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  • A Literary Ending - Chapter Eighteen - An Epilogue

    A Literary Ending - Chapter Eighteen - An Epilogue
    2026/08/15
    The publication of Laura Hillenbrand’s book, A Literary Ending, inspired a global resurgence of interest in prion diseases, many of which had been previously misdiagnosed and mislabeled as a rapid progression of Alzheimer’s or other neurological conditions. Without the book, the children and grandchildren of those afflicted with Fatal Familial Insomnia would have found it incredibly difficult to distinguish the subtle boundaries between these conditions unless they had been genetically tested early in life. While a simple blood test had eventually become all that was necessary to predict the onset of Alzheimer’s, the search for a rare, specific mutation like FFI had historically remained a mystery.Realizing that Hillenbrand’s work was a catalyst for her own survival, Jen set out to become a prominent spokesperson for the disease and the book. She even went as far as to add a subhead to her own “Unbroken” title, proudly printing “Lab Rat” on the T-shirts she wore while volunteering her veins and body to any test program or clinical trial that might lead to a cure.Through Cheryl’s enduring friendship with Sabina Wister, Sharon was introduced to the Wister Institute’s Dr. Chengyu Liang, the Co-Leader of the Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program. Dr. Liang was deeply familiar with FFI and had already appeared in Hillenbrand’s early notes, as his laboratory was recognized for its pioneering study of autophagy—the process by which cells consume their own cellular waste. It was the exact cellular machinery Sharon believed she needed to rid prion proteins from her sister’s brain.Dr. Liang subsequently introduced Sharon to Dr. Maureen Murphy, the Director of the Cancer Center, whose research focused on cellular responses to stress and the genetic instructions required to prevent misfolding. Although FFI was not a target of Murphy’s current research, after speaking with Sharon she contacted the Institute’s chemist, Dr. Joseph Salvino—a specialist in small molecule discovery who designed the precise “molecular bullets” needed to hit the targets Sharon had first identified in her lab at Johns Hopkins. Through this fortuitous introduction, Sharon was hired to work alongside Salvino to build an AI-driven protein model designed to completely silence the mutant FFI gene.Sharon called her mother immediately after leaving Salvino’s office, giving her the joyful news that she would soon be returning home from Baltimore. She followed it up by contacting Laura Hillenbrand, who, unfortunately, was once again bedridden.“It seems like the demands of completing the book and working with the filmmakers on the screenplay have taken their toll on me,” Laura said, her breathing heavy over the line. “I’m finding it difficult to swallow, and I’ve lost weight. Even the light from my computer screen is painful. But I am so glad to hear that you are doing well, Sharon. I also heard that your sister has scored a massive success with her new book, Lab Rat.”“She’s tearing it up with all kinds of projects,” Sharon responded warmly. “Much of it even overlaps my research on FFI. With her lectures, proactive work on promoting genetic testing, and her book signings, she’s beginning to get picked up on the talk show circuit. She is truly making the most of her young life. Hopefully, I can help her extend her term on Earth by a few decades. I also read that the movie will be ready for release this coming August, starring Jeremy Strong and Jessica Chastain as my parents. I don’t quite see Mckenna Grace as me, though. She’s far too pretty. But Madeleine McGraw is a great pick for Jen.”“They fictionalized the ending,” Laura noted somberly. “I really had no control over the screenplay, except on the technical aspects of the script.”“I thought your epilogue was great, Laura. It allowed Jen, Mom, and me a lot of latitude for our futures. I don’t know if you heard, but Mom is planning to tour France with Sabina.”“No, I hadn’t heard that,” Laura responded softly. “I haven’t spoken with your mother in quite a while.”“Well, like Jen, she’s busy and seems genuinely happy.”“I’m glad to hear that... but if you’ll excuse me, Sharon, I really am exhausted and need to rest. Goodbye.”“I’ll call you next week, Laura. And, by the way, thanks again for everything you’ve done.”An Update: March 2029By the spring of 2029, a definitive cure for FFI had not yet been found, though it seemed hopeful that one was finally on the horizon for those who carried the deadly mutation. A massive breakthrough did, however, arrive for patients suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)—the very condition that had kept Laura Hillenbrand and many others like her bedridden for most of their adult lives.The breakthrough came from the dedicated research of Dr. Sharon Halpern and her team at the Wistar Institute, collaborating with bioengineers from Johns Hopkins....
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    12 分
  • A Literary Ending - Chapter Seventeen - The Legacy of the Chosen

