Poor Man's Son

[PrivateTim]

Didn't catch this one before, but John would still be the class of 2005. He'd start 12th grade in fall '04 but graduate by spring '05.

Dude, I'm in the class of '05. I know early/mid-00's high school. And I did my research.

 

I started kindgergarten in 1991, which landed me in the class of 2004. But then I had to repeat the first grade because my reading levels were behind(I think it might have just been ADD), and that landed me with the class of '05.

And therein debates the great grade debate.

 

The dates reflect the fall start of school, not at the fall and spring so 2004 in the spreadsheet I ran was 2004-2005 school year. Excel just doesn't understand school years.

[PrivateTim]

There was also a comment earlier about the age of consent and who would tell about Stef and Gathan, hmmm let me see... a maid that saw something, a busines rival that is having Stef followed or bugged, or even the therapist; the therapist would be bound under California state law to report it, under certain situations... It wouldn't have to be Gathan going to the police, anyone could make the accusation, which could lead to an investigation...

 

The AOC questions were first about Stef and Gathan and there was nothing illegal there so a rival wouldn't have anything to work with.

 

Then they were about Will and Gathan about what might happen in the future.

 

Any one can say anything, but when it comes to an investigation there needs to be a complainant and no one would spill the beans and no one would cooperate.

 

As to a therapist, I think Gathan is sharp enough to keep the full nature of his relationship with Will (after he turns 18) under wraps. His issues are pre-Will when he was a minor and those are the issues he has to deal with.

[methodwriter85]

Tim, you said John should be in the class of 2004 because he starts 9th grade in 2001. You were wrong. Just please say you were wrong about something so I can feel good. j/k

[PrivateTim]

Tim, you said John should be in the class of 2004 because he starts 9th grade in 2001. You were wrong. Just please say you were wrong about something so I can feel good. j/k

 

Well I WOULD say it..... but that was when I thought we were in 2001 already....

 

I can say I thought I was wrong once, but it turned out I was mistaken

[Mark Arbour]

I guess Stef could have said "Oh my God, you raped two people! That's horrible! You suck!" Stef would know that if you do that to an 18 year old guy, you'll send him spiraling into a self-esteem free-fall. If you think about the psychology, that's a really good way to set up a serial rapist, a guy who can't have real sex, only forced sex. In any event, I think Stef did the right thing by trying to help the guy he had in front of him (Gathan).

If you think about it, Stef has never been about judgment. He's doing that here, accepting that what happened, happened, and doing what he can to repair the damage. I'm not saying he handled things perfectly, but I think he did pretty well under the circumstances.

I got some crap about the unprotected sex from my beta team, and I can see that would be out of character, especially for a guy like Stef who lost so many friends to AIDS. I think the only real justification is that he was probably focused on the moment, on helping this f**ked up guy, and just didn't insist. In his mind, he was probably calculating the chances of infection with a guy who had two unprotected incidents. The riskiest, f**king the guy, wasn't all that risky since the guy he f**ked was a virgin as well (one would assume).

The other thing to ponder is that these guys aren't perfect, and they do f**k up. Do all guys have protected sex? Do all gay men adhere to strict age guidelines, as in "I won't sleep with anyone more than 10 years younger than me?" I'm wondering how many 55 year old guys out there would turn down a smokin' hot 18 year old that threw himself at them? Just asking.

 

:ph34r: :ph34r:

 

I am not saying Stef should have rejected Gathan or even turned his back on him, but Stef did nothing that gave the impression it wasn't okay to force someone to have sex. Maybe I am overly sensetive to this, I was sexually attacked a long time ago, and got therapy to deal with it, but it just seems that Stef is glossing over Gathan's confession a little to much. I didn't really expect Will to have a ready answer or even know for sure what to do, but Stef should be acting diffrent to me... I am not going to make any more comments on this, I think I am getting hung up on this and it is making it harder to get into the rest of the story.

 

p.s. I don't know why I can't get the reply system to work so the emoticons are seperating Mark A's comments from my reply...

 

Things don't always work right here, but we make do. No worries.

 

I understand what you're saying, especially when you have a personal history to influence your perspective on this topic. No one is trying to minimize the impact of what happened, but I think it has more to do with being supportive and non-judgmental at this juncture of Gathan's life. He's a sensitive guy, and the real pain and real remorse is not going to come from Stef or anyone else, it's going to come from Gathan slaughtering himself inside. I'm just saying that I think Stef was attuned to him enough to get that.

