Ah, there is so much going in that story! There are so many levels and nuances.

I don't want to quote it all, but you made me almost cry here:

"No, Frank, I needed that one, too." He shook his head, then went on, this time more slowly. "It was such a stupid thing. But to not even be able to do that—"

And smile in the end. :) Thank you!

I was reminded of this story today and was ashamed that I had forgotten to leave a review way back when. This story is one of those that is just so poingnant and real. Giving blood is really saving a life, and when one is told that they can't be a part of that because of circumstance or poor past choices, that's got to be quite a blow. I just felt for Mark, wanting so badly to help and realizing he couldn't even do that. but it was the reference to being 'damaged goods' that made me cry. That is a label that is very difficult to shake because it's something you tend to believe about yourself, regardless of what others might think or say. Thank goodness for Frank and his ability to hear his McCormick radar pinging away! He says just the right things to help hoist McC's spirits.

Thanks for making these characters so real and multi-dimensional and for sharing your great talent with us.

CB

Fantastic story! You managed to pack so much angst for Mark into a few pages, and the cumulative effect on him was so telling. The scene in the blood bank with the knowing look from the officer broke my heart. Thank goodness it was Frank to the rescue! I love how he manages to finally put all the pieces together and offer his own encouragement. The best line: "All the important stuff is back in place...with everything else, I'll just deal." That is Mark by definition. And the last line was perfect.

There is much to choose from, but I think it's possible this is my favorite installment from the Aftermath saga. (But don't hold me to that; I'm fond of a lot of your stuff!)

Seriously, though, it is such a simple thing, presented with such depth of emotion, it's a thing of beauty. And the idea of 'damaged goods' just breaks my heart.

And, as always, Frank around to offer well-placed words of encouragement is right up at the top of my list. I especially liked his 'confession' about his early misgivings; very nice indeed.

I don't really have time to visit ffnet lately, or my favourite fandom with my favourite writers, but today I treated myself with a peek and I was rewarded with this little gem. I've always loved this ficlet, for me this probably is the most pronounced piece of the whole WR circle. Don't ask why, couldn't answer that, but it's true that for some reason it stayed with me from the first time I read it.

There was one thing that made me think this time. Frank said a little earlier that Hardcase had chosen Mark because he had figured Mc couldn't lie to him. Yet in the last few lines he does exactly that. Well, it's not really a lie, he just covers up his true feelings, hides them behind his usual joking and easy self. I like to think that by this time Hardcastle knows Mark well enough to see right through him and he understands him even without words. I can't say I'll ever completely get this 'guys can't say what they feel' thing, but I enjoy a lot how many different non-verbal ways you can show their love for the other.

Thanks!

Yea I read this in the CDZine for The Star For Brian Keith.

I can't say enough just how much I love all the stories that are in all of those CDZines and the ones already posted.

Mark is so willing to go on a just deal with some of Hardcastle's friends feel about him without a word to Hardcastle about the ones who have made bad remarks or very bad comments to him or about him that he has over heard about him.

Well I often think a story should be done where some of the judges friends have unkind and bad things to say about the fact of McCormick and the judge being friends and some how or other it being said to Hardcastle by them or that Milt gets wind of what they said one way or the other.

Just wonderful stories.

JeanneZ84

Another great story! I really love these reality checks. Even though the series was light hearted (for the most part), we knew there was a serious underbelly. There are always people who will judge-whether its someone who was in prison, someone in alcohol or other drug recovery, someone with mental illness, stigma is such a keen and cruel adversary. I like that you have Frank so well tuned in to Mark and his challenges. I had to go re-read "The Things We Don't Talk About" again, as a follow up. Thank you for your wonderful, insightful writing.

I really like that ending...about dealing from he bottom of the deck. Good story.

There's just so much here, that it's hard to know where to start. Well, for one, I love the little talk with the nurse. And then it's just so sad, the situation with the blod center. But then there's Frank, as usual, lending a hand or a shoulder or a quick smack to the head. And there's McCormick. It's a Harper line from another story that always comes to mind at the end of this one, "You know Mark. He _deals_."