27 Comments
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Jane Dougherty's avatar

I enjoyed this story, felt anxious that Del would find the awful but sad Marla intrude on his privacy, and thought the ending was the best anyone could have wished for.

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Liz Zimmers's avatar

Thank you so much for reading! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Del was a shy and lonely man…I think he was happy in the end. And he escaped the awful Marla!

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Amanda's avatar

What a gift to be touched by a velvet nose! And always the right decision to follow after a hoofed friend. I'm so relieved Nicola's topiary didn't turn out to be some murderous beast in the night!

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Liz Zimmers's avatar

Haha! Well, you can never be sure at the Palace. But I was feeling like having a gentle story for a change. I love a velvet nose myself.

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david drayer's avatar

Liz, it seems Del decided to pursue the elusive wood nymph into his "field of dreams", a proper respite for this anxious soul. Changelings.

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Liz Zimmers's avatar

Yes. Del saw his opportunity to escape the world that pinched him and to follow love and quiet companionship. I hope it led to happiness for him. So nice to see you at the Palace, David!

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Jennifer James's avatar

"It seemed his wife had taken with her all the deep and comfortable love of which he’d been capable, all the shy passion that had been allotted him." This is beautiful. And very relatable. My husband is it for me. If he goes first, then as far as love is concerned, I had a good run.

Also, Marla. She's so viscerally written. Every introverts worst nightmare.

Brilliant work.

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Liz Zimmers's avatar

Thanks, Jennifer! I found myself really loving Del, he’s so sweet and gentle. And Marla IS a nightmare. While she means no harm, she is just incapable of reading the room. I’m so glad you liked it.

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Hanna Delaney's avatar

What a palette cleanser! Such a lovely, dreamy piece.

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Liz Zimmers's avatar

Thanks, Hanna!

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Jim Cummings's avatar

Wonderful story, so well told. The fog sequence at the end was especially chilling.

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Liz Zimmers's avatar

Thanks, Jim! So glad you liked it!

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M.E. Proctor's avatar

It makes me feel good that they both got away, Del and the unicorn. Lovely story.

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Liz Zimmers's avatar

Thanks, Martine! I like that, too. 😊

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Barron's avatar

A wonderful combination of Del’s quiet purpose and Ms. Rance’s boisterous demeanor. The unicorn was the magical catalyst to bring it all together. I really enjoyed this one. Great work.❤️

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Liz Zimmers's avatar

Thanks! I’m glad you liked it.

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Jim J Wilsky's avatar

Dreamy and wonderful Liz. - Jim

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Liz Zimmers's avatar

Thanks, Jim. I wasn't feeling the razor edge of scary today, lol.

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Jim J Wilsky's avatar

Every once in a while, the waters calm, almost as smooth as glass.

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Deb's avatar

Adore

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Liz Zimmers's avatar

I’m so glad you liked it, Deb!

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Jean McKinney's avatar

This is a truly lovely story - gentle and magical. Well done.

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Liz Zimmers's avatar

Thank you, Jean. I liked Del. I liked his lonely softness and his strange panic over being admired by someone so different from himself. He deserved a little magic.

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Jean McKinney's avatar

It's a fascinating and wonderful thing when we like our characters, isn't it? Feels like they're real people - and we wish them well. That's what was so sweet about your story - Del as a good soul, who, as you say, deserved magic.

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Janice Snapp's avatar

At last—a happy ending of sorts! “What next?” doesn’t really matter. The perfect introvert’s escape! Magical and masterly.

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Liz Zimmers's avatar

Thanks, Janice. Yes, we don’t get too many happy endings at the Palace, do we, lol? It’s not a perfect kind of closure, but I think Del is happy.

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Sep 14
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Liz Zimmers's avatar

Thanks Bear! I think a lot of us crave peace in noise and chaos. Del was lucky to get a little bit of magic and escape.

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