Rabble_Rouser

As I've said to LBTW before, I wouldn't nit-pick things like how Connor reacts to events in his life because all of the hurtful things done to him would skew his view of events. His life is so outside my experiences (thankfully) that I wouldn't even hazard a guess on how I would react. People are different so I don't think you can say with certainty how someone would react... Connor's low-self esteem from years of various types of abuse would probably make him react differently from someone like me who grew up with in a stable home with a large close-nit extended family. Thanks for the good read and now that I'm back from my little trip to Quebec City (where I found out my french is rustier than I thought), I need to get down and read the last chapter. Steve

Another great chapter and I agree with LittleBuddha... this is very different from both Shane and Tyler. I would have a problem with Kyle's Dad, especially with the stereo typical 50's worldview he seems to have and description of the church he goes to, but it was good to see Cameron stand up for Cole seeing how much he has to lose if he falls out of favour with the family. I half expected Cameron to try and bargain about going to church or at least suggesting that he'd go to church but not that one even if it would raise all sorts of questions. I liked how Cameron's rationale for staying with the family was explained as more than a simple desire to avoid a group home placement... Kyle's family may not be the best family for him but they at least feed him and acknowledge his existance, it makes one realize how awful his bio family situation was. Steve

I'm guessing it's a regional thing in Canada just like the US... I grew up in the french part of Canada and it was always "soft drink or boisson douce" and when I used to live Toronto it was always "Pop". There's also the stereotype up here that French Canadians drink Pepsi (and eat Joe Louis's) and English Canadians drink Coke... for me, it's Diet Pepsi or Coke (but not Diet Coke or Pepsi)... and Orange soft drinks are awful (sorry Nicky )

Bonne Fete Vance! I hope you have some good weather and good times in New England today for your birthday! *still chuckling from BoyNeedsTherapy's wonderful rendition of Happy Birthday* Steve

YEEAAHHH! And there was much rejoicing.... Steve

Vance, Another great story and I'm looking forward to seeing who came to rescue Cameron and if this run in with the cops is a catalyst for change in his life. Glad to hear about Chapter 4... gives me something to look forward to at the end of the day! Steve

Ok, Friendly, I just finished reading it and I don't think you'll be so happy when you're done . It's an excellent chapter and it shows how emotionally fragile Connor is... and I won't even get into what I'd like to do that bitch of mother of his. My hope is that Mommy-dearst just OD'd in the kitchen so that Connor won't have endure her abuse anymore. My hope is that Ryan comes to the rescue in time but it's not looking likely. If not, what will this do the tiny little bit of self-esteem that Conner had... the mutterings of "I would have probably preferred death at that point, because if I survived, I would be forever tainted" make me think things might get worse before they get better. Just when it was looking hopeful that Connor would be truthful with Ryan and his Mom and get the help he deserves. All I can say Buddha is that you've set up the mother of all cliffhangers. You better not hold the next chapter over our heads too long or I'll be booking a flight to LA to keep DKStories company on the trip to Tiawan Anyway, great chapter and I'm really enjoying the story and the characters... even the ones I'd like to do bodily harm to! Thanks for writing this even though you should be working on your thesis. Steve

I loved the chapter and I'm really happy that the next chapter is already in Kitty's hands! I'm of two minds about how the chapter ended. I can see that Ryan is trying to save himself some grief by trying to make sure that Connor is as serious about the relationship as he appears to be but I didn't get any sense of jealousy either even though his brother and Cody both appear to be making plays for his boyfriend. If I interpreted what's going on in Ryan's mind correctly, he has much more strength of character than I would have. I'm just wondering how he came to the conclusion that there may be more going on between Cody and Connor... could Cody have let something slip during Connor's New Year's Eve concert or did Cody say something in an attempt to cause a rift. I think Ryan has more to worry about in his brother (even though Connor would have to be a moron to open up that pandora's box).

I think it's about time I say how much I've been enjoying the story since I first looked at it a couple of weeks ago. The characters are interesting and the difference between the homes of the characters adds something to the realism of the story... and best of all, it's got TWO red-heads I've always had a thing for redheads! Thanks David and I'm looking forward to the next chapter when Kitty's done her magic! Steve

Hey Viv! I had a chance to finally take a look at your story the other night and ended up reading the whole 14 chapters in one sitting... what a fantastic story and I couldn't stop once I started reading... my boss probably isn't too happy with you since I was as sharp as a bag of hammers the next day! Thanks for all the work you've obviously put into this and I'm looking forward to chapter 15! Steve

Apparantly someone thinks I'm well-adjusted... that would be first!