    A Literary Ending - Chapter Seventeen - The Legacy of the Chosen
    2026/08/14
    How long a person really stays alive is a question for the ages, and a conundrum for philosophers, poets, and physicists alike. Some leave the Earth early, as did Anne Frank, who was killed at age 15, but whose diary, written while hiding from the Nazis in World War II and published by her father, Otto, has outlasted her physical self by more than 80 years—thus far.Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed more than 600 works, including some of the most famous symphonies and operas ever written, before succumbing to a mysterious illness at the age of 35.The poet Sylvia Plath struggled with clinical depression and took her own life in 1963, while her only novel, The Bell Jar, and a collection of poems published after her suicide at the age of 30, served to break the mask off the 1950s plight of the domestic woman and paved the way for the modern feminist movement.It was these voices, along with Jerry Halpern’s story, written by Laura Hillenbrand, that inspired Jerry’s daughter Jennifer to jump-start her own career in writing after finishing high school and heading off to Bryn Mawr College to study literature and creative writing.Carrying her father’s gene that caused his death, she was well aware that she might perish early, but she was also blessed with other skills of his, newly exhibited during her junior and senior years of high school.As well as being one of the cast of characters in Hillenbrand’s biography, Jennifer’s story, as composed by reporter J. F. Pirro and published in the April 2028 issue of Philadelphia Magazine, expanded her notoriety as a “survivor,” even though she might be destined for a shorter life than most due to Fatal Familial Insomnia, or FFI.The cover of the magazine depicted Jen holding a stick while standing on the Agnes Irwin School playing field, smiling broadly and wearing her symbolic “Unbroken” sweatshirt.Included in the Philly-centric story was a brief subplot about her mother, a former Llanerch Diner waitress; her sister Sharon, a junior and pre-med student at William & Mary; and her father, Jerry Halpern, the subject of the much-anticipated book, A Literary Ending, written by the celebrated author Laura Hillenbrand.Jen, prior to matriculating into Bryn Mawr College, had already found a publisher for her own short work that focused on the lives of famous people who died early, but who had made lasting impacts on the world during their short stay on the planet.According to Jen, then 18, as stated in Pirro’s six-page editorial titled “Survivor, ”there was no guarantee of a long life for any of us, and no time to waste in becoming all one can be during the time omne has left left.Her message was not only inspired by her father’s story as revealed in depth by Hillenbrand, but also by her awareness at the age of 14 of her genetic inheritance of a disease that could most probably, over a period of 18 months, eat away at the control center of her brain.Her mother had contributed greatly to Pirro’s story by revealing personal kindnesses granted by her late husband that were not mentioned in Hillenbrand’s book, including an exchange between Jerry and a male customer at the diner where she had worked as a waitress.As stated in Pirro’s story, a well-dressed man frequently came to breakfast but always had a complaint about something he was served. One day his eggs were runny, and the next day his coffee was cold, and because of that, his tips were always small. Jerry would often see the amount of change left by the man after he walked out the door and, when he noticed it, he’d compassionately add a bill or two to the coins.One day, the man came back in to get the paper he’d left on the table and noticed the bills Jerry had left. He glanced to see if anyone was watching, picked up the bills, and put them in his pocket. Jerry, who had not yet finished eating, left his table, approached the man, and said in a forceful voice, “Put that money back!”The man was surprised that he was caught, but acted as if he’d done nothing wrong. Jerry confronted him again with the facts. “These girls who work here make barely enough to pay their rent, and I’ve seen you short-change them many times. But this time you went too far. After dining here, I’ve frequently added to your tips, such as they are, and have noted that you excuse your pecuniary gratuities by pointing out the flaws of nearly every meal brought to you by your server. My question is, if you don’t like the food and the service, why do you keep coming? “But today you went too far. You stole the money I left for your waitress on your table, and although no one else saw you pick up the bills, I did. So please return them to the table now.”In Pirro’s story, Jerry, who was taller, younger, and more fit than the man he faced, stood his ground against the grudging bully until the man reached into his pocket, returned the crumpled bills to the table, and left the premises. The patrons and ...
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    11 分
  • A Literary Ending - Chapter 16 - The Stubbornness of Love

