Poor Man's Son

Mark Arbour · June 15, 2011

You know, I can't help to wonder what this is going to do to Robbie once he finds out about what happened to Will? Here he was already having issue with Paris before this event, only going because the others were insulting and belittling him for being upset after what had happened there before, then he finds out his son was raped and kidnapped because of what he did. I can't see this going well.

As an aside, I can't help but notice that inspite of all the rapes, emotional and physical abuse that Robbie has been through, the family seems to uniformly act as if it is something he should have just shrugged off as unimportant. When he gets freaked out about something like it, they just roll their eyes or act as if he's just a nuisance. However, if someone of blood relation is even slightly harmed they become the doting, caring family ever mindful of upsetting the individual. Seems to really highlight how they view him to be nothing more than an interloper in the family.

You ever have a friend or relative who is a hypochondriac? Every time they cough, it's pneumonia. Every time they stub their toe, it's like they broke their leg? Robbie can be whiny and annoying, and like those other people, it makes them take him less seriously. I don't think any of them consider him to be a lesser member of the family. Add to that the fact that if you're in the middle of a crisis, the last thing you need is someone in hysterics.

methodwriter85 · June 15, 2011

Gustave was such an idiot. If he had been able to tame his addiction to young boys, he very likely would have been set for the rest of his life had he helped them out. I'm glad Gustave was evil, though. I liked being surprised because I thought he was going to turn out to be good like everyone else thought. One thing that surprised me, though- if Gustave likes young boys, why would he have been that interested in Will? Isn't Will written as looking more like a 16-17 year old, and therefore with a more mature body? I mean, I guess he knew that Will was 13, but his body is clearly more mature than 13, and I would have thought that'd be a turn-off for a pedobear.

I realize that Gathan has to take a backseat right now, but I really do hope that when the school year starts we'll see more of Gathan in Stanford dealing with his issues and Will kinda settles back into being the b-story. This is called Poor Man's Son, after all. And to be honest, there just isn't that much drama you can mine with people in 9th grade as opposed to the kinds of drama that college freshmen can get involved with. Maybe Gathan could pledge a frat? We've never seen that before.

Edited June 15, 2011 by methodwriter85

Matthew k · June 15, 2011

I realize that Gathan has to take a backseat right now, but I really do hope that when the school year starts we'll see more of Gathan in Stanford dealing with his issues and Will kinda settles back into being the b-story. This is called Poor Man's Son, after all. And to be honest, there just isn't that much drama you can mine with people in 9th grade as opposed to the kinds of drama that college freshmen can get involved with. Maybe Gathan could pledge a frat? We've never seen that before.

I like the idea of Gathan in a fraternity (not "frat", very rude!). Could be many interesting storylines there. Fraternities were hormonally charged places when I was in college and there plenty of rumors about how "close" some guys appeared to be in the house. This is about the same era as Crosscurrents isn't it?

As to lack of drama in the 9th grade!?! Oh puh-leeze, 9th grade was all drama all the time.

Mari · June 16, 2011

I think Gathan and Kristen show an utter lack of concern. They seem like it's all this huge bother that they have to put up with. It does surprise me that John didn't really seem to exist in this chapter besides following JP in the condo. You think he would be front and center. I also think he's going to drop Will as a BF.

I know the age gap is ridiculous but in my world Will would be with Max. They have that same monogamous trait but the age thing is crazy. If Will was at least 17 I could see it but really 13 is too young.

I am REALLY interested to who discovered Will, how that's handled. How he meets back up with his family and their responses as well as if he actually accuses Gustave of rape. Considering his age and confusion because he liked it (eventually) , I wonder if he will?

Hermetically Sealed · June 16, 2011

I am REALLY interested to who discovered Will, how that's handled. How he meets back up with his family and their responses as well as if he actually accuses Gustave of rape. Considering his age and confusion because he liked it (eventually) , I wonder if he will?

Considering the way the police found him, I don't think it's a matter of if he accuses Gustave, he was caught in the processes. Even if Will dresses before Brad sees him, it'll be in the police report that Gustave was caught attempting to rape Will.

I foresee awkward family counseling sessions ahead for Robbie, Brad and Will at David's offices. That'll be fun. lol

Thinking about it, yeah, i agree that the whole Gathan and Kristin conversation seemed . . . off.