I think our friend from the East said it all! Thanks Dom for another great chapter (even if you aren't going to read this for another few months...) Steve

Does it make me a bad person if it isn't the first time I've done that??? Steve

Happy Birthday Tim! If it makes you feel any better, I turned 37 today so you'll always be able to revel in the fact that you're not ancient like me If birthdays bother you, remember, it's just another Sunday... Steve

Ahhhh... *sniffle, sniffle* a great ending... WHAT!!! OK, Dom... a fantastic chapter in what I think is your best story so far (yep, I'm still holding out on starting WT...). You are definitely the master when in one chapter you convince me that Seth is probably the best boyfriend for Rory (but I still want to see him with Luke... oh, well some habits are tough to quit...) and I actually began to think that Alice didn't need to be fitted with straight-jacket and muzzle... Rory's Gramma does think about him and love him... I got a major shiver down my spine when I was reading the postings about Dom killing off a character and I thought about his mentioning that people might be upset about the ending... he better not kill off Luke who is probably upset and rushing to see Eddie at the hospital... Maybe we should get Dom to ask work for some compassionate leave since he blind-sided us all with the mother of all cliff hangers! The compassion would be for those of us pulling our hair out waiting for Ch.36! Steve Vic, Nicky's back to his old tricks... how about asking for extra security patrols and maybe a little video survellance...

Thanks Raz!!! This is exactly how I felt after reading the chapter. I think it's interesting that a number of people have really connected with Seth and there is an equal number who just don't "feel"it. Dom has done a fantastic job with DD and while it's obviously getting to the end, I think it would be a struggle for even the great DomLuka to finish this off in one chapter in a way that befits such a great story. Steve

Yah!!! It only took about 6 months but I finally got to start a thread first!!! Gotta go and read to see if Nicholas's LGAITE theory holds true! Steve Oh ya, I'll save people a few mouse clicks.... http://domluka.gayauthors.org/desert/desert-dropping-34.php

I don't know... it could be the eternal optimist in me that's still clinging onto the hope that it will be Luke & Rory even though logically I see that as less and less likely. I can't say I've gotten emotionally attached to a character the way I have Luke before. I think this attachment and my desire to see Luke get his happy ending more than any other character explains why I felt so unsettled reading the last chapter. The more I read about Seth the more I can't describe him as anything but wholesome, kind and understanding. I just don't feel a certain excitment in Rory and Seth's relationship but that could be could simply be the medicating effect of the LRITE card I carry with me. I gave up predicting where this is going to go about 8 chapters ago but I'm sure enjoying the reading what Dom lays out for us. The only positive of DD coming to an end will be that I can lift my self-imposed embargo on reading With Trust! Steve

I think I'm going to agree with Ann for the first time ever (well, other than the stuff she wrote about the abusive fans Dom's had to deal with lately..). The arrival of 'Alice the Evil' marks that the end is near in the DD storyline. Even though I agree with Little Buddha that it would be interesting to see Rory deal with being out in High School once Gramma Alice drops whatever bombshell she has (and no, it's not that she's taking Luke away with her to live in Florida Nicholas! ) but I would be surprised if Dom would do that... he hasn't in any story so far (even if I get the impression that DD is by far his most popular story judging by the number of posts in the forums). Before someone brings up the Dennis storyline (the mythical beast we're all waiting to see...), I wouldn't really put that in the same category since it will revolve around a whole different set of main characters. BTW, I thought that Arizona was a hot desert state. So how the hell did everyone in the state (except poor Seth) learn to skate?!?!?! Thanks for the great Valentine's surprise Dom! Steve

And THAT's why West needs to be posted to the British Embassy...

Nickolas, I wouldn't characterize Eddie as a "deadbeat Dad" even though he wasn't around for Rory when he was growing up (unless you count all the maturity he's starting to show as growth since arriving in Arizona) because if you look at the early chapters of DD you'll find out that Eddie didn't even know that Rory existed until shortly before Rory arrived in Arizona. To me a deadbeat Dad is one who won't take responsibility for his child. You shouldn't hold Eddie's absence against him since Gina lied (at least by ommission) about Rory's existence. Eddie's shown that he probably would have been involved in Rory's life had he been given the opportunity. As for Luke being a Boyfriend beater, the whole grabbing him out of the pool thing, in Luke's defence, was him thinking Rory was drowning (or trying to kill himself which I don't think it's actually possible to purposefully do). I don't think that Luke was particularily fond of Rory at that point (as were many readers) because here was this spoiled little prat coming in and throwing the first stable and loving family Luke's ever been a part of into turmoil. The anger he's shown against Aaron at the party... well if I was lied to by my boyfriend to think I was driving his mother's new car only to find out when I'm arrested that it was stolen, and then to be left holding the bag by my boyfriend (to the point of testifying against Luke), I'd be pretty pissed too! Not going to say anything bad about Seth because there's nothing really bad that's been presented about him at this point. I don't mind that you don't think Luke has anything to offer Rory and Seth has everything but given how favourably Seth is painted, does Rory have anything to offer Seth? Steve

