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I agree with you Mike. This is fiction. Sometimes, most of the time, it seems so real we forget that. I think it's a tribute to Mark's writing and his team that it seems so real. I've visited or lived in many of the locations which the saga takes place, the details drew me to the story at first and the characters kept me coming back. CenTex said Mark was a bard. Even though Mark is not a ancient blind Greek, the saga does have the timeless appeal and that is saying something very special, indeed.

My Grandmother was 16 when my mother was born. Her sister my great aunt, was married and had three children by the time she was 20. Her and her husband were married for almost 70 years. In those years children had to grow up fast. People did not live as long and many died early. It was a different time. Many people left home at 16 or sometimes younger. Today we try to hold on to childhood. Having grown up in the 50's and early 60's it was a simpler time. Today children have a harder time of it. More temptations. With that said, it is my hope that this family can come together and reason out an answer that will solve most of the problems without tearing the family in two. More drama! Hopefully less shouting. This book is about the relationship between fathers and sons. Sometimes it can be difficult, even overwhelming, but still there is a bond that can still remain.

No 14yo is ready for parenthood. If we look at Wade who is 20 and then Matt we can see it's even hard for someone that age. Will's got to much going on for that to happen. I hope what will happen is a plan that will lower passions, and give Will some but not total freedom. I think Will's lawyer pushed him into this.He wanted freedom from his mother not his father at first. Maybe reason can triumph. But then this is the CAP saga.

I am wondering what is best for Will? Wade added a new element to the situation. If Will fails, badly, it can be reversed. Honestly, I thought that JP should be Will's guardian. Sometimes people need to do something even if it's not the best thing. I think at this point that's were Brad and Will are. In chapter 13 of Poor Man's Son Brad and Will made a deal. Two reasonable people sitting down and solving their problems. Where have those people gone? I think all these people need a time out. Maybe those reasonable people can appear and arrange this too. Another great chapter. Mark, you amaze me with every new chapter.

I would like you to know, Gene. You are the first thing. Tim and I have ever agreed on.

As I said before Tim, nothing with change you mind about Will. You think he is a brat, and I do not. It is that simple. I am not going to agree with you. However, I am glad my parents were not like Brad has been to Will. I never gave them much trouble, and I can't ask them because they're died. I believe in a more loving caring method in raising children. Hopefully, we both agree with that.

Gene, I would agree with you, totally except for one thing. I believe Will has learned from the past months. I am not saying he is perfect or very thing he does is the best for him, but he is doing better.

Just to let you know, the system cut me off before I was done, so I had to edit it to finish it.

Tim I could spend forever and you would not change your mind. Let's go back Brad had two people killed and pinned it in his step mother. If that ever got out he would be in prison for a long time if not life. So Brad can and has been ruthless. That is beyond question. Next has Brad broken his promises to Will? Go back to the previous book and you will find Will and Brad agreed that Brad would include Will in all decisions that effect Will. Brad has broken that so may times I can't count. Even Stef who has been Brad's supporter for almost Brad's whole life told Brad he was wrong and Brad was treating Will like a business deal not like a father and a son. Now let's look at Will. Going back to Paris, he and his father are kidnapped. Will is raped. What does Brad do? Leave Will and return to home. Will got no or little help from Brad. The group goes to Rome and Will finds Roberto. Stef and JP believe that will help him forget and heal. Then Stef's big mistake letting Will go to the gay club. I blame that on Stef. After they go home, Jeanine seems like she could care less about Will. Even Brad and Robbie's reaction is odd. Don't you think that some of Will's behavior could be caused by the kidnapping and rape? What help does Will get? None that I can see. Going to the college party, could be wrong but it is nothing that any kid Will's age wouldn't had done. I am sure Brad would have done it without thinking. If we look, Brad was into a lot more in just a few years later. Now we come to the float trip. Will takes the blame for his friend, because he thinks his father will believe him. What is Brad's action to this. Hiring Martin. Then leaving the day after. Showing Will that Brad's birthday trip was more important than he was. In Will's mind, his father the person he loved the most in the world, didn't love him anymore. How would you feel? Alone! Alone with the likes of Martin, a sadist. You can disagree with Will's plan but it is masterful. If Martin would not have beaten Will, Brad and Robbie's cars and clothing would have not been harmed. Maybe just maybe if Brad would have cared more about his son and less about business and himself none of this would have happened. After Will returns Brad again, makes promises, which he again breaks. Then where is Norway. A mother who is totally wacked out, totally out of control. Brad again makes promises, some of the same promises he broke before and only a few days later breaks them again. Last, Is Will smarter than Brad? Yes, because Will has learned from the past. He is controlling his temper, and learning not to trust his father's promises. He is planning his future since he can't trust his father. What has Brad learned? Nothing! He makes the same mistakes over and over again. Is he controlling his temper? His son. his beloved son, the person he would have died for just months ago, is now nothing but his foe in a battle of control. That Tim, that is the saddest of all! It is my hope that none of us never will be put it that position. Left alone rejected by the person we loved most in the world.

