gjtravel2a

There is a lot being said about Robbie's past that is true as far as why he may be what he has become, but if this is justification for Brad having to stay in the relationship, I would exclaim 'Pish-Posh' (or some other dire invective). They came together and supported each other through a series of traumas (blanketed by insane amounts of cash, but traumas none the less), but Brad seems to me to be maturing and accepting more and more responsibility. Robbie, not so much. The critical ways that Robbie is not maturing are the ways that Brad needs support and finds his relationship with Robbie now unfulfilling. Like so many, Robbie is stuck with the past being an unmanaged force shaping his behaviour. I am one who believes that to some extent, we can move beyond the trajectory of our past. Not totally, but at least we can be less destructive to ourselves and others who may be affected by our own actions/attitudes/responses that our past has naturally thrust upon our psyches. Considering what Brad went through, he has, in my opinion, not allowed the negative to be the strongest forces in shaping who he is and who he is becoming but has tried to respond to life in a more postive manner than one might expect for such a traumatic early childhood. Your comment Mark about fearing that you have taken to much time in developing this part of the plot-line is a sensitive one you express, but I can not imagine how you could have taken less time in presenting this key relationship and what they are experiencing. For me, this is an extremely enjoyable and well-paced read. One of the joys of reading your stories is the detail and sensitivity with which you develop your plots and characters. Again, thanks!

As to be expected, I think you set up and handled the Brad/Matt 'Event' beautifully. It had a very nice level or eroticism, played out most of their needed emotions/fantasies, and yet kept them from having to face the whole morality issue. I suspect that Matt was on the phone before the limo was out the driveway, however, pushing Wade to seduce Brad.....could be a nice way for Matt to live vicariously through his fantasy. After all the sturm and drang, it was a nice conclusion to their current level of lust. gj

It was a great quote, in Chap 22, I thought the following fit the category as well: “Yeah, well you didn’t dig below the bitchiness to find the worry,” I teased. The doorbell rang. It was 9:30. “I have to go. I ordered a snack.” For whatever reasons, I laughed my ass off on that one! Thanks! gj

The Chapter had a nice feel to it in that it provided some great psychological insights and challenges and moved the story along quite nicely. With all the emotional drain that Robbie has been, it will be hard to see December 3rd as a hard decision date for positive resolution. Seems like Brad is maturing and stepping up nicely to his familial duties but that may also confirm that he is growing beyond what he had with Robbie. Thanks again for getting this to us!

LOL, well, yes I suppose so.....but only ot the things we enjoy, eh? Looking forward to 21, thanks!

Hell, just 21 and 22? If we could get a cool dozen, we might even get more about Jeanine! But then the discovery over time can be fun as well. Lets just be thankful the Chapters are not monthly installments, that would be the killer....

While a VB day would be ideal, in my way of thinking...perhaps overly cynical...it is just that,an ideal. The level of pain and disruption does not lend itself as logically to a victory for both. It may develop into that, but I think that it would need to start with a more one-sided victory and then possibly mellow out overtime....

A further rumination, it seems that Dec 3rd is becoming a virtual "VR day " that will potentially be commermorated in future chapters and episodes much like the old 'VE' and 'VJ' days from WWII. The question I wonder, and only time will tell is whether it will stand for: 1. Victory Over Robbie - Brad extracts sufficient revenge and Robbie falls into line and they live as happiely as ever before the next Great War to end all Wars (yes, this is mixing WWI and WWII phrases, but it is late on Sunday:rolleyes: ) 2. Victory From Robbie - Brad realizes he really can do much better and moves on to any number or group of options....all delectable 3. Victory by Robbie - Brad, in fit of guilt over effing Matt, crumples and lets Robbie set the boundaries of the relationship...and we know just how long that would last before the next big one. or again, some other unforseen combination, but it seems there shall be some form of victory coming with the hope it is not a hollow one for our man Brad! The coming chapters are greatly anticipated!

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Without trying to come off as some obsessed Millenniumfile, it is fun to wonder, Mark if your statement is: 1. A simple statement of fact that JP did keep his secret (and lord knows what else!) for years and reveals nothing about what you have written for Matt, Brad, et al. 2. Information tempting us to believe M&B will have this as a shared secret/bonding and probably one hot chapter in the next few days.... 3. Dis-information tempting us to believe they will have that hot and erotic encounter when in reality they will remain chaste....or is it chased? 4. In a wild card, Matt and Brad run off to some south seas isle and open us a surf stand. This would be more like a bad 'Dallas' episode and it would end up being Aaron, who in a "Who shot JR" redux, would be the mystery person behind the plot! Gosh, I am glad you are in charge of the story and not the writers from Dallas...or even myself for that matter!!! I rather enjoy just reading your stories, thanks again for making them available to us, particularly as quickly as you do. gj

Tis fun to have a forum such as this to share speculations....even knowing that Matt and Brad may alreay have slipped between the sheets as such in the written word and our ramblings won't change it, the various ideas are fun to see. Thanks for providing and guiding a fun 'speculatorium'!!!

