Philippe

No, not intentionally, but he already has hurt him whether accepted or not. The relationship is based on lies and subterfuge. Though Ezra gave is heart and body, to was to the ruse. Enrico is not the person Ezra feel for nor can he become that…as he will always be on the run or living behind a mask of yet another persona, ready to run when necessary. Though Ezra is unhappy with his life with mother, it doesn’t mean he meant to hurt her, her career, or to turn his back on her; even now, trapped in this moment of extreme danger he wants to call his mother. Ezra can’t live the life Enrico presented, yet the life offered is asking him to go unrecognized, to not draw attention, to not be out in the open. These are the very things that have Erza feeling like a nobody already. So intentionally hurting Erza, no. But Enrico has already done more damage than he could possibly know. Ezra finally found someone, fell quickly and deeply in love, to now be finding out it is not a real person… a ruse. Though Enrico did fall for Ezra, he knows it’s not a relationship Ezra will understand or that he could ask him to try; it would likely get them both killed and would not be the life Ezra wants nor where he can survive. Therefore, the unintended consequences of this ruse life, will hurt Ezra deeply, more deeply than a broken off relationships. This relationship so desperately needed and wanted, as Erza didn’t believe he would ever be noticed or loved that way, has now turned to betrayal of his trust, betrayal of his love, as he gave that love to a person that wasn’t who he said, and will now probably have Ezra withdrawn and untrusting of his own self. So unintentional but real, Enrico has already given Ezra a crushing first love loss, while hurting his mom, possibly her career, and worst of all, whiplash at the loss of someone he couldn’t ever have…beyond the ruse.

A nice short chapter that says much about the fate of Ezra and that looming fate of the submarine crew with Andrew Carter. Oh but what a beautiful takedown by Jared of that arrogant prick known as Lachlan Sinclair. Hopefully that’s a foreshadowing of Sinclair’s future. Jared knows he’s fired…but he obviously knows Sinclair secrets and where many financial skeletons lay. Hopefully he is also speaking to Will soon and the MI5 picture will come together likewise. Erza, it’s been a ruse. Look for your escape plan quickly, don’t be a fool.

No, no Frankencow, but I must still have the heart and eye of a cow, because I do have a soft spot for bulls 🐂 that feel the need to jump fences just to breed.

She’s beyond career focused, she’s detached from trying to have family time or to understand Ezra and his interest.

The way they maneuvered around the kitchen island? Them some mighty fine tacos, …are you going to eat that?

Well he did say he had plans so he’s goal driven to go do his own thing, however…Celia may be trying to keep family closer in attempts to do family things with Joel. It makes it easier to support Joel without seeming like she’s hovering, or ignoring him. Unfortunately, it may make Colt frustrated as he had his plans and his own life before Joel. This is the double edged sword of keeping Joel’s secret, it doesn’t allow the others to fully understand just exactly how rejected Joel feels. He wasn’t told you’re 18, it’s time to make your own way. He isn’t 18, yet he was told get out, don’t come back, you’re not welcome here, you’re kind is against god and nature, so don’t come back…EVER! So then Colt will seem uncaring, or even mad at Joel, but it’s lack of communication and that Colt’s life is changing too…At an age he is or was, winning more independence. Trace may be able to keep Joel’s secret but still emphasize just how critical Joel’s emotions and well being are by conveying the general message of Joel’s family relationship and that deep loss he’s going through; Colt, we could never do that, but how would you feel, and who would you turn to… Joel has no other family and he didn’t have the twins to support him.

Well, an early wake up and then a little track exercise to get the blood pumping. The goons apparently being lead and fed by Timmy Boy, found themselves rapidly halting their pursuit when Dallas appeared. Hollywood chose wisely to punish them for their participation by having them clean the locker, but who actually painted it goes undecided. Dallas and JJ finally get to catch up on their relationship that had been in limbo for far too long, so some progress seems to have been made there. With two weeks before the trip relatively quiet, it begs the question, is this the calm before the storm? Could these yayhoos really be dumb enough to pull something on a school sanctioned trip, making it the same as on school grounds? Anytime is wrong, but on a school trip is just plain dumb, so hopefully it will just be a quiet educational and growth experience for all. Pete is a hoot, but his statement of confusion when ribbed about Merry makes me wonder if he’s not only curious but maybe bi?? Either way, his joking nature and standing by his friend speaks volumes for him. If anything should happen on this trip, I can only hope it backfires on the perpetrators and likewise puts them in the situation were JJ is perhaps their savior; surely that would make him more human and them more humble. The suspense continues…are is it teen angst? 😂

Well given that wank at the end of the chapter, getting assigned a dorm with Dallas at Salvation could put someone at risk; but would stone face turn to a grimace…or a smile? 😊

Yeah it highlights the blind repetition of life…just going through the motions. But I truly do think the boys will come together, but not necessarily at the same time; but probably helping each other see the reflections of life through another’s eyes so to speak. Especially if Joel shares how Trace saved him in detail or some event makes Trace break his promise by telling the boys…only for the safety and help Joel needs.