Well guys, I can tell that passions run as high here as in chapter 61. I have tried to look at this from Brad outlook. He loves his son and wants to protect him. So he says. However, his actions are not that of a loving father but more like a ruthless business man. That win at all costs attitude, is what Stef warned him about. Brad has driven Will away. Tim says that parents have the power. That maybe true but children are not like some thing you can buy and sell, or throw out when you're unhappy with them. I hope Tim's parents weren't like that and I hope if he has children he doesn't practice what he preaches. I believe that children are a gift to be chrished not controlled. Brad has not been doing that. What is a child to do when the situation becomes impossible. Will ran away once. Somebody said, sorry if I forget who, that Will has not learned his actions have reactions. I live with someone like that and he is 45. My friend was been in and out of prison for the last 14 years. Will has a lot more sense than my friend. Will is smart and super organized. I think he's a lot smarter than Brad at this point. We could go through all that has happened to Will since Paris. It is more than what most people could live with. Will has survived with very little help from his dad. Robbie has turned into a doormat. Jeanine is nuts. Both parents (Robbie and Brad) are too busy for the kids. That never happened with JP. He was always there. Not Brad. Who has broken very promise he made to Will. If you can't trust your parents who can you trust? If any of you have ever been in a relationship where trust has been broken you know what I mean. In life and relationships trust is next to love. I am not sure if one can exist without the other. Brad has a long, long way to rebuild the trust he had with Will.

I agree Brad over the years has changed to a person who must win at all costs. I don't know if Brad will have a break down. It maybe coming close. What is sad is the person who could help, Robbie, has become a yes man. This is the reason there are no winners. Like after the fight with ABC. Even Brad who won must have thought was it worth winning at such a cost. The same is true here.

Chapter 61 is one of the most understanding chapters ever written in this saga. Let's face it, we all knew that this confrontation was coming. Drama! Lots of drama! Having said that, I felt the passion of each and everyone. Not just Brad and Will but all of them. In a sense there are no winners and losers here. In another way, Brad and Robbie have lost a lot, more than they know. Who has gained? Will? In his mind he was forced to this step by the father he loves but won't listen to him. Claire maybe be the only winner. She has always been on the right side through out. Even she may have lost. I am sure Jack is finding this hard, his wife on one side and his best friend on the other. The others have been forced to step in and take sides. Will was right about one thing. This needs to be settled here and now. Going to court, is only going to make matters much worse. Brad needs to go into his cave and think, how bad things are and maybe even more important how things got this bad. I don't think Brad can win this one. Two things come out here: the embattled Brad does not make good decisions and Will for all his wild behavior in the past has got a very good head on his shoulders. Tim said he didn't know any 14 yo able to make wise decision for himself. I am not sure how well he knows Will and if any 14 yo can do it I believe Will can. Will is not the ordinary 14 yo.