[methodwriter85]

Well I WOULD say it..... but that was when I thought we were in 2001 already....

 

I can say I thought I was wrong once, but it turned out I was mistaken

 

Ugh. You remind me of Adam Phillips. You're both similiar in your inability to admit being wrong. LOL.

 

Anyway, this is random, but did you hear about the Sigma Kappa who had sex with a girl on a roof and it got broadcast? It's apparently big USC news.

 

I gotta admit, this almost blows away the Duke University Sex List. Almost.

 

After hearing about that, I really do think Darius belongs at USC. I can so clearly see Darius joining a frat and having sex with a girl on the roof.

[Daisy139]

I know that someone earlier said that the deal with Gathan and Stef didn't bother them because the age wasn't a big deal, they were European, bullshit... I don't care if you are European, Asian, African, or American; a 40 plus age difference is going to be a big deal.

The only two issues I was referring to were the age difference per se and more so the fact that Gathan is underage and Stef is not (which, at least in some states is illegal here). My point was that in Europe the whole age of consent thing works different in many countries and doesn't even exist in some others. In my home country, there would be nothing illegal about a 14 year old and a 60 year old as long as the parents agree, and as soon as the kid turns 16 the kid can decide.

As far as the actual age difference goes - sure it would be a big deal if they were actually dating, but it was just sex a couple times. In that case, other cultures just don't bother that much about the age difference. Sure, you're always going to have people raising their eyebrows and go "really? what did he find attractive in a guy this many years older?" but most people (who accept gay casual sex) would probably just shrug and say "well, to each their own." I do think that's a cultural thing because it didn't even [phase me when I read it, and I am not an unusually liberal person for central Europe.

[DragonFire]

Whatever way you look at it, and however you sugar coat it, what Gathlan did constitutes as rape. He forced himself on 2 people! Whatever the background, it doesn't give anyone the right to force themselves on someone else.

 

Yeah he's screwed up in the head at the moment, but thanks to him so are 2 other people... Zach is a prime example. Stef does what Stef does, sexual healing at its best; will it solve Gathlans problems, probably not. As for Brad, do you seriously think he would want Will anywhere near Gathlan if he knew the truth? These things have a habit of coming out, Gathlans secret will only remain that way for so long, then the proverbial shit will hit the fan!

[Mark Arbour]

How many of you remembered Tony Carbone? (It's cute how that rhymes)

[centexhairysub]

How many of you remembered Tony Carbone? (It's cute how that rhymes)

 

 

Hmmm, the only one that comes close to that last name, although spelt differently, that I can remember in any of the CAP stories is Phillipe Carbonneau from " The Land Whore "; I also remember a songwriter that had a couple of hits during the disco era by the name of Tony Carbone but need more information from you as to who this is?

Edited March 31, 2011 by centexhairysub

[centexhairysub]

:worship:

 

Just when I am convinced that you cannot top yourself you do, Mark... This chapter is freaking great...

 

I love and am so happy that John and Will seem to be repairing their friendship/relationship, I really want them to be together in some meaningful way. I think it would be great for the two of them to end up together but understand other people's issues with the distance and their age. I don't expect them to be together forsaking all others at their age but would like them to start something, have a great time growing up as friends with benefits, and then later in life realize they are meant to be... Okay, I am just a sucker for this idea...

 

Yikes, Cody and Jeanine sleeping together, hmmm not sure that is as much of a suprise as I first thought but that Cody could be the father, well hmmmmm... I agree that should have been disclosed very early on but maybe Jeanine just didn't want to rock the boat since Brad and Robbie were just starting to get back together when they all slept together. Wonder how soon after New Years Eve, or before, did Jeanine and Cody sleep together???

 

Well, wonder if Gathan will be getting his first lesson in being a bottom from Sam's son, that would be sort of interesting. I wonder if Tony Carbone will be a regular, semi, or just someone that pops up ever so often, so to speak... :devil:

[methodwriter85]

I figured there was a reason why you put in that little line in "Man in Motion" about how Sam had a son that was Darius's age. When you made Darius straight, it made me re-think my guess, but now it all makes sense.

 

Ant basically seems like your typical fun jock guy destined to join a richboy frat. Nothing too terribly interesting, but I'll reserve judgement before I get a better sense of what Ant's like.

 

Can he be into like ultimate frisbee or something a little bit off-beat so that he's not just a cookie-cutter jock type? I'll even take him being a covert graffiti artist.

