Heart of the Tree by Graeme

[BeaStKid]

As for your comment about what Matt needs to say -- Matt and I both disagree with you We believe that there are people (of both sexes) who will love Shane for who he is -- an empathic and very lovely person who just doesn't fit into societal stereotypes.

 

Oh, and the next chapter should be appearing at AwesomeDude in the next few hours....

Not only do you and Matt disagree, So do I...I believe there is a soul mate for everybody on this earth....

 

Eagerly waiting for the chapter Graeme....

 

The BeaStKid

[BeaStKid]

Chapter 24 is up...

 

Thanks Graeme..

 

Without disclosing too much I'll just say---Oh My God!!!!

 

Wicked Graeme...Wicked!!!

 

The review will follow once the chapter has been read by more people...I wouldn't want to give away the story now, would I? lol

 

The BeaStKid

[wildone]

Graeme.....what a heart wrenching ending . I too won't go into much detail. I loved the way you went back and forth in time, rather than doing it linear.

 

Can't wait to discuss more.

 

Steve

[C James]

 

Excellent chapter! I like the way most things seem heading, and the interplay between some characters is heartwarming and funny too. Rhys and his partying, and maneuvering to get the master bedroom, was hilarious.

 

I hope things come together for Jamie and Alex!

 

That's one lulu of a cliffhanger ending!!! I won't say more about that for fear of spoiling it, but, whoa...

[Graeme]

That's one lulu of a cliffhanger ending!!! I won't say more about that for fear of spoiling it, but, whoa...

I have to disagree -- a cliffhanger is one where the reader is left waiting to see what happens next to resolve an issue/problem/situation that has just been revealed. I don't see how that definition fits the ending of chapter 24. I think of it more as an ambush with an automatic weapon....

 

Thanks, everyone!

[BeaStKid]

Okay, now I feel like I can discuss the chapter...

 

First off--- Never in a million years I expected this type of ending. I guess the character in question has made a place in our hearts through the story that to see that person in despair caught me off-guard.

 

The friendly banter b/w Rhys and his friends was hilarious and fun to read. I'm eagerly waiting to see where this story leads to from here on...

 

The BeaStKid

[Graeme]

First off--- Never in a million years I expected this type of ending. I guess the character in question has made a place in our hearts through the story that to see that person in despair caught me off-guard.

 

The friendly banter b/w Rhys and his friends was hilarious and fun to read. I'm eagerly waiting to see where this story leads to from here on...

Thanks, BeaStKid!

 

Chapter 25 (the next chapter) will conclude part three of the story. Part four will (hopefully) bring the story to a conclusion at around chapter 32.

 

I would have thought despair is the wrong emotion to ascribe to that person. They had mentioned in previous chapters that they won't regret it when it happens, and they even had a smile on their face at the end of the chapter.

 

Graeme

[TalonRider]

Very good chapter Graeme.

 

I don't think Rhys had plans to get the master bedroom. He was assuming, like everyone else that it was going to be shared. Everyone also assumed that Vince would be staying with Matt. Personally, I think its time for them to have some time to themselves. They've been together now almost constantly since Christmas and it's time for Matt to do some serious thinking about he feels about Vince. After all, it's been said that absence makes the heart grow fonder.

 

I knew right away something was going to happen the old Heart of the Tree just from the symptoms we were given so the ending was quite that big of surprise to me.

 

Jan

[wildone]

I still have to go with the heart wrenching ending comment!! Definitely not a cliff hanger, but she left the story with dignity and respect. I think you would have to be pretty cold hearted to read all the previous chapters and not shed a tear or two at the end of that chapter. I did, but it was not only in sadness, but in the happiness in knowing that she was ready and was actually not afraid to finally go.

 

I also agree that possibly Vince and Matt could use a little alone time. Matt's character strikes me as being reasonable enough to know that the primary reason they are going to school is to get an education, not to screw around .

 

It will also be interesting to see how Mark and Vince get along, since it appeared that Mark wasn't too comfortable with the whole gay thing earlier on (Note to Graeme: I am not going to accuse Mark of being a homophobe, I've learned from your sage advice , but you don't have to be a homophobe to be uncomfortable around something maybe you don't understand). Even if there was any tension, I imagine that Vince would have Mia to notice even before he did, and she could straighten things out.

 

On another note, with Billy and Alex not really denying or affirming their classmates assumptions about who the Heart of the Tree is, how long before they figure it out? Then, will Vince be comfortable coming back home? I imagine the guessing will increase ten fold with the death of a certain beloved character.

 

Steve

[acassimaty]

The concluding chapter of part 3 is up.

 

Chapter 25

[Lugh]

G!

 

Have I told you lately how much I enjoy this story?

 

I swear it only gets better and better...

 

Looking forward to the next "book"

 

Happy Writing!

[Graeme]

Have I told you lately how much I enjoy this story?

Er.... I don't think so.

 

Thanks, Lugh!

