Mark Arbour Posted May 2, 2012 Author Share Posted May 2, 2012 Totally irrelevant, but that particular saying pisses me off. You're just saying...what exactly? Nothing at all? Taking these points in order, no, I don't think Brad is the worst parent ever. I think he fucked up with Martin, and further leaving to another country while Martin "bonded" with Will is a marked departure from the man that laid Pat off at a rumor. And one that he admittedly didn't think applied to Will (he too guessed that if anyone was seducing anyone, Pat was not top suspect in that relationship). Isiodore thought Brad was at best exaggerating or at worst flat out lying. Wrongly, as it happened, but how could she know that from the outside? If one of my cousins (and Brad and Billy aren't even that closely related, and it's unreasonable for her to forget it) beat me up, a family rift would have been the least of the consequences. And, quite frankly, Billy died because he, like Will, has too selfish to see where his actions could lead beyond the immediete consequences of hurting others. He also did not follow the basic precautions Sam, Isiodore, and JP set up to prevent such accidents. It was not just her that created that level of permissiveness. Sam was going through a mid-life crisis, and could no longer be in a relationship with JP. You really think that his actions at the end of that relationship were reflective of his actions throughout the entirety of their childhood? By "managed," I meant that Sam, JP, and Isiodore were present and involved throughout the childhoods of Brad, Ace, Claire, and Billy, to the extent that all four were willing to come forward to them when they really needed help. Not only that, but they got that help and support. Of course they weren't hovering over Brad or Ace in B-rad. He was a senior in high school. It was not a criticism, negative or positive, on their relative parenting styles. In the context of my previous sentence, I would have thought that was clear. Guess not. You make some really good points, but I have to say, you seem kind of pissed off tonight. Here's a hug. It's a shame I'm not a cab driver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
methodwriter85 Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 (edited) I didn't think that they had to be helicopter parents themselves, just that now we're getting into the Generation Y perspective, that's one thing that comes up. If these were kids who only ever interacted with other rich kids, I could see that point- but Mark has made it a point to bring in kids from other socioeconomic backgrounds to be more reflective of where American society was at certain points. That's been true ever since the first story- the family COULD chose to be in a complete bubble if they wanted to, but it's been installed in them to interact with people that aren't like them. Good points about Sam and the way the kids were raised, especially in how they felt like they could really go to their parents if they needed help. That hasn't been true with Brad and Robbie in regards to their Irish twins. I really would love it if JJ told them point blank, "I didn't ask you guys for help when I was depressed about Mom because you seemed too busy to care." Of course, I don't think he will, but it would be great if that point got across. Anyway, Blue, let's just rage for a bit and have some fun. It'll be totally sick. Come on!It's Arbour's birthday!*smiles* Come on, I even brought a case of Yuengling! Cheers! Edited May 2, 2012 by methodwriter85 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrivateTim Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 (edited) Ah B1ue, you should have kept the rant, I agree with some parts, like the part about Will being selfish and not seeing beyond the end of his nose. I don't criticize Will for that, it merely makes him a typical teen. The problem is too many people seemed ready to declare Will this "mature, wise beyond his years" kid who is able to control his own affairs while at the same time condoning his immature, "I'm gonna wreck your things and runaway" actions that show his level of immaturity. I think people have missed the fine line Mark was walking down showing the contradictions that Will is. He has his moments of clarity, but at 14 it is hard to hold onto those moments when the hormones are doing their best to remove any clarity of thought. Edited May 2, 2012 by PrivateTim 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sat8997 Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 I think people have missed the fine line Mark was walking down showing the contradictions that Will is. He has his moments of clarity, but at 14 it is hard to hold onto those moments when the hormones are doing their best to remove any clarity of thought. There you go. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrivateTim Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 (edited) From the reviews, my favorite typo of the year! I am not sure if Robbie is just mad at Will for the roofies and trashing the car and clothes or if he is worried that Will be taking away from his time with Brad. I am hoping that Robbie is not that shellfish but he has proven to be just that in the past. I hope he isn't shellfish either..... unless he is a scallop. I love scallops! Edited May 2, 2012 by PrivateTim 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centexhairysub Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 Well, I was out of position all yesterday and just got to the latest chapter of Paternity. This is what I call a bridge chapter, stuff happened but it is really just setting the scene for what is coming next. This is sort of the chapter that sets up the beginning of the end. I really think that Will slept with the cabbie because he was lonely and wanted someone to care about and care about him; never the best reason to have sex with someone but haven't we all been there. It is such a basic human need to be loved; Will sort of felt that no one really loved him and wanted that, even if it was just physical. Brad's