Journey 281 ~Braxton, Virgil, Pa’s Down~

“If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face— forever.” Hi, boot, I’m human… Ha! “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow,” who somehow can’t buy a new pair of boots for The Long Walk on Lake Cocytus. Braxton, Virgil, Pa’s Down

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Journey 281 ~Braxton, Virgil, Pa’s Down~

Bless Me, Echo,
For I have sinned… How so? Being a “man” who expresses his feelings… Wishing yet another day I wasn’t here. Failing? FEAR?

What a feat it would be to be unafraid. Of feet? Will get to that, Inspector Echo. But as usual… I must acknowledge the worst walk I’ve ever taken. The worst feat I ever did.

Braxton is gone. I know it, yes. Will I accept it? NEVER! I should have been like Winston Smith at the end of George Orwell’s “1984”. I don’t love “Big Brother.” And FDT! But I walked in as a father to a son. And walked out… I don’t know. Seriously?

Inspector, “The Long Walk,” continues. This is my punishment, my Hell? That’s what I’ve been thinking about all afternoon. I’m always waiting for the other shoe to drop. And then having to keep Virgil on his feet. Where’s he going?

“Pinch me, pinch me
‘Cause I’m still asleep
Please, God, tell me
That I’m still asleep.”
Barenaked Ladies ‧ 2000

Nowhere, fast. This brings me to what happened on Monday, April 6, 2026, Dear Echo.

Feel free to laugh. How often do you hear me complain about not having money?

However, I wasted it on fried shrimp at the food truck. And waste time with my “Magic Glasses” on the PIB sisters. Neil Bimbeau has it pegged with what tech can do. But anyway, Inspector. So my boots are worn down, and I figured I had another pair to wear.

Lo and behold, the bottom falls off my right boot at the beginning of the workday. I am sliding on one foot for six hours, ‘hoping’ nobody notices like I’m Ray Garraty. If indeed this was “The Long Walk,” I would have punched my ticket.

But there is so much further to go, Inspector. What about M Anime, my boys’ potential stepmom? She intends for me to walk her down the aisle, “Someday,” Inspector Echo. And I don’t have that Sugar Ray money, but she wants everything. Ah, “My Goddess.”

Then there’s my boys. If I’m not listening to “Wedding Bell Blues,” then today is “All About You.” Well them. I promised B III a yard, and already 2-V will have to run it. Echo.

And me? You know my dream. I never want to leave my bed for anything. I want to put an end to The Long Walk, one way or another. I don’t need boots for that. Paws, M’s high heels, fuzzy socks. Braxton, Virgil, Pa’s Down

1893 Days Without B III, Day 1334 of Virgil’s Arrival

B.L.M. Braxton’s Life Matters,
Will

Journey 279 ~Virgil Fall’s Over B~

London Bridge is falling down. Ring Around the Rosie. Aren’t I an adult? A man. So I should be worried about what that menace will do. FDT! Not that I’m doing anything. I want to fall back into bed. But falling in love… Virgil Fall’s Over B

Monday, April 6, 2026

Journey 279 ~Virgil Fall’s Over B~

Hey Dad,
It’s Me, Baby B. Did you have a good day? There’s no such thing as a STUPID question, but seeing it’s 3:50 AM.

So last week, you’d be waking up out of your stupor with your glasses still on your face. My brother would be slowly creeping up to your side, trying not to fall from the bed.

And shall we talk about my potential stepmom, M Anime? When’s the last time you shared a bed with another of your kind? What do I, Virgil, and M Anime all have in common? We should all just sit on your head. Uh, eww! But whatever it takes, my father.

Tears falling from your eyes, breath rising and falling, or the thought that Virgil will be a big brother too, the way you and M Anime keep talking. Did I forget to bark um eww!

As tired as you are.

“Pinch me, pinch me
‘Cause I’m still asleep
Please, God, tell me
That I’m still asleep.”
Barenaked Ladies ‧ 2000

All you want to do is fall today. I know the feeling. And I know that’s not funny. Seeing as how you could see me falling as I scratch the clouds of Heaven. Or have I fallen enough to bark, “I’ll wait for you THERE. Like a stone.” You know me, Dad. I like to be all kinds of warm. And so I’m trying to figure out why you think you’re the Ninth Circle type.