Mark Arbour · June 16, 2011

I'll chime in here regarding Kristin and Gathan, since I obviously didn't create that scene very well. What I had visualized was people standing around in the middle of a drama. There's not much they can do but wait. Eventually, their thoughts turn back to each other. It wasn't meant to imply a lack of concern.

Mari · June 16, 2011

@hermetically sealed

did he actually penetrate him though? it's hard for me to decide, it looks like it but then not?

@ Mark Arbour

I'm actually glad to know they aren't that self absorbed considering who Brad and Will are to them, especially Will.

centexhairysub · June 16, 2011

I'll chime in here regarding Kristin and Gathan, since I obviously didn't create that scene very well. What I had visualized was people standing around in the middle of a drama. There's not much they can do but wait. Eventually, their thoughts turn back to each other. It wasn't meant to imply a lack of concern.

Well, the behaviour of both of them was so out of bounds... Self absorbed asses is what came to mind when I was reading it but that seemed so out of place for both of their past behaviour. Everyone handles tension differently though but that scene just didn't ring true for either of them. Gathan and Kristen appear to be well brought up and caring people so it was just like this came out of the blue...

I also want to see how John reacts to what happened to Will. I agree that I can see Will in with David going over his feelings and how this has changed his perspective; I am not sure about a group approach for something like this...

I think that Gathan in a Fraternity would be an interesting spin maybe John Carullo could be his big Brother??? LOL...

Mark Arbour · June 16, 2011

Well, the behaviour of both of them was so out of bounds... Self absorbed asses is what came to mind when I was reading it but that seemed so out of place for both of their past behaviour. Everyone handles tension differently though but that scene just didn't ring true for either of them. Gathan and Kristen appear to be well brought up and caring people so it was just like this came out of the blue...

I also want to see how John reacts to what happened to Will. I agree that I can see Will in with David going over his feelings and how this has changed his perspective; I am not sure about a group approach for something like this...

I think that Gathan in a Fraternity would be an interesting spin maybe John Carullo could be his big Brother??? LOL...

My experience is that athletes usually aren't in fraternities, because the teams themselves become their fraternities, and because fraternities require a lot of time and devotion (during the first few years). It's tough to balance all those challenges: Getting drunk, getting high, getting laid, playing sports, and joining a fraternity. Oh, and doing the schoolwork.

rjo · June 16, 2011

I thought Mark captured the reactions of each of the characters perfectly. Robbie is not good in these situations. Remember how he reacted when Matt is in the hospital. Stef was on the edge of losing it but holding it in and of course JP was what he does the best dealing with the kidnapping of his son and grandson with unbelievable control. As for Gathan and Kirsten I believe they are just trying to lower the tension. At this point maybe JP should just hire David Sizemore, his family will need him full time. One thing we still don't know, What happened to Brad? Is he infected with HIV? I hope not. In many ways Brad is the glue which holds this family together. To lose him would be very hard for the family to bare. I do however have faith in Mark and his love for happy endings. If not JP will send Tonto after him.

Edited June 16, 2011 by rjo

Mark Arbour · June 16, 2011

I thought Mark captured the reactions of each of the characters perfectly. Robbie is not good in these situations. Remember how he reacted when Matt is in the hospital. Stef was on the edge of losing it but holding it in and of course JP was what he does the best dealing with the kidnapping of his son and grandson with unbelievable control. As for Gathan and Kirsten I believe they are just trying to lower the tension. At this point maybe JP should just hire David Sizemore, his family will need him full time. One thing we still don't know, What happened to Brad? Is he infected with HIV? I hope not. In many ways Brad is the glue which holds this family together. To lose him would be very hard for the family to bare. I do however have faith in Mark and his love for happy endings. If not JP will send Tonto after him.

@ Tonto.

centexhairysub · June 17, 2011

One thing we still don't know, What happened to Brad? Is he infected with HIV? I hope not. In many ways Brad is the glue which holds this family together. To lose him would be very hard for the family to bare. I do however have faith in Mark and his love for happy endings. If not JP will send Tonto after him.

