zakynthos

Robbie is still Robbie (thank god) DESPITE the pretty nasty attacks on him - He is actually holding up and not breaking down He Needed Jo's help because he was comtemplating suicide and spiralling into a dangerous self destruct zone He is having having a tough time and way too many challenges but although he slips up - he is showing a lot of character. When he is at school - nobody is brave enough to standup for him against the intimidating bully - not the baseball jocks - not that user Alex or even the sweet Rory. I really admire this kid as he is still standing and facing things head on

The chapter started out in high spirits - lots of good one liners from Robbie. Finally getting some positive attention from some of his peers and the Adults. He was even able to calmly listen to Ginny's pretty brutal (but accurate) attack on his cratering relationship with Nathan. He doesn't even get upset with her mean words because he understands and accepts her moody behavior. Everything is sunny until he hits the lockeroom and it all goes ass over teakettle (used that saying for Dodger 😁) He feels betrayed (rightly or wrongly) by Rory possibly having a new girlfriend and takes some of his frustration out on his friend. Rory's overreaction is maybe more immature than Robbie's They will sort it out like true friends do I think anyone being assaulted - bullied - threatened (with being put into coma again) and gay bashed in an empty lockerroom only to be followed up by feeling screwed over by the ump (as well as Alex who really does owe him) was not Robbie showing some big character flaw - To me it looked like he was just exploding under way too much pressure. If anyone is to blame here - it's Dodger - You keep throwing him way too may googlies. He is in dire need of some major dopamine rushes - Be nicer to Robbie from now on - pleeasssse 🙂

Totally Trusting that Liam and Hudson will be given a good sendoff I have to admit I was hoping for some more Hudson restaurant parts to the story. Definitely was a fertile environment even if that was not at the heart of this tale

I think the Grady Garage is the unofficial Mecca of Merrickville. Everytime Topher brings us there - his writing seems to go hyperbolic. After every visit there - I feel like I have imbibed a potent cocktail of an equal mix of a broken cars - broken souls - gentle humor and a dash of hope. It's a good thing these stories aren't on audio. I could see myself listening while driving my car and getting pulled over for a DUI.

Pleasantly surprised by the Cat Stevens song lines - he was my favorite musician when I was a kid. Had all of his albums - I forgot he was a Brit being followed by a moonshadow

I feel bad that Nuno RFC felt he had to defend his artistic integrity as an actual "creator" of this little gem he has crafted. AI is a "content generator" used by people who who call themselves "content creators" The creative process in writing is an almost mystical experience and when there is a level of mastery - i think the reader gets to experience something magical. it;s powerful and beautiful and compelling. This story is all of that and I am super happy to have found it 😁

Hey - At face value - that sounds kind of mean - but no worries - your true intent is clear They are all hurt and bloody but they will be helping each other with their healing journey (hopefully) The tripod effect is now in operation and all sytems are go

I concur - one of the reasons this story blows me away is that it is more multi-dimensional than Dr Who's Tardus (probably the De Lorean is to blame)

MGM's motto - Ars Gratia Artis seems to a big part of the story Kind of ironic because once big money is involved - Profits flourish while the Art is always diminished I am really enjoying the way this sad reality is being conveyed in the story. But despite the threatening heaviness - the humor and pure raw emotions are like food for the soul. I think Hudson is the real star and his inner beauty shines brightly. Great chapter !!!

This was an incredibly awesome story and your ending totally did it justice. I love that it didn't succomb to the temptation of somehow involving a guillotine or death by confetti cannons The clean surgical cut to remove a malignant tumor was a simple and efficient execution (Orel would approve of your choice I think 😁) This story was always about Orel and Finn and it was fitting that Tarquin's downfall did not steal the show. True punishment for an attention whore Yesterday I expressed some trepidation but you really did deliver (as promised) It was a beautiful wedding - Bravo !!! (calls for "Encore" 😉)

I thought that car transmissions were designed to prevent shifting into park when the car is in drive and moving Pretty sure that would damage the transmission If the brakes were sabotaged - it should have been apparent almost immediately

Expectations on Tarquin's demise are sooo high right now - I really don't see how the punishment will ever be able to fit the crimes. This kind of feels like a last minute field goal attempt to win the Super Bowl (sorry for the super bowl analogy - but it seems to be trending in the comments 😄) Will Topher pull it off or will the fans all walk away in dismay with heads down? I am experiencing a lot of Orel-like anxiety over this. Maybe I just need to find some river rocks.