Edited March 31, 2011 by methodwriter85

[Mark Arbour]

Hmmm, the only one that comes close to that last name, although spelt differently, that I can remember in any of the CAP stories is Phillipe Carbonneau from " The Land Whore "; I also remember a songwriter that had a couple of hits during the disco era by the name of Tony Carbone but need more information from you as to who this is?

 

Tony is Sam's son, but I guess you got that by now. Every story needs a couple of hot Italian guys.

 

:worship:

 

Just when I am convinced that you cannot top yourself you do, Mark... This chapter is freaking great...

 

I love and am so happy that John and Will seem to be repairing their friendship/relationship, I really want them to be together in some meaningful way. I think it would be great for the two of them to end up together but understand other people's issues with the distance and their age. I don't expect them to be together forsaking all others at their age but would like them to start something, have a great time growing up as friends with benefits, and then later in life realize they are meant to be... Okay, I am just a sucker for this idea...

 

Yikes, Cody and Jeanine sleeping together, hmmm not sure that is as much of a suprise as I first thought but that Cody could be the father, well hmmmmm... I agree that should have been disclosed very early on but maybe Jeanine just didn't want to rock the boat since Brad and Robbie were just starting to get back together when they all slept together. Wonder how soon after New Years Eve, or before, did Jeanine and Cody sleep together???

 

Well, wonder if Gathan will be getting his first lesson in being a bottom from Sam's son, that would be sort of interesting. I wonder if Tony Carbone will be a regular, semi, or just someone that pops up ever so often, so to speak... :devil:

 

I'm glad you liked it. There was a lot of stuff in this chapter. I think the big fear Jeanine had was how Tiffany would react, and probably that was justifiable.

 

As for Tony, well, we'll have to see.

[Daisy139]

Another great chapter, thank you, Mark!

 

I was surprised that Will would refer to Robbie as "Robbie," because Brad once said the kids refer to him as "dad" and Robbie as "pop." And he does still go with "dad" for Brad.

Will and John making up was nice. I'm still wondering if John got away a bit cheap, but I guess if they're both ok with the situation and still love each other that much, why not. And Will was sweet in that scene

 

Btw, I loved Will's behavior around his parents in the kitchen... He's really turning into a character with a very lovable personality (not that he wasn't before, but he's getting more and more fleshed out now).

[methodwriter85]

I gotta agree that's it's weird that Will would call Robbie by his first name. I get Matt calling him Robbie, because "Dad" to Matt Carrswold is Dr. Carrswold. But Robbie's been helping with raising Will since Day 1, and it's weird that Will would call him Robbie instead of "pop" or "dad".

 

Unless, of course, Mark is trying to de-emphasize Will having a Hayes for a father to make it less weird for him to have a Hayes as a love interest. That's a pretty common tactic in soaps, because of how bizarrely related all the soap family characters tend to be.

 

Finally, for a lesbian Jeanine sure does like having sex with men. When she has the daughter(they need another girl for Gen 4), I'm hoping Jeanine names her "Gail". I could see her being down with that, as she seemed pretty fond of Tonto. And naming the baby "Gail" would be a great way for Mark to intro a flashback where Will remembers Tonto dying when he was seven or so in 1993 or 1994.

Edited March 31, 2011 by methodwriter85

[mmike1969]

wow... Doesn't it bother anyone else that slut Cody has had unprotected sex with even more people in this family?

[Mark Arbour]

Another great chapter, thank you, Mark!

 

I was surprised that Will would refer to Robbie as "Robbie," because Brad once said the kids refer to him as "dad" and Robbie as "pop." And he does still go with "dad" for Brad.

Will and John making up was nice. I'm still wondering if John got away a bit cheap, but I guess if they're both ok with the situation and still love each other that much, why not. And Will was sweet in that scene

 

Btw, I loved Will's behavior around his parents in the kitchen... He's really turning into a character with a very lovable personality (not that he wasn't before, but he's getting more and more fleshed out now).

 

My intent, unless I screw it up, if for Will to refer to Robbie as "Robbie" in his thoughts only, but to call him "Pop" when he talks to him directly. I can see him talking ABOUT Robbie to someone else and using either word. This has as much to do with minimizing reader and writer confusion than with any direct slam on Will's part.

 

Will isn't always lovable; he's a teenager. The two are almost mutually exclusive.

 

 

 

wow... Doesn't it bother anyone else that slut Cody has had unprotected sex with even more people in this family?

 

Was there any HIV risk there? I'm not seeing it.

[Ivy]

wow... Doesn't it bother anyone else that slut Cody has had unprotected sex with even more people in this family?

