17 Comments
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Kimberly Warner's avatar

Wait, I was thinking stalker too…creepy stalker. But then those eyes, maybe something deeper? A father who for some unknown reason, was forced to remain anonymous to his daughter? And if that’s the case, please develop this one further! You know me, a sucker for dad daughter stories.

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Ben Wakeman's avatar

That's the beauty of these little thumbnail sketches- it's only a snapshot of a moment in time and you can draw your own conclusions. I did have in mind that he was her father (or at least thought he was ;-)

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Julie Gabrielli's avatar

I was thinking these same thoughts! 😮

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Teyani Whitman's avatar

How wonderful a tale Ben. It captured me from the first line.

My favorite line of the story is : an invisible comfort, like shade from a tall tree on a hot day.

I love the way this feels

I didn’t get the stalker vibe, since I couldn’t imagine you writing such a gruesome thing. It felt more guardian angel to me…

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Ben Wakeman's avatar

Thank you, Teyani.

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Ann Collins's avatar

This is such a cool twist--a benevolent stalker! This one must have been mesmerizing to write. It certainly was absorbing to read. It plays in the imagination like a movie.

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Ben Wakeman's avatar

Thank you, Ann. This was the first of the three I wrote and it was fun. I’m glad it played like a movie for you, that was the hope.

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Susie Mawhinney's avatar

A father at distance... how many such men wander this planet ensuring their daughters are safe due denied access? This is rather heartbreaking Ben and so beautifully written!

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Ben Wakeman's avatar

Thank you, Susie. This was a weird one to write because I’m such an involved father.

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Susie Mawhinney's avatar

That crossed my mind Ben, I wondered if you’d imagined yourself in his place… the fear, the longing to huge, to talk, to be allowed to love. It is so beautifully written.

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The Foolosopher's avatar

Something about this reminded me a little of Carver

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Ben Wakeman's avatar

Thanks, I’ll take that.

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Julie Gabrielli's avatar

OMG I need to know more now! What a fabulous opening.

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Holly Starley's avatar

I had the same reaction as Kimberly. The watching had sinister undertones. But then the eyes? what did they mean?

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Ben Wakeman's avatar

I might have leaned a little too far into the creep!

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Holly Starley's avatar

Ha! I mean creep can also be intriguing when well written. I think it’s hard to pull off a following without the possibility of creep entering the mind.

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Parker McCoy's avatar

I think he's in trouble, now. He seems to really care about her but well, I don't think this is going anywhere. I like the suspense here. Thank you for sharing, Ben.

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