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I like this Will too. His idea for Darius to take over was excellent. Darius is up there and can keep his eyes on things better than Robbie could. It has also improved Will and Robbies relationship, beginning that process. It makes Will seem like a good guy, Good job Mark. Will something trip Will up? More troubles down the road? Of course, but Will seems to be able to handle them. It is interesting how well things are going. For Will, the only wild card is Jeanine, maybe JJ but JJ could be shut down easier. On the other hand we have Elizabeth, hurt but not broken, which is even more dangerous.

Having been a teacher in a former life, the rule in Wisconsin was December 1st, however in others it was the beginning of the school year. Parents could hold back a child if they thought he or she was not ready for school. Some did most did not. I taught 5th and 6th grades so saw a wide range of ages in class.

Very interesting idea. The only mature character that I can think of is JP. It would be good to get his view point in this story. We have not heard from him in a very long time. As for your other point, the death of JJ. I again disagree. Over the years I have lost almost all my family there is not a day I wish they were still alive. JJ has turned out to be a pain in you know where. Jeanine is almost beyond help and Robbie. well is being Robbie. We forget that JJ was once that happy joyful child. Without Jeanine we would not have Mandy or Will. Some would be happy about that. Even though Robbie can be stubborn he is also one of the kindness, generious and loving persons around. None of these characters are perfect. That is what makes them seem so real. If they weren't we would not care about them so deeply.

If something would happen to JJ it would damage the family more than one would think, Billy's death cause pain that continues to this day. Isidore and Brad both blame themselves for not doing more. I am sure J P who carries guilt around all the time. Gutlt from Jeff and surely also from Billy too, We just saw in Newtown what can happen. Many of the children who lived will have the guilt for still living and the parents for sending their children to school that day. It is a never ending master that can destroy lives and people. It is my hope that JJ will be ab;e to grow up. See beyond his own wants and become what he could be, a ro;emodel for others. I agree from this point that would take a lot of work, but he is to imprtant to give up on. Who here does not wonder at times what if Jeff or Billy would have lived and how the story would have changed. I for one would like to see Tonto still around In 2000 she would be a young 97. if where is a vote please don't kill off JJ. Thanks Mark.

Jeremy you're discription of JJ is 100 % correct. That is what scares me. If JJ fails and fails badly it could be very bad for him. However if Will failed he would just start over. As for Robbie and JJ, they seem to feeding on each other. I feel this is not good for either of them.

The situation between Will and Robbie has got to cause Brad a great deal and heart ache, This can't be good for them. JJ lost Jeanine so now he has picked Robbie. I am not sure it is good for either if them. ( Sorry I just read the list of people who died in Newtown.) Stef told Will once, that some things and some people are worth fighting for. I am proud that Will has taken this on. I believe it is no power trip but an honest caring action. Many may dismiss that because this is Will, but I don't think that is true. Just him holding Mandy and knowing what she likes tells me a lot. At first I thought that Jeanine could just fade away and at would be no great loss. However, I have changed my mind. Soon Darius and Will will be gone. It may come to be the braking point with JJ. Either he will grow up or regress even more. Will Robbie help him or will he baby him so much JJ will never grow up. JJ seems not to have the drive that Will has. Honestly not many people do. 14 going on 30. As usual Mark has set up the possiblity for even more drama. Who of us would want it any different. Grant job, Mark.

Sometimes I wonder about those Hayes boys, they have problems. Who would think it would be Will, Darius and Brad against Robbie and JJ. There is a saying that you can love some one to death. Is that what JJ wants? Even though JJ and Will are almost the some age they don't act like it.Will has grown up in the last few months, while JJ seems to be regressing. One thing I thought very telling was that Will knew how Riley and Mandy both like to be held. It shows how in touch he is with both of them. Many have said Will was selffish only caring for himself, now something else comes out. Will is not just it this for himself but for Darius and Mandy. I know one thing his great grandmothers would be proud, both of them. Thanks for a great chapter. I can see those two ladies sitting ther smiling. Tonto saying, " Way to go Will!"

Well, my high school class was 49. It was also a area Lutheran High school so the major arguement was why we couldn't have dancing for the senior prom. Those Lutherans are so very uptight and straight laced ( during the late 60's when the rest of the world was havng free love ). I would agree that Will can relate to any group. He cares about what people think but it is low on his list. Somebody said he wants to be his own person, and that is the most important thing to him. All the Drama which has happened was about that and now he seems to be in a good place. Now is the time for Will to show he is not just a spoiled brat. I think his concern for Jeanine shows that coming out. On a different track, I would agree Will's interlde was with John Carillo. If I remember a very handsome Itatian lad. John is so very much more stable person than Tony. In a few years they maybe very good for each other.

I hope this was an encounter with Cole, who is a nice guy and not Carl? Over the last few books you have taken Will from being a younger copy of Brad to a person who is in some ways much different than Brad. Through the chapters of this book the real personalties of Wade and Will have come out, I am really happy with the people you have revealed. Honestly, I would be proud to have either one as a friend. They are honorible people. I can see why Will and Wade are so close. If Wade is in many ways a younger JP. In other ways Will is a younger Wade. None of them is the same but reflect a lot of those qualities which endear them to us. Only you, Mark could do this.Thank God I found you and these stories in the vastness of the web. You have brought endless hours of happiness and joy to me and all your readers.

