Ditto Michelle's initial thoughts about the main character.  It dragged for me at first until Wayne came into the picture.  Until then, it was all self-absorbed rambling. 

The flashbacks added some excitement and suspense.   They also helped move along the slower parts from the present.  It was a little like reading two different books.

It was very interesting overall but there are a couple of things that were odd about it.

1. I could see him not reporting the beating at the bar, thinking the guy just needed to get it out of his system and be macho.  But then he didn't report getting thrown off the cliff and just casually mentions that Sean is the one that blew up his car.  Does he think it's funny that the guy is actually trying to kill him?  Totally unrealistic.

2. I liked the surprising method of spreading the ashes and could even understand letting them fall all over you.  As far as sticking out my tongue and tasting them, I lean toward Kate's response of being grossed out.  A little too Jeffrey Dahmer for me.

Comments

[jo]

The getting thrown off the cliff was a big problem for me. I can't believe he didn't report it and even if the sherriff hates him etc, there should've been some inquiry when he was found washed up on the beach and taken to the hospital. No one there asked how he ended up going over the falls? All of it should have been reported immediately.

I have to agree too on the tasting of the ashes. I wouldn't want to taste campfire ash, I can't imagine human would be something I'd want on my tongue. Although I did like the visual of standing outside while the ashes snow down around them. I could picture it rather vividly.

[Peeved Michelle]

To me, it didn't seem like he didn't report it, but more like it just wasn't part of the story line.

[Mishka]

When he was thrown off the cliff, I thought, "Perfect, now he can get his sent to jail because he is a freak." but then they didn't go that way at all.