The more I thought about this post the more I decided I needed to open another can of worms that will cause a flurry of denouncements... LOL... I really don't agree that Brad is the glue that holds even his group of the family together. For Will, Brad is the most important other person in the family. However, I would say that either Robbie or Jeanine really do more to hold everyone together than Brad does. Brad is definitely the Alpha male and drives much of the family drama and to some extent controls the direction that all the others take, he doesn't hold them together. With the exception of Will, everyone else either goes to Robbie, Jeanine, or JP/Stef when they have a problem. I don't even really see Brad's own generation going to him much, Brad even seems to go to Claire with issues more than she goes to him. I think it is sort of funny that although JP controlled the his generation he was never really the Alpha male. JP did it because he had the money, the mind, and the will to do so. Brad is the poster child for the Alpha males, yet he isn't nearly as effective a leader as JP was. Like most Alpha males, Brad views the world from how he sees it; while JP viewed the world from the families point of view.

I almost wonder if Robbie will ever be able to be a fully realized person as long as Brad is there. I don't think he always means to but Brad always seems to be controlling the agenda with Robbie and Robbie is never able to forge his own path. I am not sure that Robbie even really wants to because he loves Brad so much and to an extent has subjugated himself to Brad.

So, while I do believe the family would not fall apart without Brad around; I do believe it would be a less driven and more team oriented entity, until Will grew up enough to become the new Alpha male...

God, I miss Tonto, maybe JP in another decade are so will become the male version of Tonto.....

Mark Arbour · June 17, 2011

The more I thought about this post the more I decided I needed to open another can of worms that will cause a flurry of denouncements... LOL... I really don't agree that Brad is the glue that holds even his group of the family together. For Will, Brad is the most important other person in the family. However, I would say that either Robbie or Jeanine really do more to hold everyone together than Brad does. Brad is definitely the Alpha male and drives much of the family drama and to some extent controls the direction that all the others take, he doesn't hold them together. With the exception of Will, everyone else either goes to Robbie, Jeanine, or JP/Stef when they have a problem. I don't even really see Brad's own generation going to him much, Brad even seems to go to Claire with issues more than she goes to him. I think it is sort of funny that although JP controlled the his generation he was never really the Alpha male. JP did it because he had the money, the mind, and the will to do so. Brad is the poster child for the Alpha males, yet he isn't nearly as effective a leader as JP was. Like most Alpha males, Brad views the world from how he sees it; while JP viewed the world from the families point of view.

I almost wonder if Robbie will ever be able to be a fully realized person as long as Brad is there. I don't think he always means to but Brad always seems to be controlling the agenda with Robbie and Robbie is never able to forge his own path. I am not sure that Robbie even really wants to because he loves Brad so much and to an extent has subjugated himself to Brad.

So, while I do believe the family would not fall apart without Brad around; I do believe it would be a less driven and more team oriented entity, until Will grew up enough to become the new Alpha male...

God, I miss Tonto, maybe JP in another decade are so will become the male version of Tonto.....

Well aren't you just on your game today.

I think back to the study of group dynamics, where there are task-oriented people, who focus on getting things done, and group-oriented people, who focus on making sure the group functions together harmoniously. I see Brad as belonging to the former, the kind of guy who will set a goal and knock down or go around whatever walls he runs into to get it. Robbie and Jeanine are more group-oriented people, focusing on keeping everyone on board. To analogize to the Bridgemont series, Brad's like Granger, directing where the ship goes, while Robbie's like Roberts, making sure everyone is happily rowing in that direction.

If a Tonto personality evolves in this group, I don't see it coming from JP, I see it coming from his partner.

centexhairysub · June 17, 2011

If a Tonto personality evolves in this group, I don't see it coming from JP, I see it coming from his partner.

OMG, just got a picture in my mind of Stef at 70 scowling in a floral print.......

