When Blood Collides
Viewing comments for Chapter 79 "A Ghost in the Round"A family's love is tested.
21 total reviews
Comment from alexisleech
I'm sorry to be so late in reviewing, but my internet has been down, so I have a lot of catching up to do! I always laugh at your references to tolerating Jeff. At least you guys had the chance to get together without any dramas.
I still await a sign from Barb, but maybe it never happens.
Alexis xxx
reply by the author on 17-Feb-2016
  |
I'm sorry to be so late in reviewing, but my internet has been down, so I have a lot of catching up to do! I always laugh at your references to tolerating Jeff. At least you guys had the chance to get together without any dramas.
I still await a sign from Barb, but maybe it never happens.
Alexis xxx
Comment Written 17-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 17-Feb-2016
-
That was her final good-bye. Her friends were more family than I.
No hard feelings though. I'll meet her in the next life. Just hope she won't be my mother!
We have the biggest sore spot with Jeff coming in a couple more chapters. I got past it, but Frank really despises him now!
Comment from Donya Quijote
So sorry you did not get the same kind of strange coincidences following your sister's death as you did with your mother's. No panda here and there, and then to top it off the "ghost" did even catch up with you.
Nice to know that Bobby had a more meaningful relationship with his dad in the end.
Nice that the time you spent with Nichole and Jeff after your sister's death was a happier time than so many of the others. You needed that...
What I liked and what I think needs some more work if you don't mind.
I like how you conveyed Frank's lasser-faire attitude toward his other worldly encounter. It fit Frank, the Frank I have gotten to know through your writings.He is such a practical, straight shooter kind of a guy, it was most logical for him to go on with whatever he was doing after the apparition disappeared. Even the bit about him "forgetting'' to mention it you initially is so Frank-like...
Your reaction, however, seemed a little bit too subdued. I think that in this chapter it would have nice to hear more from that inner voice you have, the one that makes comments and expresses your feelings. I know you must have been very disappointed that sister chose to appear to Frank and not you, and furious that he didn't tell you right away. From previous chapters, you had such high hopes for having an encounter with your sister's spirit, especially since your mother showed up several times, very unexpectedly.
I have never met a ghost, so I am not sure I believe they exist at all. It might be that fact that I am not a believer that I have not encountered any. I do like reading stories of ghostly encounters thought, fascinating.
reply by the author on 15-Feb-2016
|
So sorry you did not get the same kind of strange coincidences following your sister's death as you did with your mother's. No panda here and there, and then to top it off the "ghost" did even catch up with you.
Nice to know that Bobby had a more meaningful relationship with his dad in the end.
Nice that the time you spent with Nichole and Jeff after your sister's death was a happier time than so many of the others. You needed that...
What I liked and what I think needs some more work if you don't mind.
I like how you conveyed Frank's lasser-faire attitude toward his other worldly encounter. It fit Frank, the Frank I have gotten to know through your writings.He is such a practical, straight shooter kind of a guy, it was most logical for him to go on with whatever he was doing after the apparition disappeared. Even the bit about him "forgetting'' to mention it you initially is so Frank-like...
Your reaction, however, seemed a little bit too subdued. I think that in this chapter it would have nice to hear more from that inner voice you have, the one that makes comments and expresses your feelings. I know you must have been very disappointed that sister chose to appear to Frank and not you, and furious that he didn't tell you right away. From previous chapters, you had such high hopes for having an encounter with your sister's spirit, especially since your mother showed up several times, very unexpectedly.
I have never met a ghost, so I am not sure I believe they exist at all. It might be that fact that I am not a believer that I have not encountered any. I do like reading stories of ghostly encounters thought, fascinating.
Comment Written 13-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 15-Feb-2016
-
Thanks so much for your helpful comments. I'm glad you felt the reaction was in character for Frank.
I think in my first draft I did mention that I was upset and couldn't understand.
I asked the teacher of my spiritual awareness class to explain it. She said that Barb had already said goodbye to me through the word game. This was her goodbye to Frank.
Since I wasn't as close to my sister as to Mom, I wouldn't expect her to stay around for long. :-)
Comment from mermaids
It is interesting that your sister appeared to Frank. There is much going here, your sister's passing on, the trip to see your daughter and then Frank's botched surgery.
You had a full plate in your sixties.
reply by the author on 10-Feb-2016
|
It is interesting that your sister appeared to Frank. There is much going here, your sister's passing on, the trip to see your daughter and then Frank's botched surgery.
You had a full plate in your sixties.
Comment Written 10-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 10-Feb-2016
-
I sure did, Elaine. Things get worse!
Comment from joann r romei
I believe that spirits say goodbye by appearing or making a noise before departing to the next realm, she probably was wearing a graduation gown, to let people know she was an educated woman. hahha
reply by the author on 09-Feb-2016
|
I believe that spirits say goodbye by appearing or making a noise before departing to the next realm, she probably was wearing a graduation gown, to let people know she was an educated woman. hahha
Comment Written 09-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 09-Feb-2016
-
She certainly was proud of have Doctor in front of her name. She worked hard for it.