While there are many differences, I still get the Woody Allen/Soon-Yi image now and then when I picture Brad & Matt. It would be a hell of a lot hotter, but still, it would hang over them all. The image I got while reading this most recent excellent chapter was that of Tim sitting on one shoulder of Brad's and Cody sitting on the other. As I thought about it, it was not in terms of good and evil, but more spiritually verses existential (in my more cynical mode, I might say theoretical verses practical or spoilsport verses fun party boy>>>). Were it so easy to keep a secet, Cody would be correct, but in my experience, it doesn't take three to challenge secrecy, it seems more often if even only one person knows something, it is hard to keep it to themselves. Example, Matts obsession with Brad, he just couldn't keep it even to himself! Now, something as hot as Matt and Brad getting together even once, were Cody not now involved, would be hard to keep, let alone this threesome (Back to threesomes again). There would be the looks/smiles/nuances that even Robbie would pick up on eventually...much less Stef. Matt and Wade talked about it in the past as something to do as a couple, that might be the only way it would not hurt them as a couple, but it would still eventually come out and that would trouble. Perhaps Tim's more 'sainted' approach would prove better for all. Less fun, but more....noble. Is Brad turning noble on us!?!? There is an interesting assumption in some of the writing that Brad and Robbie will get back together, after Brad has made him feel the pain, but it is not a given. What is the actual price Brad will demand and will Robbie balk? He will regret it if he does, but he could be so short sited that he fails to meet the demand. Brad and Cody seem like a good fit, but would it really give Brad the stability he needs? There was a nice moment with Jeanine and Brad at the table, but I would have my lawyers review any contractual paperwork regarding their living arrangement. If there is none, oy.... The swerve back to Claremont is a rather noble act and seems to confirm that JP is beginning to worry about his legacy as he sees Brad step more and more in role of godfather....Don Brad, eh? Thanks for another great chapter! gj

The truth be told, (and I am all about truth btw!) it is a bit perhaps embarassing to admit to quite a variety of experiences (most quite enjoyable though some more than others!). Perhaps it is that I am a safe, but experience oriented bi-guy...bit of an adrenalin junky...that I could detail some diverse actual experiences ranging from the good old fashioned internet hook-ups (alas, those wonderful AOL chat rooms from old) to even some nice Chicago Bar experiences to.....ooops, now I am sounding more like a perv than one of your thoughtful reader/loyal fans!!!

Threesomes can be quite a bit of fun, but it gets confusing if you start getting more than a fivesome!

The complexities of the plotlines and their intermingling from story to story is most enjoyable. What struck me particularily regarding your statement about being able to resolve their (Robbie & Brad's) matter and moving on is a renewed appreciation on perspective. I realized I had focused on the Robbie/Brad issue as the core of the story (personal projections!) but the story is richer and could have this issue resolved and remain enjoyable. I had to smile at myself for becoming so focused on that aspect that I did not always appreciate other aspects to their fullest. There is something....delicious about Brad's desire for revenge and something innocently powerful in Drew's recogintion/appreciation for Brad's involvement/salvation of/in Drew's life. There is an aspect of salvation for Brad as well. This is a rather nice good/evil balance that is as powerful as the Robbie/Brad saga! An interesting underlying issue is Jeanine. Does Brad have good legal protection in place for their relationship and its financial boundaries for by the time all the kids are out of the house, it feels like their is going to be some kind of challenge. It would be very messy if she were involved in the current conflagration and doubtful it would be to her advantage. You also leave an intriguing opening with Cody. Could he be the 'Perfect Partner' for Brad? With Cody, Brad would get great sex (though a lot more bottoming that he does not seem to mind), someone who cares about Brad as a person, and gives Brad the freedom to be with others. But is that really what would provide Brad the emotional stability he will need as he takes on more and more of the duties as heir apparent to JP in this and what I trust are coming stories! Brad does not have in Jeanine what JP has in his partner. Alas, so many things to enjoy as they unfold. Thanks again for churning out quality and multilayered work rapidly! gj

It is fascinating how you continue to juxtapose Brad's pain of betrayal with his loyalty (and good old fashioned lust) for Robbie in a painfully believable fashion. While you are setting up a believable option for their eventual reconciliation, you also leave enough room for Robbie to hang himself with his own insecurities and selfishness; or, for Brad to come to the realiztion that he has the option to find a satisfying relationship without such drama. Their interplay and emotional struggle is compelling. Thanks for continuing to explore this type of relational struggle.... gj