:lmao:

gjtravel2a · June 17, 2011

The more I thought about this post the more I decided I needed to open another can of worms that will cause a flurry of denouncements... LOL... I really don't agree that Brad is the glue that holds even his group of the family together. For Will, Brad is the most important other person in the family. However, I would say that either Robbie or Jeanine really do more to hold everyone together than Brad does. Brad is definitely the Alpha male and drives much of the family drama and to some extent controls the direction that all the others take, he doesn't hold them together. With the exception of Will, everyone else either goes to Robbie, Jeanine, or JP/Stef when they have a problem. I don't even really see Brad's own generation going to him much, Brad even seems to go to Claire with issues more than she goes to him. I think it is sort of funny that although JP controlled the his generation he was never really the Alpha male. JP did it because he had the money, the mind, and the will to do so. Brad is the poster child for the Alpha males, yet he isn't nearly as effective a leader as JP was. Like most Alpha males, Brad views the world from how he sees it; while JP viewed the world from the families point of view.

I almost wonder if Robbie will ever be able to be a fully realized person as long as Brad is there. I don't think he always means to but Brad always seems to be controlling the agenda with Robbie and Robbie is never able to forge his own path. I am not sure that Robbie even really wants to because he loves Brad so much and to an extent has subjugated himself to Brad.

So, while I do believe the family would not fall apart without Brad around; I do believe it would be a less driven and more team oriented entity, until Will grew up enough to become the new Alpha male...

God, I miss Tonto, maybe JP in another decade are so will become the male version of Tonto.....

Being what I would consider to personally be a 'rabid' Bradophile, I was prepared as I began reading your thoughts, to rise to defend our fair boy. The reality is that what you present illuminates their personalities. Brad need not be the mother-protector to still be successful for I don't think an alpha can successfully offer the fulll-mother role. JP was, at least to my way of thinking, never the overly warm person. He has his moments, but emotions seem to often embarrass him. You note that w/o Brad, there may be more of a team effort, but I don't believe the team would have been motivated to achieve the financial success that Brad has provided. I would not doubt that Mark would continue to enthrall us even if the rescue was to late and Brad is right now bleeding to death in the next room; however, I believe Brad offers a richness that greatly enhances the story and I would miss him were he to take that final Lear Jet into the Sky. Yes, Robbie may not be fully self-actualized because of Brad's overpowering personality, but.....maybe Robbie is and needs the strength, protection, and overbearing pushieness of Brad for Robbie to achieve the success he has. Oy, who knows. Well for whatever direction you choose to take us Mark, we all trust we are in for a wild and challenging ride. Thanks!

gj

methodwriter85 · June 17, 2011

As to lack of drama in the 9th grade!?! Oh puh-leeze, 9th grade was all drama all the time

Yeah, but it was usually stupid stuff like getting teased by a senior, not knowing who to sit with at lunch, or getting lost the first day. The real drama is in 11th/12th grade, when everyone's driving, people are dealing with questions of what they want to do they want to with their life, the pressure of getting into college, and people are trying to wrap up in their high school experience as satisfactorily as possible.

My experience is that athletes usually aren't in fraternities, because the teams themselves become their fraternities, and because fraternities require a lot of time and devotion (during the first few years).

Mark's got a point. I think the only one is this generation who'd join a frat would be Darius, and that's only if he doesn't wind up in the military. Possibly John, if he doesn't wind up in college lacrosse. Will I could never see joining a frat, because he comes off as more of an introverted person and kind of private, and I just can't see him in a frat house. He'll party a little in college, but I don't see him as a future party animal. JJ's too prissy to ever get involved with a frat. However, I could see JJ trying to join a frat as a way to compensate for not being popular in high school, but ultimately not getting through the pledging process because he's so prissy. He'd need a big personality change for him to ever be a frat kid.

So, while I do believe the family would not fall apart without Brad around; I do believe it would be a less driven and more team oriented entity, until Will grew up enough to become the new Alpha male...

I don't know if I'd call Will the Alpha Male of this generation of kids. He's well-liked and respected by people, but Will doesn't really seem to have the aggressive instinct that most Alpha Males I know have. And he's more of an introvert and pretty low-key compared to the Alpha guys I know; I don't see him as a guy that interested in leading or being powerful. I see Generation Four(or Three, if you count JP and Stefan as Gen 1) as being more of a team-oriented entity, with Darius, JJ, and Will having equal say over everything, and no one really deferring to any one person.

That would fit with what we know about this generation, because this generation of kids were raised to be team players where everyone gets a ribbon for participating.