    A Literary Ending - Chapter 16 - The Stubbornness of Love
    2026/08/14
    Prior to Jerry’s passing, Sharon and Jen were both genetically tested for FFI. Sharon was proven to be free of the mutation causing the disease, while Jen’s test, unfortunately, revealed her to have a predisposition for the condition. Surprisingly, after Jen learned of her likelihood of contracting FFI, it didn’t have much of an effect on her. The doctors stressed that she would most likely not show signs of the disease for 25 years, whereas scientists had already begun research and testing on animals for genetic adjustments to end FFI, along with other prion diseases.Sharon, however, was hit hard by her sister’s diagnosis, and matured quickly past the selfish teen she’d become to take on the role of researcher and advocate. In doing so, she and her mother bonded, since Cheryl was hit harder by Jerry’s death than she would ever have expected.Laura Hillenbrand unexpectedly traveled to Pennsylvania from Oregon to attend Jerry’s funeral, and to personally meet the cast of characters she’d accumulated for inclusion in her book. She was accompanied by Dolores Southworth, her personal assistant, who had arranged all of the reservations, including the airline tickets, hotel accommodations, and a rental car to chauffeur Laura throughout her short visit.Laura had previously contacted many of the people on the list she’d copied from Jerry’s phone to construct a cohesive vision of her book’s protagonist. Dave and Cheryl provided additional names of those who had known Jerry over the years and had been beneficiaries of his kindnesses.The results of Laura’s interviews confirmed her own assessment of Jerry during the brief time she’d spent with him at her home. One author who had been mentored by Jerry into publishing characterized him as “priestlike” in his manner.“What I remember most about Jerry,” the author recalled, “was when I was struggling with a difficult segment about the fidelity of my character’s marriage. Jerry reflected on the paragraphs and suggested I consider the ‘stubbornness of love’ as a starting point. He told me that in his own relationship with his wife, he’d often thought of straying. He explained to me that it often required every ounce of strength he had not to bolt and bust everything apart. He said that in those moments, he had to leave the room, take a long walk, or find a quiet place to reevaluate his marriage, remind himself of the reasons he married Cheryl, consider the effects of a split on his daughters, and dig deep to remember just how much Cheryl meant to him.”When contacting a member of Jerry’s staff, Laura thought back to a time when the staff member had decided that the demands of her job were too great for her, and that she was considering a teaching position at a high school. It offered her the freedom and time to hone her writing skills and pursue her dream.Jerry had not scolded her, but had reminded her of what she’d be giving up. “As an agent for fledgling writers, you are much more than a teacher, and your job is far more complex than just critiquing the words your authors write. You are their Sherpa walking beside them, guiding them along their chosen paths, and their safety net from the pitfalls that are invisible to them. You are the one who encourages each of them to reach deep within their souls to reveal their finest selves. You’re with them on their journey, one to which they’ve committed in words, pen, or keyboard, with hopes you might only wish for, if and when you’re truly ready to pursue your own dream.”Another staff member recounted Jerry’s personal confession: “I thought I wanted to write fiction, and then discovered I didn’t have the talent or staying power. As an agent, I see my job as a disciple of my authors, as well as the manager of their careers. Thinking about your job in that context may enable you to improve your own writing skills as you support and encourage others to push forward.”From editors to publishers, and vendors to film producers, and then by nearly every writer Jerry had worked with over the past 25 years, he was praised for the devotion, dedication, decency, conviction, and integrity he had brought to each job and relationship.“He never told me, even once, that what I was writing was crap,” said another author. “He just helped me navigate around what he called potholes that needed to be filled with words forceful or eloquent enough to smooth out a sentence. I’ve followed his advice and have applied it to every book I’ve written since his tutelage, often recalling his words as I edit out an unnecessary word or phrase that might weaken the structure of a sentence, paragraph, or chapter.”During Laura’s visit to Philadelphia, she found time to meet Cheryl and her daughters, and informed them of the interviews she had recorded and the new direction she was considering for the book.Laura wrote in her notebook, “When I was first contacted by Jerry or Dave (I...
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    18 分
  • A Literary Ending - Chapter Sixteen - The Stubbornness of Love