With this last chapter (61), we see a very embattled Brad and his sidekick Robbie. The whole family, lead by Claire and JP, sided with Will. I am sure it was a very painful moment for Brad. It is like a general leading his troops and NONE followed. It happened before, JP dealing with Brian. However, this seems more complete. What I mean by that it that JP made one action ( giving Brain $5000) once but Brad did a number of things over a longer point of time. Brian forced his leadership of the family. Now he is suffering from that action. I really think this is only the first act. I think Brad may have lost his son and his leadership place in the family. That is huge! Both Brad and Robbie have failed to understand the situation.

What I find so very interesting is how Will has planned this out. Almost very detail, like a general going to war. This is going to hurt Brad big time. If you thought there was drama before it was nothing compared to what is going to happen next. I thought Will's actions would have a greater reaction from the family. JP seemed to be the only one who reacted. Will just sprung this on them and they seem to go along with it. As I look at it, maybe it would be a good thing. Will would be living at Claire's or with JP and Stef's neutral ground. If Jeanine is going home after she gets better, things would be less stressful in both places. And since Brad comes to Palo Alto a few days a week they would still see each other. But not with " this is my house and you got to do what I say " attitude. The question is how did we get to this point? Maybe Brad will wake up. We can only hope. I guess my faith in him is at rock bottom. Thanks Mark for another great chapter!! Can't wait for the next.

I am rereading this saga at the present time book four 33 chapter. Sounds like the Bible doesn"t it. What is so interesting is it is really a tale of two stories. George at home in England with the court life and dealing with his family, and then George at sea. In England everything seems to be many shades of gray, at sea most is black and white. The great thing about George is that he is good hearted and noble. Here is this guy who is 20, 21 three kids, wife, pear, captain, and handsome to boot. Who here would not want to be there on his ship beginning a new adventure. Danger ahead, yes, but we have that brave captain, how can we fail. With luck, daring, and skill, he and his crew are ready. Why is Conway there? Why is Calvert there? To help George or to trip him up. Notice George didn't tell Conway about all his power, the power to chose between his brother and his enemy at the ends of the world. Thanks for another wonderful chapter!!

Just three short thoughts, one of the few times I agree with Private Tim, about Cody. The second is that I feel Will is learning to control his temper. The vital word is learning. None of us is perfect. We go through life learning to do better. Will is the same. The third is JP and his relationship with Brad and Billy. If you remember Billy was taken away by Isidore by the time most of the problems were known. So JP didn't have the chance to help Billy. JP seems to have done better with Ace and Claire. Maybe if Isidore wouldn't have taken Billy away, he would have still be alive.

I think Cody is not dotting dad material. It's not in his nature. He is also too good looking to say mad it for too long. I think grandmaman, Isidore with take charge of the situation. As JP said she loves babies. In someways Madison has been left behind in this story. I have a friend who just had a baby girl after having three boys. It will be very interesting to see how their household changes. At this point I think there has been so much drama with Will and Wade and his family and then Jeanine that little Madison has been left out. However, if she is anything like her aunt Claire, she wouldn't let that happen for long.

We love spoilers. Mark, you write a chapter and get more discussion than the length of the chapter itself. That shows the craft and excellence of the story and the whole saga and how well you've created these characters. We as readers can see them interact. We know there is a big confrontation ahead. Drama at dinner. What is so interesting is now this is a replay only the characters have changed. Brad is playing the JP role and Will the Brad role. Stef said that JP did a better job of raising Brad than Brad is doing with Will. We are about to see if Brad can do better. It's not easy to raise Tonto 2. One thing I've noticed is that Will seems to control his temper much better. Again exactly what Brad did to JP all those year ago. I am hoping the next chapter is coming soon. Thanks again for the four years of CAP. No one could do it better.

You guys have said it perfectly. No matter what, Brad is not going to take this very well. As for which Greek god JP is I am not sure, but I can guess which one Stef is.