[Lugh]

awwww

 

you are most welcome

 

keep writing!

[C James]

Beautiful chapter. Very sad, very poignant, and Aunt Cynthia, what a lady.

 

The one thing that really threw me for a loop; The final scene, with Rhys worrying that the councilmen and his father were bing told who the new heart was, while looking at him.

 

I have a hunch that we might have a new plot twist in the works. And yes, that was surely a cliffhanger.

[Graeme]

Beautiful chapter. Very sad, very poignant, and Aunt Cynthia, what a lady.

Aunt Cynthia has to be one of my favourite characters. Simple, complex, and an all round nice person.

 

The one thing that really threw me for a loop; The final scene, with Rhys worrying that the councilmen and his father were bing told who the new heart was, while looking at him.

*rushes back and has another read of that section*

 

Er... they were looking in his direction, not look at him. He was standing with a group of people. Exactly who they were looking at is open to debate....

[Conner]

I'm glad Aunt Cynthia didn't linger around for a few chapters. That would have been horrible. The old doll was great, I have to admit. She spoke her mind without being crotchety, as older folk can be. Personnally, when I get old , I'm gonna do the crotchety thing.

 

I wouldn't call the ending a cliffhanger either. Cliffhangers, for me at least, demand almost immediate resolution. Now, that doesn't mean you're necessarily going to get it in the next chapter. Vince knows his coming out to the town will not be a walk in the park. He's not ready for that yet, so he remains in the closet. What the "looks" might mean (and I have to agree that we're not entirely sure who was being looked at) is some sort of plot may be in the works to prevent Vince from being the heart. Mind you, the looks may well have been intended for Alex. I'm assuming he was at the grave site, I can't remember.

 

Frankly, I don't see Matt and Vince taking their vows anytime soon. They may well wait until both have graduated. Alex and Jamie will be too busy just trying to make their long distance realtionship work.

 

The Alex/Jamie phone conversation, with Alex under the tree, was really sweet.

 

Rhys seems to be maturing. Who wooda thunk?

 

Right now, Bobby is hurting pretty bad. Alex seems to be his only support. How about more support for Bobby, Graeme?

 

I got riled up again with Mia's comment about how Shane's femme-like behaviour was a good match for Karen's butch-like behaviour. For me, it came across as a rather shallow observation from someone still suffering from a guilty conscience. According to Mia, she and Mark have some sort of understanding. :wacko: I believe what 'they" have is Mia's understanding of how the relationship will work. I think that Mark is compromising himself just to have people think they're together. I believe Mia's in love with Vince, her best friend. Obviously, Vince is not available. That left her in the, admittedtly, very awkward position of having to choose between Shane and Mark....or being alone I suppose. Both were going to be at uni with her. I don't think she followed her heart on that choice. She went with the more masculine man rather than be in relationship with a man who came across as gay.

 

Graeme, it's good thing that you're writing this story! Otherwise, there are 2 characters now who would have met with an untimely demise.

 

To your credit, though, my "involvement" in this story is a sign of my commitment (or addiction) to it. Great job.

 

Conner

Edited August 14, 2007 by Conner

[wildone]

Loved the chapter Graeme

 

Even though I've grown attached to Aunt Cynthia, it was a touching tribute to her life. The poem was amazing and not sure if it was written for the story but definitely fit perfect. My compliments to Codey

 

It will be interesting to see what Susie was whispering in to the other's ears. She is probably still feeling scorn after Vince kicked her nakid ass out of Matt's tent. Who knows what evil things she will do, you know the saying, hell hath no fury.......

 

To what Connor said, I agree that Bobby does seem a bit left out. Everyone has moved on to University and he seems to have to deal with his parents divorce, helping Vince's dad, being supportive of Alex, and wonder about his own future on his own. I don't know if Haley and Scott will be there for him like Vince, Rhys and Mia could have been.

 

It shall be interesting to see what happens in Book 4.

 

Steve

[Graeme]

I'm glad Aunt Cynthia didn't linger around for a few chapters. That would have been horrible. The old doll was great, I have to admit. She spoke her mind without being crotchety, as older folk can be. Personnally, when I get old , I'm gonna do the crotchety thing.

Yeah, I'll probably do the crotchety thing, too.

 

I got riled up again with Mia's comment about how Shane's femme-like behaviour was a good match for Karen's butch-like behaviour. For me, it came across as a rather shallow observation from someone still suffering from a guilty conscience. According to Mia, she and Mark have some sort of understanding. :wacko: I believe what 'they" have is Mia's understanding of how the relationship will work. I think that Mark is compromising himself just to have people think they're together. I believe Mia's in love with Vince, her best friend. Obviously, Vince is not available. That left her in the, admittedtly, very awkward position of having to choose between Shane and Mark....or being alone I suppose. Both were going to be at uni with her. I don't think she followed her heart on that choice. She went with the more masculine man rather than be in relationship with a man who came across as gay.