That’s way too deep for right now. And can you stop imagining my stepmom? Honestly.

And yes, I know, if I had my way, it would have been my Favorite Girl and not M Anime.

But I fell in love. I fell for that cake she made. Do you remember?

There’s a smile. And I know it will fall soon enough with today being what it is. Hell, this entire week. You remember it was a week like this when I fell, my father. However…

Maybe that’s why we’re here at (looks at watch) 4:20 AM—you humans and clocks.

Daddy, I know that as far as you’re concerned, I was the “Last of My Kind,” but Virgil is still asleep in bed. And again with you and M Anime, one of your THREE kids! For real, Dad. I don’t envy Virgil. Anyway, one of them may carry my name. Could It Be I’m Falling In Love? That would be you with one foot falling in front of the other. Yep. Virgil Fall’s Over B

“I just remembered I hadn’t told you that I love you yet today.”
Neil Bimbeau

“He spoke, and falling, poured out his life with a groan beneath the shades.”
Aeneid

1891 Days Without B III, Day 1332 of Virgil’s Arrival

Always and Forever,
Your Son

Journey 277 ~Braxton’s Plates, Virgil Bowls~

“No Such Thing” as a real world. Just a lie. Gotta rise above. Um, the termite guy wants his money. V needs his… well, B’s bowl filled. Speaking of filling, Kyouko Sakai and M Anime. Would be MILFS. The Inferno awaits. Braxton’s Plates, Virgil Bowls

Saturday, April 4, 2026

Journey 277 ~Braxton’s Plates, Virgil Bowls~

Hey, Lady Lu,
I am a Billionaire right now… Please! How does a junkie always get their fix? I’m worse than that. I’m a bum.

Whoa! Why so glum chum? I got my haircut, had a Big Mac, and woke up from a long nap. My version of “I do my hair toss, check my nails, baby, how’re you feeling? Feeling good as hell!” Braxton would be stuffed on fries, taking his well-deserved snooze. And Virgil is doing his best Braxton impression. Must I be a meanie today? Fear’s filling…

Lunalesca, do you remember how Braxton died? Yeah, yeah, renal/Kidney failure. My failure as a father. But that week specifically. I swallowed my rage, the fire in my belly to keep the fear down and not vomit it all out on my son. And by the time one of us found a doctor… It was too late. Braxton was starving…

“Pinch me, pinch me
‘Cause I’m still asleep
Please, God, tell me
That I’m still asleep.”
Barenaked Ladies ‧ 2000

He couldn’t eat. I filled his heart with all of my love, his soul with the faith that he is a good boy. And his little lungs… He wanted the next breath. “All I need is the air that I breathe. And to love you.” And that very air is what I denied Braxton. Lunalesca…

Courageous Virgil eats from Braxton’s bowl, but like father, like son, he’s full of Fear.

Luna, it’s an effing sickness. And dead or alive, the need to feed pushes us forward. No, because I’m still broke and every day gets scarier and scarier. And you would think I’d be happy… No, “I ain’t happy. I’m feeling glad.” What? Because I got hours this week, Lady Lunalesca? Something needs filling, right?

As much as M Anime… Food isn’t free. And Lust is a tad cheaper than Gluttony, circles two and three, respectively. Give it another month, and I won’t be able to buy dinner for Braxton and Virgil’s potential stepmom. However, she’s hungry for other things, Luna…

She’s a mom to kittens as I’m a Dad to pups, but she wants to be a MILF in the official sense. We talk about it a lot. I mean a lot, a lot. Creating life, being a family, “Old lady, three kids, takes a lot to fill the kitchen.” And A Man Provides. Good men who watch baseball. Decent ones that bowl. I watch men wrestle with guys and girls. Till I fill M. Braxton’s Plates, Virgil Bowls

