Dear Maggie,
My cheeks are still wet with the tears I've shed as this story has unfolded.
Although I've been living my truth for just over 20 years, and I'm 62 now, I also prayed every night for God to let me awaken as the girl I just knew that I truly was. Also, Little Cindy still mourns the youth she was denied.
I entered my phone # as I cant do e-mail and would love to hear from you. My love to you!
Cindy Lou

Oh my, what a wonderfull story. I cried and laughed. Truely wonderfull. What great characters, and I could'nt stop reading it.
You are a wonderfull writter. Thank you so much.

Maggie

Never thought I would be in envy of a 10 year old, but I read your story and so wanted to be Becky.

Thanks

What an  exceptionally brilliant heart wrenching story.  I loved it!!
You have great passion and caring for only a wonderful soul could write a story like this.

WOW!!

Hi Maggie!
I think you wrote this story with all your heart.
This is an amazing love story. Congratulations,and please write more these lovely stories of yours.
Love, kisses, and hugs.
Silvia.

Anser for andie black no she just orders two more cans of spray from hugs...super story...

Maggie, to me, this is your best story. I have read your others and I love them all, but this is the best.

What a fantastic story, brilliant.
I really enjoyed reading this, the characters all fitted, the story was great, I never would have guessed at the ending as the tale weaved in and out and around the characters.
Please keep writing

Stayed up late to finish this story! Thank soo much!

I got so absorbed that I forgot that this is a hugglebugs story. I really believed that the heroine was going to die. But what a sweet and happy ending!

This story has the potential for a film script. It has all the dramatic twists and turns, and believable sympathic characters that really grow wiser.

all the best
with much compliments
Shantiva

Maggie,
I was amazed as I read this story.  You have created living, breathing characters, who are both "alive in the ether" as well as being alive in my mind and heart.  This is a skill writers aspire to, but you have done it! Brian/Becky and Cassie are alive and walking around.  It seemed like magic to me.  So many things I can relate to. I couldn't stop thinking about the story at work or at home, and rushed to finish it. Wonderful work!!!

Thank you,
Bev.

Dear Maggie,
              I laughed, I cried, I smiled, I just loved every word.
I stayed up till the early hours just too hooked to shut down the computer. You think I liked ? I LOVED. A truly wonderful story, written with compassion and real feeling.
Thankyou so much,
                Huggles,
                        Eleanor.

Maggie:

I just looked it up.

Sidney Smith's "The Gumps" debuted in the Chicago Tribune on February 12, 1917, and ran until October 17, 1959. At the time it was cancelled, fewer than 20 newspapers were still carrying the original strip.

"Little Orphan Annie" was created as a spin-off of "The Gumps" by Sidney Smith's assistant, Harold Gray, using the aforementioned gender- and name-change as a springboard. The strip debuted on August 5, 1924.

Further information on both strips (among others) can be found at Don Markstein's Toonopedia, at http://www.toonopedia.com/ .
--John

Maggie:

Just curious:

When you made the reference to "Little Orphan Annie", were you aware that she is *ALSO* a transgendered character? :)

IIRC (I read it a long time ago, in a compilation of several of Paul Harvey's "The REST of the Story" radio reports), "Little Orphan Annie" was originally "Little Orphan *OTTO*", a character in a short-lived 1920s comic strip called "The Gumps". (Actually, I'm not really certain about the date, but I believe that the original comic strip debuted sometime after World War I.)

According to Mr. Harvey, the strip was about to be cancelled, but the editor thought that it might be possible to create a new strip by making a *minor* (hee, hee!:)) change in one of the main characters, and creating a new strip around that character.

In part, I believe it had to do with "Otto" having a somewhat effeminate (or at least androgynous) appearance as the character was originally drawn.

--John

reread this story

I still love it

but ""he could be around people, without being with people""

that is sooo spooky, as it describes my college life

Hi Magic Maggie!

I just got through reading this story again and drying my eyes again! You have told me my stories make you cry, well, your stories make me cry, so there! Giggle, giggle.

You have a special gift little one and it is a magic you do and don't mess up with like your other magic. Giggle, giggle. You have the 'MAGIC' OF WORDS!

So, I herebye dub you "Magic Maggie" Magic wielder of words. The love and deep felt messages of belonging are felt reading your stories. I am blessed knowing you and my life is much better thanks to you, your love and kindness.

Huggles Little Sis
Angel

WOW! What an emotional rollercoaster you write!

Maggie,

What a wonderfully written story.  I want to gripe that there was too much narrative and not enough dialog, but the narrative was too good.  Your characters were touching, and Cassie was a unique heroine.  You really do have a nice touch with language and set moods beautifully.  

Having said that, I also have to say that I agree with a few others who left comments about the ending.  When you set up such terrific characters and put them in such a well-created dramatic situation, it just seems a shame to turn it into a huggle-bugs story.  

