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A Jericho Fan Fiction Archive
Penny,
Oh, this is wonderful, just wonderful stuff. So poignant.
I was glad to read in your resposne to Sandra that this pairing wasn't my idea. I am a little biased about Gail, and all jokes about Gray being after her aside, I can only picture her with Johnston, so I'd been wracking my brain, trying to remember how the heck I came up with this pairing. It's a fantastic idea, but also a relief to know that I'm not quite that forgetful.
This was a great exploration of what it could be like to be the town recluse, cut off from everyone who lives around you by an overwhelming fear of crowds or interaction or something....but also wishing you could interact, at least with some of the people. I also think you show what it is about Jericho that makes it not a New Bern or a Black Jack. Oliver is not ridiculed (at least not to his face) by these people. Sure, only a few go out of their way to actually include him, try to get to know him, but he is still accepted as he is, and cared for as best they can manage after the bombs.
And of course as a sucker for any story about Gail and Johnston, I loved the glimpses into their relationship you gave us. (And the chance to see a young Jake out in the world. :-) )
Such a sweet, makes-me-sigh kind of story. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you! I think you're right that Jericho, after the bombs at least, was a place where outsiders like this character were more accepted or tolerated, compared to some places. Well, Oliver had a lot of experiences I didn't cover here, but I did cover his distanced kind of relationship with one of the people he did occasionally reach out to, so I guess you got a view of the best of Jericho, in his experience. And she's not actually a native townsperson, but someone who becomes part of the town, much more than he is ever able to, so it's kind of strange. The thing I enjoy about writing this series is how it challenges me and gives me opportunities to look at situations or times in characters' lives I normally wouldn't think of or consider, so in this case, I really enjoyed looking at Gail when she was younger, a glimpse at her relationship with Johnston, and the early days of Jake. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Author's Response:
Oh wow! This was fabulous, Penny Lane! I am always eager to see which characters are paired in your Romance of the Absurd series, and I have to say that I wasn't expecting these two. Of course, that is the point. LOL. But you really made it work, this one-sided romance, born on the fleeting moments of the past. The wistfulness from Oliver jumps off the page, but so does the image--his image--of a young Gail.
I thought you stayed so true in your characterizations. Oliver, the recluse, longs to interact with the vibrant red-head but can never entirely overcome his insecurities, the insecurities that overtake him as his life continues.
I also enjoyed the glimpses into Gail and Johnston's courtship, the allusion to his mother's disapproval, and the images of Gail as a young mother.
What a bittersweet and beautiful vignette!
Thanks Sandra!
This unique pairing was actually suggested by Skyrose, and it, of course, surprised me at first, but it inspired me too. I enjoyed delving into Oliver`s mind and life experience, and it was also fun to take a different look at Gail and her life than I ever had before.
As always, thanks for the feedback and the compliments. You made my day!