32 Comments
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Linda Brown's avatar

"As will theirs" ... will this story continue, I wonder....

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Oh, I am sure it will, Linda, but I won't be writing it down.

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T. D. Wolf's avatar

Expertly done on both of these. Sharron, you’re master of the unsaid!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you, John. Sometimes there is more of a story in the unsaid words, I find.

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Thomas D’Arcy O’Donnell's avatar

.. could never write a Gateway # 2 nor could I finish reading ‘Missoula’

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Understood.

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Thomas D’Arcy O’Donnell's avatar

.. better said (by myself) it takes or demands a certain & unusual strength - that I’ll never have - to write such writing.. thus not a criticism in any way of course - more an admission / acknowledgment on my part

Just writing the word ‘Missoula’ troubles me now - cannot imagine how Jon Krakauer found the strength to research & write the book - but he did.. a better man than I !

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

I agree. A very troubling story, indeed. Most people avoid reading the details, myself included.

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Kate Henry's avatar

That fits right in with the previous story. Assassins are a necessary lot.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Where are our hitmen when we need them most? Sometimes I feel let down.

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James Ron's avatar

#1 - "a spill of moonlight" - Wow, that's good! #2 - Oh, Wow! 👀

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you so much, James. That second one is not my usual fare, as you know. I woke up with it at 3 am and it forced me to write it. Damn!

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James Ron's avatar

Ha! That will happen sometimes. No telling when the Muse will come 'round.

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

Gateway 1 pulls me in with its intrigue, Gateway 2 is chilling, and I'm desperate to know that she'll be okay. Both stories feel deeply real. Gosh, Sharron - your writing is wonderful.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you, Rebecca. I didn't really want to write down the second story; it came from who knows where, fully complete. Maybe the message in that last line needed to be shared?

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Mark Starlin's avatar

I’ll take the first gateway, please.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

As will I, my friend. Thanks for reading!

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Richard Blaisdell's avatar

Poems: Salon power hair dryer with scorching moments of tangled webs to be brushed. Ouch.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

You have a lot of choices for reading here on Substack, so I thank you for choosing to explore 🍁Leaves, Richard. Welcome.

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Kate Henry's avatar

A LOT of people feel this way. There is plenty of employment. Samurai used to be right out in the open. The government has its own stable of snipers. Maybe they aren't paid well enough freelance to go public. Govt pays with immunity. So there's that.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Urrrrghh. Don't get me riled now, Kate. My blood pressure is high enough.

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Jim Cummings's avatar

I'm a little lost. Can you direct me to Gateway 1 please?

No, no. I said Gateway 1.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

No worries. Here is how to get to Gateway #1 walk through the kitchen to the dining room, turn left at the sofa, open the lower cabinet on your right and select a bottle of scotch. Administer as per usual. Wait.

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Jim Cummings's avatar

I'm so glad I asked directions!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Always here to help.

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Janice Walton's avatar

The second story - ah. So very true, all of their lives will be changed forever.

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Bill Adler's avatar

This sent chills through my bones.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

I hoped it would chill somebody's bones. I am honored it was you, Adler..

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Karen Kenworthy's avatar

The first one is so mystical and the second is so horrifying. Thank you for both realities!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks for reading my stuff, Karen. Gateways can take us anywhere, whether we want to go or not. Right?

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palmisanocj@yahoo.com's avatar

Powerful, Sharron. I've been struggling with how to respond; most of the commenters below have "stolen" my reactions. Something I did wonder about is a way to connect them even more (apologies if I'm overstepping), might be if there was just one guy in the second story.

Of course, each is a stand alone so work exquisitely as is (are?). In any case, Sharron: wonderful!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks, Connie. I put in a lot of thought and time on these two separate stories. I am afraid the second one turned out to be a little unexpected..

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