Lisa

Oh, man, Dmr, that's horrible! Your oxygen level was at such a dangerous level! What exactly is a Saddle Back Thrombosis? I Googled it, but all I could find was that diagnosis in cats. lol The blood thinner I'm on is Xeralto, and I'll be on it for at least another 3 months, if not longer. I know some people are on it for life for these things. Well, as I said, the hospital said I don't have any new clots. Funny thing, though, my pulmonologist called today, and he went through the pictures of the CT scan and said the spot on my lung got smaller (he thinks that's from the PEs), and he didn't see any PEs. He said it looks like they dissipated. So now I'm wondering why the hell the ER doctor didn't tell me that! Now I don't know who to believe! I called the ER, and of course the doctor I saw isn't working tonight. So should I believe my pulmonologist? I guess he would know more about the lungs, but hell, the ER doctor should know SOMETHING about the lungs! Don'tcha think? So when they brought you to the ER and later did surgery, what did they do surgery on? I'm so glad you're better now. It's so fucking scary. My boss (the vet who owns the practice) told me a story yesterday. True story: his father is a surgeon, and a woman was in a car accident, and he did surgery on her leg. She was in the hospital an extra day, and she was walking around on her crutches, smiling and waving to the nurses, when she suddenly collapsed. Dead. She had three small kids. She had had an embolism, and no one knew until it was too late. The vet said if someone's going to develop a clot, it'll happen within three days of surgery. I just didn't feel it until four days after that, but it was developing in my leg and lungs. Very scary. Scarier than these Halloween stories I'm reading on here.

Wow, I was riveted from the first word. Excellent story, HH! I can certainly see Chris' mom's apprehension about sending him off trick-or-treating on Halloween. I would probably feel the same way, but I wouldn't get all religious about it. Anyway, thanks to her, those poor boys' souls are now at peace, and their families were able to give them proper burials. The story had just the right amount of horror, gore, and spookiness for a Halloween story. I gotta hand it to you, HH, this was a great story. I couldn't stop reading.

That was a really good story, HH! Taylor was unbelievably insensitive when she brought them all to the site of a three-year-old boy's murder. What was worse though, was Nicole's brothers coming up with a small sock covered in ketchup (blood?) and then scaring everyone by chasing them. That was horrible, and I probably wouldn't think it was funny if I were there. Personally, I think Taylor and Nicole deserve each other -- they're both bitches. Kai seems like a sweet kid. I hope he and Diego get to see more of each other.

Like Tim M, I almost spontaneously combusted also!! You really had me going there, HH! That was one scary story! I was so relieved when it was just a nightmare Woody had, but then the pine needle...which means the whole thing was real. Awesome story, HH! It would be nice to visit Woody and Linden (have to look up what that name means. ) again and see how their relationship is going.

What an awesomely funny story, HH! I couldn't stop laughing! From using the opposite words humans would use, to 'vegetable-tarian', this story had me . I loved how you would know how Dro was feeling by the change in color on his wings. So cute. This is a story you can read over and over again and laugh just as hard as the first time. Great job, HH!

I really enjoyed this story, HH! I thought the rude brownie was pretty funny. The crow got annoying with all the 'caw's, but at least he was smart to recommend changing bed sheets! I hope it works out with Dom and Gabe. It would probably come in handy having an angel nearby...although Dom doesn't know he's an angel.

Hey, Dmr! I feel a little better. I had my 3rd physical therapy session today, and my physical therapist really worked my knee. It was killing me! But I suppose that's good. I have to keep practicing bending it so it doesn't lock up. The scariest part is feeling like you can't catch your breath. I thought I was over all that, but this past Monday night I felt it again. I went to the ER, they did another CT scan to make sure my blood thinners are working and to make sure I didn't get any more pulmonary embolisms. Luckily, it turned out ok -- no new clots. My oxygen, pulse, and BP were fine, so they sent me on my way and told me to follow up with my pulmonologist. I guess it was all in my head? Idk...it seemed pretty real to me. Maybe it was just an anxiety attack. But it's scary to be so conscious of your breathing, you know? Thank you for asking, Dmr!

Oh! I didn't realize it was a one-shot! I don't care at all about Jason, but I'd love to hear about the narrator's backstory at some point in time.

That's exactly what I was thinking, Jay! Originally, I thought Bauer had a fatal heart attack because of his "cardiac event." I was caught off-guard when the story mentioned liver cancer and then slit wrists. This was a heartbreaking story, HH. My heart broke for all three -- Dalton, Bauer, and Spencer (why only last names, though? It wasn't until 3/4 of the way down I realized these were the characters LAST names! In light of Penn State's (where my nephew goes) tragic hazing death, and the deaths of other teens in other schools around the country due to a frat's hazing, it took me aback reading about the exact same thing, but back in '82. In my mind, Bauer couldn't have done anything as horrible as being an accomplice in Spencer's death. I hope now that Spencer and Dalton finally find the peace they deserve. Spencer in death, and Dalton in life.