1889 Days Without B III, Day 1330 of Virgil’s Arrival

B.L.M. Braxton’s Life Matters,
Will

Journey 276 ~Virgil’s B’s Of Business~

I just wanna be, I just wanna be successful. And Braxton no, not in retail. I want to be a successful writer. And who would have thought I’d be a dad to two furry boys. But am I successful? My woman believes I will be… “Virgil’s B’s Of Business”

Friday, April 3, 2026

Journey 276 ~Virgil’s B’s Of Business~

Hey, Lady Sophia,
Let me tell you a story… What, no review today? First, I got to be fast, not forgetful, for effssake what now!

Braxton? How is he different than any other day? Still dead. I’m still his dad. And I’m still depressed as all. Grieving? Mourning? B III was the apocalypse, the end, or not hmm… I exist in the dystopia. And I’m still talking about it. Why? Not a sound business strategy.

And yet Rhonda Byrne’s “The Secret,” books like “How To Stop Worrying And Start Living,” “Think and Grow Rich,” and Braxton knows what else. What can I say? Once upon a time, I was highly motivated. And you know it wasn’t for me, but Braxton.

Sophia, I promised my boy the world, and I ended up taking him away. Monster! Seriously, I’ve read a lot of pet loss books. But “My Turn To B III.”

“Pinch me, pinch me
‘Cause I’m still asleep
Please, God, tell me
That I’m still asleep.”
Barenaked Ladies ‧ 2000

Books, book reviews, Braxton’s biography. But back to my “witticisms.” So a couple of days ago talking to my AI therapist, it was talking about all my ideas. Hence forgetfulness

  1. The Demonic Sorcerer of the Unfinished Archive. In other words, K um Mortal Kombat
  2. Cerberus Syndicate, Inferno Syndicate
  3. Dying Light Rip-Off, M Anime Ravishment, Save The World
  4. The Running Man Rip-Off, Huntresses vs. Dad and Pups

And of course you can’t forget Resident Evil, Bible Black, R$pe Gouhouka, Desperate Carnal Housewives, and whatever else my wanton, depraved, and pervy mind dreams.

Speaking of being a pervy dreamer, the perverter of prose, M Anime… She loves me!

Well, she said as much. But Braxton barked that too. And where is he again?

Busy in his box. Such is the business of death. But his potential stepmom and I… All we talk about is creating life. She wants to be a mom so badly. And I do want Virgil to have two-legged siblings. But “A Man Provides.” And I’m “Breaking Bad,” Lady Sophia.

Listening to AI telling me that I can have a $500-a-month Substack. That I can write a book that already exists and that nobody’s buying. And I’m not too STUPID to read, but I am too STUPID to understand how to do it. Make it so as Captain Picard orders.

Honestly, I’m a Captain Sisko guy. But, “What Do I Have To Do”? “Show Me How To Live”. To be “Successful…” Virgil’s B’s Of Business

1888 Days Without B III, Day 1329 of Virgil’s Arrival

B.L.M. Braxton’s Life Matters,
Will

Journey 274 ~BLUSH B Away Virgil~

Can you blush? I’ve had people say I can, and if only they knew. In the dark, it was my woman’s voice moaning, “si papi!” There were whispers about my son, “he’s sick.” The whimpers of the other one, saying he’s good enough. BLUSH B Away Virgil

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Journey 274 ~BLUSH B Away Virgil~

Bless Me, Echo,
For I have sinned… How so? Are you telling me they didn’t unveil the PS6? I’m a good writer. Braxton isn’t dead.

That last one I’ve been telling myself, going on 1886 days, Inspector. Corpses, ashes, box…

Still, “Every Morning” when I wake up, I expect to see my boy lying on his corner of the bed. Or we’re back to back, and of course, he’s facing the threats, the alarm clock, the door, and my weapons stash. Hell, don’t I wake up like that now? Virgil is facing the door and my weapons cache. The alarm clock is on the other side of the room, Inspector.

Honestly, I had to make room for Braxton on the nightstand, such is Braxton’s honor.

