Philippe

The timeline is very much expanded across the chapters, several to cover a day at times, so chapter 9 is not much beyond Celia showing a little compassion and showing Joel she expects hugs…perhaps a little early that Joel would pull back, look her in the eye and ask her will you be my mom? 🤣

I’m thinking the last sentence says a lot about his friendship with Davin; he already likes him and is comfortable around him…other than his restless kicking around while sharing the bed, but he says Davin is the last thing he expected to find only three counties down where he didn’t think/expect anything would have changed from his own hometown thinking. My bet is that they’ll continue to build a relationship with understanding and shared interest, and of course, Gavin has already joked with Davin about his loved life, so I don’t doubt that Gavin may have already figured this out before Davin and Joel did. I’m glad Colt is more human than we’ve known him thus far. I have to wonder if Colt is restless himself or if Sierra may also be feeding him her impressions of farm life and her hopes for a ticket far from there. Colt doesn’t know what he wants…which tells me he may not be as resolute in his thinking as much as he is just restlessly revolting against a predetermined expectation. Sierra doesn’t seem to be a good influence on Colt from what my impression is, even looking beyond Davin’s jealousy towards losing his best friend to Colt’s leanings towards new friendships beyond their youthful times as bestest buddies that shared every day together. Now to the question and answer interrogation with Celia; what did Colt do or say? Are you Ok? Why did he leave you? Why would you ask him to leave? You know you can talk to me, right? I want to help, Joel, can’t you tell me what has you trouble so badly? 🤕 😓 😮 😬 😅 😥 Tell you what, let’s go do that school shopping so we’ll have more time to talk… 🛑! 😆

Trying to dissect Jonah’s many characters and mannerisms is like people trying to diagnose oneself using WedMD. Many people then have go to a doctor afterwards convinced their time remaining to walk on Earth is limited, as they have multiple terminal illnesses they suffer. Jonah is one of the youngest kids of this little gay group; Danny was otherwise hanging out with the more normal giggling cherubs yet to start their transition to teen-hood, so while chaos rules in Jonah’s mind, he shows many signs of being intelligent and understanding beyond his years... just not necessarily on social issues; which I find refreshing as it shows just how many social sensitivities we instill even at an early age. I would personally think Jonah is a unique person on the spectrum. Unique that he’s an extrovert amongst friends but we done get the picture of how he is without being surrounded by friends or hanging on Christian’s coattails.

Woohoo 🥳, almost there…or should I as are we there yet? Amazing just how long a week is when waiting…and waiting…and waiting… That’s one hell of a long ass walk for Colt and Joel to get to the truck, so we can get an idea of what’s really going on. Will Joel go internalizing as he awaits their destination or will he finally challenge Colt to know just what’s the plan here, Colt? Will he finally get Colt talking beyond his simple invite? Both of these teens are caught at the age of internalizing, but they have so much to get off their chests. Here’s to hoping for another exciting chapter along the long path to understanding another layer of the onion , Learned to Lie.

Anything is possible as many programs, enticements, and procedures may have changed over the years, but what many young men don’t grasp in administration is that the initial signature is done with that recruiting office. That’s where you’re obligated to serve a tour. Showing up at the training date starts paperwork to put you on active duty, starts your pay, and starts the clock on time served against that obligation signed at the recruiting office. Failure to show can still put you AWOL, absent with out leave, as the obligation is signed and the class dates are considered first orders for transportation and reporting in at assigned unit. I believe it’s unlikely that he is not already in that obligation and assigned status. Very few things would win a cancellation of those orders and/or obligation at this point…mostly medical qualifications for service type issues normally.

If already enlisted then it would mean a discharge. In the US, back then, that was a dishonorable discharge, which was/is more than just a label. It may determine eligibility for government jobs, contracts, loans, grants, etc. So personally and if a business owner the impact could be a lifetime of limited government opportunities . Current policies allow gays in service.

Ahh, butt the shaved nuts were just being cleaned and dried to prevent sour stowage, while the pastries were ready to be licked, tasted, and gobbled down….it’s all in the setting, salty sour vs sweet and tasty.😋

Well, perhaps a not yet is appropriate; but it seems Jonny is already half way there mentally.

