I've had some requests to consider using Mr. Gabriel in more stories, and I think it will happen. The funny thing is, I didn't know about his "surprise" until I wrote the end of the story. He was created after a very special friend who has now passed, and named after my new nephew, Gabriel. He was just a nice teacher, originally.
Just goes to show what happens when you write from things that happen in a dream and throw in some memories to fill it in.
The feelings Andrew has that worry him so much are mine, and they reflect what I felt when I was growing up. That and the setting of the story are all that are real. I was a very large kid, yes, I still got bullied, and I didn't (and still don't) make friends easily. The girls in my world never felt bad about me, and didn't want to be friends, but there were a few "angels" in my life.
I'm so glad that I found this sire. My depression sometimes gets the best of me (you should have seen what I originally posted-a couple of pills, and I'm me again!) Thank you, Erin and friends. You help keep me sane!

Wren