email to Will was masterful. Brad finally got Will to understand that he really did love him, even if they were having problems; that had never changed. I think the biggest issue that was resolved in this chapter was that Will realized that he really did love Brad and Brad really did love him. I truly believe Will had begun to doubt that. When you are young it is so easy for small things to become huge, it is so easy to take a crack in a relationship and make it as wide as the Mississippi River. I don't think that the issues between Brad/Robbie and Will are over, or between Brad and the rest of the family; but this is the chapter that starts some of the healing process. On another point, I just don't the sex between Wade and Jeff being a big deal. It was great sex but just sex. The only way it will become more of an issue is if Wade develops feeling of more that friendship or lust for Jeff, and I really don't see that happening, or at least it better not... " sits at my desk holding a large baseball bat "... Mark, this is truly a wonderful addition to the CAP series and the best story for me since " The Land Whore ", for me the first three stories were really the best... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Arbour Posted May 2, 2012 Author Share Posted May 2, 2012 I really think that Will slept with the cabbie because he was lonely and wanted someone to care about and care about him; never the best reason to have sex with someone but haven't we all been there. It is such a basic human need to be loved; Will sort of felt that no one really loved him and wanted that, even if it was just physical. That's pretty much it, in a nutshell. As opposed to a shellfish, which is entirely different. Brad's email to Will was masterful. Brad finally got Will to understand that he really did love him, even if they were having problems; that had never changed. I think the biggest issue that was resolved in this chapter was that Will realized that he really did love Brad and Brad really did love him. I truly believe Will had begun to doubt that. When you are young it is so easy for small things to become huge, it is so easy to take a crack in a relationship and make it as wide as the Mississippi River. Everything is more meaningful, more intense, and more dramatic. On another point, I just don't the sex between Wade and Jeff being a big deal. It was great sex but just sex. The only way it will become more of an issue is if Wade develops feeling of more that friendship or lust for Jeff, and I really don't see that happening, or at least it better not... " sits at my desk holding a large baseball bat "... Wade's a smart guy. It wouldn't be like him to let something like this come between him and Matt. Matt, on the other hand, is much more ruled by his dick. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Arbour Posted May 2, 2012 Author Share Posted May 2, 2012 Ah B1ue, you should have kept the rant, I agree with some parts, like the part about Will being selfish and not seeing beyond the end of his nose. I don't criticize Will for that, it merely makes him a typical teen. The problem is too many people seemed ready to declare Will this "mature, wise beyond his years" kid who is able to control his own affairs while at the same time condoning his immature, "I'm gonna wreck your things and runaway" actions that show his level of immaturity. I think people have missed the fine line Mark was walking down showing the contradictions that Will is. He has his moments of clarity, but at 14 it is hard to hold onto those moments when the hormones are doing their best to remove any clarity of thought. Conversely, there are those willing to condemn Will for his "I'm gonna wreck your things and runaway" attitude while ignoring the "mature, wise beyond his years" moments. Like Sharon, I think your last sentence sums things up really well. There you go. You really need to work on your verbosity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sat8997 Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 You really need to work on your verbosity. Just keeping it classy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
methodwriter85 Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 Wade's a smart guy. It wouldn't be like him to let something like this come between him and Matt. Matt, on the other hand, is much more ruled by his dick. I've liked that contrast; I really have. Shows me that you're not recycling the Brad and Robbie relationship for the new millennium in younger models- where both Brad and Robbie were pretty much ruled by their dicks, especially in high school and college. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ85 Posted May 2, 2012 Share Posted May 2, 2012 Wade's a smart guy. It wouldn't be like him to let something like this come between him and Matt. Matt, on the other hand, is much more ruled by his dick. Hmmm...quite right! Which is why, which is why...Wade, could come back home to find Matt still wound up over his not being there for the games, and find out that hot, hot Jeff (partial sarcasm there) got to basically have his way with Wade over in Hawaii, and if Jeff's so hot, then Matt would want a piece of him too (nevermind that Jeff doesn't like him)...so what does Matt do? Tracks Jeff down and bends him over, of course! Huh? Huh?? How's that spin for ya? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raistlinsama Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 Wade's a smart guy. It wouldn't be like him to let something like this come between him and Matt. Matt, on the other hand, is much more ruled by his dick. Don't we all love Matt for that? :-P Jokes aside, I believe that while Matt is more ruled by his sexual appetite he still has his priorities right concerning his relation with Wade. On the other hand having the other guy (Wade) more ruled by his brain will probably mean a slightly smoother ride for them than for Brad and Robbie (by the way, will we be seeing a threesome with them and Carullo in the future? I would like it very very much :-P ). Moving to the last chapter: good work as usual, Mark. It seems that Brad is finally realizing (part of?) his mistakes, and Will is maturing a little. I think one of the problems with Will is that while he is highly intelligent and nearly "adult" in most things he still lacks the emotional maturity that would help him to make the right decisions. And maybe that helped Brad and Robbie underestimating the problem: it could be that they reacted to Will as they would have with, say, Darius, failing to notice that they were dealing with a kid needing attention. It's not that Will is without blame, he surely made some bad decisions and I think that in an unconscious way he decided to stick with his anger instead of let it go (in this he is very much Brad son), but he is a kid while Brad and Robbie are the parents. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