    A Literary Ending - Chapter Sixteen - The Stubbornness of Love
    2026/08/14
    Prior to Jerry’s passing, Sharon and Jen were both genetically tested for FFI. Sharon was proven to be free of the mutation causing the disease, while Jen’s test, unfortunately, revealed her to have a predisposition for the condition. Surprisingly, after Jen learned of her likelihood of contracting FFI, it didn’t have much of an effect on her. The doctors stressed that she would most likely not show signs of the disease for 25 years, whereas scientists had already begun research and testing on animals for genetic adjustments to end FFI, along with other prion diseases.Sharon, however, was hit hard by her sister’s diagnosis, and matured quickly past the selfish teen she’d become to take on the role of researcher and advocate. In doing so, she and her mother bonded, since Cheryl was hit harder by Jerry’s death than she would ever have expected.Laura Hillenbrand unexpectedly traveled to Pennsylvania from Oregon to attend Jerry’s funeral, and to personally meet the cast of characters she’d accumulated for inclusion in her book. She was accompanied by Dolores Southworth, her personal assistant, who had arranged all of the reservations, including the airline tickets, hotel accommodations, and a rental car to chauffeur Laura throughout her short visit.Laura had previously contacted many of the people on the list she’d copied from Jerry’s phone to construct a cohesive vision of her book’s protagonist. Dave and Cheryl provided additional names of those who had known Jerry over the years and had been beneficiaries of his kindnesses.The results of Laura’s interviews confirmed her own assessment of Jerry during the brief time she’d spent with him at her home. One author who had been mentored by Jerry into publishing characterized him as “priestlike” in his manner.“What I remember most about Jerry,” the author recalled, “was when I was struggling with a difficult segment about the fidelity of my character’s marriage. Jerry reflected on the paragraphs and suggested I consider the ‘stubbornness of love’ as a starting point. He told me that in his own relationship with his wife, he’d often thought of straying. He explained to me that it often required every ounce of strength he had not to bolt and bust everything apart. He said that in those moments, he had to leave the room, take a long walk, or find a quiet place to reevaluate his marriage, remind himself of the reasons he married Cheryl, consider the effects of a split on his daughters, and dig deep to remember just how much Cheryl meant to him.”When contacting a member of Jerry’s staff, Laura thought back to a time when the staff member had decided that the demands of her job were too great for her, and that she was considering a teaching position at a high school. It offered her the freedom and time to hone her writing skills and pursue her dream.Jerry had not scolded her, but had reminded her of what she’d be giving up. “As an agent for fledgling writers, you are much more than a teacher, and your job is far more complex than just critiquing the words your authors write. You are their Sherpa walking beside them, guiding them along their chosen paths, and their safety net from the pitfalls that are invisible to them. You are the one who encourages each of them to reach deep within their souls to reveal their finest selves. You’re with them on their journey, one to which they’ve committed in words, pen, or keyboard, with hopes you might only wish for, if and when you’re truly ready to pursue your own dream.”Another staff member recounted Jerry’s personal confession: “I thought I wanted to write fiction, and then discovered I didn’t have the talent or staying power. As an agent, I see my job as a disciple of my authors, as well as the manager of their careers. Thinking about your job in that context may enable you to improve your own writing skills as you support and encourage others to push forward.”From editors to publishers, and vendors to film producers, and then by nearly every writer Jerry had worked with over the past 25 years, he was praised for the devotion, dedication, decency, conviction, and integrity he had brought to each job and relationship.“He never told me, even once, that what I was writing was crap,” said another author. “He just helped me navigate around what he called potholes that needed to be filled with words forceful or eloquent enough to smooth out a sentence. I’ve followed his advice and have applied it to every book I’ve written since his tutelage, often recalling his words as I edit out an unnecessary word or phrase that might weaken the structure of a sentence, paragraph, or chapter.”During Laura’s visit to Philadelphia, she found time to meet Cheryl and her daughters, and informed them of the interviews she had recorded and the new direction she was considering for the book.Laura wrote in her notebook, “When I was first contacted by Jerry or Dave (I...
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    18 分
  • A Literary Ending - Chapter Fifteen - Jerry’s Obit

