PrivateTim

Obviously we'll find out more about Luis' situation, but this is a great, intriguing beginning. This stood out to me, "Only then I reached for the cell phone I carried around on occasion--one of the very few occasions when I didn’t mind giving my mom a way to reach me." This story was written just as smartphones were being introduced. Kids were not joined at the hip to them the way they are now.

This is truly a masterful work. It could very easily be a very good Netflix mini-series. It is better and more original than 90% of the scripts and treatments I read. The part that is interesting (besides the story) is how much technology has changed since this was written. The idea of written letters, not emails is just quaint, and beyond email, Zoom and the like. Another interesting aspect is that these young people are able to support themselves and pay rent on relatively meager earnings. That is still true in a lot of the Midwest, but those days are gone forever in So Cal. I know I am a selfish bitch, but I wish Dom had continued to write the way Mark Arbour has. He is now in the 18th book of the Chronicles Of An Academic Predator and 9th book of the Bridgemont series.

Dom was definitely a man, albeit a very young man when he was writing.

Sara deserves no redemption because she has no redeeming features. John Gordon does deserves some redemption. He was a terrible father, but as twisted as he was, he did love his boys and Dennis had earned his respect. I wish the story had five more chapters so we could see how the dynamics shifted with Leo, Ben, Kyle, Owen, and the others who once hated Dennis. Thanks once again Dom, wherever you are.

PS I really miss the Domaholic Forum that we used to talk about these stories on. NaperVic, no longer with us, was the biggest Domaholic and always had incredible insights.

Well Lyle is going to be someone's bitch for a while.

Dennis is who he is, and that is being a stoic. He isn't a "let me explain" guy. Ben really needs to straighten Leo out.

Sara gets no slack from me. She let a drunk badly abuse two little kids. She should have shot Bill herself. I wish Dom were around still writing. I'd like a Michael story ten years down the line.

This book has the wrong title. It ought to be The Long, Long, Really Really Long Way, Aiden and Owen need professional help, like couples therapy; someone who can get the truth out of the two of them.

The Gordon's are one messed up family. Travis and Dennis are both changing.

Uh yeah, I'd tap him too.

Really? No one mentioned that Dennis outed himself to Owen? Oh, and I meant to mention last chapter that I know exactly how Dennis felt when he and Phil and Leo were all best buddies. I had these great friends in Middle School, one had been a very good friend for a long time, but somehow when we got to high school we all went separate ways into different cliques. We didn't end up all hating each other like Leo, Dennis and Phil, we just became nothing, mere acquaintances, whereas once we were bosom buddies sharing everything, all our secrets and plans. It still makes me sad to have lost that intimacy with my friends.

Travis is such a dick. He's mad at Kyle for not respecting his private life, but he presses his way into Dennis' private life and worse is trying to force something on Dennis he doesn't want. I also hated how Travis kept interrupting Dennis telling his story.

“Why is it so important for you to label me?” The question of all questions for the gay community. Why is it so important? Dennis says he is straight then he is straight. Sexual orientation is self-declared, there is no criteria for one label vs the other. Yes it is possible to have a completely straight orientation, but still enjoy sex with men. And no, that doesn't make you bi. I am sure we will see more of Michael. Dom doesn't introduce new characters without a purpose.

Adam got a mention last chapter. I wondered what was going on with him. He'd be a senior now and old enough to distance himself from the opinions of his parents and have his own. I like that Dennis seems to be enjoying Travis' company. I assume the Chesleys have put 2 + 2 together. I still don't get Kyle's flip.

Characters in this story must be taking turns being an ass and this week was Kyle's turn. He knows what Travis went through so surely he must have some clue as to how badly that can mess someone up. Dennis had a small epiphany about "being a failure" just to disappoint his parents.

Owen is clueless. Aiden was right that Travis is out of his league, but not in the "he's too good for you sense". Travis is deathly afraid of getting close to people because of Allan. He isn't a player, he just is never going to commit to someone until he gets his head screwed on. Owen does not need a cheap fling. Owen isn't a cheap fling kind of guy. Sex isn't sex to Owen. He is more like a chick in that respect. Owen wants sex as part of a relationship, not sex to get his rocks off and move on.

Here is Mason Thames for you.

The why is easy. Travis feels guilty. Guilty about everything even though none of it was his fault.

I think the point is he isn't as confident as he appears. It is a veneer, a facade, Travis pretending it doesn't bother him as much as it does.

Travis moved from annoying to an asshole this chapter. His conversation with Dennis was completely off base on so many levels. If Dennis says he isn't gay, he isn't gay. He seems completely self-aware, not just someone in denial.

Mr. Gordon said he wasn't going to pay Travis until he recouped his losses on the fight. I hope he returns the car before being charged with GTA.

I don't get why everyone thinks Travis is great. I find him obnoxious, but I don't blame him for his obnoxiousness. He is classically acting out. We've only seen the "what if" in his mind about his 10th birthday, but it has to be in his mind all the time, persistent, gnawing. Aiden and Owen are a Hallmark Channel movie in waiting.

Is Dennis unsure of his sexuality, or is it so suppressed by his upbringing that he's only dabbled in the past? I was sure he and Reilly would become an item. So who is in the nursing home? Allen? Bill's wife? Kyle has a good heart, but I don't think Travis will view this favorably. Now that everyone knows Travis' story they should be nudging him into therapy so the nightmares stop.

Surely the Pinkets would know what had happened in the house. In most states you have disclosure laws where you must declare if someone was murdered in the house. Still, they are very nice, and maybe that is why, because they know. Marcy is just a bit younger than Travis was at the time.