methodwriter85 Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 (edited) I hope he isn't shellfish either..... unless he is a scallop. I love scallops! Scallops wrapped with bacon. Mmm. And shrimp. Can't forget shrimp. God, I love living on the East Coast. Seafood is awesome. I really need to hit up the Eastern Shore this summer. Edited May 3, 2012 by methodwriter85 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddydavek Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 Continuing the manic pace of posting chapters to Paternity, Chapter 36 is up and it ends very sweetly. So for all of you that like conflict and acrimony, the only dressing down in the chapter is reserved for Robbie. I really liked the chapter. But as the world turns, I am sure we are in for some more bumps in the road. However, I suspect the manic posting phase is about ready to slow down to a more sustainable rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davewri Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 A great big thanks from all of us for the incredible amount of posting these past few days. You and your team have raised the bar for speed and quality writing. (Now can we expect similar treatment for Granger and his crew to get the new ship launched and out to sea?) Thanks again for bringing Will home safely. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centexhairysub Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 Really enjoyed the latest chapter, this is a good start to dealing with the problems between Brad/Robbie and Will. I think that Robbie will come around more after he is face to face with Will. Robbie's personality is one built more on emotions and tactile behaviour not logic. Robbie does better when the issue is right in front of him, not when he has to really think about it and work it out from a distance. Some individual counseling and maybe some family counseling is in order. The person I don't get is Darius. I understand he is starting college and all wrapped up in Ella, but not even a email? I am really curious now about Jeff's reaction everytime Matt has been brought up. Jeff keeps saying he doesn't want to sleep with Matt, but I wonder if he hasn't already in the past??? Well done as usual Mark... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ85 Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 The person I don't get is Darius. I understand he is starting college and all wrapped up in Ella, but not even a email? Honestly...I wonder if anyone's bothered to tell him what's been going on. Speaking from my own experience, I know how easy it can be to miss hearing about something going on at home unless you happen to call/e-mail someone back home, or vice-versa. Not hearing from Darius is something I'd chalk up to as a simple oversight rather than his own lack of caring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrivateTim Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 Frankly I think Robbie is too much of a pussie to stand up to Will face to face. See below, Robbie = dog, Will = cat. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP2TvLHGa_Y 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naaz Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 Ah, nearing the halcyon days............perhaps it wont last long, it's CAP world after all. A soothing chapter, ends quite well, so all was well, perhaps. I am happy for Will, but this means the intervals between chapters is going to get longer. Sad, sad. This conflict was masterfully captured, and it is probably the first father-son open warfare in CAP, refreshing after a long string of problems between partners. Now I am waiting for Robbie and Will to work it out, and mildly curious to know if Will read Darius correctly; and in a milder way, about Jeff. What is his deal ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Arbour Posted May 5, 2012 Author Share Posted May 5, 2012 A great big thanks from all of us for the incredible amount of posting these past few days. You and your team have raised the bar for speed and quality writing. (Now can we expect similar treatment for Granger and his crew to get the new ship launched and out to sea?) Thanks again for bringing Will home safely. This was a pretty long but intense series of events, so it was important to post them closely together so my readers, a docile bunch, don't get pissed off. They can also have short memories, since I did a similar thing at the end of St. Vincent. Really enjoyed the latest chapter, this is a good start to dealing with the problems between Brad/Robbie and Will. I think that Robbie will come around more after he is face to face with Will. Robbie's personality is one built more on emotions and tactile behaviour not logic. Robbie does better when the issue is right in front of him, not when he has to really think about it and work it out from a distance. Some individual counseling and maybe some family counseling is in order. The person I don't get is Darius. I understand he is starting college and all wrapped up in Ella, but not even a email? I am really curious now about Jeff's reaction everytime Matt has been brought up. Jeff keeps saying he doesn't want to sleep