“Katelyn Cappelletti asked me to make a list of things that I believe deeply in, so that someday her child will know important things about their father and can make their own determination if they would like to spend time with me.”
Hmm.
Kids (especially sons) need their fathers. The idea that mothers might act as gatekeepers or that a child can decide if their father can have access to them is morally and ethically repugnant.
Not all your characters are ethical or likeable, but this woman is truly egregious.
This was based in part on the comments of a famous, well respected actress who very pointedly made it clear that she believed that the mother of a child should exercise control over how much contact a child has with their father. It shocked me then that she didn’t receive more pushback. I’ve tried numerous times since reading the interview to reference it and cannot find it. But I damn well know the words were said.
I respect and can understand what you say as well. Maybe just witnessed too many abusive fathers. Certainly most are not and deserve to be a partner in their children’s lives.
Damn. You keep giving me new favorites. This one seems sure to hold that spot for awhile. Haven’t liked people in general lately, but this helps me believe in humanity again without being cloying or obvious. Wow.
I don't know a lot about women (I mean, who does?), but I do know that they often have a roundabout way of getting their point across. And in this case, this is exactly what she did.
He said he wasn’t ready to be a father (he’s 42, for goodness’ sake). She laughed at him and said she never asked him to be a father. Instead, she just wants him to make a list of his values. Then, as he is making his list, and by the end of the story, he calls her up and asks her to make him a list of how to be a father. Then they start bickering, like an old married couple.
That’s the way I read it.
I didn’t see an ethically repugnant woman, I saw a shrewd woman who knows how to get a lazy loser to step up and be a man.
I didn’t write her to be “ethically repugnant,” though in a comment I cited a real life statement that I personally hate. Ethics will vary by reader (The way American men adopted The Punisher as a hero is evidence of that).
“Katelyn Cappelletti asked me to make a list of things that I believe deeply in, so that someday her child will know important things about their father and can make their own determination if they would like to spend time with me.”
Hmm.
Kids (especially sons) need their fathers. The idea that mothers might act as gatekeepers or that a child can decide if their father can have access to them is morally and ethically repugnant.
Not all your characters are ethical or likeable, but this woman is truly egregious.
This was based in part on the comments of a famous, well respected actress who very pointedly made it clear that she believed that the mother of a child should exercise control over how much contact a child has with their father. It shocked me then that she didn’t receive more pushback. I’ve tried numerous times since reading the interview to reference it and cannot find it. But I damn well know the words were said.
You have no idea how fiercely we become protective of our children. Instinct to safeguard them is paramount.
Not trying to convince you of it. I can tell it’s useless.
We each have our own experiences, Patris, and I respect your point of view!
I respect and can understand what you say as well. Maybe just witnessed too many abusive fathers. Certainly most are not and deserve to be a partner in their children’s lives.
This is good. I liked it.
Mistakes have a life of their own. I felt sadness reading it.
There’s a lot of sadness in here but some hope too.
Captures the flakiness of many a poor man.
no messing with that one, Shimmy Jimmy 😉
J, this is heartbreaking. 💔
There’s a current of hope in there too. The real world is inspiring me to write heavily flawed characters, but there is hope.
I see it, J. You have clear eyes.
Damn. You keep giving me new favorites. This one seems sure to hold that spot for awhile. Haven’t liked people in general lately, but this helps me believe in humanity again without being cloying or obvious. Wow.
Thanks Lou. I wasn’t in a great frame of mind when I wrote it. I was hoping it would make at least one person happy/glad they read it.
Candy Andy. Aw.
Jimmy!
You old softie.
A trail of regrets has caused many a child to go on a quest to find their father.
Everyone has a mom and a dad.
Life is different when both are in the picture.
I think this story is really sweet. People are messy and f’d up, but redeemable.
There are some great tragedies when people aren’t given the opportunity to redeem themselves.
I guess many of my characters are messy and fucked up.
That’s what makes them good 🙂
Thanks Katie!
Poignant. I feel this child is gonna have solid relationships with both Barry and Katelyn. Despite mistakes-perhaps because of them.
I hope so
damn.
That sounds like positive “damn”
It really really is. Loved this piece.
Thanks. I hope you find a bunch more you love in that archive.
I just finished a new one and will post it later. I’m walking in the woods now to think about my next few.
I don't know a lot about women (I mean, who does?), but I do know that they often have a roundabout way of getting their point across. And in this case, this is exactly what she did.
He said he wasn’t ready to be a father (he’s 42, for goodness’ sake). She laughed at him and said she never asked him to be a father. Instead, she just wants him to make a list of his values. Then, as he is making his list, and by the end of the story, he calls her up and asks her to make him a list of how to be a father. Then they start bickering, like an old married couple.
That’s the way I read it.
I didn’t see an ethically repugnant woman, I saw a shrewd woman who knows how to get a lazy loser to step up and be a man.
I didn’t write her to be “ethically repugnant,” though in a comment I cited a real life statement that I personally hate. Ethics will vary by reader (The way American men adopted The Punisher as a hero is evidence of that).
“scared nearly fucking incontinent”…brilliant!
I definitely like this one.
It was an emotional one to write. Part of that is probably obvious and some of it comes from unexpected places.