I absolutely love the ending of this as Jess puts 2 and 2 together. I equally liked the small touches of the austere environment in which Mrs Pruitt lived as well as what she chose to wrap her beloved cat in. I read it as her daughter's christening dress.

Good on Miz Lyddy!

Hell hath no fury like an old lady whose beloved kitty has met an untimely end. I should know. I lost mine last year to a marauding allowed-to-roam-at-large pit bull which no longer roams.

(A shotgun isn't the only option... but it's still an option.)

have just found yhis sory...one word only arrowing...felt gutted just hope shemanaged to spend all his money thank yiou effie xxxx

You are so totally unafraid to take us to those raw places inside people. I think I've described your fics before as unflinching, and this one is like that... wonderful insight into the humanity of the characters. The west was a tough and desperate place for so many women.

Aw. That poor lady! The old west was hardest on the women. I'd have killed him, too.

I really appreciate Slim taking care of her the way he did and Jess going along with it. Such good men!

Really good fic. :)

Wow. What a haunting and deeply tragic story. Words really fail me on this one but I got all choked up at the end. Excellent as always, your insight into the characters always impresses me.

PS: Btw, if you see that Kathy "Carny Song" is following your blog and wonder who on earth that is, it's me. :P I finally broke down and got a blog for my more personal thoughts that I didn't feel comfortable sharing on LJ.:)

Oh, much more to say. You have the ablity to put so much in so little that it just takes my breathe away. I can so see a man like Slim doing this for so many differnt reasons.

"For all sad words of tongue or pen..." Poor Slim.

Another wonderful story. Thank you.

So thoughtful and thought-provoking. It really resonated with me, especially Slim's last line lamenting the fact that he should've visited his neighbor at least once. Maybe the whole incident wouldn't have happened. Just a reminder to extend that hand, say those words, do that deed that would show another you care. Great story!