Edited June 17, 2011 by methodwriter85

PrivateTim · June 17, 2011

The more I thought about this post the more I decided I needed to open another can of worms that will cause a flurry of denouncements... LOL... I really don't agree that Brad is the glue that holds even his group of the family together. For Will, Brad is the most important other person in the family. However, I would say that either Robbie or Jeanine really do more to hold everyone together than Brad does. Brad is definitely the Alpha male and drives much of the family drama and to some extent controls the direction that all the others take, he doesn't hold them together. With the exception of Will, everyone else either goes to Robbie, Jeanine, or JP/Stef when they have a problem. I don't even really see Brad's own generation going to him much, Brad even seems to go to Claire with issues more than she goes to him. I think it is sort of funny that although JP controlled the his generation he was never really the Alpha male. JP did it because he had the money, the mind, and the will to do so. Brad is the poster child for the Alpha males, yet he isn't nearly as effective a leader as JP was. Like most Alpha males, Brad views the world from how he sees it; while JP viewed the world from the families point of view.

I almost wonder if Robbie will ever be able to be a fully realized person as long as Brad is there. I don't think he always means to but Brad always seems to be controlling the agenda with Robbie and Robbie is never able to forge his own path. I am not sure that Robbie even really wants to because he loves Brad so much and to an extent has subjugated himself to Brad.

So, while I do believe the family would not fall apart without Brad around; I do believe it would be a less driven and more team oriented entity, until Will grew up enough to become the new Alpha male...

God, I miss Tonto, maybe JP in another decade are so will become the male version of Tonto.....

Neither Robbie or Jeanie is the glue that holds together the family, they have created a ton of drama in the family. People might go to Robbie & Jeanie with their problems because they are the weak ones who won't give them grief. Most people don't like having tough conversations so they avoid them.

In human kind the Alpha Male isn't necessarily the strongest of the herd physically, money is power too and in most ways more important, so is a strong will. That is what made JP the Alpha Male of his generation and why Brad is for his.

As to athletes in fraternities, I knew a lot of guys in fraternities like me who were athletes. My house was the water polo swim house at Cal, another house had the football players, a third had the baseball players. It was the same with my friends at Stanfurd, certain houses had more athletes and of a certain sport.

Here is the 2009 Fraternity All American Football Team. These are DI & DII players who were All Americans and were in fraternity houses.

2009 Fraternity All American Football Team

centexhairysub · June 18, 2011

As to athletes in fraternities, I knew a lot of guys in fraternities like me who were athletes. My house was the water polo swim house at Cal, another house had the football players, a third had the baseball players. It was the same with my friends at Stanfurd, certain houses had more athletes and of a certain sport.

I can really only speak to University of Texas @ Austin and Texas AM but both of them have a lot of the main athletes in fraternities. At UT there is a footbal frat, a baseball frat, etc... what I mean is that while some fraternities might have a few different athletes, most of them seem to group by sport. This may vary from school to school but in Texas and the South, distinct difference, fraternities are a big tradition...

PS... I do think the story would lose something if Brad were to be sent to the giant lear jet in the sky, I just think that Robbie and Jeanine do a lot more to hold the family together than Brad does. I also agree that Brad drives both himself and the family to greater heights but sometimes he does it seemingly without consideration for the impact to the family....

rjo · June 18, 2011

I can tell that Brad is one of those characters which divides people. You love him or hate him no middle ground, When I said Brad's death would be a great loss for the family I did not mean only those in LA but the family at large. I believe Brad has told us more of the story than any other character. God knows Brad is not perfect, deeply flawed, but with all his imperfections he is so much like us. He has spent his whole life trying to over come his awful past. Maybe he has tried too hard. But he has tried. He has come a very long way from the battered painfully shy kid we see at five years old . I feel, we as readers, should forgive him if sometimes he goes too far. After all he is trying to be a better friend, lover, parent and partner. If he can hold back and be a truly equal partner to Robbie, they will be great for each other and for the whole family. If Brad would die now however, I am not sure Robbie would be able to continue on. Brad supports Robbie in these kind of situations. "When you are weak I am strong, when I am weak you are strong." They need each other. Its truly wonderful, ever since that July 4th 20 years ago. Most straight couples can't say that. Others in the family would feel the loss. JP would continue on another loss weighing upon him , Stef would be changed forever. Claire and Jack would feel the pain. I lost my father at nine and my mother at 26, that pain never goes away. Isidore and Frank would worry about Robbie.Remember, Isidore has already lost one son. Then there is Matt, Wade, Gathan, Marcel, Max and Code who would be forever changed. Maybe the loss of Brad would fall hardest on Will. Yes maybe the family would not fall apart but it would be hurt badly. Think of Jeff, who had side lighted himself so many years ago, and JP still morns, still blames himself, still says what if I would have done more. Would they not blame themselves even more with Brad gone? That is of course why it won't happen. Much too sad. The Bradophiles were revolt and storm the gates. And of course the worst Tonto would raise from the dead (did she really die or is she living on some tropical island some place) and haunt poor Mark for the rest of his life. I remember Mark loves happy endings, Of course so do I.