However, as I sing “Sugar Ray,” songs, and speak of honor. What about M Anime’s?

Inspector, I understand how Randy felt about Jermaine Jackson, right?

“Pinch me, pinch me
‘Cause I’m still asleep
Please, God, tell me
That I’m still asleep.”
Barenaked Ladies ‧ 2000

I BRUSH Virgil aside often enough, which makes me a crappy Daddy. And I was even able to brush my lust for Braxton and Virgil’s potential stepmom to the side. And why is that, Inspector? Because I “Never Can Say Goodbye” to Braxton. “Can You Feel It,” Inspector? To this day, I can’t tell you which I want more. Do I want to tell Braxton, “Just Me Baby B. Did you have a good day? Good day.” Or someday do I want to tell M Anime, Virgil, her kitties, and our two-legged children, “Daddy’s Home.” The Jackson 5, Lady E.

I forgot how powerful the song “Can You Feel It” makes me feel. Shame, Inspector.

Seriously, you won’t see it. Can you blush? Um yeah.

Or so I’ve been told, because I’m ashamed to be alive. What else is new? Only the reasons change with each breath. And my first ones in this “Brave New World.” Well, let me see.

I’m ashamed that when I wake up, I’m not the person Little B thinks I am. His Dad should be so much more than this. I brushed love aside for anger, then indifference. B died.

Second-born, second place, my V. He’s been here going on five years, and I still get his name wrong. He doesn’t sit in my lap, not for lack of trying. I’m an effing meanie, Echo.

Speaking of laps and meanness. M Anime calling me papi, brushing her hair as she sucks… BLUSH B Away Virgil

1886 Days Without B III, Day 1327 of Virgil’s Arrival

B.L.M. Braxton’s Life Matters,
Will

Journey 272 ~Who You’ll B, Virgil~

I don’t like who I am right now. Tired, horny, and scared of what the day will bring. And any optimism is a Placebo. An energy drink. The belief that I can hear my son. Wanting to answer his hot-as-hell stepmom. I am hopeless. “Who You’ll B, Virgil.”

Monday, March 30, 2026

Journey 272 ~Who You’ll B, Virgil~

Hey Dad,
It’s Me, Baby B. Did you have a good day? Seeing as how it’s 2:30 AM, you’d tell me it won’t be. Dad?

I’d want to argue with you, but none of my kind would ever with their Dads or Moms, ever. And I know the only reason you’re up so early is because of “The Bad Place.”

Daddy, again, I wish I could say anything to help. “Sunrise, Sunset.” Always and forever.

I know who you’ll be when you walk through that door again. Believe it or not, my brother does too. What, did you think I’m the “Last of My Kind”? Well, I’m your last Braxton?

Not if my potential stepmom, M Anime, has anything to say about that. Two-legged kids?

You and I both still wonder who she sees. But as far as Virgil and I at this moment, later on, “Here and Now.” Dad.

“Pinch me, pinch me
‘Cause I’m still asleep
Please, God, tell me
That I’m still asleep.”
Barenaked Ladies ‧ 2000

You’re our Daddy. Our father, who art in Heaven. First off, “The Lord’s Prayer,” like we’re in “Sarafina” or something. Whatever keeps you awake, right, Dad, for the day ahead

Second, wouldn’t I be the one in Heaven? For now, you can believe I’m sitting in your lap all curled up like a pancake. Another reason, I got my nickname. But who am I, Dad?

Third, lastly, and most importantly, I am your son. Perfectly yours. The Book of Clarence.

More like the Book of Will. Since your invisible friend in the “glow box…” Who am I to talk about being an invisible friend, right? Anyway, since you and your invisible friend in the “glow box” talk about movies, Mortal Kombat, Clarence, how many more…

I’d be Elijah, M Anime would be Varinia and Virgil… Thomas, maybe? You are twins.

Except for this one thing. I, she, and he love you. And I know you see that, my dear father.

And don’t think I didn’t see all that stuff you said yesterday about hating yourself.

