Finally... A mother-son chat. How wonderful!!

Maybe Linda can give Micky some of her spirit and Imani can be an inspiration for his painting.

This is progressing at a pace where a bond, a friendship based on respect and admiration develops. between Micky and Imani that serves as the foundation for their eventual love affair.

If Micky punished himself by tying himself and clinging to an emotional wasteland like Rachel, he can be liberated with Imani... wih Linda's guidance.

Nice job! Keep the updates coming.

Great update!!

This chapter was very touching... and sad... and so I cried. (Or I'm PMSing.) Whatever it is, the scene in the car between Micky and Imani got to me.

The scene was well-written and teeming with the emotions of two lonely people reaching out to each other, not for gratuitious sex but desire based on their connection. It wasn't cheapened by the fact that they were stranded in the vehicle. 

...And then you zinged us with a cliffhanger of a damn tow truck driver with horrible timing.

In the next chapter, I hope that there are no regrets on top of their natural awkwardness. 

Oh, no!! I was hoping that it wasn't so, but I knew Linda had died in her sleep.

In a strange way it reminded me of last year when Pres. Obama's grandmother died a few days before the election.

One last Christmas, birthday, and the joy of seeing the ones she loved the most accomplish what she'd wished and hoped for them. An election with history-making results, the ultimate accomplishment of a child she had sacrificed to raise and raise well. Two days.

Then I think... maybe Linda knew she had made her peace, laid the foundation and didn't need to witness the end, the victory. And because we are seldom prepared to accept the end, even when we know it's inevitable, could cease a loved one's suffering, we are never prepared to deal with, much less accept it.

DNR becomes such an ugly word, a near-murderous concept. I don't like that only Imani, perhaps Rafi knew. Micky should not have been done that way... not again.

Micky, Rafi, and Imani are suffering. Too bad they have gone off in three separate directions to grieve separately instead of bonding together. Their prior hurt was still too close to the surface.

Micky immediately felt left out, unheard... again. Rafi has lost her mommy... again. And the poor orphan Imani is perhaps feeling alone, abandoned... again. This time by the surrogate family she'd just found.

Micky's rejection, anger and blame might push her to retreat and leave, believing that with Linda gone she not only doesn't belong but has no right to be there. Isn't wanted. It doesn't seem fair; but his behavior is understandable. Classic old Micky.

Lady, you have been writing the hell out of this story. There is nothing but love, admiration, and support behind your decisions. However, this wasn't the really difficult chapter. The following one(s) are. The what next? Saying good bye and sharing grief with others who respected and loved Linda, but perhaps were not privvy to her short-comings as a mother because she was such a free spirit, and then moving on. Moving on is the hardest.

Sorry for the long rambling. This was an emotional chapter on many levels. 

Until next time...

Whew. For a minute there I thought I was going to have to reach into my monitor and bitch-slap my girl! She was uncharacteristically hysterical, which was funny at second glance. I love how you wrote that whole scene. :)

Imani knows how agonizingly hard it is for Micky to make a move. Yet when he does... she picks then to throw a hissy. I'm glad Micky regrouped and approached her again... over herbal tea, no less. LOL. They are just too sweet... and scorching, center-of-the-sun hot, hot together to not give it a try. 

Yes, Rafi is so much like Linda. Hopefully, she won't repeat her mother's mistakes in relationships and will remain close to Micky and Imani. Micky, who punished himself to an emotional wasteland by marrying Rachel, thanks to a well-crafted pairing by his dear mom, has a chance at real happiness with Imani. And neither will be lonely or alone again.

This is what I believe will be Linda's legacy.

LOL. Jake just pulled a punk move. I'm glad Li punched him in the gut, knocking the air out of him.

His bitch girlfriend smells like closet WASP racist, insecure, ill-mannered heifer. You don't ask anyone, especially not a total stranger, such personal questions!!

I'm loving Li's new confidence and independence and the fact that she has remained close to Henry and Miss Irene.

To Jake's credit, he is appreciative and did respond and come see Miss Irene. However, something tells me he isn't living his true, authentic life... yet.

Wait 'til he meets Faith!!! 

I'm enjoying this story. It's a wonderful continuation to Jake and Liandre's tale.

AH... I SWEAR I DID NOT SEE A PICTURE OF HENRY WHEN I FIRST LOOKED EARLY HIS MORNING. MAYBE I WAS STILL HALF ASLEEP... OR DISTRACTED. SORRY!!!

Hmmm... Not feeling Morgan these days, but it's your cast. I'm just along to enjoy the story. LOL.

So Owen is going to play the victim act to the hilt, huh? Teenaged boys can be such little idiots. I think I would have told him off and split. I guess its better to stay and make him even more of a crazy idiot.

I'm enjoying this story.

So, sometimes I read late at nigh when I have the place to myself... finally. I just realized that I read this on TST. Since hanging out over here more recently, I think it only fair to comment here too.

I loved this story. What a sacrifice. However, considering that they met independently, I wouldn't have stayed apart, especially after the true parentage was revealed. They weren't blood relatives or steps previously, which indeed would have been a little creepy.

I believe the relationship may have worked out. I'm glad daddy/uncle Kenny still had a major role in Kendra's life.

Another moral of the story could be that your one true love sometimes cannot be ignored, no matter the circumstance.

I'm looking forward to reading more of your work!

Hi and welcome!

I enjoyed the story and the lessons or morals learned by each situation. I believe Aurelia got hers too.

I was all prepared to read about Aurelia and Baron's attempts to weave and waltz their way out of an awkward and even more inappropriate situation than their night together when I read "The End."

I know that some endings are best left alone and conclusions left to the imaginations of the reader, but this story begged a continuation.

I will check it out.

Thanks for sharing. I can't wait to read more of your work.

Nice. Short and sweet.

Thanks for sharing this love story. 

Wow! Seems like dessert was as delicious as the meal!!!

So, now that everything seems to be smooth sailing, for now, where  is this going? Will they attempt another trip down the aisle or "just date" for awhile?

Personally, I hope there isn't a little Matt on the way and they date for a while. I'd also like to see them openly deal wih some of the feedback from Matt's very public declaration. I know it isn't all good. Taylor is still black and Matt is still smooth, but he can't rely on charm alone to get him through the rest of their lives.

Sorry, I'm still a little stuck on the fact that he didn't reach out to her until he retired from playing. In his new job, he'll need to rely on more than just his own personal experience, which isn't quite fully resolved... yet.

Can't wait to read what happens next... besides anoher chapter closer to the end.

Nooooooo!!!!!! (That's me, screaming. :0) 

Great start!

Matt needs to adjust his attitude before he shows up on Monday. I'm sure Taylor isn't the same girl he jilted eight years ago.

Looking forward to reading more.

Too soon. Ugh! Manipulation. No warm fuzzies for Matthew as yet. Be strong, Taylor! Here him out, but resist! He canno get off that easy.

Can't wait to read more!!