This is a good example of how appearances can be interpreted in different ways. I accept that what you've said is a viable and definitely possible interpretation of what has happened. That, however, doesn't mean it's true My personal view is that people are complex and when it comes to relationships, they can get very complex. If you go back to chapter 23, you'll find this little piece where Karen and Warren are heading to Sydney:

 

[acassimaty]

Chapter 26, first chapter of Part Four: The Heart Decides, is up!

[wildone]

Great Chapter Graeme .

 

I will wait a bit to add some comments about the chapter, but my hopes go out to both Bobby and Vince to end up happy .

 

Steve

[Conner]

I wait for no one! :2hands: (I love it when I sound so manly, so defiant...)

 

Great! Looks like Bobby may have a love interest. He and Cindy seem just perfect for each other. Good stuff. The scene leading up to the surprise birthday gift was hilarious. You just about had me there, Graeme, what with you putting a smile on Bobby's face. Shane to the rescue once again.

 

Mark needs to lose whatever it is he has up his butt. Relax, dude, you're gonna bust a gut.

 

So, Graeme, why don't we see the expression "mate" used much???

 

.....and the plot thickens around The Tree.

 

Another great chapter!

 

Conner

[wildone]

I wait for no one! :2hands: (I love it when I sound so manly, so defiant...)

 

Conner

 

 

Ohhhh Conner, I luv it when you take control .

 

Okay, since you decided to get the ball rolling.

 

I was happy that Bobby may have found someone for him in Cindy. I wonder if there will be a double date with Bobby and Cindy, and Alex and Jamie. At least the drive to each others towns will not be alone.

 

I agree with you regarding Mark. I wish Mia would step up and give him a good tongue lashing for his stupidity.

 

I feel sorry for Vince, as I'm sure he will have to be "outed" as the new heart. Damn Sally and her dad. Hopefully Rhys's parents can do enough to stop the tree from coming down without Vince and Matt declaring under it.

 

My last question is, now that Bobby is kinda taken with Cindy, we have Bobby/Cindy, Vince/Matt, Mia/Mark (shaking my head at this one), Alex/Jamie. So where does this leave Shane and Rhys? Does Graeme have something up his sleeve?

 

Steve

[Graeme]

I wait for no one! :2hands: (I love it when I sound so manly, so defiant...)

Great! Looks like Bobby may have a love interest. He and Cindy seem just perfect for each other. Good stuff. The scene leading up to the surprise birthday gift was hilarious. You just about had me there, Graeme, what with you putting a smile on Bobby's face. Shane to the rescue once again.

I had fun with that scene. I wondered if people might be offended by a visit to a brothel, but it was in character for everyone concerned, so I thought it appropriate. As for Shane, he's very much a people-person. He knows lots of people (mainly girls, admitedly) and has a lot of contacts.

 

Mark needs to lose whatever it is he has up his butt. Relax, dude, you're gonna bust a gut.

Mark is that person who wants to do the right thing, but keeps putting his foot in it.... His heart is usually in the right place, but his mouth is often somewhere else.

 

So, Graeme, why don't we see the expression "mate" used much???

Honestly, I didn't want to over do it. You can usually tell the authors who aren't Australian who have Australian characters that go overboard on "mate" and other phrases. The phrase IS used a lot in Australia, but the story doesn't need it to tell people where the story is located. The goal has been to include enough to give the story flavour, without over-seasoning it

 

I was happy that Bobby may have found someone for him in Cindy. I wonder if there will be a double date with Bobby and Cindy, and Alex and Jamie. At least the drive to each others towns will not be alone.

It was strange that people started to 'worry' about Bobby just before this chapter. I will admit that I was writing the lead up to this point, I was also concerned about him I'm a romantic at heart, even if it doesn't always show.

 

My last question is, now that Bobby is kinda taken with Cindy, we have Bobby/Cindy, Vince/Matt, Mia/Mark (shaking my head at this one), Alex/Jamie. So where does this leave Shane and Rhys? Does Graeme have something up his sleeve?

Shane and Rhys? I will admit that I did have one reader suggesting they'd make a cute couple (with Rhys as the bottom in the relationship ) I will neither confirm nor deny the possibility....

 

Thanks everyone for the comments

 

It is now almost certain that chapter 32 will conclude the story. There's still a bit to go, but the end-run has started

[C James]

I absolutely adored this chapter!

 

That "ride to the brothel" had me in stitches once I knew.

 

My initial reaction was that it would be very out-of-character for Bobby to agree (though only a slight stretch for a couple of the others) so I figured it was real. Also, good thinking on the age limits; that is very realistic; I've seen it happen in real life.

 

Shane came through, he's great! I also think that Bobby and Cindy have a LOT in common.

 

I am very curious what was whispered between Alex and Jamie regarding the ride, though i can guess. LoL

 

However, the situation with the tree looks grim...

[acassimaty]

Chapter 27 is up!