The Gingerbread Girl

[esquier]

2 days after reading this story it dawned on me that it was a story about a woman's recovery from the death of her child. I know because I lost my daughter 2 years ago. Instead of running everywhere like Emily in the story, I drank but still it was the diversion that caused the final severance of me and my husband. Then the fleeing - the getaway to think. And especially the whole battle with the dreadful Mr. Pickering - the one that would take her life but also the one who made her see that she wanted to live. The duct tape bondage. The struggle to escape. The resulting wounds. Watching Pickering disappear. Then limping away. Mr. King has hit it dead on as to what I've been going through for 2 years (though right now I still have part of the chair taped to my leg and I've yet to find Pickering's weakness).

[Jay P Lang]

I could imagine that pain but I'd rather keep that dark corner unlit. I feel for your loss.

[peaceluvnsploosh]

The Gingerbread Girl is one of my favorites--- i cant say i know how u feel but i cant even imagine im sooooooooooo very sorry for ur loss!

[MissTallica]

I'm very sorry for your loss...
When I read The Gingerbread Girl I got really touched by it, it was my favourite short story in the collection. But I can only imagine how much it must have touched you...
Again, I'm sorry for your loss and I hope Emily's story helps you to find Pickering's weakness..

[JWP]

Thanks for sharing. I think all to often we shy away from revealing our suffering
and pain in forums like this and even in discussions with our friends. I have a young one myself and I can imagine the pain you are feeling. I think the discomfort people feel is
that they don't know what to say or what to do when all they really need to do is stand with you for just one minute.

"Just After Sunset" and K's recent short "Premium Harmony" IMO show a real maturation in his writing. Perhaps it's because he realizes he only has so many words left to put down but at any rate he is not afraid to really go there, to get under the skin and in some cases hit below the belt. As a New Yorker "The Things They Left Behind" and "Graduation Day" had a pretty strong effect on me. I suffered from Post Traumatic Stress following
9/11 and reading those two stories back to back certainly hit a nerve. Was it cool for K to put those two stories back to back, I would say no. But what I do understand is that K gets it with his writing, that the universe can sometimes deal us some truly horrific experiences. And also that he is not afraid to go there with us, to stand with us for just one minute.

Peace,

- John