JLK9N

Late to the responses, but I have been reading, and feeling and mourning alongside everyone. Much has already been said that reflect my thoughts on Robbie and the others, so just a simple thank you and excellent job to Mark for sharing his amazing talent, by making these people come alive from the pixels on the screen.

I think it was this latest chapter where Will described a sound Jeff made as "snaughed." Well, we all know what family THAT sound belongs to. My .02 on the heritage of HJ.

I'm the "glass half full" type, so put me down as seeing this chapter as a message of hope.

I felt the exact same way about Will. But even after running away, after committing acts most would see as dangerous and psychopathic to the person and property of his parents, he gets emancipated and now is the pillar/rock for one of them? At least it wasn't the one he drugged. Maybe Stef and JP should remodel another fabulous room onto Escorial for JJ, so he can be showered with the love and respect he is due, as his actions aren't any worse (and I would argue MUCH LESS troublesome) than of his 'younger' brother.

Being a fan of Robbie, this was tough to read on an emotional level. Other than Stef being the evil bitch (which he does so delicously) everything said, while in anger, was all true. There's no question Robbie (and Brad too, frankly) are failing in their parental roles. But I'm sad there's no one who can try to work through this with Robbie in a way that doesn't get him so defensive. I'm not defending his actions, but I truly don't think he comes to it from a 'bad' place. In situations like this, a gentler style of guidance would probably get Robbie where he needs to be to understand this. It's also sad to really have it laid out bare in this chapter that most of these people only 'tolerate' him because Brad wants him there. Surely by now Robbie has engendered more feeling (and God forbid, love) from the others than just mere tolerance? <sigh> As for this being a set-up for him being offed on 9/11, if so, well I for one will really miss him in the ongoing saga because in so many ways he's the yin to the overwhelming yang of many other members of the family.

I do think Will gets way too much deference from adults, be it sexual or otherwise. Having said that, I thought this most recent chapter showed more of Will being the 14-year-old he is. He was really sad and in tears that he was excluded from a family event. He had every reason to feel that way. (I'm still annoyed at my favorite character for making it happen...) So for me, one of the messages of this chapter is that Will is still a child - one who through a miracle got himself emancipated, looks mature enough to get whomever he wants for sex and is well endowed, but is still very much a child.

What he said. Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas) Hau`oli Makahiki Hou (Happy New Year)

Aint that it! And, (why not suck up a bit to the author, right? ) in all seriousness, it's a tribute to your skills that we feel so much about these characters, whether it be good or bad. So thanks for the ongoing gift of your writing, Mr. A.

I'm one of Robbie's biggest fans, but I can't support his actions in this most recent chapter. JJ should be able to invite (or exclude) whomever he wants for his birthday party (the one on Saturday) but Friday's dinner is for family, and that means everyone, including Will. Even though Brad and Robbie have their favorites among the three boys, they are parents to all of them and have to teach them 'family values' from time to time. In this case, JJ doesn't get to ban his brother from a family dinner, even for a birthday. So, I am not happy with Robbie over allowing this to happen. I'm never all that happy with Will because of how he acts in general, but that's a whole 'nother story....

I pine for the day when Will really needs Robbie for something, and he realizes how much he's taken his second parent for granted. And Robbie will shower Will with his kind/generous/loving nature. Until then, I simply want the little shit (that would be Will) to get knocked down a peg or ten. But that's just me.

Well, there is that. I dunno, I guess I shouldn't be so annoyed by Will... he is only 14, after all. Maybe it's because it seems to me that anyone who could have a real shot at helping him get his head on straight (Stef, JP, Wade, heck even NANA!) just seem to 'enable' him.

Is it bad of me to hope that the judge smacks Will down when the court hearing happens?

In the process of moving (don't recommend it... stay where you are! Much easier!) so have been reading in between boxes. Will DESPERATELY needs therapy to deal with what happened in Europe. Brad and Robbie and Will (and probably JJ too) DESPERATELY need therapy to get the levels of communication and trust figured out. And while Stef said all the right things and had the right answers, remember this was "Grandma" giving Will money and ENABLING him a very short while ago in CAP time. So I put a little 'crocodile' in those tears from our dear Stef. He's right, of course, and what he said needs to happen, and yeah he's had 'uncomfortable conversations' with Brad off the canvas... but his actions- the ones we see in the story- don't come off as "helpful" until now. Indulging Will in the recent past was certainly not helping matters any, and may have even helped contribute to all of ... this.

This was a pretty big F-up on the part of Brad. And how dare my beloved Robbie be such a bitch! <g> But geez, these guys need to man up and be the parents. How could either one of them even think either kid - or anyone else!! - would give them a pass on this? It's just not cool, not acceptable. Even Will doesn't deserve THAT.

I truly appreciate the concept that those of us who haven't had kids (and are so old we don't remember when WE were 14... ) that it takes a bit to stand back and realize teens like Will DO act this way. And one of the things that has always made me love these stories is how real and multi-faceted the characters are. So while I still think Stef needs to stop undermining Will's parents by giving the boy money, I am quite happy to sit back and watch how things develop. And I do think Brad and my beloved Robbie do need to 'come around' and realize their kid needs more from them. Probably 'because' of all the stuff that happened (in CAP time) in the recent past.

Stef isn't helping any of this. Will is still a 14-year old kid, even though he's been allowed to do things that most 14-year-olds don't get to do. Will isn't mature enough to understand that his life, his ability to travel, to surf, to live in a fabulous Malibu house, all come because of the success of his parents. And when his parents don't give him what he wants, he's got "Grandma" there who will do it for him. I'm not defending Brad in all this (my Robbie can do NO wrong! LOL), but come on! Kids don't (and shouldn't!) always get their way, even if their parents are perfect and doting. I know Will has been through a lot, heartbreak, kidnapping, etc. but he still acts like it's gotta be his way or the highway. When he turns 18, he can go for it. Until then Will, get your act together or you might end up at a military academy in New Mexico. Just saying.

