rjo

Nana reminds me of another certian grandmother, Tonto. Wade is exspected too much, just because Ethan is a Danfield by blood doesn't mean he was raised like Wade. Wade's upbringing is so much a part of him that he can't relate to Ethan. I wonder if Ethan is just wanting to return to school and forget about the Danfields. Ethen's world is much smaller. Mostly just his school friends. It will take time for Ethen to cope. On the other side, I wonder why Brenda Hayes White didn't go to Robbie's service. I understand that they my have not been wanted but she was his mother. I think Mark has been good it showing us how the pain and anger still raises it's head every now and then.These people will be broken for a long time. Everybody mourning in their own time and their own way.

Yesterday, Christmas came early. After waiting in Paris for what seemed like forever, George, our hero came home. Almost a year and a half after he left, he returned. Doing every thing he was asked to do and more. I just think of what it must have seemed to Caroline. Knowing that her husband is only some 260 miles away. So close yet so far. Now at St. James Palace, in front of King and court, her husband appears. What she has been hoping and praying for has happened. What a Christmas present! Mark who is famous for happy ends, has out done himself. I hope for a few more chapters. Reunion with Winkler, Jacobs, his father the Earl, Arthur, Freddie and others. A much different home coming this time. Maybe ending with Christmas at Windsor. For once George can wait and enjoy his family and friends, what better Christmas can there be? I can not thank Mark enough for his wonderful gift!!

Home!! He is home and safe! This is the chapter I have waited for. Thank you Mark! Our hero is home!

In Will's mind they weren't even on his radar. Therefore, he did not set out to disrespect them. I am not saying that he didn't, only that he didn't set out to do it. I believe that is an important difference. If I don't know how you will react to some thing, should I be guilty of making you upset? All of us do things in this life which may cause people to be upset. Honestly, if we worried about all the reactions, we would do little more than huddle in a dark room never doing anything or saying anything. That is not Will and hopefully not us either. Will engages with the world for better or worse. Many times he has done things which I feel were out of line, Brad's and Robbie clothes and cars, however, many times does good, kind things which other in his family should have done. Kai's father, rooms at hotel are just a few. My point has always been Will is growing, learning. progressing . One of the first things I learned in dealing with people is that you must take them from there they are and help them progress to there they want to be. The reason I like Will is that he has many of the qualities which make up outstanding people. Over the last year or so he has shown concern to others, something I don't think Brad thought about until much later in life. His sense of justice, which he shares with his great grandmother. Sometimes he forgets how much people love and care about him, his father, Aunt Clarie but we all do that at times. None of us is perfect. Well maybe Mark the creator of this story so he can be.

A while ago there was a story about a young boy who was chained to a post on the porch of his house. Those parents were removed by the court and their remaining chidren put in protection. Most parents love and protect their children. It can be hard when you have teenager. Ask Brad. Good parents earn respect. Wally and Clara are from a small town and never have moved beyond it. It is not that Wally did or didn't go to college or that until Robbie found them they were poorer. It is a mindset. Stef was poor hustler in Paris and became a very rich man. Many people , so many that I can not name them all, had little or no education, but they had drive and passion for a better life. Zach saw his life and had the good sense to turn it around. That is a good thing. Will it work out? Maybe, maybe not. As for Will; he sees things in a different way. Wally and Clara never entered his mind. He saw a person in need and he was able to forfill that need. It is not that he disrespected anyone, as much as he righted in his own mind a wrong. Honestly I can't believe we are still discussing this. Tim believes Will is flawed. Yes, he is but so are all the characters. All of them, flawed and broken, like real people. Tim sees Will as he is now in time, and I see Will as what he can be. Will is as Mark said a work in progress. Making mistakens, and learning from them. Yes, he may not see all his mistaken, but who does. However, when he sees them he does his best not to repeat them. That is why my friends I feel he will grow into a truly outstanding person. It will take time but it will happen. I can only hope that when that happens we all Will see it.

Only one word is needed at this time JOY! Total JOY!

Holidays are the worst. That's why Christmas will be bad for the family. Will said he didn't want gifts or a big party for his birthday. How can you be happy when the sadness is overwhelming. Also Jeremy you are right, small things set it off. a song, a place, something that belonged to the person.. What is so great is Mark has handled this loss so well. It could almost be used as a guidebook to dealing with grief. Jeremy sorry for your loss.

Dealing with the deaths of both parents and my self-father I must agree. For a number of months after my father died ( I was only nine at the time) my mother had spells of overwhelming sadness. After she died my self-father who was a strong man almost died from grief ( I was 26), After visiting him a number of months later I found that nothing in the house had change, In fact nothing changed in the house during the rest of his life. It was his way of coping. This will be a very long journey for this family. I would not be surprise if this book would go on until Christmas and maybe for a long time beyond.