 

 

That did bother me when I read it. AID's has not gone away. It reminded me of the PSA from a few years ago where there are two people together and there is a line of like a hundred people standing behind one of them with the message that you're sleeping with every person your partner has ever slept with unprotected. I think Cody's line of past partners might look like the lines outside of Best Buy for the day after Thanksgiving sales. And I'm usually on Cody's side during most of the debates about him, but he might just be a little out of control with the sex, drugs, and rock n roll lifestyle.

 

Also if the baby is Cody's, it raises all sorts of potential story plots. I can see all sorts of craziness ensuing.

[KYE]

Yikes, Cody and Jeanine sleeping together, hmmm not sure that is as much of a suprise as I first thought but that Cody could be the father, well hmmmmm... I agree that should have been disclosed very early on but maybe Jeanine just didn't want to rock the boat since Brad and Robbie were just starting to get back together when they all slept together. Wonder how soon after New Years Eve, or before, did Jeanine and Cody sleep together???

 

 

What about Cody's decision to also keep this secret? He is supposed to be one of Brad's best friends and even serves as a groomsman at his wedding knowing that he might be the daddy instead of Robbie or Brad his best friend. Some friend keeping a secret like that from them and leading them on thinking they are "definitely" a soon to be father. And what about Kevin in all of this. Cody...friend, boyfriend or jerk? That is the question in my mind.

Edited March 31, 2011 by KYE

[KYE]

Was there any HIV risk there? I'm not seeing it.

 

Really? You've created a Hollywood boy slut that uses party drugs with more "slip ups" than a group of kids running across a wet soapy tile floor and Cody is no HIV risk? In the real world the odds of this guy being positive are off the charts.

[mmike1969]

Was there any HIV risk there? I'm not seeing it.

 

You know, I used to volunteer with a local health clinic to give info about the risks of STD's and AIDS... I stopped doing so (or was asked not to come back depending on who you asked) because I would get in people's faces and tell them how f*ing stupid it was to have unprotected sex with random people.

 

It's not just about AIDS. It's about all the other random sexually transmitted diseases out there or the chances of getting the girl pregnant! And in this case, it might be Cody that's the daddy. Good Job there Cody! Screw up more people's lives why don't you!

[methodwriter85]

All I can say is thank god Jeanine and Tiffany are responsible for the parenting of the "twins". We know Jeanine's a good parent, and Tiffany will likely be a good one given how much she works with kids. I can't see Cody keeping a pet bunny alive, much less a child. With the exception of Brian, I can't think of any character less suited to be a dad

 

Although hopefully if Cody is the dad, that means Will isn't inevitably going to have sex with Cody when he's 18 like I figured Mark would write. Having sex with a guy who's the father of your half-sister is just a little bit awkward. I'd rather Mark get out his whole "every teenage boy must have sex with a middle-aged person" deal by having Will get it on with Max during some low point Max is having with Tim. Max is pretty likeable, if ultimately boring.

Edited March 31, 2011 by methodwriter85

[Ivy]

MW, I love your line about Cody, " I can't see Cody keeping a pet bunny alive.." Hahahahahaha!

 

I've always been a supporter of Cody as a character, but I kinda have to agree with you on that one! Although, I have seen many men do an about face in their lifestyle when a baby is involved (my brother for one). Something about holding a little life in your hands that you know you are responsible for that totally redirects your life.

[mmike1969]

This is off topic but part of the cap saga.

 

Here's what Escorial might be worth right about now in 2011...Yeah... 18 acres (close enough) Los Altos Hills, (Close enough) and 25,500 sq feet = $100 Million...

[B1ue]

What about Cody's decision to also keep this secret? He is supposed to be one of Brad's best friends and even serves as a groomsman at his wedding knowing that he might be the daddy instead of Robbie or Brad his best friend.

I would hazard a guess that Cody just didn't think about it. Yes, he can add, and yes he knew what he did, but not facing something potentially explosive is something he's proven capable of doing. Or, Jeanine might have put her foot down and said "I will tell them in my own time, or they will find only pieces of you." Pregnant women being essentially terrifying and all, I might have believed her.

 

But, yeah, I hope he isn't the dad. Or at least not an active one. Though as someone else pointed out, this may be the catalyst for him to clean up his act.

 

 

On a side note, I was going to argue "teenage boys must sleep with someone middle aged as a right of passage," but then I thought about it, and, wow. Just Robbie was skipped, I think. Maybe Jeff, my memories of 1968 are kind of hazy. And that's about it. Even most side characters had this.