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Wow!! Kitt you are wonderful!! This whole problem is not about Will at all. It is about Matt and his disregard of other people's feelings. Will's but much more importantly WADE's. You remember WADE , Matt's partner, lover, that person. You have never addressed that. I believe Wade is at the end of his rope with Matt. It is time, no passed time for Matt to grow up. If he doesn't he will lose Wade and everything else. It has happened before.

Sorry I missed that A very Happy Birthday to Tim!!!

This is the point I think Matt should do something like Prince William did a off year, in which he can find himself. He needs to sort himself out, and find what he truly wants out of life. I think I would be good for him. Working with the poor in a foreign land.

I can't remember many times I disagreed with Westie. This time I do. I love you Kitt!! I have only two points to make. 1. Even though Matt says he loves Wade, which in some way I believe he does. Still he continues to break Wade's heart by sleeping around, long before Robbie's death. Because of that you can not blame it on grief. 2. Second Matt never really accepted Darius, JJ, Will as his brothers. You could argue about JJ, but I think friend or mentor would define it better. He took JJ under his wing but I don't think ever had his back, like brothers should.

Thanks Mark. see if you wouldn't write so good, nobody would care and you wouldn't have all this termoil. Thank God that isn't the case. I am not sure but I am really disappointed with Matt. I could understand him and his free open lifestyle, No problem, but then don't have a relationship. He must be able to see how much pain it is causing Wade. If you say you love someone, how can you do that? I am hoping that JP can get through to him. Once Brad was talking to Robbie and he said lying cheating partners were worth nothing at all. he was right. I await JP's wisdom. He is the only person Matt will listen too.

Back in 1995 I was in New York at Montel William's talk show. His guests were two sister who slept with each other boy friends and have babies from each one. Montel replied that civilized people don't do things like this. Matt was brought up in Shaker Heights. In a upper middle class household. He should know better. even if he didn't think of Will as his brother. Will was still Robbie's son. Matt should have known better. That is not taking into consideration Wade feelings, his partner. The person Matt exchanged rings with less than a year ago. If a friend came up tho me and said please don't sleep with his guy, I have feelings for him. I would not even think about it. Again this has nothing to do with grief, but has to do with total disregard of common decentesy, Sorry but I is how I see it. I can only hope JP points that out to him.

I want one of those signs, beware of Cat. I agree in many ways JJ and Will live in two different worlds. However. JJ would never do that to Will and Will could not do that to JJ. When push comes to shove Darius, JJ and Will are brothers. Not by blood but brothers still. I think the losses of 9 11 showed them that even more. Through their grief they were brought together. That is not true with Matt. Matt has never really thought of himself as part of the family. Yes Robbie was his father, but that is as far as it went. I am a only child. I can not tell you how much I would have like a brother or a sister. Matt do not have that. I am not saying it is always bed of roses. But through good and bad times, they can be a comfort. At the beginning of Bloodlines we saw Matt a nice guy, looking for love. Now we see him looking for sex and he doesn't care who he hurts to get it. Some one said Matt is like Jeff Hayes except rather than drugs Matt uses sex. I think that is true. Just as Jeff alienated everybody, I feel Matt is doing the same things. Tim talks about Will and Will's foolish mistakes. I would say look at Matt. Who seems to be throwing away everything just for easy sex. Matt sounds to me like that 5 yo brat who can't take no for an answer. Yes he is hurting. But again I need to point out so are all these people. And what could have been a bonding experence with Wade and his other brothers and family didn't happen because Matt was only thinking of himself. Sorry it pains me to say that but it is true.

Normally I don.t disagree with Mark, but I feel there is no good reason for Matt's behavior. None. Matt didn't have brothers before, you would think he would try, He would want to et along these guys. Treating Will like this is just wrong. How many guys are at school? Will says please don't have sex with one of them. One person! When why he is treating Wade like he is? No good reason. This could have been a time which these two supported each other. Matt acts like he is the only one who lost someone. What world is he living in? Wade's dad died too. OK. I like Wade better than Matt. But part of that is that Matt has been acting like a dumbass. Matt has a lover, partner who loves him, who is cute, rich and devoted to him, and he just kicks Wade out. Dumb. You can call it grief but Matt has been doing this for almost four years.Robbie has only been death for 45 days. This is about Matt not growing up. Robbie did some dumb thing at times But Robbie also cared about his family. In the long run he cared. Matt seems to be unbelievable selfish. If I was Wade this would be the end period. I believe He could; find someone a lot better than Matt. I hate to say it, but it seems Matt has kill Wade's love for him. Wade deserves much better. As for Tony, kick him to the curb. End of story.

This last chapter was so telling. To get inside Brad's head, to understand how Brad sees his relationships is very illumenating. Brad has lost a lot more than most people could live with, but this is Brad. He maybe broken grieving and lost but this is Brad. In life you have survivors and Brad is a survivor. This new Brad will be different stronger more careful. He will learn from the past and with his family move on.

