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rjo

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  1. rjo

    Chapter 92

    Wow! Who would know that the man who has done so much for this family would nave a son-in-law who would have done so much evil. Only Mark could have done this, What a small world! Before I thought that this family would reach out to these two boys. Now I know it will happen. The only thing is can the five live with what they have done? Killing someone even if they were evil hurts those innocent people around them. After the feel good chapter now we go back to the snake pit. Brad and JP have dealt with it before. How will Robbie, Stef and Will? No one can know , no one! I think that will be hardest on Will. The others have lived with these secrets before. He has not, Just as he got his life setup and in line. Everything looked so promising this dark wrinkle could haunt him. Mark another amazing chapter! Not the warm and fuzz type to be sure, but one which gives you pause to think. Who is the person in the mirror? And can I still look him in the face? That is what these five must live with forever.
  2. rjo

    Chapter 91

    I just finished reading the last four chapter. They show a marolous story. No matter how bad things are, hope and love can move mountians. Again I wonder how really one person brought this family back together, Will. He never gave up. I stand back and wonder is this the same guy who trashed Brad and Robbie stuff and ran away? The transformation is breath taking. Not just Robbie and JJ and then his mother. He turned the worst Christmas into the best. Not all the characters know what he did or maybe all that he did. Not all his work is done. Matt and Wade still need his touch. Mark over the years you have worked your magic bringing us from conflict and peace, hate to love. However this was the best feel good chapter ever, Thank you, Mark.
  3. I could be wrong but I see Will moving into the tech world. This is not saying surfing is unimportant but I see other things catching his interest. I think Will could easily take over part of Stef's empire. Another thing, maybe he could take over the charity work. The Schluter Foundation He would be good at making sure the right people got the help they needed. Matt doing the properties end and Wade the legal end. I still see Wade as a member of government in some way. It is embeded in his very being. JJ is a little harder to nail down. Maybe after all the crap his and the other Gay skaters have gone through, he will work to reform skating and the whole atheletic world to be fairer and more open. What ever happens this generation with leave their mark on the world.
  4. As Paternity comes to the end a few thoughts, some of which reflect what others have said, some may not, I agree with Jeremy that this story worked the best because Will and Wade mesh better than Gathan and Will. Ever since Wade entered the saga I liked him. He has a strong moral compass which gives him a noble image. Will said it once if he couldn't trust Wade there was no one he could trust.. Will has much of that same noblity. In a lot of ways they have fhe same qualities, however they are not the same person. Maybe the greatest quality that they have in common is that they will fight for those whom they love even to give up their livies. The second thing is the growth of Will. In the last few days I have read Paternity over and over again. I can hardly believe how much Will has changed. Even I have to admit much of his behavior was over the top at the beginning of the story. Mark said something that brought things into focus. Will needed his freedom in order to grow. Once he had that freedom, he could grow. ( In many ways this is not unlike Brad without Robbie. Once that foundation was gone he was lost but with that foundation he was restored to himself.) If Will is really like his great grandmother he will truly be a person we can be proud of. Chapter 90 showed us, there Will in his new room at his new home was able to begin the healing which was so needed. A few simple things like the slippers and aphgan began the healing with Robbie. Later he was able to relate to JJ and bring the joy of Christmas back to his brother. He was able to restore some of the joy of life which has been sucked out of JJ by his coach. Now he is willing to take the step to repair his relationship with his mother. What a change! I have come to the conclusion that Paternity is like a mini saga. Much of what happens in the early part of the CAP saga happens here again with Wade or Will. It shows us that life is not that much different for any of us, for all of us. We all were 14 once, going on 25. Some of us are blessed with children. Holding that new born child whether it is JP holding ACE , Brad holding Will or Wade holding Riley it is the same. Life goes on, changes come but in some ways things stay the same. That is the story of life and the story of this saga. Last, as this part of the saga ends sadness comes upon me. Like Tim I want this to go on and on forever. These characters are as he said like friends in another town. When I used to have my business meetings in Santa Cruz I wondered for a second whether I would see someone from the story. This is the longest story in the saga because it works so well. Mark you have given us characters we care about, situations we can relate too, and DRAMA yes Drama we love. What more could we ask for?
  5. I found chapter 90 a chapter of hope. Just like Christmas is a season of hope. Will's returning to happier earlier days showed us that he loves JJ a lot and the fact that he is willing to visit his mom is even more telling. Can this family heal itself? Before this chapter I wouldn't have thought so. Now however I am sure about it. It is interesting that a few simple acts on Will's part may have restored a happy Christmas for this family and maybe other things can be handled better to. I think we all recieved a late but wonderful Christmas gift last night and I thank our author for it.
  6. rjo

