rlfj: Blog

Quite a few readers were wondering whether I was going to have Kelly be killed/kidnapped/raped/etc. by the Bolling gang. Some wanted him to have a shootout with them over her, or a big car chase. Sorry, guys, but it never even crossed my mind. I think that would be a bit too melodramatic for the story. It just didn’t fit with my overall concept.

I was surprised when a reader didn’t understand the phrase ‘better to be judged by twelve than be carried by six.’ Judged by twelve implies a jury trial, typically twelve people. Carried by six refers to a typical coffin, which usually gets six pall bearers.

I heard from a variety of readers about some of the oddball events cops get called in on. One reported a loose emu. Others told me about piglets, horses, and chickens in various schools. Another Googled ‘high school prank goat’ and found numerous incidents. The best was when some kids put three goats in a school and painted “1”, “2”, and “4” on them; the staff spent hours looking for Number 3. (I also heard that this was done with piglets.)

Chapter 63 sees Grim seeing some more action. After reading this, my wife told me, “Kelly needs to keep Grim on a shorter leash! He’s always getting into trouble!” I replied, “How much shorter can it get? He was standing next to her!” I also told her that I could have easily split Chapter 63 in half, but that would probably result in riots. She agreed, and said readers would hunt me down, and come to the house with pitchforks and torches.

Everybody liked the story about the goats. If I have learned one thing writing this book, it is that all sorts of silly stuff happens with the cops. For instance, in Utica, NY, a rogue cow once was on the loose all over the city for almost four months. Every time there was a sighting, two outfits were called, the local television station (WKTV) and the Utica Police Department. Ultimately cowboys from upstate NY (yes, they really exist) were called in to track down the critter. You can’t make this shit up!

I received an email detailing the tax consequences of the elder O’Connors gifting the lakefront property to Kelly and Grim, and how that should be structured. I think that would be too much to put into the story; Grim is not a banker. As long as they can use it/sell it/build on it he and Kelly will be happy. I left this alone. This is why I love my readers! I learn stuff all the time. Thanks.

Grim has finally managed to marry Kelly, another good thing. Everything looks so wonderful for their future. We’ll just have to see how that works out.