Best Friends Play Hard
This is a PM I sent after reading this story. When I woke up to seeing how to post, I wanted to publicly acknowledge Neil's craftsmanship.
Neil,
You warned me that this was a bit dark.
I still wasn't prepared for the intense level of emotion this story evokes.
It was both a tender love story AND a horrible tragedy.
I was hard and stroking through almost all of the story, yet spell bound to continue reading.
The horror of Kevin's life was dulled by the distance of the retelling while they were re-experiencing each other for the first time, but the horror and senselessness of the ending was stark and alone.
I went through a mid-life crisis 12 years ago brought on by the loss of a job and protracted un- then under employment. Further aggravated by OCD tendencies towards a friend who extended a helping hand at the time. Drowning person that I was, mired in Manic Depression, I grabbed on for everyting, and lost it all (the friendship) as a result.
But, NEVER, did I ever consider suicide. It's not in my makeup. So, when I read a story like this, so so believable, it's all the more unbearable and horrific.
You did a masterful job of story telling, even if it was just something you found on your floppy.
I agree with your other readers -- it's too bad you didn't find some other "misc. stories just hanging around."
This one, no matter how upsetting, was masterfully executed.
For that, I thank you.
Don Quixote
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