lostmutt, I'm not sure how the title fits, exactly, but I loved this especially at the end, when it all came together.

There were a few misteps, IMO: to and fro, giddily made our way, etc. - no big deal.

But you can't beat "My cheeks ached. I looked around and saw we were all smiles." Brilliant!

The last paragraph is a wish fulfillment drean realized. Isn't it?

"We just kept running and laughing." Oh, Baby, let us run and laugh until the end of our days!

I loved that invitation Losatmutt, and your story was that.

These are masterful. You've shaded your entire piece in a haze of memories and moments and it rings true. It's all like a scrim over our eyes. And anyone who's ever spent time as a patient knows that induced haze. I love how you echo the illness “infectious clarity.” And I love that your piece doesn't end. It dwindles. Good for you man.

I always enjoy it when a man can write a female protagonist, and/or when a women can write a male protagonist, believably. It ain't easy and some just can't. You can and do.

I also like how this piece leaves the reader imagining the result of the medical treatment ...

Very nice, Mutt

What an incredible journey, didn't want to go back either! just wanted to play and run til my cheeks hurt too. Drawn right in. Lovely.

The way you lead us into dreamland, drug induced or not, was with ease - I'm right there with you, hearing the laughter on the playground.

I'm left trying to figure out (as I sure you intend) why a donations pitch? Is he/she being reprogrammed in a sci fi or spy genre story? What is going on?!?!

I always wondered what flowed through heads as patients layed in drug-induced hazes, drool pooling in ears and neck folds...you've offered a glimpse. Well done, lostmutt!

The clacking bars on the double doors brought the playground scene back for me.