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Author’s Notes:

1. I began writing this story on an impulse. I just started with an idea and wanted to see what I could do with it. By the end of Part 3 I knew where the story going so I pushed on as fast as I could. One, because I was on a roll, and two, because I was eager to see exactly how I was going to handle the ending with old Royce remembering Lana. Usually I would post the latest part to the forum as soon as I finished writing and proof checking it. If the time stamp shows it being posted in the 5:00-6:00 AM time frame then I was up all night writing it.

2. Since old Royce is a contemporary character the story had to necessarily take place several decades in the past. I tried to reflect that era with outdated things like telephone men installing telephones in homes and the bit about black and white TV’s. I don’t know if the descriptive title go-go girl is still in usage but that too was part of those ancient times and it’s exactly what young sailor Royce would have gone looking for.

3. I’m sure this is not the typical story found on this forum. I hope the readers like it, but that really isn’t my number one priority. Above all else I have to like it, and if I don’t it won’t matter what the others think because they’ll never see it. Obviously I like it since I’ve put it up for all to read.

4. I always hated sad endings. I hated it when authors created characters I really liked and then killed them off. But being an author myself the perspective is different. There’s power in being the one who creates and crafts the story. Characters literally live or die at your command and it’s a heady experience. What’s the point of having power if you don’t put it to use?

5. But in another sense there’s a reason for injecting tragedy and sadness in a story. It’s one of the most powerful and effective ways to make a point the readers will understand, because it really grabs their emotions. If Royce had gone on to a great life while he and Lana lived happily ever after it might have been a nice read. It also would be quite forgettable. And it’s not real life. Royce did have a very good life but some real heartbreak’s came too and were a necessary part of the building process. No Pain No Gain isn’t just about pumping up muscles.

6. Royce is not an autobiographical character. At best he’s a composite of several people I’ve known, none of whom would likely recognize any part of themselves in this fictional person. As for his name, it is not taken from an automobile. The name Royce as used in this story was borrowed from a cartoon dog that used to make an occasional appearance in a popular newspaper comic strip, until being written out and moved on to a different home in the cartoon universe.

7. Lana is only slightly more anchored in the real world. Many years ago while living in a different city I had to drive past a certain house going to my neighborhood. Most of those trips, it was just another house no different from any other. But there was an older lady living there who would get out and work on her flower garden while wearing a bikini. I saw her maybe three times total. But she was definitely eye catching. For the sake of assigning a name to her I’ll call her RealLana. I have a lot of respect and admiration for ladies like her who are that comfortable with themselves and not afraid to challenge the conventions imposed by society. Just as I respect the women who challenged Victorian mores a hundred years ago by rejecting those absurd bathing costumes with the skirts and shoes and parasols and instead dared to expose their bodies and legs in swimsuits they could actually swim in. Also the women who transitioned from the one piece suit to the bikini despite the storm of criticism. Also those who continue to push the envelope for personal freedom today. We owe them much. I tried to portray Lana with all the respect and admiration I can give. I never met RealLana but I believe I could show her this story and she wouldn’t be offended by any of it. I like to think she would actually get a kick in knowing she was the inspiration for Lana.

8. After I finished the initial draft of Part 7 and before posting I went back and completely rewrote the section about the young couple Chuck and Irene. In the original Irene wasn’t pregnant. But instead they already had two small children, a little girl and a baby. At the café instead of having an empty seat next to Lana the little girl was seated there and Lana helped cut up her food into child sized pieces. Much to the gratitude of Irene who was occupied with bottle feeding the baby. My intent was to give Royce a stunning view of what a family can be. How beautiful it can be. So different from what he had to experience. But when I proof checked it I wasn’t sure if it fit within the boundaries of acceptability so I went back and removed the children. In the original it was the daughter who was wearing the radio station t-shirt that was pregnant. I took that away from her and gave it to Irene. So instead of seeing a wonderful young family in the here and now, Royce’s imagination had to envision a wonderful young family that was soon to be. Not as powerful and stunning an image but I did my best with it.

9. I have mixed feelings about writing dialog. It’s hard writing trying to make it all relevant and realistic. But it’s also an exciting challenge to put yourself in the minds of your characters and bring them to life. For this story I think I got it right.

10. I’m not at all interested in Martin. He’s much younger, possibly around the same age Royce was when he met Lana. He serves his purpose at the end as a sounding board for old Royce, but as for who he is and why Royce is telling him about Lana, I simply don’t care. It’s no accident that I gave him, and Parker too, names where it would not be clear if this was a first name or a last name.

11. Lana is absolutely my favorite character. I wish I could have had a neighbor like her back when I was young. If I had, I think I would have turned down the promotion. So what happened to Lana? I think Royce was right. She had learned what she wanted out of life and it made her life complete. The reason I’m convinced Royce was right is because I just love Lana and I’m not going to let anything bad happen to her.

12. And so the story is complete. I started with Royce. I gave him hang-ups to overcome. And I was pulling for him all the way. He was certainly fortunate to find a teacher like Lana living around the corner. And lucky to get such a good job. But as someone once observed writers of fiction have the kind of power over fate that once was attributed to witches and warlocks.