I think everyone is looking forward to Tarquin's' public exposure and destruction - I know I am. SO much so - that it's easy to get distracted from the heart of this story - which is really about Finn and Orel finding Life again ( the nymphalis antiopa is the perfect metaphor)

Thanks for sharing your Orel creation process - totally makes sense. Kind of makes me want to ask if you are an extra-terrestrial yourself 😁 Definitely - Orel is the penultimate - Stranger in a Strange Land His childlike honesty is totally endearing. It would be great if there were more Orels running around "Linux in a Windows World" - sums it up perfetly

I Have to agree with some of the comments regarding the jump from jail to the Delorean - it was a bit disorienting. But then again - a little Mandela effect time warp never hurts anyone I have been wanting to really gush in some hopefully not too weird of a way about how crazy good (Beautiful - awesome - amazing? ) the "Orel Speak " is to read. I mean - we have all seen or heard this style before (sometimes I have suspected Topher is a Star Trek - "Trekkie" or is just channeling Mr Spock) but the words that spill out of Orel's oral cavity are just too brilliantly crafted. Orel Speak is truly in a class by itself. Sorry for the gush - but it's been driving me crazy not to express some appreciation

I appreciate everbody's reaction to the shock treatment we were all just subjected to - by Mr Puppy Dog Eyes. I mean - watching the effects of the potential "fancy dinner fiasco" - being effortlessly dissolved by Orel's charming innocent way of the tao - lulled us all into an indolent sense of calm - as one might experience after a nice meal. Then in our unguarded false sense of all is well - the devil shows up slinging some nasty slime. Riding rollercoasters after a heavy meal is almost always seriously upsetting and never advisable 🤢 I have a ton of faith in Topher. I am sure he has an elegant unexpected chess move up his sleeve that will save the day and likely be seasoned with a ironic dose of karmic humor. A massive civil demonstration by all the characters Topher just listed surrounding the jail and holding signs reading "FREE FINN" will totally not be needed 🙂

Kala - hahah - yah you got it right 🙂 I feel like I am reading a modern era Charles Dickens novel - This story is that good so far Kudos to Nuno RFC Rendeiro -

I normally don't ever read the celeb stories - but somehow I got drawn into this one and am pretty glad right now that I kept reading. It feels honest and truthful story telling of a the human condition. It's a really great story and I am wanting to hear more (even though your 5 year in the future interview seems ominous and foreboding to me for some reason) Yah - I am hooked

Karmic justice dealt out to Tarquin (via his pawn - Oliver) by the town keeper of the records was just a beautiful touch. The comedy of errors keeps growing and it feels like we are heading towards a big beautiful train wreck.

I just wanted to drop a comment to let you know your characters banter humor brought me a much needed laugh this morning. So thanks for the uplift - it's a gift What I didn't realize when I wandered into your comment zone - was that a writers workshop was in progress. Reading your thoughts and others comments were like having a desert after enjoying a really satisfying meal Just as a side thought - you are right in backing off from your beating your head against the wall frustration with the new character. I have seen (and experienced ) a similar thing when attempting to solve complex confusing calculus problems. I found out you can't force your way to the answer and when too much time is spent going in circles - the best thing is to just stop and relax. Oddly enough - once some quiet space is created - more oftern than not - the right answer will effortlessly show up - its some kind of cosmic irony - I think Hey - I just realized Orel is sort of having the same type of trying too hard block as you are. Hope it works out for both of you

I really love this story. Every chapter adds a new layer of conflict and confusion (and tension) but also with every chapter we keep getting a much deeper and clearer view of who Robbie truly is - a really good hearted soul. I think his so called flaws are just mistakes or wrong turns he makes while he learns about himself and the people he loves ( and dislikes - not sure has been hating anyone yet) His lightness of being makes up for all the heavimess he encounters So thanks Dodger for sharing Robbie with the rest of us. Also - I really am enjoying the confusion you are creating with Rory's mixed signalling. I think Rory is confused or unsure about his own desires and attitudes regarding his attraction to his good "friend" Robbie. It is very tough to defy social norms and expectations even though Rory obviously has no problem with Robbie being gay. However it seems like he is having a problem giving himself permission to even admit his attraction - thus the resulting approach avoidance which will drive anyone nuts. Poor Robbie

That was actually a really powerful chapter. The self controlled good kid who has developed a good character with a strong devotion to his family and an even stronger sense of honesty gets unceremoniously ambushed and confronted. For the first time in his life - he sees the truth and can't continue with the lies and hate. Ironic that the church ladies of the world don't seem to place much value on the truth and honesty they claim is so important. He doesn't explode in rage at being lied to and controlled his whole life as well as cut off from his dead parents legacy in such a cruel harsh way. Powerful !!! Seems like I will have to keep following this story Thanks for a great beginning

Hey Dodger - yet another great chapter. I have been feeling a bit down these past weeks but catching up on the trials and tribulations of Robbie has truly lifted my spirits and made me laugh. Your story telling/writing skills are as good and even better than many published authors. And your comic wit is brilliant. So thanks for the uplift today and for your years of effort with this story. I will definitely be sad to see it end. No matter how immature and goofy Robbie is at times - I also feel all his good heartedness as he grows up. Flawed in some ways maybe but his honesty shines like the sun. After all our hero has had to go thru and overcome - I feel like he needs to find a solid real loving boyfriend - like he truly deserves. My bets are on Rory coming thru in the end