    A Literary Ending - Chapter Fifteen - Jerry’s Obit
    2026/08/14

    Gerald M. Halpern,
    49,
    Philadelphia Literary Agent and “Author’s Advocate”

    Jerry Halpern, a cornerstone of the Philadelphia publishing community and partner at the Brunhaufer Agency on Rittenhouse Square, died August 1 at his home in Villanova following a courageous battle with Fatal Familial Insomnia (FFI). He was 49.

    Born in 1978 and raised in Havertown, Mr. Halpern was a proud product of Delaware County. He parlayed a lifelong passion for the written word into a distinguished career, earning his Master’s degree in Creative Writing from Villanova University in 2001. Known for his “red-pen integrity,” Mr. Halpern was revered by editors and novelists alike for his ability to bridge the gap between raw manuscript and literary art.

    Under his leadership, the Brunhaufer Agency grew into a premier boutique firm, representing a diverse portfolio of voices that stretched far beyond the city limits. “Jerry didn’t just sell books; he championed legacies,” said his partner, David Brunhaufer.

    In his final year, Mr. Halpern turned his own tragedy into a mission for scientific discovery. He collaborated with acclaimed author Laura Hillenbrand on a forthcoming biography, A
    Literary
    Ending    , intended to shine a light on a rare prion disease that claimed his life. The project also marked a return to long-form reporting for Ms. Hillenbrand, a fellow traveler in the world of chronic illness.

    Beyond the office, Mr. Halpern was a devoted family man. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl (née Davis), and his daughters, Sharon and Jennifer. While the family has faced the genetic complexities of FFI with startling bravery, they remain steadfast in their support of the research that Jerry’s story has ignited.

    A private graveside service will be held at the Halpern family mausoleum at Westminster Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd.

    In keeping with Jerry’s commitment to solving the “invisible” diseases of the brain and body, the family requests that tributes be made to the Open Medicine Foundation (OMF). Contributions made in his name will support ongoing research into Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fatal Familial Insomnia.

    Donations may be directed to: www.omf.ngo

    ------------------------------------------------
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    2 分
  • A Literary Ending - Chapter Fourteen - The Outlined Path

