AS to the names Jack and BErt it was meant to be two different children of the three. The other childs name was Ray but it seemed forced to add that in. Collectively Jack Ray and Bert were my homage to Bert Lahr, Ray Bolger and Jack Haley, the Lion, Scarecdrow and Tin man of Oz. The child she murdered was going to be Toto, but that angle seemed to be a little too silly so I dropped it only leaving the murder in to try and show just how far “Dorothy” had fallen into insanity and anger. Also just how much hate she ahd to have for her rapist and captor. To this day I cannot u7nderstand how much love a mother has to have to accept a child of rape, but many women do.

I stand behind the use of profanity. It was meant to show just how disturbed the doctors and police were by the situation. If the emotional content of the story did not justify the profanity that was my fault as a writer.
Maybe “spun around current event” was the wrong phrase. there was a case of a young girl being kidnapped and escaping years later after bearing children to her abductor. I used this as a seed but did not research the case for details, because I did not want to copy this incident. As far as I remeber her parents were overjoyed at her return and accepted her children, at least publicity. I really tried to walk the line with her father of shwing him to be a good man and lovign father but also with a hint of selfishness at HIS loss.
I know this was dark and it started off lighter but a story about abuse and rape has a way of getting, to force levity from a piece like this risks becoming a parody Stories tend to have a mind of their own and I let this one follow it’s own path Thanks again for the support

I can’t say I enjoyed this, for the subject matter is difficult. I am impressed, though, and will read more of your work.