A very touching story with some wonderful bits of symbolism. It's pretty obvious you knew what you wanted to do with this story and did a fine job expressing it. Poor little Steph looking around a run down bar and dreaming big dreams while her father ignores her was a wonderful, horrible image. Great story and it reminds me to read more of your stuff.

Not bad. About the only thing that jumped out at me was that we have no idea how old Steph is in this story. I figure pretty young, but there isn't anything to that suggests an age. Eh, still a good story.

a superbly written, empathic piece; you make me remember what it was I liked about Steph way way way back when . . . Insightful and poignant.