I really liked this story. The only disconcerting things about it are easily fixed. The scene of the story is obviously somewhere in the American South, but the wildlife is from the mountain states or Pacific Northwest. Moose and grizzlies can't be found in the South. So the author either needs to change the references to deer and black bears, either of which would work as well, or eliminate the references to "up North".

Personally, I'm not so sure it'd be the right telling in other venues.

That said, GRR Martin DID win a Hugo. _Those_ novels didn't. "A Song for Lya" and "Sandkings", for instance. A long time ago... And yet, he likes it this way.

Take care.

A peculiar absence

I can't say I've read "all" science fiction, nor even a large segment of the genre. But in all that I've read, I cannot recall any mention of a Republican Form of Government. Even Robert A. Heinlein's "Starship Troopers" was far off the mark, though closer than most other authors, with his emphasis on civic duty of federal service as a prerequisite for citizenship, voting and holding public office. There are plenty of references to democracies, direct or indirect. Or the various forms of democracy, especially socialist.

Let me point out that a republican form is NOT a "constitutional republic" nor is it synonymous with "a republic." The People's Republic of China IS a republic, but not a republican form. And the republican form predated the U.S. Constitution, so it cannot be a "constitutional republic."

Makes one wonder why the Republican Form cannot be depicted in Sci-Fi literature.

Thank you for that. I have long been suspicious of the Sci/fi/fantasy market AND the nominating scheme. I sent story after story to the remaining pulp mags only to get the same form rejections, then pick up an issue to find nothing special inside, surely nothing that tops what I've done (bragging, no, not really. Just tooting my own horn a little. And I worked with a woman who used to go to all the World Cons (actually, she put me on a panel in SJ CA once.) and she told me that anyone (in the organization) can nominate for those awards. I found this odd. But, regarding the takeover of sci-fi, I read Animal Farm, Brave New World, and 1984 long before most of the people writing for and reading sci-fi were born and I'm not surprised. It's just affirmative action for certain writers and is disgusting, but so is much of what passes for publishing these days. And, to plug one of my LI posts a bit, check out my: Economy Forces Publishing Houses To Focus More on Bottom Line piece. Best!

I enjoyed the flow of the story. When I got to the end I wanted more!

A familiar scenario with dialogue that is very true to life. The characters unfold in such a natural and gentle way. Enjoyed reading this very much.

I love the dialogue here. The revelation at the end isn't shocking, but it is satisfying.

Beautiful, yet heartbreaking.

Nicely done, I enjoyed the read very much.

Sounds like you've had some experience with unorganized bureaucracy in the Social Services arena. It's like that at the end of life too for the total care elderly that need placement. A disgrace.

You've shared before your own adoption story...I hope that this particular story was worse than your own experience.