    Chapter 90

    Last night I woke up and saw there was a new chapter. Over the years Mark has created some awesome work but this was the best ever. As I had thought there was only one person who could begin the healing in this family. Behind the drama is that kind heart. As I've always said love is so much stronger than hate. I believe only Will could start the healing. Maybe that is because deep down inside he cares, he loves these people a lot. He is willing to fight for them, Yes at the beginning fight with them, but when confronted with this evil and knowing that this fighting must stop he puts everything aside. On those early hours of Christmas morning he begins restoring his broken relationship with Robbie and help Robbie resore his relationship first with Brad and then the family. Much more important only he could begin helping JJ. Now I can see what this batter family can truely has a good Christmas. Than you so much for this chapter. It is as perfect as we get on earth. As for the game. I am not a real fan of football but I believe that Mark may be happy with the outcome.
  7. rjo

    Chapter 89

    How do you confront something like this? As I thought they will do it as a family in private. It really is the only way they could being who they are. This is the first time the whole family has thought of this as a group. In the past it was JP or Brad Then there was Jeff Hayes, Sam was going to kill him but didn't, and Bitty who died also, The family still has connections in the underworld so this will not be a hard thing to do. I hope everybody is paying their taxes. Mark again you captured the reactions of these chaacters so perfectly. It was like being in the room. I see only one flaw, everybody must keep their month shut and for this group that might be hard. Great Job!!
  8. As I said in the review, now is the time for the family to unite, One thing is very interesting about Mark's writing is that there are clues left along the way. Now only now they became clear and the aweful truth is known. I firmly believe that the only person in the family who can help JJ is Will. And it is no doubt that Will will reachout to JJ. Just like his mother Will loves JJ and feels his pain. JJ is going to have to grow up pretty fast. Of all the people in this family Will has the strength and compassion that is needed to heal JJ. Because Will went through all his troubles, he will be able to help JJ through the long road ahead. Hopefully both will come out of this stronger and closer.
  9. rjo

    Chapter 88

    Do you get the award now or later? Cliffhanger Award. I was hoping this was not true but now the family will unite Innocent lost forever lost. A grandchild molested. All the clues along the way seem so clear now. Why JJ was so upset with Will. How JJ was turned into a evil brat. Those pictures! How sad. Terriblily sad but maybe now JJ can get the help he needs. Maybe the family can unite to help JJ. Maybe all the division will leave. Maybe Brad and Robbie have a chance after all. My guess is that the family will deal with it privately. God help these people. I doubt they can run fast enough or far enough. How do you rebuild a life so used? How do you restore trust? How do you give a boy back his childhood? How do you right this terrible wrong? I think the only way is through Will. He more than anyone else can help build JJ's life on a strong loving footing.
  10. One thing we must keep in mind this is the land of CAP. Not totally real; not completely fiction, somewhere in between. I am sorry about something. in a prevous comment I miss wrote myself. I don't see a relationship between Matt and Brad. In a past story, they thought about it and rejected it. However, I do see something happen between Wade and Brad in a continuing bases. Whether Brad becomes a lover, mentor and something else I am not sure. Brad and Wade compliment each other better than Matt and Brad do. Brad is 16 years older. But it needs to be pointed out JP is nine years older than Stef. The problems between Brad and Robbie are visable to anyone, Wade and Matt's troubles are more hidden but no less important. Just seeing the pain which Wade had was difficult. Would these two couples be better apart? Would Wade and Brad be better together? Only our beloved author knows for sure. On another subject. Raising children is not an easy task, And Brad has his hands full. Now however he seems to have another child added to the mix, Robbie. Darius has left the nest and flow off to school. Will has done the same, however in a much more difficult and painful way. Now the middle child remains. JJ is a puzzle. When we see him in Bloodlines and even before he is a happy child maybe looking for a focus, a sport something' Through Matt, he found skating. Now it would seem it has taken over everything. How has this happy kid who loved having tea with Stef become a diva and more important why? Jeanine has lost her grip and now it would seem Robbie has too. Why? Honestly, I never thought Jeanine was a really strong person. Having Maddy and losing Tiffany broke her spirit. Knowing that, why did Robbie get sucked in so deep? Darius left home. His child was gone. Jeanine was out of it. He stepped in. What is it about JJ that sucks people in and regresses them to grade school. It is no surprise, bt I agree with JP something has to be done before it is too late. If JJ fails in school and in skating he will have nothing. His mother gone or at least of no help and Robbie it this point no help to himself or anyone else. Honestly, I am glad I am not in Brad's shoes on his one.
  11. rjo