I know I read somewhere that you want to have Carter dealing with becoming an opposition politician so you could chronicle him trying to squeeze in getting married before the Conservatives get rid of the equal marriage law. There are some out politicians in parliament but none of them have gotten married yet. There are so many things I'd like to find out about my favourite characters: - I'd like to finally find out what Brody does for a living! - What happened to Matt after he went to U of Calgary... did he decide to stick with dating guys? - Who does Peter end up with? Does he get along with his brother? As for some conflict in the storyline... I don't know what you'll come up with but I'm sure it will have me not-so-patiently waiting for each chapter. You've got a CSIS agent, a politician and a soldier to work with so that should give you endless possibilities. You could have West posted to the British Embassy to get him back in the story. What I liked most about the Carter series was the flawed but likable characters. Their failings made them more believable than most I've seen in many writings. I don't know what else to tell you as far as what I liked in the series but maybe telling you the books I liked best/least might be helpful: Favourite book: Carter's Recourse (I liked the spy mystery part of it) and Carter's Shadow came a close second with three of my favourite characters (West, Peter & Matt) Least favourite book: Carter's War - I don't know why but I never developed an attachment to Marc even though everything you wrote should have made him a great character. Cheers! Steve

Hey Dan, Loved the story and I'm really looking forward to the sequel! When I read the chapter today the first words out of my mouth when I finished were WTF??? Once I had some time to reflect on it I think I really liked how you finished things off (once I knew there would be a companion piece) even though it left me with SO many questions. I liked that you couldn't have predicted that ending 5 chapters in. The ending while a little, I guess unsettling would be the best word, made me rethink many of my observations and assumptions (mostly wrong) that I made as I went along in the story. Liked it, looking for more! Steve

OK, I'll admit that any reservations I had about Rory & Seth disappeared with this chapter, especially when we have so much evidence presented that Seth is a genuinely good person and there aren't any ulterior motives lurking in the background (at least I think... you just never know with Dom). The mess of a life that Aaron has was put on display for all to see in this chapter. Dom is a master of the written word when he can have ME feeling sympathy for Aaron's plight (even if it's of his own making). It was refreshing to see Rory trying something new during the Aaron rescue... Rory being the voice of reason at times... who would have thought this would have come about when we were reading the first few chapters. The growth and maturation of Rory into someone who is comfortable in their own skin is perhaps the greatest theme of this story (and it seems to be a common thread in Dom's stories so far). And Luke, sweet (and hot) Luke... I love the fact that he is mature, responsible and contemplative one moment and a kid the next. The scene in Rory's bed when Luke was begging for the details of any action Rory got with Seth was cute and something guys do when their 13... The one thing that has me wondering (besides what Rory will do with Seth's little bombshell at the end of the chapter... WooHoo... an LRITE ending may be possible) is what Aaron was babbling about when he asked Rory if he was still a virgin and what Seth was really good at...??? Dammit Dom... couldn't you let Aaron finish that sentence!!! Now I have visions of Seth "hung like a bear" Fisher turning Aaron in a big-old happy bottom... And when Luke told Rory that Aaron quickly became very proficient at giving blowjobs, what was the deal with the way he acted with Rory, especially with not kissing Rory after getting blown? I have the feeling these are questions that won't be getting answered before DD ends. The way Dom is going he could easily make this the half-way point of the story if he was so inclined... anyone have any idea how many more chapters we have to look forward to before I can start reading the new story? Steve

HEY!!! I guess we make easy targets but not usually this time of year when we can hide behind the snowbanks! Dom, sorry to hear that you've been hassled by a bunch of pricks with a false sense of entitlement. I've been holding off reading "With Trust" until you're done with DD... I'm trying to pace myself so when DD finishes I won't have an extended period of Domoholic withdrawl. And when you unleash Vic & Tim and the boys, I'll be at the border to cut them off. I'd recommend a couple of drinks to see if it's a tension headache you have but that could lead to a worse pain in your head the next day... Steve