Thank you so much for reading and commenting on my story!
angelic_editor, I can't thank you enough for that wonderful feedback! You make me blush -
- and at the same time I'm so glad that you managed to see some of those things that I was really, really trying to say...
First, though, let me say something about what you didn't like, the Amazon's cut-off breast. There's a Greek legend according to which the Amazons cut off one of their breasts to make themselves better archers, and I just thought that the grounded balloon somehow reminded me of such a (freshly) discarded body part.... But LabRat didn't like the breast either, so maybe I should let it go! But, as you say, maybe "severed" would work better?
But I'm so, so glad that you saw that I was trying to show that Lois and Clark are more than soul mates. That's one of the most important points I'm trying to make in this story - that it's really a miracle that Lois and Clark are together at all, considering that Clark truly is an alien. But at the same time, Lois and Clark are so attuned to one another, so much a part of each other's life force and very essence, that the term "soul mates" is much too pale to describe the link and the togetherness they have.
Ursie, I'm so glad you think this chapter is poetic and well written!
Terry, I'm very glad you appreciatete my take on the Sandman. He isn't my own character, since he was created by Neal Gaiman. But don't we all like to work with borrowed characters?
And I'm so happy that you like the "Lois-shaped hole" in Clark's heart! I was pleased when I came up with that image, too.
Framework, I'm glad to hear that my take on Clark works well for you!
And Nan, thanks for reading my story and commenting even though you usually don't read angst-laden stories until they are finished. Actually, now mine is....
Ann