with Matt, but I wonder if he hasn't already in the past??? Well done as usual Mark... I'm not sure if this has come through as well as it should have, but Darius likes to be the center of focus, not that he needs all the attention, but he likes to be seen as the older brother who's more or less at the apex of things. In that, he emulates Brad. So when Will goes off on this tangent, it's probably going to piss him off, because Will's stealing the limelight. He'll view Will's trashing of the house and running away as ridiculous stunts to get attention, and probably view them scornfully. Jeff and Matt haven't slept together, but good guess. Honestly...I wonder if anyone's bothered to tell him what's been going on. Speaking from my own experience, I know how easy it can be to miss hearing about something going on at home unless you happen to call/e-mail someone back home, or vice-versa. Not hearing from Darius is something I'd chalk up to as a simple oversight rather than his own lack of caring. I think Darius cares, I just don't think he gets how much things have changed around home since he moved to Paly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Arbour Posted May 5, 2012 Author Share Posted May 5, 2012 Frankly I think Robbie is too much of a pussie to stand up to Will face to face. See below, Robbie = dog, Will = cat. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP2TvLHGa_Y That was pretty funny. I don't think that Will (the cat) would have to do that. I think a simple nail to the nose would take care of the dog. Ah, nearing the halcyon days............perhaps it wont last long, it's CAP world after all. A soothing chapter, ends quite well, so all was well, perhaps. I am happy for Will, but this means the intervals between chapters is going to get longer. Sad, sad. This conflict was masterfully captured, and it is probably the first father-son open warfare in CAP, refreshing after a long string of problems between partners. Now I am waiting for Robbie and Will to work it out, and mildly curious to know if Will read Darius correctly; and in a milder way, about Jeff. What is his deal ? That is true about chapter intervals. You were warned before you started taking this drug. I think you'll get answers to all of your questions in the next 5-10 chapters, give or take a few. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjo Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 (edited) There are many things that are bad about getting old and one is waking up in the middle of the night. This Sunday morning, the thunder woke me up. As I was thinking about this last chapter (36) another story came to mind. Only a few times has religion come up here, but the last part of this chapter reminds me of the Prodigal Son. As in the story the youngest son (Will) leaves home taking his father's money with him and goes to a far away place. Then the son decides to return. The father (Brad) sees his son (Will) from a far off (surfing) and he runs to him and embraces him and welcomes him (Will) home. A powerful image! In the biblical story there is another son, the old brother who is not happy that his younger brother has returned. Is Robbie or Darius that older brother? I hope not. I think as Stefan said Robbie is upset with Will but underneath the anger is love and forgiveness. What moves me the most about this story, well really both of them are these few things. First we never know how much we have until we lose it. Second, the important things in life are not possessions, but people, people we love. The last is forgiveness. It is sometimes one of the hardest lessons in life but one of the most important. Mark as the master story teller, has shown us the importance of these lessons in the lives of these characters and if I can say it, in ours too. Edited May 6, 2012 by rjo 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centexhairysub Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 I have to say that when I was reading the story, the thought that was running through my head also turned to a bible verse not a story, the one I was thinking of was 1 Corinthians 13 lines 11 through 13: When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain; faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. There is no magic date or time that we suddenly are grown up and mature. It happens for most slowly, moment by moment, and never all at once. For some the time never truly arrives; but for those that do, only they know when it truly happens. Every wrong step, every turn the wrong direction, each wrong choice; helps us to reach our goal of finding the way to our own maturity. Afterall, if you made every right choice in life; you probably did not really live your life... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Arbour Posted May 7, 2012 Author Share Posted May 7, 2012 I have to say that when I was reading the story, the thought that was running through my head also turned to a bible verse not a story, the one I was thinking of was 1 Corinthians 13 lines 11 through 13: When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain; faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. There is no magic date or time that we suddenly are grown up and mature. It happens for most slowly, moment by moment, and never all at once. For some the time never truly arrives; but for those that do, only they know when it truly happens. Every wrong step, every turn the wrong direction, each wrong choice; helps us to reach our goal of finding the way to our own maturity. Afterall, if you made every right choice in life; you probably did not really live your life... You're quoting bible verses? In my forum? If ever there was a sign of the impending apocalypse! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
methodwriter85 Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 It WOULD be interesting if JJ and Will played out Cain and Abel, but I don't think they have that kind of sibling rivalry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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