All Comments on 'Wharf Rat'

If the same guy knows August and Bonnie Lee and they're that physically close to each other, it seems cruel not to help them meet each other again. Who knows what would happen, but it would be interesting and maybe they could find some closure. Having the protagonist know that they still long and regret and not doing anything about it left an uneasy feeling for me that overshadowed the rest of the story.

I agree with "unresolved", preceding. Such a story would have to be carefully written to avoid being a sappy happy-ever-after story, but it would be a nice way to bring closure to the loose ends. And after all, even in real life, sometimes hurts are healed and people are rescued.

Nice work. Very nice.

-- KVK

I'm kinda split here.

<p>On one hand I'm not sure I agree with the "selfish" parts of the story that seemed to imply he was selfish for not wanting her to hang on to things given to her by a previous boyfriend that reminded her of him.</p>

<p>I can see where one person might be upset that someone was hanging on something that reminded them of other boyfriends or girlfriends. Like they might feel if the current relationship might not work out they have a safety net. Some folks might hold on to things because they don't understand that it makes the other feel uncomfortable. If you don't agree with me, ask a woman sometimes how she would feel if you proposed to another woman, gave her a ring, broke up with that woman, met a <i>second</i> woman after the breakup, proposed to the second woman, and then gave her the same ring you gave the first woman. You can't tell me you wouldn't understand why that woman might get pissed at you if she ever found out you did that.</P>

<p>On the other hand I can understand that they were acting badly. Well at least they could have talked about it instead of both of them getting mad and him storming off.</p>

<p>But I can't say to me it made much sense that he would get worried that she would do the same thing her aunt did and meet and sleep with someone because they had a fight. I mean if he felt that much panic at the thought, it kinda makes me wonder why he had so little trust in her that if they fought she was going to go make herself feel better by sleeping around. Or breaking up with him. It doesn't make me think they will survive the long haul.</p>

<p>I know it was a romance story, but it seem kinda wierd to me at times</p>

-Risq

Looking at the consequences of others to keep from making similar mistakes, good lesson! Some of the previous comments have mentioned putting Bonnie and August back together, DON'T. She is now married and doing ok, not great, but ok. Seeing him as he is now would be devastating to her, all the regrets and self blame. He would not want her to see him now, he is fatalistic in his view but a meeting would take whatever pride he has left. Leave it like it is, a really good story.

We've all been there and done this at some time or another. Great story, Jack.

Enjoyable story. I wish the hero had gone back afterwards and tried to help the old drunk or at least to thank him.

Boyd

I've been a deadhead, and a drunk too, for a long time. Thanks for the story! My Bonnie Lee is the mother of my children and I'm tempted to send her this story I doubt she'd appreciate the erotica in it. Maybe it can be a blueprint to draw from. I truly still love her but can one change the past?

Nice story, thanks jack.

Bittersweet, Jack. Well done.

Love the casual way you worked the song's lyrics into the story. Always was one of my favorite Dead songs.

into stories (dead songs i mean of course)

the cliff hanger with the aunt ruins the whole story.

It was a good story. It would've been better had you brought the Aunt and the man that helped him back together.

A nice little tale of holding on to the one you love no matter what it takes....nice one

Why did he not try to reunite August and Bonnie Lee?.

Too bad you couldn't write a second part where Bonnie Lee and August get back together.

Agree with tievanser.

Sad story but one can learn something from it, good writing.

Good story and yes stubborn people do stupid things just because they are stubborn and then hold their ground no matter the cost. Sometimes you have got to bite your lip and count to ten. If one can learn to do this, it will sure save a lot of misery.

Les

GREAT STORY. 5 STARS

WELL, I TOO WOULD HAVE GOT ANGRY ABOUT THE DRESS....NOT LIKE SHE COULDNT AFFORD A DRESS!! AND IF I WAS HER, I WOULD HAVE CUT UP THAT DRESS!!

August was still a cheap drunk so he never learned from his own story!!

His reaction over the dress was normal..