Yup, and time away from Noah…for both Nick and Jack, together and individually too.

Ahhh, but that synopsis so too vague to know for which person will those words fit, at which time, and how often it may even reoccur…so it too becomes part of the mystery and suspense of the story.

As he smiles evilly while typing those words.

Jackisms 😂, well, he always has been a savant when it comes to handling balls. 🏈 🤔 Down boy, down…you too Mr. Bojangles.

It could be quite the experience…

No, he left long ago. He needs to respect the new order, not be jealous or try to manipulate it to his convenience.

Colt seems to understand even if he’s not good at showing it to Joel. Telling the twins to shut up 🤐 seems to be him letting them know Joel needs some space for himself to deal with his issues and space to get to know them before thrown into the deep end of their friendship pool. Whether Colt understands on his own, or is acting off how he reads the parents, or perhaps just following what the parents directed, it still shows me he is thinking beyond what/how the twins are. The twin are the double edged therapy swords. They have a natural tendency to connect and be at home, so even though bringing up something perhaps sensitive to Joel, the fact that they make nothing of it says they accept much as just part of life…anyone want that taco? 🤣 Hey you’re just another one of the guys, fend for yourself! Ok, extra brownies then… yum 🤤. i think the twins will have Joel feeling more comfortable within the boys’ peer group, but Colt will naturally have more questions as we get Joel settled in. But Colt will not feel like asking while Joel will not feel like volunteering any information that would be more natural questions expected in getting to know the new guy. Iconically, the naiveties of Lacey may be the innocence needed to get Joel talking more…even if generalities. Great chapter at capturing the awkwardness of a homeless gay teen being fostered amongst other teens that will be curious and less patient to move forward as we get to know these characters ourselves. thank you @Krista, I very much appreciate your sharing this wonderful tale.

Oh that could become a celeriac problem. You might be a maized to ear of more stalks before shucking some tough coverage.

Oh yes, but I did 20 years, so I have many of those. I also jumped across different systems and missions, so it’s a diverse background. It’s not unusual to find myself asked about something back then but then we get started and to talking all night; often with a remind me next time you were asking about…

Likewise, whether US or Joint Forces my experiences say the same; professional pride and respect for order. Casual approaches to procedure or for maintenance can get you or your buddy killed. Likewise, misreading critical messages can start a war. Only by coincidence and not part of a mission, we had 2 C130 aircraft on a small airstrip, on a small pacific island, with this airfield designed as max 2 on ground for aircraft capacity; one American and one Japanese. Yet we got a message from the host nation ground officer that an urgent mission needed to land and fuel; prompting his direction that one aircraft must leave…NOW. Though communication and clarification of mission objectives was a little slower, we pooled together and used more creativity in tightly parking our two nations aircraft, with tails angled out over the island brush, to clear the runway for the urgent mission. THEN All personal pitched in to do the quick turn around on this engaged sub-tracker; the refueling was manual pumping with a bicycle style hand crank pump mounted on metal drums. So the hand petaling would quick exhaust one crewman as we recognized and formed a line to relay the quick pumping required. The same for switching the pump head to a fresh drum. A battery cart was the ground start system, as it too had a hand crank generator to bump up the charge. Crude you might think, but fuels had the be tankered in, generating power taking the majority of that. So very efficient and dependable for the requirements. So young Japanese and American troops were synchronized within minutes in getting this mission accomplished…yet not once was the American forces tasked or requested to assist. The aircraft was serviced and back airborne in record time; with many deep bows, and considerable domo arigatos offered. But most rewarding was the many young men of both nations smiling and celebrating this joint effort as if we had just won the Olympics. This remote assignment location wasn’t tasked with such a mission, but had a limited emergency capability that was mostly unpracticed…as it was expected to be a more rare and as time required operation for emergency aircraft. Yet the troubled and worried look on the young Japanese officers face said hope and prayers were on his mind that he might answer this urgent tasking for an actual mission engagement. As a ranking guest officer I offered help and suggestions, so that he was more easily able to understand and make the obvious choices laid before him. Informal joint training born of normal joint exercises.

Unfortunately, in an environment where governmental corruption makes it impossible to trust, and then the military doesn’t have the trust of the people. So they’re likewise caught in the middle, with jobs to do but with possible corruption and repercussions from either side as they try to operate. It’s a no win situation, as that brings the corruption within the forces also. One officer may walk off from commanding orders, only to then have his orders rescinded by another, or worse, shot with claims of sniper fire. So they themselves are at risk either way they turn.

Hmmm 🤔 Tickle Torture eh. That seems to be a @Ticklishboy30job; rip off the gloves boys, it’s tickle time.