What does one say, about this chapter? For some time I have focused on our young British Captain and his homecoming. Even before that, Will. Who is such a wonderfully character with all his strengths and faults. But now you reminded me of Brad, Brad was one of those people you couldn't help but like. He had changed himself from the shy kid who had been rejected by his mother and family. In those dark days, only Tonto was there to protect him. Then things changed, he found JP, Stef and Isidore, and a loving home. He grew, shed the shyness, and with the help of Stef, he was ready to reach out. He found Robbie. And for all the problems, there was love a love that strong to overcome all the they would face and more. Now you bring us Brad again. A Brad who is broken, grieving, a person who lost more than his partner, a person who has lost his way. Even in this sorrow he sees and knows his family so well. Sees their strengths and weaknesses. Knowing what he can do and can't. Open to see Zach as not that evil person he thought he was. Through all the pain, the hurt and loss, is the Brad who remade himself. The Brad who lived through the abuse. Now this same Brad must find the joy in life. Not just work, but the joy which is still out there. And dare I say the LOVE which is out there too. Just as Robbie made him promise. Last there is Zach and Will. Two souls which click,. There is a concern, a feeling, which is much deeper than sex. And to say that about Will is saying something. It seems impossible. It goes against all rules of relationships. Opposite ends of the country. One hidden because of sports, the other out, way out. But love is strong and this maybe that beginning. Both smart and now we will see. if love can live with so many difficulties ahead of them. Mark what can we say, You grab us and force us to feel, to care, and live a long side these characters. And when we think you an not do any better. you do!!!

Jeremy, that was one of your best posts ever. It is nice to see someone who understands Will and JJ so well. We all have our idea of who these characters are. I think that is what is great about Mark's work. We all can have our own interpration and still enjoy the story. Hope you had a great New Year.

I am so glad you returned safely.

I have a feeling that there will be a number of more chapters, I hope so. So far we have only seen the beginning of his homecoming. The Prince of Wales, Spencer are only the beginning. Time at Windsor maybe another gift from King? Getting his crew together and getting a new ship will come. The mob with not let him waste away. He is too good. For the first time other than Travis's death, I could be in the room with them see the interaction. I believe this has became your best story ever. Let us face it, it is a lot easier putting yourself into a story in 2001 than one in 1798 in England, but you have made that easy. The last three chapters have been a joy. See him reunite with his wife. You could feel the love! Breaking all the rules to hug his father at court. Seeing Freddy. And then what I was waiting for seeing his brave loyal servant, Winkler, It was perfect, George knew how much they cared about each other. So much different than his last homecoming. In few more years, William maybe able to go to sea with his father. Now at home, surrounded by all his friends and family, honored by king and country he could become a country gentleman. But that is not George. The sea will call again, Spencer with be forced to find a bigger and better ship and he will be off. our Hero!! Words can not express what a great story this is. To bring us to that time, to make it real, so real we wonder if this is fact or fiction. Thanks for your second story, and how excellent it has become.

Another great chapter!! I would agree that Zach may not be partner material for Will. However, Brad is on my mind. Sometimes going back to the places can be good, but I don't think Brad is ready for that. Hopefully Will can help. I wonder if Will is ready to return to The City? It could be very hard for both of them. Thanks again Mark.

I hate to say this but holidays are the worst. Anytime you remember that your loved one is not there.

Again you have done it. A wonderful chapter! For once George has to sit back and enjoy all the riches of his labors. Just to see his home, with his father, Freddie, Winkler. Surrounded with the people he loves. maybe for the first time knowing how much they love him too. I was surprised to see this chapter, but overjoyed when it appeared. Thank you Mark for this wonderful present. A good way to begin the New Year.

If we are really honest, we all are a work in progress. Learning from mistakes and doing better every day.

I am not sure if it is a good idea to respond to you or not. It seems like Will buying Zach a car is like a dead dog. It is dead, please bury it and move on. You called Zach a troublemaker, is he or is it just Gathan who thinks so? Whether Clara and Wally, have no faith in Zach is not the point. Zach thinks they don't. He wonders if they love him. That is big. Will felt that way when he ran away. Even way back JP thought his father didn't love him when he came out. I have a problem with something you said. You are upset with Will going against Wally and Clara about the car, but when Zach moved out to the East coast, which is much bigger thing, Wally and Clara wishes arn't important? Whether it was Zach's idea or not, Zach wanted to start over and he thought he needed a car. We can only wonder why Zach moved. Robbie had to work it out. Wally and Clara never met the host parents. Wally seems like the type of person that would not think out of the box. We can see that by their reaction in the hotel. My question why is one wrong? Will buying the car even though I feel Will could have handled it better. And the moving Zach out of town was right? Could it be how it was done. Will himself believes that if Robbie had done this it would not be that big a problem. Lastly you wondered about Brad helping the other kids. If Robbie was still alive he would have guided the rest of the family. Robbie is dead. Brad must now step in and help and guide them just like Robbie would have. Let's face it, Wally and Clara never ran a business or went to college. Wouldn't Brad and the crew be helpful at times like that?

