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A Jericho Fan Fiction Archive
Ah, I loved this story on so many levels, and rereading it tonight, I found myself noticing even more of the little touches--those little details--that make your writing such a pleasure to read.
So at the beginning of the story, you lulled me into this false sense of security. Everything seemed to be working out so well--what with Jake and Heather's new living arrangement, the fun New Year's Eve spent with friends. But then there was the stark news of April's death. It really struck me much like running into a glass door. You know it's there, know it's coming, but at the same time, you don't always see it coming.
What happened to April provides an undercurrent throughout the story of just how precarious life is for the inhabitants of this bizarro world.
I loved Jake and Heather constructing an episode of Law and Order. I've never watched that show regularly, but I know enough of it to get a kick out of the scenarios they put forth. What impressed me so much was how you segued from the invented episode of Law and Order to some genuine concerns Jake and Heather have about the future and their family plans. I thought that was just masterful. I also thought that their conversation had the perfect amount of--as my mother would say--sugar and spice.
Heather's going to New Bern worries me, as it does Jake. Yet it was so nice to be a spectator as they got to enjoy their first Valentine's Day together in Bizarro world.
My favorite line--hands down--was this:
QUOTE:
"Happy Valentine's." He waited a beat and then smirking softly, added, "To me."
I enjoyed this so much. Thanks for sharing it with us. :)
A lovely Bizarro World installment, Marzee!
I was expecting this to be a sweet, romantic story, but was struck by the emotion underneath it all, especially where April's death and the Green family's grief was concerned. You write April as such a good friend, sister, daughter, and with such personality, and you handled her death with a sensitivity that really got to me, with the way it reverberates through her family and friends' lives and continues to affect them.
There are a couple random things I just loved that I really wanted to mention. In no particular order, they are:
-The little glimpse we got of the Richmonds here. It was just perfect. Especially Bonnie's wanting to spend New Year's at a 'real party'.
-Jake and Heather's discussion about concerns of getting scurvy. As a student still learning to cook for one and shop during busy, essay-writing times, I am a little familiar with that concern.
-Heather and Jake's Law and Order episode. I laughed so hard at all the references, from Munch appearing for another crossover and working with Briscoe, to Green's crush on Kincaid, to the plot Heather makes up drawing on real life. It was really interesting because it made me think of how people would pass time after the bombs, and how interesting to think that people are now making their own entertainment based on the entertainment they used to watch on tv.
-The tomatos. A perfect gift, and funny that they've replaced long-stemmed red roses.
Alright, so Jake and Heather, who I've saved for last even though this is their story. There's just so much going on for them here. First of all, I loved reading of their continuing growing closeness, helping each other cope with April's death and the difficult circumstances they continue to face in the changing world. Thank you for writing a Heather who is making the trip to New Bern, even if just for a few days. A perfect compromise between Heather deciding to go out there and take chances and a Heather who is taking a different kind of chance, in a relationship with Jake, giving Heather a good reason to stay in town, belonging to a family of sorts. I also loved that Heather proposed to Jake, and that they came to this momentous decision in a such a simple conversation. I'm not a huge fan of sentimentalism, so I found this conversation romantic and really liked the way you captured the moment. Subtle and sweet, and I think you did an excellent job, with the entire thing!
Looking forward to more!
Awww....what a cute story! I enjoyed this so much! I'll be back tomorrow to comment more completely, but I couldn't let the evening pass without at least telling you how much this story made me smile. :)