Lisa

I loved this one, Doc! Learned some German words also! I ditto Tim and AC; it must have taken you quite some time to incorporate the words into the poem in the way you wanted them expressed. (Did that even make sense? It's almost 1 AM, and my brain has officially shut down. )

I ditto everyone else. This is a beautiful poem, Tim. I've been there. We probably all have at one time or another. You're lucky though; you have Michael to pull you out of that tube.

Wow, Cole, I don't know what to say. Those stories were really beautiful. My favorites were the 2nd and 3rd stories. You really know how to make me cry, dontcha? My heart broke for Danny and his parents. But he had hope at the end -- hope from the doctor and hope from Stan. The last story just ripped me apart. The holidays suck enough as it is when someone leaves you and they're still alive, but when your loved one had no control over it, it's unimaginable pain. Percy may have saved Toby's life. Toby was so depressed, who knows what he would have done. The collar thing was a bit freaky though. A note from the great beyond? They were all beautiful stories, Cole.

Toad date -- that's really funny. Too bad Harry has seen too many toads and not enough princes.

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

Today is a special day for the author because Dec. 12th is the seven-year anniversary of buying the gingerbread house? I loved reading this because it gave me hope that in seven years I can say the same thing! And of course the recipes only made me hungry...

I knew when I saw your poetry update that it would be about Skinny. This was a beautiful poem, Drew, from a beautiful person to a beautiful person. Skinny's flame will always be shining bright.

Skinny, I am so sorry. Since you joined GA, you have been one of the brightest stars on this site. I have enjoyed your stories, and I love reading about you in the 'Ask an Author' blogs. There are so many people here who love and support you -- please reach out to us if you need to. Sending you millions of cyber hugs and kisses. xoxo Lisa

What a beautiful story, Cole. And a beautiful memory! Being a wonderful chef and being creative in that area, it's no surprise you are creative in other areas like card making. I would have cried too if I were one of the three women! It's was a heartfelt gesture. Was there a link? I didn't see one...

What a wonderful poem! And so true! Trust me, I've been on long lines with the kids waiting to sit on Santa's lap, even though it's not my holiday! lol It's brutal I tell you! Brutal! And all it takes is one child to remind us grownups how far our innocence has gone.

Funny, I had that "monster" when he was a fifth-grader to an eighth-grader. I swore to people that if you lifted his hair up you'd see three sixes. I said it's good he's my last, because if he were my first, I'd never have another one! That nasty, arrogant, belligerent boy did a complete 360 freshman year of high school, and he's been a joy to live with ever since. Some shit will hit the fan when Billy finds out about Brett's drug use. Luckily, the shit hit the fan at Dustin's house. So his mom threw her daughter out? Good riddance to bad rubbish I say! lol Dustin doesn't want Brett anywhere near Mike because he's afraid Brett will "steal" Mike from him the way he "stole" Billy from him. And yes, as Spikey said, this is the time the cops need to call CPS on Dustin's "parents". I agree with everyone else who said Billy's mom did not handle that confrontation with Billy well at all. She should have listened to his explanation. I think the next three days, instead of Billy helping her out at work or his dad, they're going to be visiting his dad in the hospital. From Billy's thoughts, it doesn't seem like he's doing too well now. I knew something was going to happen to Jerry because Billy mentioned he look paler than usual and he was sweating a lot. Hope he'll be ok and go into rehab. And hopefully that ass Max will stay behind bars so he can't hurt anyone else. It's obvious that kids don't all learn the same way. Like Brett, other kids need a different way of learning. Their brain just works differently than others. It can be done. But back in 2002, who knows. Has Brett's mom ever gotten him help? Professional help? You would think as a doctor, she would do something to help her child. Oh shit, I'm all caught up! Damn. You better hurry up and write the next chapter, Jeff. I'm on pins and needles here!!

'Thanks DQ! While Dr. Reilly may know, Billy doesn't think she knows, and he's the narrator, so if he doesn't think she knows, but she knows, she wouldn't look like she knows, because he doesn't know that she knows, even if she knows and he doesn't know that she knows. You know what I mean?' Say what????? lol Haha I agree with everyone that Billy is 'selectively' stupid. lol After calling Brett 'Anthony' at the end, he should have said, "Shit, that's Tony!" But I thought he knew already that Brett was buying from Amanda's asshole boyfriend? I honestly thought he told Dustin he didn't know anyone named Tony because he didn't want to get into the conversation he had with his asshole sister. I do agree with Billy that they need to keep their relationship secret now. Normally I wouldn't say that, but Amanda and Max are dangerous, and I think they can do a shitload of physical harm to both the boys. So yeah, you were right, Jeff -- I did like the chapter. From the title, I was afraid Brett was gonna come home from NYC WITH a boyfriend! So glad that didn't happen!