We have seen Brad his whole life. The new born. The tormented five year old. The shy, deep 11 yo. The self absored high schooler. Later the win at all costs businessman.. God knows Brad has his problems but he can fun too. After the previous chapter I wondered about him.. I know it has only been three weeks in the Cap world. but. What I don't want, Brad be a hollow person, only going through the motions like Barry was after Billy's death. Mark you said Brad was stronger than it seemed. I am starting to think that he will make it and even more important he will be a better person because of it.Sometimes, a person can go through hardship and became better, as in Nelson Mandela. Hopefully a more caring and not as combative. If that is true, it maybe Robbie's last and best gift to him.

After the last chapter, I thought Brad was really in a bad place. Honestly, I wondered if he would make it. Of all the people that could help Brad who would know it would be Scott. When Lark reappeared I thought he was creepy. I changed my mind. Maybe he is the only person who can help. He can get under venner to the hidden Brad and work with him to heal. I thought Lark only cared about himself. I am so glad I was wrong. I remember what Stef and JP said about Will's sex room. It was not a place to orgies but just a place for Will. Stef knew that and showed that he really cares and knows Will. I like this new friend Austin. Maybe it will show Will that he can have friends without having sex with them first. Mark, thanks for this wonderful chapter. Healing in so many ways. Coming from so many unusual places. It gives me hope, and hopefully give hope to this family.

I am not sure I only hope that he is happy. Maybe, with a partner male or female. I think he is a lot stronger than some do . If he is out east it would be New York City. His mothers condo, maybe, a highrise on Park Ave. Hopefully medals on the mantlepiece. Kid's not yet. Could he be helping Brad with Triton? If Brad is still with us.

I don't think having sex with Will can be that bad.

When we first met Tony in Poor Mans Son, he was mad at his father. who died when he was too young. Mad at Sam and at Jake, Over the last books we have seen him confused and still angry. After the float trip, and his problems with Will, I pretty much wrote him off,, but not Will. Tony didn't want to be like his father, and found he was gay. It's lot to work through. Now here we see the first steps, things he needs to do for himself. You can see how Will guides him Then there is Brad. The man who seemed so powerful so strong. Now seems so broken. Honestly I worry about him. Will his grief overwhelm him? We see Will again remember his promise to Robbie. It is so interesting that Robbie knew Brad so well. The one question I have can Will live his life, and take care of his grief as well as Brad's too? I am not sure he can. That is alot for one 15 yo guy. Thanks Mark for another great chapter.

Well Tim I agree with you. However, I think what Mark meant was Clara and Wally think it is just the money , not as St Paul says the love of money. This story in filled with people who got money and crushed and burnt. ( Sorry about that, I was just thinking about Paul Walker. ) Brian, Jeff Hayes and Gathan couldn't handle it. However, we also have three understanding examples of people who could Stef, Robbie and Isidore. Maybe the French just can do it better than the rest of them. Honestly, I think it has to do with the character of the person. Money can be a tool to use for good or destroy the person.

Those of us, who want to see George return home, know that it has to be the beginning of the end of this book. George coming home is total Joy, but the end of one of the best book you have written brings sadness. Still i hope George comes home soon, say for Christmas.

The news that George is safe and being cared for, not rotting in some prison, changes so many things. Long ago, when Caroline choose George they became that power couple. It is good she and Calvert are friehds again. Hint hopefully, George will retuern by Christmas. It was also great that Eastwyck and George also have come to an understanding too. Only one thing remains George's return. Thanks so much for this chapter!!

Just for your information Stef brought two 16 yo boys cars in If It Fits. Alejandio and Mike's son Casey from Chicago. Casey's mom wasn't happy at first.

After all the loss and sadness, this chapter is so warm and fuzzy, It shows us how much these characters have grown. They could have had a knock down fight but they took a moment and found a better way. They showed how much they love each other, care about each other. Yes Will has grown, but not only him but Brad too. Kai's boyfriend did not cause Will to lose it. Even Tony has grown. Making things right with Will. Thanks Mark for this happy chapter. It is good , very good to see the family not only survive but grow and heal. They still have a long road, but they've started the journey.

Tim , you don't really like Will do you. Sorry but I do. I am not saying that Will can do no wrong, but sometimes in seems you think he can do no right. As for Tonto yes that once she reacted poorly, however when JP came out to his parents, Tonto slapped his father. Tonto was not perfect. None of these characters are. I dare say, if they were perfect we as readers wouldn't love them as much. The reason I like Will is because I see him growing through these books. Is he perfect? no and even close but he is improving. And I also like that down the road his is going to be a really good person. A person to be proud of. He has something that I find missing in most people, compassion. It is something I see in most great people. Not all to be sure but most. Will thinks of others, not all the time yes but he seems to more and more. We may never agree about Will, but that is ok. We see him and the other characters different and that is ok. It is what makes Mark"s writing so good. It gives it depth. It makes us forget that they are not real. and that this story is just words on a page. Whether we agree or not, we both have, because of Mark's writing, the desire to express our opinions sometimes very passionately, and that is a very good thing. I wish you Tim, and all the rest of Mark's readers a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

Sorry but I am reminded of the first chapters of The Box in which Steven was not given a car for his 16th birthday? It took only a day or two for Tonto to correct that injustice. An aside after my car was stolen I lived without a car for a number of years. It was a pain to not have a car. Even only for getting to school, getting food and shopping. This is not New York in which a car can be difficult but NJ which getting around is hard. Today I took the bus downtown and just waiting for the bus in the cold and wind was uncomfortable at the lest.

