Wow! Your characterization is so good and natural even from such a short story. I felt very endeared to both Frank and Ash, maybe its the dialogue. Awesome!
thank you blube for reading! these characters make an appearance in a couple of my other short stories as well, if you're up for it. Ash is the narrator in "counting alpacas" and "karaoke machine".
Oh man. Did NOT expect that ending! True story: we met a Tibetan monk the night before crossing Tharong La Pass at 18,000 feet. We were all SHIVERING inside down sleeping bags, tightly huddled in a stone hut w a fire blazing and none of us slept. In the morning, we found him snoring loudly, sleeping outside w no blanket, no extra clothes, just his deep red wool robe, probably the same weight material as that pea coat but so incredibly stylish. I think of him often.
you have to wonder how this guy got so lucky to have so many people care for him...despite his obvious shortcomings. the end is maybe a clue--his charmed instinct for warmth bubbling out a small redemption.
I think there are more and more of them these days with internet relationships, but perhaps less in the warm -> cold direction. thanks for reading, as ever jackson.
Ah…Frank the dreamer and Ashley the realistic if obsessive counter-balancer. Pretty reflective of their upbringings. It’s an understated and well-drawn construction of opposites in a relationship that works. Nice!!
"Not an atom dared to fidget, scared into stasis by the starry sky that had allowed the last of the day’s heat to dissipate from nothing to less than nothing in the standard manner of cloudless Upstate New York nights of February." Good thing I read this excellent opening description during a sunny, seventy-five degree afternoon here in the desert, or it would have depressed me. Engine overheating on a frigid night? I love the irony. A make-out, make-up ending: cool. I always enjoy you take on life Clancy.
"Seems like a lot of work."
"You're a lot of work."
Hehe. Nothing better than bantering couples. Great read as always, Clancy.
thanks Parker. they definitely have banter in the best way!
Wow! Your characterization is so good and natural even from such a short story. I felt very endeared to both Frank and Ash, maybe its the dialogue. Awesome!
thank you blube for reading! these characters make an appearance in a couple of my other short stories as well, if you're up for it. Ash is the narrator in "counting alpacas" and "karaoke machine".
Oh man. Did NOT expect that ending! True story: we met a Tibetan monk the night before crossing Tharong La Pass at 18,000 feet. We were all SHIVERING inside down sleeping bags, tightly huddled in a stone hut w a fire blazing and none of us slept. In the morning, we found him snoring loudly, sleeping outside w no blanket, no extra clothes, just his deep red wool robe, probably the same weight material as that pea coat but so incredibly stylish. I think of him often.
I sure look forward to reading more.
thanks for reading Lou! wow, what a story…that is insane! i bet frank wish he had that kind of self-warming power…
you have to wonder how this guy got so lucky to have so many people care for him...despite his obvious shortcomings. the end is maybe a clue--his charmed instinct for warmth bubbling out a small redemption.
i think frank is a very cool character. very astute observation joseph, thanks for reading!
It must have hard work, engaging in surveillance and transcription of the conversations engaged in by multi-state couples like these. Thanks!
I think there are more and more of them these days with internet relationships, but perhaps less in the warm -> cold direction. thanks for reading, as ever jackson.
I love this phrase: "...from nothing to less than nothing..."
Regarding Frank and Ashley, I think these two lines say it all:
“Seems like a lot of work.”
“You’re a lot of work."
Somehow makes me glad I am single, Clancy!
thank you sharron, but I am shocked you are single! I wish I inspired you TOWARDS romance, not away from it!
I LOVE romance, Clancy. but my mission is to simplify my life, not complicate it....sigh...
i hear you there!
Frank and Ashley are a sweet couple. I think they’ll be just fine.
Dash lights are the worst.
aren’t they??? nothing sparks adrenaline like those fuckin lights
Ah…Frank the dreamer and Ashley the realistic if obsessive counter-balancer. Pretty reflective of their upbringings. It’s an understated and well-drawn construction of opposites in a relationship that works. Nice!!
thanks rebecca! exactly what i was going for. in the cliche terms: “you complete me”. ashley and frank are def a balancing act.
Clancy, you write romance and relationships so well. It's so realistic which makes every sentence just worth it. You make my Sunday's happy✨
i do aim for realistic contemporary fiction. so that’s a high compliment! thanks as ever hridaya!
"Not an atom dared to fidget, scared into stasis by the starry sky that had allowed the last of the day’s heat to dissipate from nothing to less than nothing in the standard manner of cloudless Upstate New York nights of February." Good thing I read this excellent opening description during a sunny, seventy-five degree afternoon here in the desert, or it would have depressed me. Engine overheating on a frigid night? I love the irony. A make-out, make-up ending: cool. I always enjoy you take on life Clancy.