Comment from leather

Good

I'm not sure who Bill is. And, I'm a little unsure why Bill is being urged to help "this boy" when a man with him has just collapsed. Who needs help--the boy or the man?

I wish the last sentence were a little clearer.
Good start. Just some clarification at the end would be helpful.

Best wishes

 Comment Written 08-May-2022

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reply by the author on 09-May-2022

Thank you leather for reading this story and for the good review.
I'll try to help with some answers. What I have found if a story leaves some questions with the reader, they tend to find them more interesting - needing some answers (like yours).
It's not important who Bill is, but he and the woman in the window are the new farm owners.
I think anyone would feel the need to help a boy when someone he was with fell down. That is just an opinion, but that is what I would do. Questions about who and why could be answered later.
The man (the farm owners' son and a Marine) was at the last stage of his life and just left his final chapter looking at a barn with many family memories.
Although this is entirely fiction it is based on a friend, who was a Marine and served in Vietnam. He did die of Agent Orange poisoning. I raised his son after I married his widow.
His son went back to that farm at 21 and took care of his grandparents until they both passed away in that farmhouse.
I couldn't pass up writing a story when I saw the barn prompt.
The Marine's name was Brad and his son Daniel.
Dan has turned out to be someone I am very proud of, and wish his father had seen his progress and marriage this past November.
Maybe you were meant to see this story and have an issue with some of it.
You probably know this, but they call Marine's many slang names including; jarheads and Leathernecks.
I hope I helped fill in the necessary details.
Thanks again,
Dick

reply by leather on 09-May-2022

Thank you for your lengthy response to my review and confusion.

I am sorry for your loss of Brad.

Best wishes

Comment from John Ciarmello

Excellent

Hi, Dick, this is a great 250 flash. I have to understand the end and I believe I have it, was it an outsider watching him collapse in the snow? I wasn't sure. Your writing is superb except for that blip which could be contributed to my old age, lol.

 Comment Written 08-May-2022

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reply by the author on 09-May-2022

Thank you John for reading this story and for the very nice review.
It's not your old age...the person in the window and Bill were the new owners of the farm.
Although a true fiction it was based on some real aspects including the Marine. I raised his son, Dan, after his father's very ugly death.
His dad would be proud of the man he has become. I married the Marine's wife after he passed. The farm was truly in their family.
Dan went to take care of both grandparents (at 21) until they died where they wanted to be - on the farm.
I thought the barn prompt was a good way to honor a Marine core friend, and my step-son's father.
Thanks again,
Dick

reply by John Ciarmello on 09-May-2022

So, I had it right to a degree. It's wonderfully done, Dick. Thank you for taking the time to explain.

Comment from jessizero

Excellent

This was a very interesting post. I am impressed that you told the entire story in 250 words. Thank you for choosing to share this here, and best wishes to you.

 Comment Written 08-May-2022

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reply by the author on 09-May-2022

Thanks again Jessi for reading another story and for the very nice review.
Best wishes, and if you are a Mom - Happy Mother's Day!
Dick