As your other reviewers have commented, I wonder about TP being holed up in such a small space with someone else. Is he truly trying to redeem himself? Then he will be polite and helpful to everyone there. If not, then Joshua is in trouble. And those girls are barking up the wrong tree if they set their sights on Wally! I'd say run for the hills, but they can't run anywhere! I like Cookie and Cal the best so far. We'll see what happens as the days go by.

'Que Sera Sera, whatever will be will be. The future is ours to see, que sera sera.' Sorry, couldn't resist. My mom used to sing this to me when I was little. After reading all the comments, I have to agree: Peter was very Jonah-like in his dealing with heartbreak. He ran to another country. But, he picked up his life and moved on very nicely. King sounds like a great guy, and I hope it works out for them. And...didn't the author give it away by mentioning Berlin?

Great ending, Ron! I'm so glad Zac's Door Number Three was Austin, and I'm happy Jimmy and Tamara found their Door Number Threes. As for Adrian, as Zac's dad said -- he made his bed, and now he has to lie in it. Adrian will be unhappy for the rest of his life unless he decides to confront his father and come out. Maybe he'll wait until college, who knows? Maybe he'll never do it and just be miserable. But, despite Adrian's problems, it was an awesome story!!

Awesome chapter, James! I can't believe I missed this one and the next one. So Lee's a virgin. Hard to believe. lol I think they will heal each other.

Dammit, Mac! Just when I got my new pc all set up, you go and make my screen totally combust! I'm sending you my NEW bill now!!!!! Seriously though, there's some serious sibling rivalry going on on that ranch. Katy's just acting like a little ho. I bet her mom was mortified when she saw that kiss! I can't wait to find out about the intern. Katy got in between he and Travis too, huh?

My respect for Adrian just went in the crapper. All he's looking for is sex. How can he really expect Zac to meet him whenever he's in the mood and that would be it. No hanging out in public, Zac would be just his dirty little secret. Zac deserves so much more than that. I hope Austin forgives him. As much as I hate Kenny, I did feel sorry for him. I'm glad Zac was big enough to forgive him. And Kenny wanting to double date!!!! OMG - what a breakthrough!!! lol I can't believe there's only one more chapter left. Boo Hiss

I cried when I read it weeks ago, and I cried again reading it tonight. It is such a beautiful story! Ben is such a romantic, and Cam is so cute. I would love to see these boys again. Wonderful heartwarming story. =)

Val, that was simply beautiful. You made me cry. What a wonderful Christmas memory, and what a wonderful gift your parents got you. I do have a feeling though, even if you hadn't gotten riding lessons that particular year, you would have gotten them at some point in time.

I think my computer just melted from all the heat in the bathroom! Dammit, now I'll have to go to Best Buy and get another one. I'm sending you the bill. What a chapter! Now they have woodworking to talk about! I agree with Val; I think Ben and Travis got the wrong person pissed. She's going to try to exact her revenge. Hopefully she won't screw Ben over. Pardon the pun. As for Mrs. C., she's wonderful! What a meal she prepared for all of them! She just happened to have all that food lying around? lol What a woman!

Terrific interview, Cia and Comsie! Between the Lines was another awesome story by Comsie. I really liked reading how he incorporates his real life into the story and/or characters.

Awww, they were so cute! Especially the narrator! I loved his inner thoughts. He was pretty funny. I loved the story; it was really sweet.

What a beautiful poem. Especially the ending. And that's the true meaning of Christmas, right? Helping our fellow man (woman)?

Caz is so right. Ezra's physical state will be getting better, but how can you just wipe out eighteen years of lies? In the bathroom when he was using the pills as letters, he was spelling out all the bad things he's been told about himself. It's going to take a very long time for him to believe all these things he was told were absolute lies. And he shouldn't worry about his sperm donor and Pedo Luke; he'll never have to see their faces again. I didn't realize they can give you meds to counteract the overdose. I thought they would have had to pump Ezra's stomach. Awesome chapter, Robin! I'm THRILLED Josh came to save the day!! Oh, and every time I see 'Gibby', I think of that kid from iCarly. The Gibster. lol