It is very possible that Jack's father survived an encounter with otherness in those days he didn't talk about. FPW let's us see that Dad was intelligent, resourceful, and open to accepting a impossible situations. After all Anya, one of the ladies with a dog, was Dad's friend.

We also don't know much about Jack's mother other than her tragic death. She could have had an otherness encounter that might be documented somewhere in Dad's belongings.

This is also true. I guess we will have to wait and see. It does seem likely to me that since his life was orchestrated by the Ally at times, and "the lady" had taken an interest in him and his family (at least his Dad) then there might have been some episodes in the past where Jack's parents had encountered the otherness or at least some strange stuff.

That's what I was thinking too. As when there's a nexus point in some sort of proximity or where there's a large heap of Otherness that could very well be a potential nexus point, there has always been one of The Lady.

Speaking of Nexus points I wonder if FPW will connect the dots with the Pillar burials and with his story "The Barrens"? I'll not say more if you've not read the story but there definitely could be a connection.

This is also true. I guess we will have to wait and see. It does seem likely to me that since his life was orchestrated by the Ally at times, and "the lady" had taken an interest in him and his family (at least his Dad) then there might have been some episodes in the past where Jack's parents had encountered the otherness or at least some strange stuff.

I don't think there was any Otherness or Ally involvement in Jack's parents' meeting or their lives prior to his mother's death. Before that incident, I think they just happened to be good people who raised at least two pretty great kids (Kate and Jack).

Jack turned out to be exceptional enough to attract the Ally's attention as a possible Heir which goes to prove that no good deed goes unpunished.

I don't think there was any Otherness or Ally involvement in Jack's parents' meeting or their lives prior to his mother's death. Before that incident, I think they just happened to be good people who raised at least two pretty great kids (Kate and Jack).

Jack turned out to be exceptional enough to attract the Ally's attention as a possible Heir which goes to prove that no good deed goes unpunished.

Of course your view could be correct! It will be interesting to see if anything turns up in the later books.

Of course your view could be correct! It will be interesting to see if anything turns up in the later books.

That's why we keep reading and rereading FPW's books! Anything can happen (and probably will)!

Oh! I just thought of something thanks to webby pointing out thus-----

I think they just happened to be good people who raised at least two pretty great kids (Kate and Jack).

Jack turned out to be exceptional enough to attract the Ally's attention as a possible Heir which goes to prove that no good deed goes unpunished.

In Gateways, Tom Sr. stated that Tom Jr. and Kate were suppose to be their only kids, then Jack was concieved, sort of an accidental/unplanned pregnancy. Perhaps there's something behind this?

In Gateways, Tom Sr. stated that Tom Jr. and Kate were suppose to be their only kids, then Jack was concieved, sort of an accidental/unplanned pregnancy. Perhaps there's something behind this?

Hmmm - I forgot about that comment. Maybe there is something more happening!

That's why we keep reading and rereading FPW's books! Anything can happen (and probably will)!

And why we keep talking about them. So we can remind each other of stuff we forgot and keep speculating about what's to come!

In Gateways, Tom Sr. stated that Tom Jr. and Kate were suppose to be their only kids, then Jack was concieved, sort of an accidental/unplanned pregnancy. Perhaps there's something behind this?

Has anyone checked Jack's midichlorian count?

Blake

Has anyone checked Jack's midichlorian count?

Blake

Now that's funny, LOL!

Oh! I just thought of something thanks to webby pointing out thus-----



In Gateways, Tom Sr. stated that Tom Jr. and Kate were suppose to be their only kids, then Jack was concieved, sort of an accidental/unplanned pregnancy. Perhaps there's something behind this?

Now that's a point I had forgotten! Maybe there's a flash-back in a future YA book about Jack's parents.....and a lady....and a dog. A neighbor maybe. That moves away after Jack is a teen.....old enough to protect himself.