13 Comments

I adore these two together. I believe the kids would say that I ‘Stan’ them, as a couple. Even found myself experiencing some insane hope that maybe the future played out differenly for their little family, even though I know, I know…

Today is my first day off in weeks, and it has been SO good to spend the morning with coffee and Departures, Ben. You’re doing us all a service 🙏

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It’s good to be Stan. I’m honored that my story got the privilege of your attention on your precious time off.

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Nobody touch the baby.

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I agree with Chloe, that although I know differently, my hope is that this choice brings a different ending for them, one cannot but hope for this

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Thank you so much, Teyani. It’s been a strange experience to write this meditation on death for the past six months especially because we all know how it must end. I appreciate you showing up each week.

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Another tender and moving episode, Ben. This one speaks something close to me. It felt personal for a number of reasons.

Like others, I find myself hoping for an outcome that we know is not possible (at least according to present-day Wild...)

Fantastic work as always.

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As I mentioned earlier to Teyani, it’s been a strange experience to write a story with this kind of inevitable trajectory. But it’s the book I needed to write at this point in my life. I’m glad this chapter spoke to you and made you feel something at a deeper level. Thanks for the kind words and happy holidays, friend.

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Beautiful pacing in this one Ben. The emotional stakes for Wild and June build so naturally, even though they are each envisioning quite a different future than the other. It’s tense and tender all at once.

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Thank you so much, Kim. I’m so happy this chapter resonated.

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I was right there with June on that slope! It’s definitely more fun with a lesson. 🤣 The ticking clock makes this a poignant, difficult scene. And all the details make it come alive. Bravo.

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Thank you Julie. I was lucky to grow up skiing so I never experienced that terror as an adult trying it for the first time.

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This gave me the feeling of being inside the story with June & Wild. So well done, Ben, all of it. The way you draw the scene in all its cinematic sensory experience—and still let us inside the minds of the characters. I related to watching them move from debating the idea having a child—to pure instinct—then. . . the leap off the cliff and June’s fear when she realizes that they’ve crossed a point of no return. Perfect!

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Thank you so much, Ann. Putting you inside the characters is all I really ever aspire to do.

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