This is a wonderful story I have completely enjoyed since I stumbled upon it many months ago. So my hat is off to Mr. Phillips for giving a truly rich and resonant voice to his work. Since the story is told from Andy's point of view, this won't happen, but it would be interesting to get more insight into what is really going on in Matt's head and heart. I did find it heartbreaking (and not typical of a straight guy) to describe himself as listening to a specific song every night and crying himself to sleep while thinking about his best friend. That's deep emotion. This is trite and tired and I apologize for it in advance, but - to me - the way Andy describes Matt and relays what he says, it's like he simply accepts and expects Matt to be straight, whereas the actions taken by Matt seem to be of someone on a path that may not necessarily lead to being straight. My .02. But no matter what, this is a wonderful, wonderful story.

I have ALWAYS loved loved LOVED Mark's creation of the word "snaugh." It's original, and unique, descriptive, and of course it is reserved for Robbie (and others Hayes before him, but right now, Robbie... Tented is a visual word. I suppose phrases such as "his hardness strained against his jeans" or some such thing or another might work from time to time, but 'tenting' really does convey a visual image with a minimum of words.

There's also the point that regardless of JP's 'contribution' to Brian, I'd bet Brian would still have gone after Brad and Robbie and Stef anyway. So in a sense, the 5K guilt is JP's alone. He can't and shouldn't be held responsible for Brian's later actions, which would have happened regardless. I think there is something more about family in JP's mind, heart and soul. Remember JP's recognized father was not his biological one, and yet he was still always 'in the family.' I have to say at the end of this chapter I wondered if JP was going to walk away himself from his family, move back to Claremont and start his work on rebuilding the town. A crazy thought, but it crossed my mind.

I haven't commented on the past few chapters, but have really enjoyed them. They feel so 'real.' On both sides. But here's what set me off on this last chapter... Apparently for years now, Brad has been dismissing Jeanine and there's been a big gulf between them (sound familiar with another household relationship?) and yet in ONE lunch, all can be made right. Now I've made no secret that I'm much more a Robbie fan than Brad, but this guy has got the world at his fingertips if that's the way it works for him. Robbie is too tough to figure out and 'make right,' but he can re-set with Jeanine and 'all is well' that quickly. My ramblings are making no sense and I'll stop ... uh .... whining... <g> But still... geez!

I want to add my kudos for this chapter as well. It 'rang true' for a couple who has been together long enough to really 'get' each other at deeper levels. As a writer, one of the hardest things to do is to give your characters a true voice- making what they say "sound' genuine and real- for that character. That really came through loud and clear in this chapter. Regardless of the debates over who's right and wrong and who screwed over whom and who should be together or not, this style of writing is what sets apart the 'great' from the unwashed masses. Mr. Arbour, you are very very clean. Congratulations and I hope your muse remains strong as you solider on with this very riveting tale.

You are right, of course, Mark. I stand corrected on those items. And I guess this is to prepare me for Robbie's fall. Ah well, I still love him.

This was a terrific chapter. I could actually visualize Brad squatting on top of the commode, holding his breath, doing all he could to make no sound. A very well written, rich cat-and-mouse scenario that enhanced this story even more. I am also very interested in where this is going, and since I'm a - what was the phrase: Robbie-nista? - I'm hoping that while there's no way he can know what's going down, he'll roll with the flow and help Brad out to put more nails in the coffin, so to speak. Even though I find Brad annoying at times, I still very much want he and Robbie together for the long haul. The other day I went back and re-read parts of the story when Brad and Robbie broke up during college and then reunited. There are some interesting similarities, and the most important one to me is that Robbie was always honest with Brad. He has never hidden anything from Brad, at least never left anything unsaid for any length of time, which is a sign of a good and true partner. It WAS interesting to see how sympathetic Stef was about Robbie back in the day, compared to now when he's dismissed Robbie with a snap.

While I really enjoy seeing the drama between Brad and Robbie play out, I really get annoyed when Robbie gets thrown under the bus. He has been almost as 'honorable' as one can be in a situation where his emotions are going six ways to Sunday. He didn't consummate anything until he was honest with his partner. His partner has now boffed a handful of people and is headed for "the big one" with Matt. Which I think (if it happens) will lead to major drama. All great for the story. I've just always been extremely fond of Robbie and while he's nowhere near perfect, I see him as really trying to do the right thing and be a good, honorable man. Brad, not so much.

I will be a lone voice in the wilderness for Robbie. He's always been a hugely favorite character of mine, and perhaps it's because he's been so deeply flawed. The boy has been to hell and back! And he's seriously damaged. I think if Brad just took a moment to step outside of his anger for a moment and realize that if he truly loves Robbie, he wouldn't be as angry with him. I don't think what Robbie proposed is the right thing, and he certainly didn't pick the right way to do it, but let's face it... Brad has the entire Crampton "family" behind him (mafioso pun fully intended.) There's no question who loses in this - it's Robbie. And for that, I'm just sad. And I HATE that he's always described (by both Brad AND Stef) as "whining." Grr. I was sad when Jeff became a flawed character, and I'm sad now for Robbie. But Brad is just a bit too high and mighty. He certainly has had a privileged life and hasn't had to deal with all the Hayes related crap that Robbie did. Perhaps Brad could redeem himself by becoming a bit more compassionate. He should have said "no" to the 'open' relationship concept, and made it clear they need to communicate and work their way through the issues. OK, flame away.