Wow, HH, what a story! Like the others, I couldn't read it fast enough to find out what was going to happen next. That must have been horrific for Ollie to witness the senseless beating of Ralph and the senseless death of Darrell. And all that hate from the big-wigs in that town back in the 50s just repeats itself with the bigoted hate from their children. And it would have gone on and on if Ralph and Darrell hadn't told Ollie their story. What an amazing, well-written tale, HH! Maybe in another story or even an antho, Ryan and Tyler's story could be told. (Hint, hint, poke, poke. )

Jared is a good friend to Sam. And he gave him great advice. Richard, on the other hand, is an asshole. I hope he leaves Brian alone and realizes he screwed up, and he can't just waltz back into Brian's life and sweet-talk him in hopes of getting back together. And good for Sam for sticking up for himself!

Poor Ness. Brady is a number one asshole. I am so glad he grew up and matured. He owes Ness such a huge apology, which of course won't be enough. I wonder if Ness even lives in that town anymore. He probably ran for the hills once he got to college. I'm really looking forward to the next chapter.

Wow. That guy Jason is such a jackass. To intentionally hurt the other guy's feelings like that...jeez. I'm curious to see where you go with this.

It's sad, isn't it? I know the amount of kids in my neighborhood trick or treating has diminished in the four years I've been here. When I think of Halloween, I think of the scene in ET where hundreds of kids (or so it seemed) were trick or treating, going to all the houses in the neighborhood. Of course it was daylight then, so maybe that's why there were so many kids! I think parents today are more wary of letting their kids out on Halloween because of all the crazy sickos out there. It's really sad. Halloween was always such a fun holiday for me, and I feel the kids are now missing out. Anywho...I did enjoy this story. Old Man Snell was definitely evil in Denny's dream. It's too bad his mom didn't let him out to go trick or treating. That was just mean. He's only eleven -- that's a perfect age to go trick or treating with your friends. And wait, who has girlfriends at eleven years old????? I did notice a discrepancy though: In the first sentence, Mr. McMillan was the English teacher, but then he was changed to Ms. Pendergrast. Good story, HH!

@Puppilull and @Carlos Hazday: I see both your sides of the story, but having lived through this (with three kids, no less), I blame the person who cheated in the relationship AND the outsider. Especially since the outsider KNEW the family, which was also true in my case. That is unforgiveable. Ok, Terry was lonely, and he just wanted to be loved. Did he honestly think Cam was going to declare his undying love after they got together that one time? And shame on the both of them for number one, doing it in Cam and Desean's house, and number two, doing it on the couch, right out there in the open where Desean caught them. What if Melissa had been with her father? What if she saw that? I agree with everyone who said the kids are the ones who wind up suffering the most when one parent cheat causing one of the parents to move out. The kids always blame themselves. I'm glad Cam and Desean will have another chance to talk. I hope they can work things out so at least Melissa and Champ can spend time with Cam.

I just voted!! Hudson, there was no comparison! Your excerpt was so much hotter -- even the 2nd time around!

It sounds like an awesome story! As Val said, I have to put this on my reading list also! I didn't realize Beloved was a sequel.

Good story, HH! Although I thought the woodsman would be some forest creature or something. I really hope Devin can let this go. He needs to move on with his life. And yes, Jonah's gonna have a field day with this if Devin tells him.

Sasha!! I FINALLY came back to your story to finish it!! Although I hated to see it end, the ending was perfect. Six years was enough time for both Marty and Hrishi to mature and grow in their own skin. They're now young men who have careers and responsibilities. It's amazing how they both wound up in Cali. So, in the six years apart, they called or texted each other? The text from Hrishi that went unanswered by Marty was NEVER answered? Marty never explained to him what was going on? That seems unlikely, IMO. I know they really cared for each other, and I know they would miss each other, so I can't see either of them just stopping all communication. Of course I'm thrilled they're somewhat back together. From the beginning, these two had amazing chemistry, and it just kept getting stronger and stronger as the weeks went on. Now, six years later, their chemistry is still there. Not all couples can say that. I'm sad that there won't be a sequel to this fantastic story, but at least in my mind, I have them living happily ever after. The rock star and the computer geek. I have to say, Sasha, I think this is you best story yet. And every story I've read of yours I've loved, but this one I love more!

God, Cole, that cake looks scrumptious!!!

It's so easy to understand Allen's thought process. If no one he knows cares if he lives or dies, then why should he care? Just like jp said. Since Joey knows and thinks he's been lucky because he hasn't fucked or been fucked (sex-wise) (pardon the pun), and he thinks he's in the clear...he is so wrong. He needs to get tested ASAP, IMO. And again, thank God for Star! She has to continuously talk sense into Joey about continuing with his education. It'll be a never-ending battle.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SUI !!!! I hope you're having an awesome b-day!

Jared certainly isn't shy! I was really afraid someone else was going to walk in the bathroom and see what these boys were up to! I can't believe Sam was standing there fantasizing about Brian! I'm sure Jared thought Sam was thinking about him! Ok, on to the next chapter.

Jared seems very promising. lol But since Sam's mind is only on Brian, Jared might not stand a chance. Sam may be putting too many eggs (Brian) in his basket. I hope Brian doesn't disappoint him.

Awesome start, Obi! Your English is very good; I would never have thought you weren't a native speaker!