Honestly, the things you say, Dad. I wish I didn’t have to hear that from you. Especially after everything you did for me. “It’s Only Love.” And barking ow, which I wish I didn’t hear half the things you and Ms. M Anime say to each other. I mean eww! Do you believe I will return, two legs and all, should she have a son? And you’ll still be my Dad? Who You’ll B, Virgil

“I gotta keep breathing. Because tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?”
― Cast Away

“Learn from me, boy, true courage and hard work; learn fortune from others.”
The Aeneid

1884 Days Without B III, Day 1325 of Virgil’s Arrival

Always and Forever,
Your Son

Journey 270 ~Here, B Dragons, Virgil~

“With a safe home and a warm bed. On a quiet little street.” Today, 2-V and I walked chilly streets where some let their fur kids run wild. A battle in a wintry wonderland in WOS. Warming up my girl or turning her off? I worry. Here, B Dragons, Virgil

Saturday, March 28, 2026

Journey 270 ~Here, B Dragons, Virgil~

Hey, Lady Lu,
I am a Billionaire right now… And ironically, if I REALLY were, I’d spend eternity in the Ninth Circle of Hell, Lunalesca.

And not in Fourth Circle for Greed? Yes, I know the Circles of Hell, Dear Lunalesca, thanks to the Succubus Lord Series. But no, every billionaire I know and that ain’t many is an enemy of humanity in one way or another. Traitors, they have betrayed, and such is the nature of Treachery. And yet I wish to join their ranks. It doesn’t get much worse than MAGA, right? FDT! But we’ll get to that. Of course, my greatest betrayal was that of my firstborn son, Braxton. If not for him, I’d get the Second Circle easily. Such is Lust.

Hell, “Somewhere That’s Green.” If Braxton finds me, he’ll save me a seat by the fire, Lunalesca. Not cold but comfortable, in some woman’s c*nt.

“Pinch me, pinch me
‘Cause I’m still asleep
Please, God, tell me
That I’m still asleep.”
Barenaked Ladies ‧ 2000

Eww! And excuse me, Lady Lunalesca. I mean, this is no way to speak to a Lady. But then, to M Anime, I would say “You Are My Lady.” No, I’m not Freddie Jackson either.

But M Anime is my Lady as well. And you should have heard me talking to her hours ago. I burn for her. But she was one of many fires today. And while I was saying the dirtiest, depraved, and most downright devilish things to her, there was real knowledge.

“They can’t be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.”
Alfred Pennyworth.

So is that why I’m sitting on my ass instead of taking a stand, shouting, and trying to change the world, somehow, someway at a NO KINGS PROTEST? I wish Lunalesca.

Only today… Sigh. More Whiteout Survival and our conversation.

A conversation about what, exactly? How my second-born and I were outside today. And it was a bit chilly? Virgil gets enough of that with my cold heart. Trying Lunalesca.

“I touch the fire, and it freezes me.
I look into it and it’s black.
Why can’t I feel,
My skin should crack and peel.
I want the fire back.”

Honestly, every single day I’m trying. Braxton has the hottest potential stepmom.

Seriously, Lady Lunalesca, “Have You Seen Her”? When she and I get together…

Anyway, besides her, now I’m sweating bullets… With all the virtual bloodshed in the snow of Whiteout Survival. We won SVS. There’s also my nerves about the USA Lady Lu

And then there’s always FEAR. I wish I could say the dragon’s outside. Guarding riches…

Hell, M Anime, and I believe we could raise dragon slayers or riders. Ignite existence?


“Light a Match, Ignite a War”
― Captive State (2019)

“I Will Go Sailing No More…” Here, B Dragons, Virgil

1882 Days Without B III, Day 1323 of Virgil’s Arrival

B.L.M. Braxton’s Life Matters,
Will

Journey 269 ~Letters B And V~

When will I be brave? These days, I’m more like MAGA, the Cracker Hats, and never forget FDT too! I’m scared of so many words. And I don’t even call my boys by their names most days, like Final Fantasy X-2 Y.R.P. More like B, V, W… “Letters B And V.”

