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Thomas D’Arcy O’Donnell's avatar

.. among your very best .. ever - & as a stand up & stool bartender I saw this nightly .. as well as being a single white male customer with an observant eye.. just ask Rebecca Goodall .. I write such stuff in my Fiction .. but can do so with astonishing veracity

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Well, yes. Probably most of what we call fiction is, at heart, autobiographical. It was challenging for me to get into the head of a young, urban male. An experiment. Maybe not entirely believable.

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Thomas D’Arcy O’Donnell's avatar

.. come come .. Ms @rebeccagoodall can validate every nuance & tactical technique or ‘Fave Finesse is deployed & even educate myself about the ‘how or why’ of the ‘performance / dance - & how it’s repeated endlessly & nightly.. or at ‘morning coffee or latte or even on a bus or at a Funeral Parlour or Cemetary .. or talking to a Bank Teller .. ‘Believable ?

The ‘sizing up & ‘opening move’ is inevitable .. & yes - tis a ‘Two Way - ‘measuring or appraisal.. & ‘Signals Exchanged .. (let’s Dangle) or .. vaguely amused & ‘nice try..

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Hah! Yes.👍🏻

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Jill CampbellMason's avatar

Touching with great similes and the definite undertones, or overtones, that you write. Atoning for sins as he toned his body--those are the types of words that magnetize my senses.

So many nearly unbelievable realities come barging in our doors that it is amazing we can make sense of any of it, let alone integrate the changes that occur to each of us in our lives as we get older and think we can "solve" or reimagine our habits and traditions.

And just when we think we've made slight progress--it's another day, another week, another month! And new changes.

I'm happy for you and your genuine writing.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

At our age, Jill , it is all about adapting to change. And we are forced to adapt rather quickly and seriously, don't you think? I thank you for your compliments.

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Jill CampbellMason's avatar

Almost more quickly than we think possible!

And so much to deal with.

But it is a good day here, weatherwise, a not-so-good day for a couple, well, many, others for whom I am responsible!

I will continue to put out positive energy for them.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Sometimes it is the best we can do.

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Jill CampbellMason's avatar

Neither of us being AI, I'm happy to be a flawed but genuine human, as you are! Writing from the heart's truth.

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Wade Terry's avatar

Interesting twist in both of them…..

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks Wade! Enjoy this sun-shiny California day, neighbor.

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

I loved this story. Good for Nicky, entering a universe of self-discovery with a gentle guide.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

A fairy tale? Maybe... But he probably does have a good heart, buried down inside all that bravado...

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

I'll give him the benefit of a doubt. I've heard that badass looking bikers are actually reall cream puffs inside as self-defense against other men who will abuse them otherwise. How's that for toxic masculinity? I'll bet those guys Nicky hangs with would eat him for lunch if he acted nice.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

🥺

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

i know, right?

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James Ron's avatar

"No meaningful gears in his head were ever engaged." - very funny. Seems the one that "catches you" always comes as a surprise. Very good, Sharron!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks, cowboy.

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Richard Blaisdell's avatar

Even jocks have to strap on a new pouch. Shoot the hoops and score a point. Nick scores , but his socks and hers are getting warm. Weather is changing. Hot latte and wine with come on its own accord. Nick 2 is the best one to get over the hump. Enjoyed the ambiance.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Do I detect an empathetic spirit here, Richard? Thanks for getting into this little tweaked romance.

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Richard Blaisdell's avatar

I'm no jock, but the fireside ambiance has me in enflamed with could be desires for a true story romantic interlude.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Dream big, Richard, dream big. Or what's a heaven for?

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Jack Herlocker's avatar

>> She was like a magnet, no doubt about it, and she was pulling at the iron in his bones.

💚💚💚

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks for reading over here at Leaves this morning, Mr H.

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Sharon Hudson's avatar

This is the structure gf a healthy, forever relationship! I enjoyed the way this feel-good story unfolded. Excellent, Sharron!!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

HAE. Happily ever after. Ah well, we can dream. You found your one true love - and he's actually hung around for what? 50 years?? . Your Benny is one of the good guys. But I have to say that. He is my brother.

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Sharon Hudson's avatar

55 years….and he is one of the good guys…but you can call him silly. I won’t tell! 😘

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Anyone who knows him would agree. Such a sweet guy. Most of the time.

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Kate Henry's avatar

He might make something of himself if he can cut the macho.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

He's young. She sees something in him. Never know - she might be right.

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Yael Gelardin's avatar

What a punchline! Then he met Angie! Love it. Thank you.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you, Yael. At my age, I am still such a fool for romance.

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K.C. Knouse's avatar

Nick fell in love with Angie's soul bot he didn't know what that was at first. Angie has patience. A rare quality in youth. You have created two endearing characters, Sharron. Even their names fit together, Angie and Nick.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Let's hope for a happily ever after.... I mean, why not?

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Jim Cummings's avatar

"Pulling at the iron in his bones" Great line, Sharron.

I have to believe that there are many Angies out there who appreciate some masculine qualities in a man--as long as he can learn to appreciate and respect her feminine grace and wisdom. There might be hope for Nick.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Yeah. I think Nick may be ready for a change. Maybe he didn't know it until just now? Thanks Jim.

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Mark Starlin's avatar

It seems Nicky has finally found a real "10."

Well done, Sharron.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

There is someone for everyone, they say. Sometimes we have to dig a bit deeper, maybe…

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