One thing continues to amaze me is how Mark can put himself into each character the way he does. He can become a 18th century British Lord or a 14 kid from California. Again he has captured in this chapter his evolving character, growing changing becoming the person he will be. It is interesting to see how Wade's actions reflect on what Will does. It is sad how many of us just wrote Jeanine off. I am one of those, Maybe Will can save her and bring her back, Maybe they can have the relationship they never had. What ever people say of Will, if he knows his is right he doesn't let anything stop him. Yes lots of drama but just like Wade saves Nana. I have a feeling that Will will help to save Jeanine. Who will be the losers? Robbie and JJ?

\ Will has always been a polarising character, however over thelast few months he has grown. He seems to be in a good place with his father, Brad. One thing I wonder about, in the past some people have thought Will was a selfesh brat now when he is worried about this mother some people are still upset, It seems he has shown himself more of a grownup than most of the grownups. Will is 14 going on 40. I believe in this case both he and Darius should not be cut out of the loop and why shouldn't Jeanine have the best care possible? It's not like this family is worried about the money. If it was your mother wouldn't you want her to get the best care? Thanks Mark for bringing back Will. Great Chapter as always!

Who is this prisonner? Does this man know something about this whole affair? As usual Mark has woven a storyline which brings us in and makes us want more. It is interesting how George's hidden orders change everything. I am not sure how old George is at this point. My guess is about 21 or 22. He has been given responsiblities which would be unusual for someone twice his age. George has come a long way from the 15 yo boy who first went to sea. Thanks again for the great chapter.

Rarely do I disagree with Mark but I feel Wade is just as sexy as Matt maybe more, Anybody could get Matt in bed, Wade however is more picky. His refined manner and cool personally I think makes him even more attractive. Sorry Mark but I find that hot. Nana said that some people are meant for each other. I feel Matt and Wade are like that, the other two couples maybe Brad and Robbie ( only time things go bad is when they stray}. The other couple is JP and Stef however their relationship is at a different level than the others. With them sex is not as important as the relationship. Maybe it is the history they share, or that they are older, not that I didn't think they don't have sex, they both need it, but with them and maybe the others too it is much more than a physical act so much more. Just a look, a twinkel of the eye, and touch can mean as much, It's like when John and Will were talking about who was hotter it was Robbie's grin that took the prize. Of course, here we are thinking about them as if they were real. We can only do that because Mark gives this outstanding job of writing. To us who follow this story they are as real is our next door neighbor and some of our friends. If we as readers have a vote, keep Nana around I like her a lot.

If I remember they had 10 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms when they bought it in 1968, At this point they added a wing for the staff maybe JP added a few more bedrooms for guests also. As for Elizabeth, she could hurt Wade two ways maybe more. First she knows what Brad did ( having two people killed etc) and she maybe has a copy of the tape of Wade and his father having sex. Jeff maybe still has the pictures of her. So who has the upper hand? Both of the last two chapter show us the readers an almost unbelievable skill in plot line, character developement and the art of story telling. Mark you and your team deserve a reward of some type! Outstanding! As close to perection as we can get in this world.

As I was reading the comments here and the reviews of this latest chapter, Mark wondered how Nana could have known Wade would save her and who helped Wade become the person he is. I think the answer is Roscoe. Long before JP, Uncle Roscoe saw Wade and who he could be and helped him along the way. After Roscoe died, JP guided him some more. When I said Wade was the true southern gentleman I truly believe it. Today in this world people seem to be out for themselves. What can they get. Wade is not what way. In many ways he reflects the latest generation not looking at what divides us but what unites us. Some people wonder what will happen to America? I think you only have to look at the present 20 yo generation and see we will be in good hands long into the future. Here in Minnesota we rose and defeated the marrage and ID amendments and restored the state legislature to democratic. What was even more important people came to vote by the thousands. Lines of voters young and old black and white rich and poor. It did my heart good seeing that. America maybe not always do the right thing but she always finds her way back to what is right. That I think is much like Wade. finding his way to what is right.

it was a very interesting year (2000). Little did we know things would get so much worse a year later, I had a friend who lived in Flordia at the time and he said the election was fixed. Over all the years I have been voting, George W Bush was the only president I did not vote for. On another point, Chapter 72 was masterful. It shows two things, Mark is a craftsman when it comes to these situations, The other point is what a truly good person Wade is. He is someone who thinks of others before himself and even more willing to put himself in danger for what is right. To good for public life or maybe what we need more than ever in today's world,

Elizabeth maybe for the first time understood who Wade is and how different they are. I think Stef said it a long time ago, How could such an honorable young man come from such a twisted family? Wade is a throw back from a previous time, a true southern gentleman, Maybe a Robert E Lee of our time. Again Wade proved who and what he is. He was the only one who could save Nana, Her only hope! Like the midevil knight of old, he won this battle. What is better he did it by his rules, using his mothers evil nature against her. Courge is something we don't see if todays world. It was bice to see it here.