I mean, the ending was quite sweet, and I surely like happy endings, but you, as a writer, should challenge yourself in the future to stay with the reality you have so effectively created.  You're simply too good to not do that.  

I look forward to your next effort and can only hope that you fulfill your promise and create a story that's reality-based from beginning to end, even if the ending isn't so happy.        

Well Maggie what can I say. Once Again I find your story late and have to phone in and pull a sicky to catch up.
From begining to end I couldn't leave my computer (not that I do anyway LOL). The characters were fantastic, the story was smooth, the timeline changed seamlessly. All the emotions were portrayed in a way that so few Authors can acheive.

Maggie Keep up the Excellent work. I'll say more nice things when I see you in the room :)

This is a great story and well written. I would have preferred that it was posted all at once rather than in episodes, but at least it was all ready to go and we eager readers weren't kept waiting for months for a new chapter.

A story this length allows ample space to create characters with some depth. Cassie, Brian, Becky and all, have imperfect characters, like us all.  They make mistakes, but (hopefully like most people) they try hard to do the right thing.  I must confess to shedding the odd tear from time to time.  Call me a sentimental old fool, and you'd be right! I loved it.

I do, however have great reservations with the final two chapters.  I can't complain. After all Hugglebugs appears in the heading so it was all going to come right in the end.  I read science fiction (have done for many years) so I can accept strange concepts as part of a story so long as they remain consistent within the society in which they are set.  To my mind Hugglebugs fails in this one respect.  The implications of the technology are never carried to their logical conclusions.  If the Hugglebugs technology really existed (and it seems to be pretty inexpensive ) then no-one would be ill, no-one would would need to die and identification of criminals would be all but impossible.  In this case Cassie would never need to be old, for once she was ready, a quick dose of nanites would rejuvenate her and she could start again.

I suppose my objections to the last two chapters is rather carping, because despite my reservations Maggie has provided me with several hours of reading pleasure, for which I thank her greatly.

Geoff

This was a great story, thank you for writing it. I loved the way you weaved the flashbacks in and out of it, and the way the characters came alive.

Thank you.

Hi Kitten!

Well what an ending and a dream come true after a liftime of nightmares and struggles. I love the addition of the very, very well known Hugglebugs! (Well, many of us authors and those that know Prudence Walker and the gang know about the Hugglebugs.)

This story was for others you have known and loved as well as your friends still living and loving you. I was touched to read between the lines as you paid tribute to so many in your story as you do with all of your stories.

The new readers and other authors reading these that don't know you do miss a bit. Giggle, giggle. I wish they would come and join us all in chat sometimes. That way we could get to know each other much better and we all do have a good time more often than not.

Huggles. Snuggles and Snigs Little Sister.
Angel

I agree with Bek D. Corbin, but not as strongly.

The first 8 chapters were engrossing. I was on an emotional roller coaster the entire time. It was difficult to determine whether we were being lead to a "happily ever after", or a "life sucks" ending. But it was clear for 8 chapters that we were dealing with reality, not science fiction. Introducing Hugglebuggs as a solution at this stage of the story seemed incongruous to your setup.

That being said, I am prepared to accept this direction, but feel that you left us hanging by not continuing through Becky's growth to adulthood. As an involved reader, I have many questions about where the relationship between Becky and Cassie would go. How do two longtime friends who historically dealt with each other as equals deal at this new level where one is clearly in contol over the other? What happens as Cassie ages into her sixties and Becky is only reaching her early thirties. Do resentments come up? What about as Cassie becomes aged, and dependent on her children to take care of her? Does she get angry that Becky had a second chance at youth? Please consider taking this further.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        z                                                                                            

I just started reading this story and the character are well thought up!  It seems like it's going to be a great story and I hope I finish it.  But I don't know if I truly can.  For you see the such close relationship that Brian and Cassie havebrought me painful memories of my pass that I thought I wouldn't be going through until the next part that had happen.  See I had a friend that I was that close to in almost all points but in the end of the matter that so call friendship for life just never worked!  In the end I was the one that got stepped on by everybody!  So I truly hope to finish this story but if not understand that it just touch on something that brought me to much pain and that I don't blame you at all!

Well, I hate to be the one to cast a dissenting vote in the face of all these rave reviews, but I have serious problems with this story. Or at least the last two chapters. I realize that 'One Last Shot' was intended to end the way that it did, but I still think that the 'Deus Ex Machina' ending was a poor resolution to an otherwise wonderfully written story. Besides the 'miracle technology' of Hugglebugs, there's the fact that the HBs were brought in at the last minute. We didn't even know that Hugglebugs existed in this world until they were brought in as the cure. Also, there's the fact that neither Becky nor Cassie really resolved their conflict by themselves; the resolution came through an unrelated Third Agency. Becky and Cassie were built up as strong and compassionate women, but their strength was irrelevant. That strikes me as short-changing these two; they had the stuff of heroes, but they were reduced to near-victims.

