Poor Man's Son

[Mark Arbour]

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.

 

That's right. Remember that Jeremy. Don't piss me off, or I'll have you killed.

[centexhairysub]

Well, just got back into town and found a new chapter of Poor Man's Son waiting for me... It was a delightful treat as always. I think that Mark is pacing the stories about right, we don't want him to burn out...

 

I loved that Will had the ability to remember that the assistant chief of police was working for the Dr and Jerry and said it in such a manner, the fact that they spilled the beans probably will not endear them to him much...

 

I do think that Brad handled Will in the perfect manner, he will need to give Will some space but let him know that he is there as well. John played it right as well, he knows Will enough to give him space but cares enough to hold him while he cries.

 

I don't know what to say about Gathan's part of this chapter, it just seems forced. I don't know what he and Kristen are trying to get from each other. I wonder if they know themselves?

 

Great job as always Mark.....

[Mark Arbour]

Well, just got back into town and found a new chapter of Poor Man's Son waiting for me... It was a delightful treat as always. I think that Mark is pacing the stories about right, we don't want him to burn out...

 

I loved that Will had the ability to remember that the assistant chief of police was working for the Dr and Jerry and said it in such a manner, the fact that they spilled the beans probably will not endear them to him much...

 

I do think that Brad handled Will in the perfect manner, he will need to give Will some space but let him know that he is there as well. John played it right as well, he knows Will enough to give him space but cares enough to hold him while he cries.

 

I don't know what to say about Gathan's part of this chapter, it just seems forced. I don't know what he and Kristen are trying to get from each other. I wonder if they know themselves?

 

Great job as always Mark.....

 

I think Kristin knows exactly what she wants, but Gathan is the one in limbo. That's about to change.

[rjo]

I thought this last chapter was great but I was interested to see JP was missing. I am not sure why. The previous chapter we see JP take charge as he does so well in the difficult situations. Will is comforted by Stef , then Brad and finally John. I felt all were great supporting but not smothering him. It will be a tough road but Will is pretty strong. All this reminds us of how this family works. I just finished rereading the whole saga in the last few weeks. Every time I do I gain insights into the characters. I wonder how Mark keeps them ( I was going to say straight ) . This book has developed into two parallel stories Gathan's life and Will's. At present I guess I find Will's more compelling. It's not that I dislike Gathan. It's that his love life just seems not as interesting as Will's I am not sure if it is the Gay vs Straight situation. Maybe at this point I relate more to Will. Thanks Mark again for the wonderful story and these great characters.

[Mark Arbour]

Alright, I got off my posting schedule by putting that chapter up for Father's Day, and it seemed too long to go until June 25 to put up the next one, so I figured I'd go ahead and post one to celebrate the first day of summer. Chapter 22 should post on June 25.

[centexhairysub]

Hmmm, well read the newest chapter, Mark seems to be posting happy; as always the writing and story are excellent. This seemed to be a chapter made up of a lot of important little moments. While I enjoyed the chapter, in the end, it left me with a profound feeling of sadness.

 

JP remembering Jeff and to a lesser degree Brian; worrying that Gathan will be faced with choices that he is not ready for or able to handle. JP wondering if he could have changed the past with different choice or another try.

 

Gathan trying to decide how he feels about Kristen and his place in this extended family.

 

Brad trying to make sure that Will and Robbie are okay, but wondering what he could have done differently.

 

Robbie blaming himself for the past.

 

John wanting to make Will happy but at the same time, be true to who he really is...

 

Will wanting to hold onto his innocence and his idea of who he is but facing the daunting task of starting to grow up, maybe to fast...

 

Sometimes I believe that " if " is the hardest word that we can speak or think; and the " what if's " can destroy you...

[Mark Arbour]

Hmmm, well read the newest chapter, Mark seems to be posting happy; as always the writing and story are excellent. This seemed to be a chapter made up of a lot of important little moments. While I enjoyed the chapter, in the end, it left me with a profound feeling of sadness.

 

JP remembering Jeff and to a lesser degree Brian; worrying that Gathan will be faced with choices that he is not ready for or able to handle. JP wondering if he could have changed the past with different choice or another try.

 

Gathan trying to decide how he feels about Kristen and his place in this extended family.