    A Literary Ending - Chapter Fourteen - The Outlined Path
    2026/08/14
    After Dave discovered that Jerry had an incurable disease, he knew that he had to scramble to find a replacement—either a partner or an agent—who was as capable and multifaceted as Jerry. He had always known that Jerry not only provided assistance to his writers, but also mentored other agents on his small staff and educated them as to what authors and publishing houses expected of them.Since shortly after Jerry joined his firm, Dave knew that his new partner was the prime mover of the organization and carried the heaviest load. During the year 2023, the agency received 500 queries a month. By 2026, the number had grown into the thousands. The increase was partly due to AI’s ability to research, edit, and provide alternatives that enabled existing and novice writers to complete a book in only a few months, rather than a few years.Most publishing houses were no longer interested in new writers. They needed top-selling books with star power behind the author’s name, which usually dominated the cover and reduced the artwork and the title of the book.Since Jerry became a partner ten years earlier, the agency had grown significantly, and Jerry’s portfolio of writers contained new names, such as Caldwell Taylor, Jennifer Watts Sinota, and Jefferson Stood. By the time Jerry was diagnosed with FFI, Taylor was in the process of writing his third book—a literary thriller that Jerry believed would be his best and most salable novel yet. But Taylor depended specifically on Jerry for legal advice, edits, and content revisions.Jennifer Sinota had once again signed up with the agency to help her publish her second novel, which was based on the challenges of a 58-year-old woman who becomes homeless, yet in less than three years becomes a senior partner in a Wall Street investment firm.The only welcome news generated by Jerry’s quick departure was the increased value of the life insurance policy they’d originally taken out when Jerry became a partner. Instead of a $1 million death benefit, the agreed amount was $2 million, with a suicide clause existing only for the first two years of the agreement.After reading the agreement two more times, Dave relayed the message to Cheryl, knowing that her half of the additional $1 million she’d be entitled to would not only pay for her daughters’ Agnes Irwin tuition, but also the cost of any college and advanced degrees they might desire in the years ahead.Dave spoken with his attorneys and they suggested that he might consider dissolving the business after receiving his share of the benefits from the policy, or partner with a larger firm like Jerry did and bring to it his own cache of authors.But just as Dave was ready to start the process of terminating his business, he received a call from Laura’s agent, Tina Bennett.“I just wanted to make you aware that Laura has decided to take on Jerry’s project, and that she has personally requested that I work with you and your agency to bring your partner’s story to Penguin. I’ve discussed this with the publisher, Nihar Malaviya, and he’s excited about the project as well as the fact that Laura will be writing again. He is well aware that Jerry is your partner in the firm and they respect the fact that you approached me with the concept. As a powerhouse in the industry, Penguin Random House is in a position to broker any and all translation and film rights, which they believe will enable the book to seamlessly transition to film, as they did in the case of Laura’s previous books.”Dave interrupted Tina and put a question to her. “You do know that our firm is able to broker film deals on our own?”“I’m sure you are, Dave, but although your agency is well-respected, my credentials with Random House are essential to the commercial success of this particular book.”Tina then also reminded Dave that Laura was still ill, and it might take some time for her to complete the book.“Penguin Random House will provide a significant advance that will assist us both financially. And although I am facilitating the publishing, you and your agency are integral to Jerry and Cheryl’s story.”Dave responded without an edge, “I’m sorry, Tina. I sounded like a prick, but things are not great here at the agency right now. Jerry’s unable to service his clients and I have to find a new agent. Do you, perhaps, know of any young, talented agents I might hire or partner with to replace Jerry?”Without a pause, Tina responded, “Yes! I may just have the perfect person for you. It’s a she, if that matters at all to you, and she’s a mix of Asian and African descent.”“I don’t care if the person’s a Martian. How do you know her?”“Her name is Tabana Nigoci. I worked alongside her at my previous job, and she’s really rather amazing. She’s 38 and has a home near New Hope, not that far from you. She stopped working after she had a child, and now wants to jump-start her career again while maintaining ...
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    10 分
  • A Literary Ending - Chapter Thirteen - There’s Nothing Wrong with That

