Comment from Ric Myworld

Exceptional

Yes, like with anything else, it's hard to impossible to get everyone on the same page, as in many cases there are always those who want to believe what they will. Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 22-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 23-Feb-2025

That's exactly why debating things like politics or religion or even climate change with someone is most always fruitless. It's almost impossible to make such a winning argument to make them change their mind. Hopefully, once and for all, Julia has found that winning argument and convinced Marie that Brian is a good guy, but she certainly was a hard sell.

Thanks very much for your 6 stars, Ric, and for your continued interest in this story.

Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

Good follow-up chapter Jim with Marie getting straight on the phone to find out the truth about Brian's drug. Good dialogue between mother and daughter, cheers.
Valda

 Comment Written 22-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 22-Feb-2025

Thanks very much, Valda. Marie certainly tried Julia's patience with her barrage of accusations because Julia thought she finally trusted Brian. Perhaps once and for all, she's put Marie's doubts to rest.

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Whew! I'm glad Marie asked the right questions even if she made poor Julia upset with her incessant questions and doubt. But finally she believed and was able to switch gears and get to the more important questions about her grandson's latest achievements!

 Comment Written 21-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 21-Feb-2025

I think maybe Marie has finally had all her doubts put to rest about Brian. It sure took some convincing. I've tried to make her journey to becoming a decent person like the stock market with ups and downs but generally trending upward.

Comment from Carol Hillebrenner

Excellent

Marie gets first-hand knowledge of what Dipraxa can do to two people and calls her daughter with new doubts about her husband. The shorthand name for Dipraxa of Dip even makes it sound safe to take. It is really going to be an uphill battle to sell the safe form of the drug. Hopefully the Chinese aren't working on a synthetic form of dip.

 Comment Written 20-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 20-Feb-2025

Hopefully, Julia has finally put Marie's doubts about Brian to rest. Hey, that might make a good sequel: The Chinese Fight Back with a synthetic version of Dip.

Comment from royowen

Excellent

It's so good to see Marie start to change, and that change is picking up speed, when we start to take note that there are people in this world besides us and they deserve God's proffered hand too, it makes a difference to the one one cares for others. Well done, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 19-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 19-Feb-2025

Thanks, Roy. It's taken a lot for her to realize that Brian really is a good guy. Hopefully she won't have any more doubts now.

reply by royowen on 20-Feb-2025

I think Brian is too

Comment from eliz100

Excellent

This is another excellent chapter. The addiction becomes very real to Marie. She has experience with stories about people in the community. I do not see any room for improvement. Have a blessed day.

 Comment Written 19-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 19-Feb-2025

Thanks so much, Lee. I was hoping that with two examples of how common Dip was becoming, it would underscore the importance of the success of Fran and Brian's mission.

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

I am glad Marie went straight to the source. I do hope Brian and Fran were able to eradicate the plant. I can't wait to read more. You're doing a good job writing this.

 Comment Written 19-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 19-Feb-2025

Thanks very much, Barbara. We'll find out soon if they were successful in their mission. It won't be a moment too soon, as more and more people are getting addicted to it.

Hopefully Julia put to rest any lingering doubts Marie might have had toward Brian.

Comment from Pam Lonsdale

Excellent

It seems Dip not only makes you feel good, but emboldens you to say whatever you feel like saying!

I really liked this chapter, Jim. Of course, you know Marie is my favorite character:-)

In between writing assignments, and I've been reviewing some of my "team's" stories for round 1. There are some good writers here.

I'll see you soon.

xo

 Comment Written 19-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 19-Feb-2025

Yes, it seems to take away all your inhibitions to say exactly what you want to say without worrying about any repercussions. Kind of like Larry David in Curb Your Enthusiasm if you're familiar with that series.

Marie's my favorite character too, and she will end up playing quite an important role in the last part of the story.

reply by Pam Lonsdale on 19-Feb-2025

I do know Curb Your Enthusiasm. Larry David is a comedic genius.

reply by the author on 19-Feb-2025

I loved his lack of filters. There's a similar character in the series Loudermilk on Netflix. I think you would love that series. Try the first episode if you get Netflix, and you'll see what I mean.

Comment from Debbie D'Arcy

Excellent

This is a great catch-up and clarification for the reader and lucidly conveyed via this comprehensive yet succinct explanation to Marie. Well done! Good move because it is a fairly complicated plot. Once again, Julia now demonstrates her self-confidence in putting her mother straight. And wins the day. My only suggestion is: is it necessary to add that Marie immediately cancelled the subscription? I know it's in character but it slows the pace a bit and the urgency of her need to act on her discovery. But I'm being pedantic now and this, as ever, is a well crafted and professional write that has been properly proof-read (such a treat:)) Thanks for sharing, Jim. Take care Debbie

 Comment Written 19-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 19-Feb-2025

Thanks very much for this terrific and helpful review, Debbie. I agree completely; the canceling the subscription part is unnecessary here and needlessly slows the pace. I will remove it.

Yes, I felt Marie needed the whole story, as well as readers who haven't read the previous novel to understand the whole context of how Dipraxa was discovered to be so devastating. You'd think Marie, once she heard Julia's story, would guess that Brian would never sell that formula to the "cartels," but she still needed a little more convincing from Julia. Hopefully this will put an end to her lingering doubts about Brian.

Comment from Dolly'sPoems

Excellent

This inventive drug seems to have ruined many lives Jim. Your story has spread across this family and each of them has been touched by this drug's power. Once the genie is out of the bottle, it is impossible to get him back in. I expect many future drug inventions will have the same affect as addiction is killing many people across the world. Another well written chapter Jim, love Dolly x x x

 Comment Written 19-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 19-Feb-2025

Thanks, Dolly. Hopefully the mission to the Philippines will put that genie back in the bottle for good!

And hopefully that's something the EPA requires in their testing now--to make sure drugs don't become dangerously addictive.