 

Brad trying to make sure that Will and Robbie are okay, but wondering what he could have done differently.

 

Robbie blaming himself for the past.

 

John wanting to make Will happy but at the same time, be true to who he really is...

 

Will wanting to hold onto his innocence and his idea of who he is but facing the daunting task of starting to grow up, maybe to fast...

 

Sometimes I believe that " if " is the hardest word that we can speak or think; and the " what if's " can destroy you...

 

 

Your last sentence is profound, and true.

 

 

[methodwriter85]

I really liked John dumping Will. It felt realistic- an average thirteen year old would be freaked out by the intensity that Will has, and would realize that they can't just have a fun friendship that includes sex. Will at times feels way too mature, but John does feel very much like a 13-year old boy, albeit a very bright one.

 

Besides, what would Mark be able to write for Will if Will was settled into his "forever" relationship at 13? There's a reason why Brad and Robbie didn't get another story until Robbie had his mid-life crisis. Nice, stable relationships are wonderful, but kinda boring to read about. LOL.

 

Upthread someone mentioned Max as a good guy for Will, if it weren't for Will being so young. I'm pretty sure it's inevitable they'll hook up because Mark believes that every teenaged boy must have sex with an experienced middle-aged person, and I would much rather Will get with Max than get with Cody. However, I think since Will has a similar personality to Brad, he'll be like Brad in finding that he wants a challenging guy as his eventual life partner. Max is just too agreeable. I think Tim is the right kind of guy for him- the milder personalities they have work well together.

[centexhairysub]

I really liked John dumping Will. It felt realistic- an average thirteen year old would be freaked out by the intensity that Will has, and would realize that they can't just have a fun friendship that includes sex. Will at times feels way too mature, but John does feel very much like a 13-year old boy, albeit a very bright one.

 

Besides, what would Mark be able to write for Will if Will was settled into his "forever" relationship at 13? There's a reason why Brad and Robbie didn't get another story until Robbie had his mid-life crisis. Nice, stable relationships are wonderful, but kinda boring to read about. LOL.

 

Upthread someone mentioned Max as a good guy for Will, if it weren't for Will being so young. I'm pretty sure it's inevitable they'll hook up because Mark believes that every teenaged boy must have sex with an experienced middle-aged person, and I would much rather Will get with Max than get with Cody. However, I think since Will has a similar personality to Brad, he'll be like Brad in finding that he wants a challenging guy as his eventual life partner. Max is just too agreeable. I think Tim is the right kind of guy for him- the milder personalities they have work well together.

 

I just cannot see Father Tim having a fling, affair, or whatever you want to call it with Will... It would be so out of bounds for someone of his belief system. I do agree that I would not like to see Will and Cody involved. What if we make Will's older man someone that we haven't met yet???

[mmike1969]

still waiting for the bomb to drop re: Brad. We don't know what exactly happened to him yet...

[rjo]

After reading this new chapter again I would have to agree it is sad. However, it seems that Mark puts his characters through a great deal of pain, physical or mental or both so that finally they can have some happiness. I could list them but I am sure all of us know who they are.

 

A few things do bring joy to my heart. Three new chapters in just a few days. It is like Christmas, New Years and my birthday all in one!!! Thanks Mark!! You are the best!!! The second thing is JP's presentation. Over the years we have seen JP wow not only his classes but most of his family. Comments have been from superstar to someone who can may his students laugh and cry at the same time. JP is a great teacher. Being a former teacher myself I can understand how good he is. Thanks to Mark I think we all can too.

 

Sometimes I believe that " if " is the hardest word that we can speak or think; and the " what if's " can destroy you...

 

I had a friend who did the "what if" game. He beat himself up over and over again day after day and drank himself to death. Let's hope none of these characters are caught up in that.

 

I guess I have faith in Will to rise above the pain and move on. I have the feeling he is made of sterner stuff. It is very odd but of all the characters in this whole saga I like him the best. Yes better than Brad and even better than JP. I wish I knew why. It is just something about him that draws you in. Maybe I understand how he thinks. God knows its been a long time since I was 13, 14 years old. Maybe it just shows us how good Mark really is as a writer.