    A Literary Ending - Chapter Thirteen - There’s Nothing Wrong with That
    2026/08/13
    “Is Dad home?” asked Sharon.Cheryl responded sarcastically, “Where would he be? He’s not out playing golf.”Sharon then peeked into the living room and saw her father sitting calmly in his chair, paging through a book. He looked over towards her and smiled.“What are you reading, Dad?”“A story that I somewhat remember from a long time back,” said Jerry. “It’s titled To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf. Do you know of her?”“I’ve heard the name, but know nothing about her or her books,” said Sharon, pleased to hear her father speaking as he did before his illness.“You probably know of Edward Albee’s play, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? The play was written long after she had died. The book I’m reading was written in the 1920s and is about the lives of family members over the course of many years. It begins with a vacation at their summer home, and continues a decade later, after the death of the mother and two of their children. The central theme’s about time, and how a single afternoon can feel like a lifetime, while a decade can pass in a heartbeat.“That’s similar to the way I feel now, Sharon, with my illness. Years in the past are far more vivid in my memory than moments experienced just yesterday.”“How far have you gotten into the book?” asked Sharon.“Frankly, I don’t know what page I’m on, but I’m able to remember the ending, which is about how one of the sons and their father formed a bond they never had while the children were growing up.”“Sounds fascinating,” interjected Cheryl, who had been listening from across the room. “Similar to our family now.”Sharon dismissed her mother’s comment, and instead put down her book bag and stated, “Speaking of that, Dad, I’ve been doing some research on my own about your illness. In the process, I’ve learned that Jen and I might both at risk of contracting the disease you have when we reach our forties. I’ve also learned a lot about the disease, FFI, which is an acronym for Fatal Familial Insomnia, And, yes, I’ve also learned the word ‘acronym,’ and that as of today the disease is incurable and ultimately fatal.”Cheryl looked over at Sharon as if she was listening to a girl she’d never met, amazed to find out that her daughter would take the time and make the effort to investigate the disease and be able to remain calm while talking about it.Sharon looked away from her father to her mother and continued. “For Jen and me, 20 years is a long way off, but it’s still kind of scary to know that you have something inside you that is destined to cripple and kill you. I haven’t yet told Jen about what I’ve learned. But I will. Especially since it’s very possible that one of us might get it.” “How... where did you learn about it?” asks Cheryl, mystified by this new version of her daughter.“You’ve spoken about the disease with us in the room, but never provided details. From what I’ve overheard from you and others, I looked the information up online, and after I got the name, I searched it using AI.”Sharon reached down to her book bag to find her notepad. “I wrote down what it told me,” she said, “and jotted down the term it used.“Here it is: FFI is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by prions, or misguided proteins that destroy the brain. Doctors and scientists haven’t found a cure yet, but scientists are currently working on a possible a cure for FFI and other prion diseases.“I’ve also learned that people can now be tested to determine whether they are prone to the disease or not, but that parents of a child under the age of 18 must have the approval of a parent or guardian to be tested.”There was a pause, during which time Sharon looked directly at her mother. Finally Cheryl, broke the silence and asked, “Would you really want to know?” “I believe I would, Mom. I know that it will be hanging over me no matter what, but it could also save others, as well as Jen and me... decades from now. Since I revealed to the program that my father has undergone tests that confirmed the location of the gene, I was directed to medical papers that revealed that scientists know exactly where to find the gene and can confirm it in the child of a person with the disease. So, if Jen and I don’t have it, we won’t die of it, and we can’t pass it on to our children. If either one, or both of us, tests positive, doctors can monitor the gene and predict whether the disease will progress rapidly, like Dad’s has done, or more slowly.”Cheryl interrupted, “But if you test positive for FFI, you then are destined to contract it and die of it, as well as any children you might have.”“That may or may not be true,” responded Sharon, looking at her notes. “If I test positive, I will become a ‘pre-symptomatic carrier,’ like Dad. To reduce my odds of passing it on to any children, there is currently a way of removing embryos and screening ...
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    13 分
  • A Literary Ending - Chapter Twelve - The Invisible Wall