We used to have parties to watch the show and then go to the bar. Today with so many channels and so much out there you don't have that excitement. Mark you could bring back a fashion CAP parties and make CAP primetime hit TV show on Showtime.. In fact the last ones we had were for Queer as Folk. Think of how many hot boys, even JP was really cute back then and the thought of Wade and Matt well that is something else, Jeff Hayes entering JP's room at Christmas 1962. Any way it would be interesting.

Falcon Crest, I always wanted her Grandson Lorenzo Lamas and the cute blond assisitant of her's or was he a young attorney get it on. I always wondered how people like Elizabeth became that twisted. It's not the money, It's the power, Power does aweful things to people. We always thought ABC was the worst . I am not sure about that any more. Maybe Elizabeth is worse. What do you think about a poll? Who is the worst?

Hi Guys, It is interesting that Mark has a way of sucking you into his stories. First he has this conflict between Brad and Will, finally when that seems to be resolved George finds a spy on is ship, now Wade comes in and saves his grandma, It is impossable to have a favorate character. You can't have just one. Nobody can weave a story like Mark. Cliff hangers, confrontations, passion and sex all there. How will this battle come out? Who will win, or better yet who will lose it all? Larry Hageman just died, the guy who played JR on Dallas. How fitting that we should have this storyline. I agree with many readers, I think the Senator is going to divorce his devious wife. He has finally had it with her. I can't blame him for a moment. Hope all of you had a Happy Thanksgiving.

It is interesting that David and I are thinking the every same thing. In my review of chapter 70, I said that Wade reflected many of the quallties of President Lincoln. One thing I forgot, was that whose of you from the south may not think so highly of Mr. Lincoln. Having lived in the north most of my life I forgot other parts of the country have a different points of view, Forgive me. As for Wade it is interesting that as we have gotten to know him better he has only grown more. He has become that noble hero, the knight riding out to do battle with no thought of himself but only of that is right, He willingness to gave up half his money and risk his future for the sake of his grandmother shows something noble.. What is more interesting is that the battlelines are being drawn. Who will the Senator chose? We have worked out the relationships between Will and Brad and through that relationship Will and Brad's relationships with the others, Now is the time ro see this relationship worked on. Only Mark knows how far and to what lengths Elizabeth will go to retain her money and power. It will take all the Wade's power and strength to win this one, Let's hope he can do it without loosing his soul, like Brad almost did, If you would forgive me a moment The film which came out on Friday LINCOLN was one a the nost interesting portals of the 16th president I ever saw. See it, you will not be sorry. It shows a man not a myth, a human being , loving father to one son and rejecting the older one, a person who can argue with his wife but still love her, a man who can tell stories and jokes even in maybe because of the over whelming sorrow of this endless war, Even whose who are not big Lincoln fans with enjoy this outstanding film.

Yesterday I went and saw the movie Lincoln. Maybe the best film ever. Like Lincoln, Wade knows what the right thing is to do and does it. As a child Lincoln was and still is my favorate president. His courage, his steadfastness echos across the 150 years. Wade is willing to loose a quartar the a billion dollars and the wrath of his mother, to do what is right. That is why I like Wade as much as I do. He is a honorable guy. About the direct opposite of his mother. I believe that what is right and those who are right will win this one. Elizabeth may find herself totally alone. She could loose her husband, family and everything. And what I find sad, really sad, it that she has no clue why. How could she do this to her own mother? Is money and power that important? She could lose this time and lose big. In the movie Lincoln asked if people are born for the situtions or if people raise to the need. In Wade's case I think it;s both. Thanks Mark for giving us a honorable hero like Wade. A great chapter! I could say the best but then you'll just come up with a better one.

Honestly I've been into George saga the last few chapters I forgot how fun Wade can be. I some ways Will and Wade are alike. Wade has learned things are not always black and white, Will hasn't yet. But in the important things like character they both stand for something. The other thing that is why is someone druging dear grandma? Elizabeth did something her mother found out about? My evil thought is that Elizabeth had her own brother killed and grandma found out about it. What do you think about that? Gay brother don't play well in DC. Not in Elizabeth's twisited mind.

What a wonderful surpise a new chapter. Thanksgiving will be more than interesting. So many new characters to fight with and I wonder what nana knowa Elizabeth doesn't want out. I really liked the conversation between JP and Wade. It was good to is the interaction and see Will in Jp's eyes. I have a feeling that the next chapter will be filled the conflict. Hopefully Wade with be the super hero he usually is and save his grandmoother and defeat his evil mother. Thanks for the wonderful chapter.

Please be safe. One thing, maybe the only thing, about living in Minnesota is that you are long way away from such storms. It is good to see George handle this situation like he did. the problem is that many people underestimate George, even his family some times. I am not sure if George ts a saint but he is certianly a force to not be over looked. The first situation has been over come. What will be next? I trust George will make it through them as he always does. Thanks Mark.