However, it is your story, and as the comments made by others show, they were touched by your ending. The comments I've made are meant in the spirit of constructive criticism; please accept them as such. The first Eight Chapters were great; it's just the 'surprise ending' that I have problems with.

That was the most enjoyable story I haave read in a long time. Talk about an emotional roller coaster and to have a happy ending too. Great writing. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Well written, Maggie.  Thank You.

I would type more, but for some reason my eyes are all full of tears.  Something must have gotten into them.

Huggles.

I am SUCH a sucker for a happy ending!  Thank you, thank you, thank you, Maggie.  God and Hugglebugs work in mysterious ways ... giggle (tribute to Angel :-)

Thank you so much for such a great story, I was concerned whether the Hugglebugs ending would fit in with the rest of the story but I think you carried it off wonderfully.

Somehow I managed to stay patient as each chapter was published, even managed to wait the 2 days in between 2 chapters without going through withdrawal (it was close though) :0)
It has been worth the wait, thank you again,

thank you thank you thank you

Hugs
Cat

First off, I really enjoyed this story, and logged in daily to read each episode as it comes out. The characterization of Becky was really well done.

I have to say that parts 9 and 10 caught me a little off guard.  I guess I had been expecting less of a sci-fi story.  I probably would have enjoyed this story just as well with a bitter or even bitter sweat ending as I would have with the hugglebugs ending.  The ending as it was felt just a little too pat for my taste.

That said, I can understand a lot of Becky's feelings... and why Cassie did what she did. If someone where to change me into a little kid like was done to Becky I would be ecstatic.  The strong longer of Becky's part to relive her childhood is very heavily displayed in earlier parts.  The uncertainty of the Cassie and Craig's future was nicely done... and does allow for all sorts of nicely unresolved questions.  For example the reader is left to wonder if Craig will find out Becky's history, is the cancer really gone, will Cassie and Craig get back together, etc.

DD

Ok, Jezzi just can't help herself. Giggle, giggle.

The reasons were given in the story Jezzi! Think about it for a minute. Re-read the part where Crissy explained her reasonings to do what she did to Becky. Why? The answers are there my good friend.

I am glad you are up on your Hugglebugs rules and regulations. I went to that web site also because I was helping a friend from our "Plotter's Club." Giggle, giggle.


Kitten, many a TS/TG persons dream is a dreram that happened in chapter nine! It is funny that I was ten years old when I was living as a girl full time for awhile. I still had boy parts, but everything else said GIRL! I know you will end this story soon, but I beg you to begin writing one for Becky begining from her ten year old rebirth.

If you don't I will!!!!!! Giggle, giggle. Just kidding little sister.

LOVE YOU BUNCHES and BUNCHES!
Huggles
Your big sister
Angel

after part 9:
    Despite the outcome and the reasoning, as an ACLU member, I really have trouble with Cassie making such radical and permanent changes to her friend without Becky's foreknowledge or consent.  Hugglebugs makes non-permanent nanite changes as well as permanent ones; if Cassie really believed Becky would love the changes but not agree to them ahead of time, why not give Becky the non-permanent nanites and then she could decide for herself whether to keep the changes or not.

A wonderful moving story and so true. You go through life wanting something so badly, to have it snatched away by fate. I hope the last two chapters are posted this weekend or like the others I will go mad.

Love Karen.

Ok, I have been checking this site everyday now and sometimes more than that when your next instalment is not up yet. It is 7:15 am Friday the 19th and your next part is not up yet!!!!!!!!!!!

Giggle, giggle.

You sure do know how to spilt chapters don't you! UHG!!!!!!!!!!

If I can stop crying and laughing at the same time maybe they will not lock me up. HUGGLEBUGS to the rescue! I bet you have made Prue so happy!

Love you Kitten! Never stop writing girl you really have "THE" gift!

Huggles, Snuggles and Snigs
Your Big Sister
Angel

Dear Maggie,
My mother is a cancer survivor and I lost my mother in law to cancer. I also lost my best friend and sister in law to a cancer so bad that her whole body was riddled with it by the age of 40.  This chapter was so real to me that my throat closed up and I was crying from the first paragraph.  Not many stories have done that to me before.

You are a very gifted writer.