I agree with Jeremy that JJ isn't like Wade sister. JJ is not evil not even close. Let's look back and see that happy carefree child who was over shadowed by his brothers. Remember even though he is older than Will, he is smaller and seems younger. Then Matt comes into the picture and gives JJ something to latch on to. Will has surfing, Darius has girls and JJ now has skating. I think that he is trying to say I'm here. Almost being the middle child can be hard. I think for once he wants to stand out from the crowd. Who will take on Brad? It could be Claire. She has some of the spirit of Tonto in her also.. I really like the idea of JP with the thunder bolts from on high. This situation is not just a Brad problem but a family problem and the family with have to solve it.

I just got notification that it has been four years since CAP began. It seems like it has been here forever. I salute you for creating a masterpiece which has given me countless hours of joy. Even though you killed off Jeff Hayes. Just kidding. Happy Anniversary. Mark!!

Every problem and situation has two ways of looking at it. It is also true in this case. There are two courts, one legal, one of popular opinion. This case will not be tried in former but the latter. Will is asking for something greater than the law. He is asking for justice. To him justice is being able to live his life in peace without harassment. Jeanine's actions have shown her to be dangerous and that she will brake the law to get what she wants. Child pornagraphy is a crime in California and else where. I am sure Tim, as an officer of the court, could not over look such an offence. Justice maybe blind but it must also be fair.

I must agree that Will has been through a lot of difficult situations in the last six months. Only now he has found someone to talk to. What has bothered me from the time of the kidnapping is the reaction of members of the family. Jeanine acted if nothing had happened at all. I also thought that Stef letting a 13 yo go to a gay club was asking for trouble. None of these people have been blameless. The only innocent ones seem to be Claire, Wade, and maybe J P. Brad believed what is good for the group is good for everybody. This is one time he is dead wrong. In not focusing in on Will's needs, he is making wrong decisions. You can argue that Jeanine is mentally ill, that she is, but she is dangerous to the family. Whether it is Michael who took the pictures and Jeanine found out or she directed Michael to take them both are wrong. She is still guilty. Brad's problem is that he is letting the past dictate the present. What happened with his mother and with Isidore is clouding his vision. As for Will, he is using harsh actions to get the reaction he wants. Some of the things he has done have been over the top but he is learning. Private Tim feels Will is spoiled and out of control, which at time he is, however, sometimes you have to standup for your rights and what is right. That is how I see Will. Two things he needs to learn. Pick your battles and measure your responses. I don't feel that Will should be emancipated but he should not have to live in fear.

I must agree with Tim. I don't understand why Sean would have to tell Wade about Will. On the other hand, Will is not going to trial, He only has be say he will. Brad is afraid of getting the press or making things public. He will do anything to stop it. As for a guardian, you don't think Claire or JP or Stef would do it. Claire is so mad at Brad, I am sure she and Jack would. The question is why is Brad acting like this? Why does he try avoid the lights. He has something to hide. If Elizabeth knows the plan there are others. This will never go to court, never.

Wow!! I think it is so sad that it has come to this. Brad is going to lose his son and that is more than sad. Will told Brad he can't trust him. This was not said in anger but in desperation. How did they get to this point? Were Brad's words to Will just words which meant nothing? What has Brad turned into? Maybe he has lost his soul. If Jeanine comes back no matter what how can she be trusted again. Less than a year ago Brad was the most important person in Will's life. Now Will can't trust him. Brad is so close to losing all respect of his whole family. I'm not sure if Brad can live with that. Over the years I have learn that once trust and respect are gone, almost nothing can repair it, As for Michael, words can't express my contempt I have for him. He must have setup Pat to take the fall. How many more lives must be ruined before he is stopped? Will the death count increase again? Maybe time for a poll. I love polls. Who dies, Michael, Jeanine or who else? Remember Jeff Hayes. Maybe that is what changed Brad. Ordering the death of two people. Maybe he is afraid of being caught. Could that be it? What do you think? Mark, you did it again! More Drama!