"Or perhaps he would fashion a hail stone into a compact spear and send it through the window and straight into my testicles. In that case, His wrath would have to pierce through Bella’s hand to get to my offending prick.

She’d be stricken with stigmata"

Goddam genius.

Oh, there are no words: Edward's resolve, Bella's reciprocation, and the symphony playing the lullaby!!! That was incredibly romantic, beautifully set up. and truly awe-inspiring.

Loved the action on the balcony too. (snicker)

I don't have any clever observations today, but just had to tell you how much I'm enjoying your story and how much I look forward to reading it.

Thank you!

This was such a painful chapter to read, because it was so realistic. It's amazing how closely your story dovetails my ex-husband's life (we're now together again) although he never relapsed and now has many years sober. We have buried several friends, however, whose bottoms seemed to simply, and tragically, be lower than death.

The beginning, "trying to" run, following Jasper, it being too difficult, inclines, branches, tree roots, and how it didn't occur to him to do it long term - was such a tell-tale and heartbreaking metaphor. It was so right that Jasper quit being his sponsor. Jasper didn't seem to have the necessary detachment, and the dynamic between them led to the tacit understanding that Jasper was the one responsible for Edward's sobriety, rather then Edward himself.

I love Jasper's statement, "...you've got to stop acting like your life is something that's being done to you." This is so concise and well-put.

Then the encounter with Seth, and the janitor job at a school where he can play the pianol are so similar to so many stories I've heard about the workings of HP.

I really hope that Bella has been maturing, discovering her own needs and boundaries, and frankly, finding relationships to help her do so.

I'm absolutely blown away by your story. Thank you.