Two Readers’ Responses To A Short Story

I just had a subscriber/reader ask if they can put my short story in the church library. This is my home church and one of our supporting churches n the US. I said yes, in order to serve my readers. I’m not sure what kind of format they are thinking since this is only an ebook. But I found this an interesting request and grateful that the story made an impression on them.

Another subscriber asked why the story couldn’t show the main character becoming a good father and husband, rather than hinting in that direction. Two editors I’ve worked with felt the story ended in the right place. It’s an interesting dilemma when literary standards don’t match what an average reader prefers. I thanked the reader for her comment and said I’d keep that in mind when I start on novels, which give more space for character development and story line. I hope that was a non-offensive reply.

Any thoughts?