I’m going in late to work because I HAVE to finish this!!!

lol, I think we were all screaming the same thing

GOD!!! I’m sitting here, outside of a Sheetz, smoking a cigarette and my eyes are filled with tears.

??

I haven’t been commenting too much because I don’t want to voice my guesses. I love the billboard idea (and the billboard itself).

This is so good!

Well, this was my first opportunity to read this story, and I finished it in 4 hours. I was hooked from the first chapter and had to see how it all played out.

I have seen "The Lakehouse" many times over the years, so from the very beginning, I was trying to figure it all out. And it finally hit me after Justin had a breakdown after the run-in with Hobbs and he was explaining what happened at prom to Brian. That was when the "ding ding ding" moment occurred for me and I had it all figured out.

This was definitely a great story - from start to finish!!

Author's Response:

Thank you! I'm thrilled that someone who watched the movie can compare my story so favorably! Thanks for reading! TAG

I finally got around to reading this today; I have thought about doing that so many times, and well, I just never got there. So, first, I want to say this was rather ingenious. I did look at the last reviews to see if anyone commented on any particulars, as to the many clues you gave throughout the story that it was actually Brian who had been the victim of the assault, but didn't really find any.

Since I have watched The Lakehouse more times than the number of fingers I have, I was looking within the text rather closely throughout reading it, and I paid VERY close attention to the dates. Now, if I would have been reading this as it was being posted, I might not have made all the connections.

The first thing that caught my attention, was that whoever tried to save Justin at his prom, was instead killed, and I just KNEW it had to be Brian.

Brian (although it was always his philosophy of life) said he wasn't going to live past 30. (That's reaching, but still caught my attention.)

But the most telling fact that Brian was NEVER in current time (2002) proved to me he was the one bashed and killed. He was never in the diner or anyplace with the guys. When Justin started working there, Brian wasn't introduced. Brian, not showing up for the New Year's dinner, really cemented my belief.

I admit, I was thrown when the dark-haired guy said he was Justin's boyfriend, yet I had a nagging thought it was the arrogant Ethan, and it really wasn't a fact, but I couldn't figure out how they would have met seeing as Justin was in high school... so you threw a wrench in my psyche for a bit. But college orientation, cleared that up

Now, going a little scientific here, this whole story could reflect to the theory of the Butterfly Effect too. You changed the fact Brian wasn't killed, thereby creating the domino effect.

Justin told Brian how the time-travel conundrum worked... if it weren't for 'Homerun Hobbs' he wouldn't have the money to move into the loft.

The bracelet... I was thinking maybe Brian gave it to Justin the night of the prom, but with the way it ended, I'm thinking he found it in the box in the closet. Justin wasn't bashed, so he wouldn't have had the money to rent the loft, thus never finding the bracelet, and that's how it ended back up on Brian's wrist.

It kind of irritated me when it was discovered that Jennifer, Debbie, and Daphne were all aware of the Brian/Justin connection, but still allowed him to move into the loft... that's just so wrong to me.

Now, going to how everything turns out... Since Brian was killed in 2000, now that he's alive, is the Billboard still outside his loft? (and nice touch - replacing the tree.)

Is everyone in current time still thinking Brian is dead, and won't know the difference until he contacts them?

I'm 'kind of' thinking this might be so, for the simple fact that Brian still owns Britin.

As I said towards the beginning, Ingenious... I would think a lot of thought process had to go into drafting this.

Thank you for another excellent story...

HUGS  ~Cathy

Ok Tag, I have to say, I never read The Loft because I am not into supernatural, but since I now know what an amazing writer you are along with Sally, I felt in observance of your 7th anniversary, I have to read it.  Glad that I started since even though this was your first story, I am hooked after just one chapter.  You had the talent from the beginning.  Well back to reading.  Have a good day.

Okay, is it just me or were you going from the year 2002 back to 2000 and back again??? 

Okay, well since The Lake House is one of my favs & I've seen it a million times, I think I know why Brian wasn't there. Hmmmm how are they going to fix this?

Really Jennifer?? Reading your adult son's private letters? Wow!