Edited June 18, 2011 by rjo

Mark Arbour · June 18, 2011

I can tell that Brad is one of those characters which divides people. You love him or hate him no middle ground, When I said Brad's death would be a great loss for the family I did not mean only those in LA but the family at large. I believe Brad has told us more of the story than any other character. God knows Brad is not perfect, deeply flawed, but with all his imperfections he is so much like us. He has spent his whole life trying to over come his awful past. Maybe he has tried too hard. But he has tried. He has come a very long way from the battered painfully shy kid we see at five years old . I feel, we as readers, should forgive him if sometimes he goes too far. After all he is trying to be a better friend, lover, parent and partner. If he can hold back and be a truly equal partner to Robbie, they will be great for each other and for the whole family. If Brad would die now however, I am not sure Robbie would be able to continue on. Brad supports Robbie in these kind of situations. "When you are weak I am strong, when I am weak you are strong." They need each other. Its truly wonderful, ever since that July 4th 20 years ago. Most straight couples can't say that. Others in the family would feel the loss. JP would continue on another loss weighing upon him , Stef would be changed forever. Claire and Jack would feel the pain. I lost my father at nine and my mother at 26, that pain never goes away. Isidore and Frank would worry about Robbie.Remember, Isidore has already lost one son. Then there is Matt, Wade, Gathan, Marcel, Max and Code who would be forever changed. Maybe the loss of Brad would fall hardest on Will. Yes maybe the family would not fall apart but it would be hurt badly. Think of Jeff, who had side lighted himself so many years ago, and JP still morns, still blames himself, still says what if I would have done more. Would they not blame themselves even more with Brad gone? That is of course why it won't happen. Much too sad. The Bradophiles were revolt and storm the gates. And of course the worst Tonto would raise from the dead (did she really die or is she living on some tropical island some place) and haunt poor Mark for the rest of his life. I remember Mark loves happy endings, Of course so do I.

I normally don't do this, but this is such a passionate post, here's a spoiler for the next chapter, to let you know how Brad fared.

“Did they hurt you?” he asked.

“Not physically,” I replied. “Did they hurt you?” He nodded. “What did they do to you?” Now I was pissed.

“They told me what they were doing to you,”he said.

Mari · June 18, 2011

***hugz Mark***

rjo · June 18, 2011

Tomorrow is Father's Day. I can't think of a better tribute for the day than the spoiler. Thank you Mark.

vami · June 19, 2011

Is it just me? It seems like it is harder and harder to wait for updates, harder to slow down and savor each word and even harder to make yourself accept that once again the end of a well written chapter has come. Bravo Mark.

Mark Arbour · June 19, 2011

Is it just me? It seems like it is harder and harder to wait for updates, harder to slow down and savor each word and even harder to make yourself accept that once again the end of a well written chapter has come. Bravo Mark.

Thanks. If I can pick up the pace, I will, but this seems to be working for me.

methodwriter85 · June 19, 2011

Come on, you guys didn't really think Mark would kill off Brad, did you? That'd be about as likely as Mark having one of the characters prevent 9/11 from happening. (It's about 13 and half months away now.)

Brad is the character that is, personality-wise, the closest to Mark. It's why he's so good at writing Brad, and why Be Rad had many elements of Mark's bio story in it.

Edited June 19, 2011 by methodwriter85

Poor Man's Son

Recommended Posts

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Popular Posts

PrivateTim

Mari

One Cheap Suit

Similar Content