You are quite generous with your writing but also with your willingness to interact with your readers. Again, thank you. The authenticity I feel about the feelings and actions in your writing are particularly true for me in Millennium. As noted, there are many emotions and decisions I am making personally that have some similarities with Brad and Robbie. Though I wish it were, 'Now should I buy a French or American Private Jet', but they are the more difficult choices regarding relationships. As we have discussed in our interactions and you portray in your writings, emotions and plans often seem to be working on cross-purposes and create un-anticipated results. The scene with Robbie and Brad in Hawaii was, of course, hot! But in writing that was less authentic, they would have continued to 'JP' themselves to happy oblivion...the fact that sex did not resolve everything was realistic. Having wild sex was realistic, but helped point out the challenges how to continue his relationship. Being ripped apart as he was, it will take quite a while to heal. The scars are permanent, but you have created a strong character that will survive and somehow thrive. Robbie is suffering, but he continues to be self-absorbed and it will take a lot to get him to realize the damage he has done. Maybe....he needs to end up with Father Tim and have an epiphany about the true value of life's relationships! Looking forward to seeing how Thanksgiving is celebrated and what evolves in the planning for Dec 3rd! Thanks again for letting us enjoy the work and then muse/ramble about our impressions and feelings!

Lol, well there is that....and that is a good thing. The problem as I see it is that you have created a quality character in Brad who is excited by many, but deserves, in my opinion, quality...something I don't see Robbie providing. Robbie may be a nice guy and exciting, but he seems to serve discounted relationships. Brad deserves Nordstroms, not Nordstroms Rack!

You were right, some interesting twists. At one time in my sordid past, like Father Tim, I to 'Mastered Divinity' (oy, in the same time, I could have been a Dentist!) and after about 7 years in Pastoral Ministry as a conservative Baptist, accepted that I wasn't really either conservative or a Baptist, so the review of theological arguements/discussions is always fascinating. As you warned, there can be sympathetic religious in both writing and real life. The points you made regarding Tim needing a spriritual bond with a life-partner was to me quite authentic, still it is nice to see him having some carnal fun! I could see Tim fitting nicely into being a Unitarian Universalist like I am now! Timing is everything and there was a nice confluence in Hawaii. Another very authentic point was Brad's questions about his own desires regarding his relationship and whether his love would be better served keeping Robbie at more arm's length. Safer for sure, but does he really want what he claimed to Steph regarding someone hard to manage? My own personal projections would make it hard for me to accept (a) Robbie back because of the repeated dashing of respect and trust (especiallythe respect). There are those who accept people back and Brad may prove to be such a person, but I believe he deserves better than to settle for such treatment. Still, his need to have this tension/potential disruption may be his adrenalin rush. Will be fascinating to see how you develop the emotional story line as well as the actions and activities. Thanks again for sharing your writing gift. gj

True as well, pain from a relationships dissolution is hardly a steady stream of consciousness....one of the more attractive parts of your writing gift is your ability to portray/explore/present that delicate balance found in us all. Brad is charismaticly attractive, but far from perfect. Robbie has strong qualities, but it seem equally strong weakness/blind spots. Truly human with a glimmer of the divinity. Watching it unfold is not just a fun read, but emtionally challenging in its depth/realism and, at least for me in my current state of being, cathartic. Where they end up will be fascinating for there is no obvious answer yet. That is also nice!

Thanks for insight into your enjoyment of Chap 15. It had a lighter feel in some ways....more positive family dynamics. A nice touch! It was interesting seeing the movement in Brad & Darius' relationship. With you having mapped out at least 44 chapters, I would not be trying to suggest direction, only posing some thoughts and imaginings. I do wonder where the Right Rev will end up. Can he accept the freedom that Brad lives by? that would be quite a stretch...perhaps he will end up with Max. Someone who can appreciate loyalty and goodness. To bad they both seem like bottoms! Brad stated that Robbie's Love was becoming less of a hold. I can see that happening in many intimate relationships when there is such pain or disloyalty. It will be insightful as to whether Brad has 'had enough' and will accept a more appreciative/loyal love from someone else or if he is forever bound to Robbie. The fact that Robbie has apparently been used by Carson ( at least so it seems right now! ) is a question of whether or not it mitigates the pain. Being led astray and causing such pain, whether by hair loss or evil plot does not necessarily make the betrayal more palatable, eh? Thanks again for the incredible quality output. gj

Well, I am a big Belvidera fan, but each Millennium is a treat that i prefer! Sometimes a f**k up ain't all bad

Great Chapter, w/lots happening. Will we ever find out why Jeanine is 'off' Brad? She is a strong character, but has a bit of a dark 'Mother Teresa' side like she used Brad for her son and now has a distaste for him. He seems to handle it well. Great layers of complexity, but a question, perhaps I am dense on this point, but what about Ch14 was a 'lie' or 'f up'? The blow job??