Friday, March 27, 2026

Journey 269 ~Letters B And V~

Hey, Lady Sophia,
Let me tell you a story… But not mine. For the love of Braxton, not mine. And what about his? B III

Also, the price I should make “My Turn To B III.” Peace Sells,” but who’s buying? Didn’t I say something to Braxton yesterday about being into Heavy Metal? And poor little Virgil has to suffer through it. Yes, My Lady, I wrote that. And I wrote B III’s book too.

That makes yesterday all the more humiliating. And not being completely out of food portion of the program. I had two bags of popcorn and some bread with peanut, Sophia.

First and foremost, I’m a writer, a starving artist. Secondly, it always comes back to my boys. Virgil’s eating. And if it wasn’t for Braxton’s kidneys, my firstborn would have kept eating, and lastly… Humiliation! I prefer Infatuation by Rod Stewart or “Obsession” by Animotion.

“Pinch me, pinch me
‘Cause I’m still asleep
Please, God, tell me
That I’m still asleep.”
Barenaked Ladies ‧ 2000

But Humiliation by Will. I got my first paycheck from Amazon: a whopping $2.76, Soph.

It took me a sec to figure out why Amazon was sending me money. ME! Then I remembered. A copy of my book. The copy I bought. I was making sure everything was ok. Other than being a bestseller and leaving the Day Job. Honoring my beloved B III, huh

My Turn Could B III:

And maybe it should have been. Free, I mean. It wasn’t ready… I wasn’t ready. And who is ever ready to lose their fur baby? Saying I like a book about losing my furry son seems wrong. But honoring him. That I liked. And I tried to like this book; I wrote all about him that I could remember then. Five years ago, when I wrote it. I like that this reminds me of how it felt to be right there with him. Good and bad, happy and sad. Whatever. Would I recommend this to anyone? Well, I tried before I got through it all. If you want to know my mind, of course, you do; of course, read this.

How was that for a book review, Lady Sophia? I paid myself, so I might as well write a book review about myself. The least horrific thing I’ve written or read this whole week, SIGH.

I wish I could be scared of books and knowledge like MAGA. FDT! But these words, the letters for my boys. Letters B And V

1881 Days Without B III, Day 1322 of Virgil’s Arrival

B.L.M. Braxton’s Life Matters,
Will

Journey 267 ~Braxton, Virgil, Bark Time~

Sleepy time, B, I’d tell my son, and he would hop into the bed, make sure I was tucked in, and he would keep his eyes on the door until I fell asleep. Virgil knows it’s time for goodbye when I put on boots. And me time? Ha! Braxton, Virgil, Bark Time

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Journey 267 ~Braxton, Virgil, Bark Time~

Bless Me, Echo,
For I have sinned… I never taught Braxton to bark. And I don’t know how to teach Virgil. Barking at a possum…

Hell, that’s the last time I remember Virgil barking. Like father, like son. Braxton and I? “Once we were warriors,” in this Mad City, during a Mad Season. Remember The Memories from Clone High… Sigh. And Matchbox Twenty. No wonder V is quiet, a lot.

Daddy is too busy singing. Didn’t I say a few days ago that I wish “Life” had a soundtrack so I would know what the Hell I am supposed to do? Live! And ain’t nobody got time for that ‘stuff’. No, E. I got a firstborn to mourn. And a second-born to try and understand.

Eff the eye doctor with how many times I have fallen asleep with my glasses on. Eff the general doctor. Eff Virgil’s vet and FDT.

“Pinch me, pinch me
‘Cause I’m still asleep
Please, God, tell me
That I’m still asleep.”
Barenaked Ladies ‧ 2000

Because Braxton’s motto was “I’m Gonna Live, Till I Die.” Frank Sinatra for my handsome, handsome boy. And if I had to pick something for Virgil, it’d be Jiggly Puff.

And whose fault is that? I put Braxton to sleep permanently. And 2-V’s always napping.