Comment from NicciFaye
I like that picture of you. You look great... With your red hair of course. Great story. Though I've never had an encounter with ghost (thank God) I've had visions though. Family can be the life and death of you.
reply by the author on 09-Feb-2016
|
I like that picture of you. You look great... With your red hair of course. Great story. Though I've never had an encounter with ghost (thank God) I've had visions though. Family can be the life and death of you.
Comment Written 09-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 09-Feb-2016
-
LOL. Love the pun. You're a hoot, Nicci.
Comment from Curly Girly
That's a lovely family picture.
I'm glad Nichole is happy to support her husband.
You wrote:
Yeap, I felt slighted again.
Yeap? Not: Yep,
?
reply by the author on 09-Feb-2016
|
That's a lovely family picture.
I'm glad Nichole is happy to support her husband.
You wrote:
Yeap, I felt slighted again.
Yeap? Not: Yep,
?
Comment Written 08-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 09-Feb-2016
-
Yep is accepted by spell check, so that must be correct, but I've seen "yeap" in a lot of published novels. Go figure.
LOL You see what's happening here. Coming soon: He lands a job in the acting world.
Comment from Selina Stambi
The ghost encounter was intriguing, Shari. I wish there was more to elaborate on.
So b-i-l got over his loss pretty quickly, it seems. Was she a younger woman?
The nephew and aunt have a lovely relationship. It's genuine. Probably closer than the mother/son connection.
Enjoyed the chapter. Hugs,
Sonali
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
|
The ghost encounter was intriguing, Shari. I wish there was more to elaborate on.
So b-i-l got over his loss pretty quickly, it seems. Was she a younger woman?
The nephew and aunt have a lovely relationship. It's genuine. Probably closer than the mother/son connection.
Enjoyed the chapter. Hugs,
Sonali
Comment Written 08-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
-
Some men just have to have a wife. I don't think she was a lot younger. He was six years older than my sister.
I did have a great connection with Bobby. He was always pleased when I kissed him on the cheek.
Comment from Muffins
Maybe your sister showed herself to Frank because she knew he wouldn't make a fess about her last goodbye gesture.
I forgot about Nicole and the famous Jeff. You didn't say anything about his acting career, so I assume it's still the same.
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
|
Maybe your sister showed herself to Frank because she knew he wouldn't make a fess about her last goodbye gesture.
I forgot about Nicole and the famous Jeff. You didn't say anything about his acting career, so I assume it's still the same.
Comment Written 08-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
-
Thanks for reminding me. Jeff does finally get a break. Coming soon.
You may be right about Frank and Barbara.
Comment from judiverse
It is really fascinating about the panda signal working out and Barb's visit to Frank, apparently in her academic robes. It was good that Bobby's father stepped up a bit after your sister died and paid him some visits. Sounds like it was always cold when you went to visit Nichole. It sounds like Jeff hasn't changed his ways. Irresponsibility seems to be part of his make-up. Unfortunately, those health problems crop up more and more as we age. Well written and very relatable. judi
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
|
It is really fascinating about the panda signal working out and Barb's visit to Frank, apparently in her academic robes. It was good that Bobby's father stepped up a bit after your sister died and paid him some visits. Sounds like it was always cold when you went to visit Nichole. It sounds like Jeff hasn't changed his ways. Irresponsibility seems to be part of his make-up. Unfortunately, those health problems crop up more and more as we age. Well written and very relatable. judi
Comment Written 08-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
-
Thanks again, judi, for the detailed review. Don't you hate the generic ones that give no clue the reviewer read I!
-
You're very welcome. Oh, I do get those reviews from time to time. No reference at all to anything in the poem or story. judi
Comment from Rosalyne
Hi, Shari.
You have shared both a sad time with Barb's passing, but also a happy time spent with Nichole and Frank. As always, your writing flows so well and the description of Barb's appearance in graduation robes is amazing. Frank's reaction was funny, going back to what he was doing after her appearance.
I burst out laughing at the thought of Barb coming back and haunting Norm. LOL!
A beautiful family photograph of you, Frank and Nichole!
Bye, my friend!
Hugs
Rosalyne :)
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
 |
Hi, Shari.
You have shared both a sad time with Barb's passing, but also a happy time spent with Nichole and Frank. As always, your writing flows so well and the description of Barb's appearance in graduation robes is amazing. Frank's reaction was funny, going back to what he was doing after her appearance.
I burst out laughing at the thought of Barb coming back and haunting Norm. LOL!
A beautiful family photograph of you, Frank and Nichole!
Bye, my friend!
Hugs
Rosalyne :)
Comment Written 08-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2016
-
A nice summary of this piece. THanks for mentioning the humor bit. Yes, Frank's calm reaction surprised me too. I have been so thrilled to see someone come back from the other side. Appreciate the six so much. You're a peach.