Hopefully good news about monies recovered thus far, but most importantly perhaps the parents have accepted their rather stiff sentence plea despite their reluctant cooperation with uncovering all their entire network. 🤷‍♂️

Sometimes it’s the stallion chasing the mare while at others it’s the mare chasing and prancing for the stallion’s attention. So the question is; did Colt chase, or did Colt get wooed by the prancing mare, or did he stay upon the ridge biding his time for a true mare bond?

Growing up on the ranch…I think they may refer to that as horse sense; then again, that probably means finding the right path home…and not with little Colts trailing.

Road trips for pastries had me thinking of the song radar love as a type of gauntlet to pastry heaven.

I was reading into the interaction of the new house parent with a room full of boys holding a vigil for the sick classmate; even with enough pastries in hand for all, as a positive sign. The benefit of doubt still in his favor despite the sour momentary frown, but with Nicky’s visit seeking house parent permission, the expression of “you and your band of hooligans” held no sign of being anything but judgmental; so much so that I was completely surprised that he agreed to the excursion. With Nicky there by himself, without witness, and apparently no written off-campus passes, I’m concerned this could be an opportunity for setting up the hooligans for a more simple or clear cut infraction, …against policy that is not given to others as he stated himself.

Yes, one could always depend on Mother to betray her allies when she either saw advantage or wanted to put the blame on others. Classic that Lord V aligned with her knowing her very existence depended on using someone to her advantage. Lord V, so arrogant and self centered that he himself started believing himself a true god…so he knowingly walked into the trap thinking himself invincible; as threat to Ray, he stood in the way of Renato's freedom, and to the internal knot of his vile Sires existence. Renato, looking towards his loyalties but with his personal freedom to…live as such. Nicely done, as the Vampires will surely be less manipulated and perhaps find a renewed balance with the valley.

This little spontaneity jaunt with Colt is a risky thing. I’m hoping that Colt is wanting to share a little of his frustrations he has with his parents in hopes of winning some kinship with Joel; after all, Joel did seem to take Colt’s advice after serving Jonny a knuckle sandwich..initially. The knuckle sandwich being served also proves Joel more respectable as Joel is not perfect competition either. Then again, Colt’s all nighter may not have been with his girl, but because of her. His restless mind may have kept him out, but he may harbor a troublesome secret that he can’t tell his parents yet… So it’s easier to let the discipline for staying out than for… Woah be to Colt if this should turn out to be an opportunity for Colt to chastise Joel’s taking advantage of Colt’s parents and HIS home. That could turn out bad for all involved, as many repercussions would/could happen; anything from manhunt searches to Joel experiencing life on the streets/road before having to give a next of kin contact after life threatening injuries. A tough spot for Trace/Celia as they informally accepted guardianship of Joel…yet, they are not the guardians/parents that allowed his vagrancy.

Maybe it seems very protracted but remember it’s only been days since Trace found Joel about as low as he could go without pulling the trigger on that handgun. Unlike Westley, Joel cherished his family life even if less than what Trace and Celia can offer materially. The part about the simple birthday parties and the time lapse of Christmas Tree decorations adorned from being toddlers to teens; and now, has his experience tainted what Cody will be able to enjoy? Or has Cody’s life taking a turn from nuclear family to just existing as a kid with parental droids. The Betrayal by brother Weasel…ahem Westley, was bad enough, but to be disowned and shunned by his mother, then having his father concede to a united shunning is devastating to a teen that wasn’t ready to leave the nest; that was the only home he ever knew…his safe place, his life. Now in betrayal, that was all a snatched away. How do you see trusting someone new to you, that you’re dependent on for now; do you entrust them and risk being destitute again, or just leave on your own hoping to locate where Trace hid your handgun. The teen brain doesn’t know or understand more complex thinking of the long term. The bubble they know as their world is their whole existence. If that world starts collapsing, then the end is already written in their minds.