    Chapter 87

    It is interesting, I am not sure but Wade and Brad seem to meld well together, Robbie needs to get himself together before he loses Brad, Brad is 38 and Wade about 21 or 22. Brad is a young 38. It seems that once the gene is out of the bottle it is be hard to out it back, How does this change things? It puts two people in a difficult position, Matt who's conection with the family is through Robbie. If Robbie was out of the picture would that change his position? Wade was once the person who was a person on the side, now with his grandmother part of the family, and this relationship with Brad it seems to turn the tables with Matt. It was also interesting to see how Nana could get Trevor off the hook so easy. Even though she was gone for 4 years her power has not disappeared. She can be a good ally for Wade in his battle with his mother. I think Matt's response to Wade's plee for silence was interesting. It shows that all problems of the past are not totally healed. I like Matt and Brad together, I think Matt told Brad if the situation ever arose Brad should take Wade up on it. Maybe this is a time one should becare what one wishes for. Mark another great chapter. Thanks for not only a great chapter but this wonderful story. I've been reread just this book again and am blown away by everything that has happened here. It is almost like the saga in a miniture. Thanks Again. Happy Inauguration Day!!
  12. rjo

    Chapter 86

    The idea of JJ crushing and burning is scary. The once happy kid is pushed to hard and to far. Robbie has became the chearleader mom. Honestly I am glad Will is out of there. I would not like to be Brad, because when this thing blows up it won't be pretty. Mark you've set things up now they have to be played out. Brad will have to fight this battle alone. He has all the cards, but if he plays them badly, he could loose both Robie and JJ. To add to it all he is still haunted by his brother Billy. It would seem no one can win and everyone can loose something.
  13. In the past I've tried to compare George they don't have two thingswhich George has. The first is easy, a ship, crew and adventure of sailing around the world. Dangerous Yes! but all that said every mission is an adventure of a lifetime. The second is a part of George himself, a much as his dashing good looks, that is his playfulness. Maybe its still that boy at heart. Maybe its that kind heart. What ever it is, it gives him the loyal friends he needs, the passionate lovers which at times he needs even more, and the dedicated crew which keeps him from getting killed. Thank you so much for returning to Granger and his rave crew. I was overjoyed to see a new chapter!
  14. I am not sure what Will will do for a living. With Wade as a mentor, maybe Senator or Governor are in his future. JP had a passion for French History. I am not sure if Will has that same passion. However once he finds that passion nothing will stop him. I think once Will has his own life in order, he would be great with a job that helped people, much like the job he did at the Mission. He cares about the people he helps, cares about Pat his driver, even cares about Robbie and Jeanine when thy don't seen to care about him. Maybe he could manage the Schluter Trust giving Stef's money away for good causes. Then we come to JJ. I believe Mark was right JJ needs to play out his passion. My greatest fear is that JJ will crash and burn. Long ago, Jeff Hayes did that. Could the same thing happen to JJ? Once his bubble brakes what will he have? Will Will be the first person he needs to help? Will has a inner strength which I don't see in JJ. Honestly I hope I am wrong.
  15. rjo

    Chapter 26

    It's a great joy to have George back! I know it is harder to write thee chapter but it is wonderful to be sailing around the world with a handsome dashing British Lord. We can only ask what great adventure are instore for the crew/ Thanks again Mark!
  16. rjo

    Chapter 85

    Other wonderful chapter. It was good to see Will handling the situation between Brad and Wade so well. Will, over the last months, has turned from the bratty child into a caring son. Giving him freedom has thought him how to use it well. Was Wade and Brad's encounter wrong? No. In some ways it is not that much diifferent than Will and Tony's. It was also great seeing Will interact from Noah. But I think the most interesting part of this chapter was when Brad asked Will to move home for the last week. If it was me I'd say Hell no. but Will didn't. This is the new more grown up Will who thinks of others and sometimes puts their needs above his own. Some months ago he wouldn't have done that, now he did. Yes part of it was his Dad asking him too. but still he is going to do it. I've always liked Will, but now I like him more and more. With people like Stef, JP, Nana and Wade to guide him and his own common sense and sense of justice he will do fine. He is starting to understand the grey parts of life along with rhe black ans white.Outstanding job Mark!
  17. rjo

