Andrew Q Gordon

if you read some of the other reviews i responded to for this chapter, Barbara's reaction was loosely based on my mother's response to me. My cousin died not long before I came out. I think that helped me 'see' this scene before I wrote it. Thanks for all the comments, I enjoy reading them.

I don't think I said better AND better, just one better was all I suggested. I fear there might - not saying for sure, but there might be a few more scenes that require tissues. But I don't know that a whole box is needed. Glad you're enjoying it, sorry about the tissue expense. Andy

As close as Jason is to Pop, I think that at this point, it would be difficult for him to go to his grandfather. Sure they're close and he'd expect things to be good, but he also didn't expect his father to cut him loose like that either. So what would you do? Imagine if Pop reacted as badly as his mom? I mean he raised her after all. I think things are going to have to play out in their own way without grandparent interference. But then I see you're on Chapter 25 so you know Jason didn't go to his g-parents to ask for help. LOL

There are some characters that seem to right themselves, Pop was one of those. I won't say he's my favorite character but he was very easy to read. I'm also a bit concerned that people keep saying I'm making them cry - is my writing THAT bad.

Imagine the hottest guy you ever met, and then you find out he's funny, smart, and a great kisser. Then you look in the mirror and see yourself as nothing special, moments of insecurity are going to happen, especially when you do something you are embarrassed by. Farrell's assessment of him physical appearance is a bit hard, but then who among us thinks we're the hottest person ever? Perhaps it's because as a wizard of some power he'll likely never pack on muscle and he wants that, or because he's embarrassed by the scars on his body, or whatever. In the end he's going to need to work past those issues, because they are a symptom of a bigger confidence problem. He might talk a good show, but he is nowhere close to feeling confident that he can beat his father - and ultimately that is what he needs to believe. Thanks for engaging me in this dave, you're truly a loyal fan.

Jordan is indeed every bit a 'friend' as Darryl said in Chapter 1. Loyalty can sometime blind you to what is really there. Sadly for Jason, his loyalty to Jordan was not returned in kind. Thanks for reading, but you've got a bit to go still

Personally I think it gets better, but I'm slightly biased. Let me know if you agree as you read

Ryan, You should probably talk to someone professional. It doesn't make you weak, or vulnerable. But sometimes it takes someone in the know to steer you where you need to go to open up about the things that are hurting you the most. You probably can't identify it on your own because it doesn't seem like the issue to you. Anyway, another thing that helps - or so I'm told - is taking the train to DC and watching a precocious 10 month old named 'lil q while her daddies go to the movie. Just repeating what I heard.

Dave, Farrell's past definitely shapes his future, but yes, it was not much of a childhood - being groomed to fight his father without knowing it was his father for a while. As for developing slowly, that is one of the downsides of on line posting. This was written as a novel, which would allow for the reader to keep going. But posting one at a time does make it seem like it's taking a time to develop - At least that's my take on it and I'm sticking to it.

Yang_Boy this is going to be more my style:

17? Oh wait got them backwards . Happy Birthday Mike!!

Glad you enjoyed it, I wasn't going to explain but Mike - MJ 85 - asked so nicely. Good to know it made things end a bit happier.

Yeah, sadly, I am. I'm gonna be one of those parents who embarrasses his kid with how corny and dorky he is - I better work hard to get over it or else she hate me and put in a nursing home the first chance she gets LOL

Me? Naughty? Well there is only one penalty for bad wicked naughty people.

Both sides look good.

W_L, There is some giddiness, there is some relief, and there is a lot more anticipation. It's always great to finish something, there is a feeling of accomplishment. There is also a great deal of relief, that I finally finished it. But for me, by the time I finish something, toward the end it starts to feel too much like work and I'm ready to move on to the next project. When i was working with the editor on Chosen, I remember a point where I told my editor, I was tired of this and wanted to move on the next story and got my retina's singed by the response. I have several project I want to work on, but realistically two is my max and that generally is one new store and one rewrite/edit existing chapters. But that is just me. Andy

So you had your very own Michigan 'Meat' up eh? Okay so that was truly bad, sorry But cool picture - thanks for sharing.

Mark, I fairly certain the Fifth Anendment guarantees me the right to remain silent if answering a question would result in self-incrimination. I think I'm in a no win situation so I'm going to invoke my Constitutional rights and politely decline to answer the question.

Well I'm sure I'm doing either, just don't ask what I did that i'm doing this for him.

I try to never give away things that may or may not be coming in the future, but I can safely say that you will never find out length of anyone's 'sabre' in this book, nor will you find out who sticks who or even if anyone gets stabbed, well other than Miceral stabbing Farrell on the practice yard while Master Thomas was watching and . . . . Damn, that sounds really smutty. Did I really write that into the story?

Hammered? As Usual? Me? Well fine, I suppose it is a bit understandable they might want to check, especially if there a lot of riding on the horizon, but I suspect they might want to express some concern for Miceral - you know what they say about those shy, skinny boys who take up with older men. Cough cough Dean Warner cough cough. Nuff said.

Welcome and enjoy, there are indeed many wonderful authors on here, Bill W being one of them. Glad you made. Andy

Good that you found out sooner than later so he can get this fix and get back to being the burr in your saddle you knew and loved. Best to Wayne and dad.

Weird co-incidence, I joined two years ago today. If I'd have known, I'd have waited a day or two, now, I have to share - and I'm not good at sharing Happy B-day GA!

Mark you really shouldn't have told people I'm doing this for you - I mean why don't you go ahead and tattoo "Mark's Bitch" on my forehead while you're at it.