Joel demanded…or negotiated, seeing Cody before answering the school choice question. Contrary to Joel’s claim that the Trace/Colt discussion didn’t concern him, I think it does, even if more subconsciously. So ironically, I feel much of the decision rests on the Cs, Colt and Cody; that one will be ok if he stays away from Templeton, and the other being if he’s ok with Joel staying in his house, sharing his family. It’s very subtle and subconscious perhaps, but I think it still weighs in more than the external relationship with the twins…plus the twins have seemingly shown more of their cards already.

…but knowing that on the other side of the swinging shelf door was a ham hanging and canned food. After a few days dehydration would have started to accelerate, then into hallucinations, swelling of her tongue and contractions of her dry throat and airways. Her death as not from the slower starvation, but rather fumbling in the dark, and descending into a world of hallucinations, while choking and gasping, as organ failure finally rendered you unconscious. A sad and miserable experience for the poor young lady. The evil Captain finding no forgiveness, through he had sent no word nor evidence of his continued existence. Knowing the content of those letters would be a great insight to her relationship with the Captain; was she traded/wed for debt, or for monies gift her family for her purchase? Arranged marriage most likely, and perhaps her life as a captive had her on the lookout for the next reign of Captain Terror to begin. It’s interesting that the Captain didn’t also round up the lover and toss them in the darkness together.

OMG, I love pizza, but I’m probably more forgiving on moderate sauce. I also love that Costco has tire pressure check stations. This ties back to pizza as I introduced my young 9yo neighbor boy to pizza as reward for helping me when mobility post surgery was a challenge. He learned that I like checking my tire pressures frequently after fueling up. Again, he likes to demonstrate his proficiency airing up my tires…I can do it…often heard as he has probably already pulled out the air hose. Of course, he did well each time we go, as I rotate multiple cars/trucks and need to keep on top of tires and batteries. Of course, each time we go, such help deserves reward. So he mentions that he would really like to get a pizza; and a growing boy needs more than a single slice…or two, sometimes 3. 😆 He loves the personal time as we sit and chat while he enjoys that hot pizza; his own little picnic. My vehicles have never had such close attention to fuel replenishment and tire pressure checks, as the kid asks frequently which vehicle needs gas…can we go to Costco? All this in the name of pizza.

Wow, ML never accepted responsibility for herself. Expect the next nerd that didn’t reject her to marry and take care of her and her child; of course, assuming that without consult with the nerd. 🤦‍♂️ A wise move to get ML out of the house and family, unfortunately that meant the baby had to go a different path, but otherwise ML would have made all involved with it’s life miserable. But instead, in classic ML fashion, she even screws up the life of a deadbeat drunk uncle. The beat down of ML was perhaps justice for a girl given a second leash of life, by a viral plaque that cured her. But ML didn’t seize the day in a respectful way. She chose to live young, reckless, and disrespectful of others; using people only as they helped her, otherwise, ML had no regrets, nor remorse, for all that she did hurting others. Too bad she died as she did; perhaps she could have eased the demand for human trafficking had she lived, it would have made her happy too. 🤷‍♂️ Nasty people can appreciate volunteerism too. Otherwise, chosen family becomes real family, even carrying on tradition and trade. Nice that George and Callum respected each other and remained the friends they sensed from their early friendship.

It can’t be from their viewpoints, unless the epilogue ends abruptly, when the life forces are zapped from their bodies and the final words written are something akin to…poof. 😡

Shall Ray wave his Golden Wand, I imagine all barriers to fate and destiny to be accommodating…if not, Henry should have returned to reality and starting training with his enthusiastic Odetta, for his own charge…to demonstrate the techniques and methods required for such a task; for the good of the Kingdom of course.

Notifications to parents is a mixed bag; first it admits the school either can’t handle to situation or that they want to demand parents assistance them is reaching their objectives. Non-boarding schools may need helping stem home discipline issues washing over into the student day, but a boarding school…they most likely have guardianship power of attorney until revoked. So for a boarding school to call mommy and daddy to get the student in trouble at home is rather cheery. If elevation is needed for professional counseling or treatment I’d understand but for notifications that only involve routine in school discipline is almost vindictive and childish. Parents should get information from their students and/or in normal reporting, not as if waging a campaign against their children.