When I heard the terms of Robbies will I thought it was odd that they could only have $20,000 per year. Even back in 2001 that was not that much money. Brad spent more than that on Kevin who he only just met. This family is very rich. Even Robbie who wasn't as rich as the others gave money to his brothers children who he either never met or only saw once or twice. Mark pointed out two things, First Will fights for the underdog and that he sees Zach having the same problems he did. Only our beloved author can see into the mind of his characters like that the rest of us can only wonder. I ask all of you one thing. We must judge each of these characters the same. I think Will has shown himself as a good and caring person. Is he perfect? No but who is. If we take the actions of Brad or Gathan and compare them to Will they are found wanting. Brad did give money to the mission as Stef did but Will gave his time even more than he was asked to. In this very chapter didn't Will tell JP he didn't limited himself to the easy friends or lovers as in Tony. Some would, not Will. I understand I promote Will a lot. But Mark you killed off Tonto without even a goodbye so I feel I must support her great grandson. Sometime ago Will was told he saw the world in black and white, good and bad. It think that is true and this maybe one of those times. However, we need people like that. As Will said once " sometimes voices need to be strong." I guess the question is why are Brad and the others upset, what is their reason and most important should they be? If it is only because of control, only because they don't want the hassile then maybe they are wrong. I personally don't think of Clara and Will as the great mind in the world or even in Ohio. Wasn't Gathan given 6 million dollars with $180,000 a year? A far cry from $20,000.

As I said in my review, I believe that Will gave Zach a car for two reasons: one he thought Zach needed one, have you ever tried to shop without a car? Second, Will's sense of justice. This is who Will is, as Mark said "fighting for the underdog." I believe he thought Gathan would be upset and maybe his Dad, however didn't care about Clara and Wally. Zach lives what 500 miles away from Ohio if they were so concerned about him, he would be living at home. I think with Gatan, Clara and Wally controling is money, Zach will be lucky to get any of his money before he is 50. They make Elizabeth Danfield look like a spend thrift. Sometime ago Robbie and JP thought Will was like Tonto this proves they were right. Tonto would be proud of Will. I am proud of Will for seeing things he thinks are wrong and doing what he can to right them. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!!!

This chapter is so interesting because it shows Will at the top of his game. Before Will reacted as Brad attacking him. Now Will controls the game the others react. First I don't think that Will bought Zach a car to stir things up. He did it because I thought Zac needed a car and it was wrong for Brad or Gathan or whoever to punish Zach by not giving him one. If you look at Will carefully you will see a record of gifts to help people. Kai and his parents for example. This is who Will is. Brad and Gathan are about control as are Clara and Wally that is not Will. He see a wrong and tries to right it. Not a bad thing for Will or Tonto or Robert Kennedy. The second thing is how Will is dealing with Brad Gathan or even his family. He is now in control not being controled. They may not know it yet but Will is a lot smarter and better at this game than they are. Thanks Mark for an outstanding chapter. It just gets better and better.

It as good to hear from Lord Granger. I am hoping that he will return home for Christmas. He needs to get home. One of the most interesting things about this chapter was seeing Lord Spencer and all the forces he deals with. Who wants to get Calvert out of town and more important why? I am sure they want him gone before Granger returns. Now with the Spanish on board hopefully the time is soon. George has always been careful in dealing with the ins and outs of his xaptivity. Why did he put himself in danger? Maybe he thought it would help him get home. Not the perfect house guest? We will see. Christmas is coming.

Leave it to our beloved author to weave a story with so many ins and outs. Zach's trust, Will and Zach, and Brad and Will all are situations in flux. Brad has always used painting to heal himself, as with the lose of his brother Billy all those years ago. It is so interesting to see how Will and Brad's relationship has changed. Before they would have been at each others throuts, now they take that extra moment and hold back. They still understand each other, but now they support each other a lot more. Brad has grown to see Will as not that little kid he must protect, but a young man who can most of the time handle his own relationships by himself. I have to say this again, I like the person Will is becoming. Many of his tiraids now are a reaction from losing his mother, Robbie and Hank. He still has that need to right the wrongs he sees Some thing he got from his great grandmother, Tonto. I called Gathan a golden boy, Will is the golden boy of golden boys. There is a kindness which comes out more and more whether it is to repair Kai's house and buying rooms for those who needed them. He promised Jeanine and Robbie. Those are oaths which he will keep. A man of his word. Just look at all the little things he has done for Brad since 9 11. Some as simple as a word or pat on the back. None of this has changed him. I always thought my favorate character was JP, as much as I love him, Will has became the promise of the future.