    A Literary Ending - Chapter Twelve - The Invisible Wall
    2026/08/13
    On a day when Jerry was lucid, he called Laura to provide more information on his history. She coached him on what she’d need to make his story resonate, so as not to be a technical thesis, but a readable book for the general public. She asked for his approval to contact individuals on the list she had compiled from his iPhone, including that of his doctor, lawyer, and family members who might have more information on Jerry regarding his aunt’s and grandmother’s illnesses and their possible early cause of death.“My mind’s fuzzy now, Laura. Please tell me what you need and I’ll get a notarized letter written that will enable you to be my proxy for all of my medical and legal information.”“Working with what I have so far,” said Laura, “I’ve begun an outline draft that includes your early childhood, education, and literary accomplishments prior to the diagnosis of your illness. I’m currently drafting the segment that I’m familiar with of your disease’s progression through FFI, and then will follow your attempts, until your death, to save your daughters and descendants from the disease that is destined to kill you.”“A happy story, isn’t it?” said Jerry cynically.“It’s the story we need to tell, with a conclusion for you that’s inevitable.”“I get it, Laura. How far into the future do you intend to follow the story?”“I’m not quite sure, since I have my own personal limitations. The truth is that the conclusion may extend beyond my ability to follow it, and that the story will need to be completed by a younger and healthier writer. Hopefully, the code to your disease will be cracked in plenty of time to save your girls, perhaps even before the book goes to press.”“Yes, that would be the best outcome.”“Not necessarily. A better outcome would be that science gets ahead of the disease due to the press coverage about the book’s completion. Speed is of the essence, in order to assure your daughters that they can rest easy without thoughts of their possible fate overwhelming them and limiting their lives in young adulthood.”Laura reflected on her own health issues that had forced her to quit college, a period in her life that still haunted her. “I truly hope that the disease can be conquered before your girls become defined by it. I fought my battle through the writing of Seabiscuit and Unbroken; many times it seemed impossible to just get out of bed. Until this day, it still does.”“I trust that you’ll make it through the book, Laura. Dave and Tina will work with you as a team to provide the publicity needed. Online chats weren’t as ubiquitous back when you wrote your books. And with AI as a researcher, you’ll not have to wait for newspaper clippings to be mailed to you from archives.”“I’m not so sure I like all of the new ways of doing things,” said Laura.“Even though you weren’t in top-notch shape when you visited, it was to my advantage to have met with you in person, and get to know you outside of a computer screen or a phone call.”“The world’s not going to slow down to accommodate us,” answered Jerry. “I used to enjoy doing my editing with pencils and red felt-tipped markers. I’ve missed those days when I could personally explain in a short note to a writer the salient points of a manuscript, as well as the room for improvement he or she could incorporate into a final draft. In recent years, all I get to see is an AI-written synopsis and 20 pages of a draft in .pdf format. Our desks are piled high with these printed segments, along with complete drafts by writers who we know to be reliably marketable. It never ends,” added Jerry, who for the moment seemed perfectly capable of continuing with his work.Laura then used this moment of clarity to find out more about Jerry’s childhood, teen and college years, previous jobs he’d held, and his introduction to his wife at the Llanerch Diner.“I’m captivated by stories with great characters,” offered Jerry. “You are too, from what I gather from your books. Cheryl was one of those characters, right out of a Mickey Spillane novel: red and white paper cap, wide stiff-collared blouse, a crisp white apron over pleated black slacks, and red shoes with high heels—always high heels. I was just one of the guys at the diner who adored her Philly accent and the napkin that peeked out of her vest pocket. Most of the guys were married, but I wasn’t. And how I missed her on the days I couldn’t be there for breakfast, or on the rare occasions when she took the morning off.”“Sounds like you were smitten immediately,” said Laura with a slight giggle in her voice.“I was,” answered Jerry. “But it took some time to reel her in. Despite her allure, she was damaged from her early years of abuse and strife.”Jerry continued telling Laura his wife’s story until he zoned out and Laura had to stop the interview.“Get some rest, Jerry. This was good. Whenever you ...
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