I intended to hold my comments until I read the last installment, but now I find I cannot remain silent.
I am a cancer survivor.  Twice.  I can empathize with Becky's pain because I have lived it.
Maggie, I don't know how you did it, but you have managed to capture that unique emotional state we cancer victims endure.
I was frankly riveted to the screen as Becky revealed her condition to Cassie.  I was reminded of the times when I was given the news of my own cancer.
It is my experience that cancer is often worse for the victim's loved ones than it is for the victim.  All I had to do was either get better or die.  The family must sit and watch their loved one endure the treatments, the surgery, or in the worst case, the deterioration and demise.  And they must not only watch helplessly, but must remain strong to support their beloved in her time of need.  Becky has endured the feeling of helplessness, and must now face her own mortality.  You have captured these tortured emotions in a most eloquent and compassionate way.
I look forward to the conclusion.

after part 7:  WOW!!!   Again, in tears.  You go, girl!

    Hiya Kitten.  
I'm very proud of you.  You have really done a good job so far.  I have really enjoyed it.  You see all those comments that everyone has made before me?  Well kiddo, they are all true.  I know you have heard me say this before, but now you have to believe me because you are now hearing it from others. I hope that you will now realize, you have a gift for writing stories that are very involving.  You manage to evoke pleasurable feelings in people, because they can understand the way you describe the circumstances, but with you it's also much more than that.
Please don't ever stop.
Huggles.
Rickki.

A great story, Maggie. I am eagerly awaiting every new chapter.

I wish I could write as well as you have with this story. Keep writing and never stop!

Hugs,
Bob

Gosh.  The English teacher inside me wants to say, "You know, there are a couple parts that need..."  but the rest of me quickly tells her to shush up.  The story's great, emotionally satisfying even though it's not yet complete.  Tastes great, very filling, what more can I ask for?  More, that's what.  Thanks for writing this, Maggie.

To All Concerned.

I am one of Maggie's editors that she mentioned.  I want to take this opportunity to reassure all of Maggie the Kitten's readers that all ten parts of the story were submitted to Crystal at the same time and that the story is complete.  You will just need to exercise some patience and the story will unfold in it's own time.

However, I also wish to let you all know that a full version of this story will be made available at the HuggleBugs website when this serialization has completed.  The HuggleBugs website URL is:

www.hugglebugs.net

Hugs, Love and Kisses,
Lady Cynthia @}-

Maggie O'Malley if you're kidding me and this story isn't finished and about be posted in full (albeit in miserly portions), I will personally cross the Atlantic and scrag you until not one of your nine lives is worth living!  ... and what's more,  there'll be no cream on the milk in your saucer!  It's really great so far and I'm impatient for more.  I'll reserve a more thorough comment for when (or IF???) I've read it all.

Thanks for your very hard work so far :).

(Dr)Geoff

Any chance of moving the schedule up a bit, this story is so good I'm not sure I can even wait another day for the next part. :)

Seriously, that is some writing talent you have there, I'm glad your friends encouraged you to write, we would have missed one helluva story without them.

Thank you so much.

I'm enjoying the story -- thanks for posting it.

One very trivial point: Stanford wasn't a women's basketball power until the late 1980's.  A good Eastern player interested in coming West in 1980 would probably have considered UCLA and/or USC.

So special!  A marvelous rendition of a bittersweet homecoming. Funny thing is I know someone exactly like Craig -- never could put up with guys like that, and they take no responsibility for changing.  Anyway, see how real your writing is; you're getting me all mad at the creep again!  Keep up the great work, sweet sister.

Love,
Sheryl S.

A wonderful story indeed, best friends make for great stories. Thanks for sharing with everyone.

As real as it gets Kitten! The emotion in your story telling is amazing. I felt it all as I read these two chapters and I felt you as well. To know you is to love you little sister. I hope and pray that one day I can even come close to your gift and the size of your heart!

Huggles and all my love
Angel

after part 2:
   This is GREAT; I was almost in tears over the parting of friends, so real did you make the story for me.

Dearest Maggie,

Your stories are always so warm and sensitive and now you have me hooked until the last chapters are posted.  I am going to save the tears for a while, but I know they will come soon enough  -- happy tears I am sure.  The only complaint I have that much of this hits too close to home and that is not really a complaint.  It's just so sad that there are so many cruel people out there.  Please keep spinning your wonderful tales.

Portia

Huggles all!  Just a few words of thanks...I would like to thank the many people who helped proof this very long tale and break it into manageable parts.  I would especially like to thank the lovely lady who did the final proofing and posting.  I would also like to thank the creators of the hugglebugs universe for their permission to incorporate their magic into my tale, and finally thanks to all my friends and family in the chatroom who have encouraged this little Kitten to write and to believe in herself from the first day she wandered into the room.  This story is a mix of fact and fiction from my own life, but would never have been told without the help and love of my chat friends.  Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy.

PS.  Becky Taylor = Becky Chandler

Om my God Kitten!

This is wondeful and a well written story. I was right there as I read it and could actualy feel part of the scenes. I so wanted to jump and and help Brian over and over again.

You have done it again little sis!

Huggles, Snuggles and Snigs Maggie!
Angel