I understand in the past I have been pro Will, and maybe pushed his mistakes aside, marked them up to him growing, learning, can we say maturing. We first saw Zach through Gathan's eyes. Because of that we have thought of him as evil and manipulitive. What changes things is his transformation, is it real or part of the act? At the end of the chapter Zach said Will was the only one who had his back. In comparision, Will had a long list of people who has his. It is sad only Will cames up. Either that is a lie or it tells us alot of the situation Zach is living with. Zach has been type cast as a trouble makern and is put down by his parents. He has no where else to go. Will has a chance to be a real friend, not just a playmate. I can't help but thinking about Fred Hayes and how Aaron's loss changed him. Generations were effected. Wally was part of the group who attacked Robbie in high school. Fred want Aaron to have a better life, to go to college. Later he didn't want Jeff in college. Could Wally be effected by this also? It sounds like of the six kids Clara and Wally raised only three are bound or in college. Is he jealous that they have the ability he doesn't. If Zach was so much trouble, why would they sent away? Do they know this host family? Why have not come to visit him? Now the harder questions. Do they really care about Zach? Care about his needs? As Will pointed out, do they really care, or did they just want to ship the problem out of town. Is that the best way of taking care of a problem? it is time for Brad to step up and raise Robbie extended family. If Robbie has still around, what would he had done? I think we can see the beginnigs of it. I bet he set up the host family for Zach. Robbie saw what Zach could become with help, his help. Will has it figured out. Will Brad?

Mark please don't get me wrong. I have always thought your stories were unique. They grab you and don't let go. Normally, I have gotten into the Cap story, but since the Odyssey started I have been drawn into it more and more. Reading it over and over. I believe once you said you started writing this story to help you with the other, It has now at the same level as Cap in my mind. Not just the other story but much more. Of course who wouldn't want to sail around the world with George? Even with all the dangers. When Winkler was relating his story, it reminded me how young our boy wonder is, only 22. Think of all the things he has done and maybe will still do. Brave. couragious, handsome, and most important he has a good heart. Yes Mark, you are correct, these next chapters with take a lot of work, but I know they will be outstanding, because of who you are, a true craftsman, an artisen of words, a bard, like the ancient story tellers of old. Have a good vacation. Happy New Year!! All the best!!

I was thinking many families have a loss, like what this family had, can do one of two things, It can break the family apart or bring the family together. Thankfully, this loss has seems to bring the family together. I am not sure, but it seems before the three brothers, Darius, JJ, and Will, all had their separate lives. Even Brad and Robbie were separate for most of the time. Now they seem to think about each other more. Worry about each other more. Try to interact better with each other. It does not work all the time, but they are working toward it. They are not just reacting but stopping to think first. They seem to be sharing their feels like never before. It's been over a month and Will and Brad have not gotten into it like before. While that part of the family seems to have grown together , Frank and Matt have not gotten that far. I worry more about Frank, I see him turning into Barry, Tonto's husband after their second son died. Matt is another story. He has Wade, but is that enough? Can Nana knock some sense into him? For some reason he thinks he is the only one who lost someone. Yes, he lost his father, who he only has known for four years. I remember their meeting. How Robbie was willing to give him a kidney. Wade has put up with Matt's behavior for years now. How much longer will he? If their relationship ends will Matt go off the deep end? He could. Drunk and careless he could find himself with something he really doesn't want. While Wade has always seemed older than his age, Matt seems more like 16 year old. Now I like Matt, but he seems to think more about himself and not about Wade and their relationship.I understand Matt loves.the college life but soon that will end, What will Matt do then?

Before I start this post I must say I am sorry. I feel like an ingreat. No one has written more in a shorter time. If it was only that then, but his stories and the characters leap off the page and force us to love or hate them. I yurn really yurn for another chapter, for George to enjoy the holiday with his family. I know Mark has come out with three out standing chapters in the CAP story but please don't forget George. I understand that with George's homecoming, he is just hanging out, no ship and when we get to this point in a story, almost to the end of a book, it can be hard to let go. It must be even harder for an author, for these stories must be almost like his children. Honestly, I am always sad at the end of each book. Please, Please, let us hear from George, soon/ Thank you, Mark!!

Mark, I hate to tell you it was 13 below this morning and 35 below in northern Minnesota. With that said, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Brad is doing better. He could have beome the slut, as he did sometimes during problems with Robbie. Also Will and Darius both understand that this is not going away, but and that is a big but,it is slowing ever so slowly that things will return to normal. True a new normal, different without Robbie and Jeanine but still normal. The lesson is that life goes on, time passes and the wounds heal. Again I must say Mark, you are doing a great job of showing this process. After my father died, my mother went through many of the same things that this family is going through. It is a very hard road but the only one that will work. Great chapter!!

At this time of year one looks back and sees the important things. The older one get the more this happens. I can say truthfully that Mark, his stories, and my follow readers have made this first years of retirement easier to bare It is almost like having a second family, gathered from all over the country, even all over the world. Like real families we don't always agree, but in the long run that makes it even more interesting. I wish all of you a Merry Christmas, or if it fits better Happy Holidays!!

I am still wondering if all this attitude is part of a act. Remember this kid only saw his dad once or twice a year. I still think it is deeper than we think. Maybe Nana is the one to bring him out of it. She survived her bout with Elizabeth, so she can do this easily.