, Colin!

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Marilee Reyes's avatar

Perfection.

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Justin Deming's avatar

That’s incredibly kind of you to say. Thank you, Marilee!

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GeorgeAnn's avatar

Great story! Hooked me at the beginning and I enjoyed the ride. Glad it was fiction but it sure enough seemed real. Love it!

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Justin Deming's avatar

Thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts, GeorgeAnn! I’m happy you loved the story. 🙏

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Wow! What a story, Justin. It sounded like such a true account, and yet it unfolded itself to you AS you were writing it. ( I love it when I discover a story in my head without even planning it.) This is a great line: "We’re still close, still great friends, but sometimes when he looks at me there’s a fire there, a moment that burns through me..." Those boys shared something traumatic and life-changing for each one.

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Justin Deming's avatar

Thank you for your kind words and thoughtful comments, Sharron. Isn’t it such a wonderfully strange feeling to have a story unravel like that?

Agreed. Their lives were forever altered by that experience.

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Feasts and Fables's avatar

You are on mighty form, Justin. Sucks you right in, this one! Brilliant writing.

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Justin Deming's avatar

Thank you so much for the kind and encouraging words, Barrie! 🙏

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Fog Chaser's avatar

Wow - excellent work here Justin.

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Justin Deming's avatar

Thank you so much, my friend! 🙏

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Marc Typo's avatar

So real. Reminds me how many things from childhood still have a hold on today. Great read.

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Justin Deming's avatar

Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Marc! I appreciate you! Absolutely. Those experiences have a profound impact on us.

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Stephanie Sweeney's avatar

This story warns you from the start how things can all change in an instant — and makes you wonder, could it have been any other way? Justin, I suppose I’ll forgive you for starting my day with some heartache.

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Justin Deming's avatar

I really appreciate you reading my story, Stephanie. And thanks for your forgiveness. 🙂 I’m sure we can all pinpoint a few pivotal memories (perhaps not quite as traumatic as this one) and ask ourselves the same question you posed above!

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Stephanie Sweeney's avatar

Yes, exactly! I really a story that asks that question.

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Stephanie Sweeney's avatar

*really like

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