    Chapter 84

    I thought this was a great chapter, In a way we can see how these guys really care about each other. Will , who is my mind has grown up a lot, cares more about Tony and where he is at than his own feelings. When there is Wade and Brad. In many ways it may seem wrong but it was and is so right. Brad is hurting Wade has always wanted Brad. Whether this happens again or doesn't it doesn't matter. This was a act of love, passion yes and above all love. Long ago I was against Brad and Matt having sex. Not this, however. I think this (Wade and Brad)was more than sex, much more. Two people showing how much we love each other. Thanks Mark for another outstanding chapter.
  18. rjo

    Chapter 83

    Even though chapter 82 is still my favorite, the chapter layed out some feelings that were not layed out before. Brad and Robbie's relationshjp is in much worse condition them any of us thought. Some wonder about Stef and his wisdom in this matter. First it needs to be pointed out that Stef is richer than all of the others put together. He started with nothing and became one of the riches people in the world. The idea of giving Will voting control of 17.5 % of Robbie's company is not as dumb as one thinks since Brad and Stef still control 47.5 %. It gave Will the ablity to save Robbie's job. Which is not bad for a 14 yo kid. Thanks Mark for another great chapter.
  19. During the past few weeks we have recieved a number of great chapters. Chapters which any author would and should be proud of,The latest chapter is the best chapter of the whole saga. Not because anybody is ganging up on Robbie. Almost everybody at the table had imput. Some of them we almost never hear from ( Jack, Frank, even Clarie. The other thing it shows the interaction of how this family works. Over the years you created chacters which live in the minds of your many readers. In this chapter they were alive and talking. God bless you Mark for this wonderful gift you have given us. Whether it is George or Wade and Will it is all a wonderful gift.
  20. rjo

    Chapter 82

    i've said this before, this is one of the best chapters ever! I felt I was there watching dinner unfold. It was breath taking. Jack, Nana Wow.! I used to think that Brad and Robbie were made for each other, I am not so sure anymore, Some people have grown like Will, Wade and Brad. I think that adding Nana to the mix was awesome. She is great! I am not sure what is going to happen next but one thing I know, it will be great getting there. Thanks again Mark! It shows you how great you are both Tim and I agree on this one. That is something isn't it. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
  21. rjo

    Chapter 81

    I wish you a happy New Year and hope you had a good Cnristmas. This was a wonderful chapter until the end. Will is feeling alone and rejected and then JP, Stef and Clare show him that he is not alone. Then Brad arrives and JJ and Robdbie look like the lonely ones. Brad conversation with Will is very touching, Brad has handle his relationship with Will better than I ever thought he could. Will goes the extra mile and gets rebuffed. Banning your son from your office seems going too far, Another wedge between Brad and Robbie. I am not sure if their reationship can stand much more. I think Brad could live without Robbie. I am not sure Robbie could live without Brad. Also between Stef and Brad they own controlling interest in Robbie's company. Back to Will, he has done his share now is time for Robbie to give a little, Mark you do this to good, If you were not as good a writer we wouldn't care what happens to these fictional characters. But you are that good a writer and we do care about them. I miss Lord Granger too.
  22. rjo

    Chapter 80

    Very intrtesting all those twists and turns. Is Will like his mother, No! Will is much stronger person. I also believe because he is male his makeup it different. Will is much stronger person than Jeanine. The character he is most like at this point in his life in Tonto. He also has a larger support group than Jeanine has. Great job, Mark Thanks for the great gift!!
  23. I may sound like Tiny Tim but the Merriest of Christmas's to you and to all my fellow readers!
  24. Of all the comments which have been left here over the years Westies's comment is the best I have ever read, His thoughtful comments are right on in my mind. I salute you sir. I have nothing to add because he said and did very thing that needed to be said.
  25. It is sad Robbie has been sucked in by JJ. Many of the characters in the saga can decide on something quickly, but Robbie takes his time. It is not that he is dumb, just thoughtful. I think it drives Brad and Stef crazy, but that is the way he is. I think he is very worried about JJ. He remembers Billy, He does not want to loose him. In doing that however, he is only reenforcing JJ's bad behavior. We also must remember that JJ is 10 going on 15. Compared to Will 14 going on 25. I am wondering if JJ was the youngest would things have been different. At this point Mandy isn't in the picture. Will JJ feel threated by her too? Will's relationship with Mandy and Riley seems to be close, where as JJ, as far as we know, doesn't seem to care much about them. In ten years, what will happen to JJ? I agree with Jeremy he could be pretty lonely. Burning his bridges, he could be a lonely has been. How very sad.
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