Edited June 22, 2011 by rjo

[Mark Arbour]

When this story started, I got some negative opinions about Will because of his rebellion, and general brattiness. I think a big part of that was him demanding to be treated with more respect, and more like an adult. He's achieved that goal, and I think he's acting much more responsibly now. I have to remember to apply that theory when dealing with my own son.

[rjo]

Usually, we learn from the real world and apply it to the world of fiction. Maybe it because Mark is so good that we learn from fiction to help us deal with our real world. That's if the CAP world is fiction, sometimes I wonder about that.

[Matthew k]

When this story started, I got some negative opinions about Will because of his rebellion, and general brattiness. I think a big part of that was him demanding to be treated with more respect, and more like an adult. He's achieved that goal, and I think he's acting much more responsibly now. I have to remember to apply that theory when dealing with my own son.

 

It is hard for the casual reader to know where a character is because while you might know where Will is heading in the future and you might think of that Will you are heading towards, not the Will that the reader sees based on the available information.

 

On one hand Will seemed very mature for a 13 year old, what might be brattiness in an ordinary 13 year old might not be on a child of affluence. The other hand is how mature and poised kids of the rich and famous can be because of the world they are exposed to. Yes some can be ultra brats, but others can just be mature well beyond their years and some are a healthy dose of both.

 

Kids also have to earn respect and privileges though and have to learn to give respect as well. If you do your job right as a parent it all seems to turn out in the end.

[methodwriter85]

With the exception of Zach, I don't really see anyone in Generation 4 that would worry me. I remember people thinking that JJ's bitchy attitude might be indicative of sociopathic tendencies, but JJ really isn't anything you wouldn't come across in the performer world. When '06 fails to yield him gold, I'm thinking JJ will go on a journey of self-discovery that yields some badly needed maturity and perspective.

 

Finally. Remember, these kids are on average 13 to 14. Is there any guy who DOESN'T look back on what he was like in the early stages of high school and cringe?

Edited June 23, 2011 by methodwriter85

[sat8997]

Kids also have to earn respect and privileges though and have to learn to give respect as well. If you do your job right as a parent it all seems to turn out in the end.

 

Well said.

[Westie]

Why Mr Arbour..... i sure hope Kristen does not get on that flight, considering how that particular flight ends.

[Mark Arbour]

A review from Canuck:

Will is certainly going to have issues; how much drama can one 13/14 yo cope with? even a fictional one...... And I am not sure Gathan is exactly where he thinks he is. I sense some impending drama there.

Muhahahaha.

[methodwriter85]

I didn't even realize July 25th was the day of Concorde crash. I just picked it as Gathan's birthday because I had originally picked June 25th, and Mark wanted me to push it back a month so that Gathan was still seventeen at the start of the story. Funny how that stuff kinda works out.

Edited June 25, 2011 by methodwriter85

[rjo]

Will Gathan have a truly happy birthday? I believe he will save Kristen from taking the flight and saving her life. His action will be the best present he could get a happy lasting relationship. It will go a long way to heal himself.

[Mark M]

planes arn't supposed to be on fire like that are they O.O

[Mark Arbour]

planes arn't supposed to be on fire like that are they O.O

 

Only when they're about to crash.

[KYE]

Only when they're about to crash.

 

Mark, I was wondering if when writing and you get to a point in a story, like Chapter 22. Do you have 2 scenarios played out in your mind? One were the person lives and what could follow, and one were the person dies and what will follow? Or have you already devoloped the outcome in your mind when you start the story as part of the plot?

[AquariusGuy]

I felt bad for Will with everything that has happened on his trip to Paris. The abduction and the dumping by John so close. I do think though it was a little early for him to be thinking about something so long term. A lot can change in life and maybe it was all for the best.

 

As for the whole JP and cancer.... that kind of hit home for me. Christmas 2009 my Grandfather was diagnosed with Colon cancer. He passed away this April the day after Easter and 5 days before his 76th birthday.

[rjo]

The more we read about Will the more impressive he is. We have to remember this almost 14 yo was kidnapped, sexually abused and finally the loss of what he thought was his soul mate. To live through that would be more than most young men could but not only that but befriend Gathan too and restore Gathan to sanity. What a remarkable family you have created Mark. If Gathan saves Kristin. They will just have to go to school together. How easy is it to get into Stanford? Of course some families have pull.