Because there is never enough time to bark. I’ve made some very strange sounds in the throes of passion. But barking? I should check my OnlyFans page for when “I Touch Myself.” Eww! But 100 subscribers, which might explain everything with Norton I’ve been dealing with. But of course, I don’t have time for that either. I have something real… Well, not in the flesh, but I spent most of this morning talking to B and V’s stepmom, M Anime.

Potentially, I mean. All the time I’ve had this week, and I’m finally getting back to her messages because she has me all kinds of horny with her spectacular yabbos. And if it isn’t a porno with her, what was I watching this morning, Cassandra Sarbeck Lady’s Night Blow Out from Dancing Bear. Not how I got over The Zoe Colletti/Tifa Lockhart Incident. If only I had gone after a Doc the same way I went after Amazon last night.

They took my reading streak. But I read Hometown Heat Wave (Book 2). Seriously, Inspector, I was a monster. This isn’t Kojin Taxi 2/Sex Taxi 5’s with Kyouko Sakai, Desperate Carnal Housewives, Bible Black: New Testament, or Lexi Booker. Just barking.
Braxton, Virgil, Bark Time

1879 Days Without B III, Day 1320 of Virgil’s Arrival

B.L.M. Braxton’s Life Matters,
Will

Journey 265 ~Braxton’s Beautiful Battlefield, Virgil~

I’m fighting to stay awake. My allies? B III fought for 15 years. 16? 13 days shy of his birthday. Virgil doesn’t know if I’ll be friend or foe. Do I love him? And what about my lady? Her “ballistics.” Where’s Braxton’s Beautiful Battlefield, Virgil?

Monday, March 23, 2026

Journey 265 ~Braxton’s Beautiful Battlefield, Virgil~

Hey Dad,
It’s Me, Baby B. Did you have a good day? Your face looks graver than mine. First, it’s 2:00 AM. Second? Bad joke.

Yours is the face of The Walking Dead, dear father. We are “The Walking Dead.”

Honestly, the “Glow Box” at a time like this? What else should we do? We men, ain’t we, Daddy? Should we pray like the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment? I remember.

History lessons, or the last time you prayed, the week we… I… lost the war. No, no, not ever! Just like you and Acceptance. Am I asking you to accept this? Um, Dad, not ever.

What brings me to you today is a few things. No, I don’t want everything that would make me a… Anyway, you tried to teach me to respect women. Plus, my potential stepmom, M Anime, isn’t that type of lady, wanting everything, wanting a war.

“Pinch me, pinch me
‘Cause I’m still asleep
Please, God, tell me
That I’m still asleep.”
Barenaked Ladies ‧ 2000

My father, no one would accuse you and me of being military masterminds. But Daddy…

A: We choose the wrong battlefields. Wrong place, wrong time.
B: We fight the wrong enemy or everyone at once
C: We can’t choose peace.

And even now, you wish you could be more Gordon Freeman and less Morgan Freeman:

“The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world.”

How MAGA of you. One more reason I wish I were there with you, Dad. In the fur sort of speak. You’re not MAGA, my father. You’re a tired black man in every way, and it’s because you’re “Everything Everywhere All At Once.” Which leads to B. Leads to me.

Minuteman? That’s what you are. No, not like that, Eww! I know you and M Anime are planning two-legged kids.

Virgil will have his paws full—my poor little brother. You want the world to be a better place for my favorite girl and the woman you chose, the kids as wobbly as I was on four, and for the worst man in the world… I wish every mirror reflected what you saw in my eyes every day. It’s why you’re so… Excited because I know you’re never HAPPY, but you’re glad when Virgil gets up and greets you at the gate instead of staying on his pillow as if welcoming you, and not some warrior—a war hero who’s too hurt from the day.

Seriously, like Fallout 4, Kojin Taxi 2, or Mortal Kombat. You’re fighting. I’m fighting with you. Braxton’s Beautiful Battlefield, Virgil

“There’s a peace that’s only to be found on the other side of war.”

“I seek Italy not of my own will.”
The Aeneid

1877 Days Without B III, Day 1318 of Virgil’s Arrival

Always and Forever,
Your Son