Lisa

I like how they're getting to know each other and realize they're a bit similar. They keep on surprising each other. I love Travis and Curtis' mom; she's really sweet and doesn't mind at all that three total strangers came into her home to stay for a few days! lol I'm sure it'll be a very interesting few days at the ranch!

Omg, so, so many years ago, the ex and our kids were going on vacation to ski and snowboard in Aspen. My ex's former boss had a condo right on Snowmass and an estate in Aspen. We flew into Denver in December during a blizzard. They closed the overpass which I believe would have taken us from Denver to Aspen, right? I think the drive took us about six hours. I remember my kids were really into Adam Sandler's Eight Crazy Nights CD, so for six hours it played on a loop. I was going batty by the time we finally got to Aspen! Your writing bring back so many memories. I'm looking forward to Ben finally remembering everything he and Travis did the night before. Travis is something all right! lol I'm sure Audra didn't see them kissing; I can't imagine her keeping quiet about that!

AH, too short chapter! Too short chapter! I got to the end and I was like, "What? That's it? What happens next????" Luckily I had two chapters waiting for me! (Maybe three) I like how Ben isn't freaked out at all over the fact he may have done something with Travis. I loved 'seeing' Audra and Bryan's faces when they saw Travis there and kept looking from Ben to Travis. And then Audra invites herself and Bryan to tag along with them. lol Ben's like, "Wait, what? We're going where? For a few days? Huh?"

Thank you so much Clo, Bill, Reader, Talon, LBO, Caz, Tor, Krista, Glitteryantlers, DR, Tim M, Arazon, Cole, and Steve. Cole: Right back atcha! Steve: Thank you. It was a wonderful day. I only worked on one essay and stayed in my sweats all day. Oh! And my oldest paid for sushi for dinner!! That was the best part of my day!

I loved part two of the first chapter just as much, if not more, than part one of the first chapter. I really like Travis; he seems like a bad boy but also a good guy, taking his teenage twin cousins out to a diner and trying to visit them often. I wonder if this is what Christine was talking about to Ben when she told him he'll never find what he's looking for. Maybe Travis is what he's been looking for but never knew it. Although, he was in the Brokeback Mountain type of movie... Anyway...on to chapter two.

Tim, that was such a beautiful poem. And of course, it made me cry again. Thank you for the wonderful words.

The excessive drinking turned me off, but not more than the smoking did. I wouldn't be able to breathe with all the overflowing ashtrays. Yuck. Well, at least they remained friends. Maybe Harry should introduce Ryan to Gordon. lol

I think Carl was just playing Harry the whole time. It's too bad that Harry really liked him. Luckily he stood his ground in the end.

I'm so confused. lol Why is it that Harry had to break up with Eric? Because all they ever did was stay naked all weekend and have sex? They didn't do anything else? Is that why Eric's wife left? I'm bewildered.

That was a cute story! Like Stephen, I would have been disappointed too at not being able to see my friends, but they did make the best out of the situation. Hmm, there was talk of food in this chapter and the making of said food. Who could have written this...

Yep, Zac really did it this time! The first sign of acknowledgement from Adrian and he goes running to him. All Adrian wants is a few minutes doing their little tryst thing. Then he'll be back with his fake girlfriend faster than you can say blowjob. And Austin is the one who really lost here. I'd be furious with Zac. And Zac's a good kid, as everyone said, he just needs to stop thinking with his little (or not so little! ) head and start thinking with the head that sits on his shoulders. Ron, that's exactly who I thought Carol Merrill was to Monty Hall - just the same as Vanna White was (is?) to Pat Sajak.

I was a bit surprised too that Billy didn't want Lonnie to be his first. I know they're not boyfriends, but they must love each other as very good friends do. But of course that's not enough, and as Billy said, you only lose your virginity once. Poor Austin. He's had a tough life, losing his dad at such a young age. It's sort of like he continued with judo as a sort of 'protective wall' or something around him, and no one can get too close. I do love his mom though; she's terrific. Oh, a few times you called Mrs. Winger Mrs. Austin.

Thank you, Daddy, Drew, and Dughlas! Dughlas, I like the new picture of your dog!

Wonderful chapter, Ron! I love the banter between A&Z, but what's with Austin not wanting to talk about himself? What's going on there? What's he hiding? And I loved that 'Stall Number Three', lol! I was reading your response to Drought's review. For some reason, I thought Carol Merrill was the woman who opened the doors on the show, not hosted the show. I thought she was on the same time as Monty Hall. But...I could be wrong.

I loved Zac inadvertently bringing Valerie and Dwayne together. Zac finally got his closure with Rachel. And vice-versa. She needed her closure too. And did I tell you, Ron, how much I like Austin? lol

THANK YOU, EVERYONE!!!!! Addy, thank you so much for starting the b-day thread! You are my longest friend here on GA, and I cherish every correspondence we have. You're terrific! Val, thank you for the cutest little doggie cake I've ever seen. Not that I've seen a lot! lol I have the day off from doggies today, but I'll make up for it tomorrow and Sunday! Gary, yes, I remember that from last year. You, Andy, and I all share the same b-day. Oh, and Britney; we mustn't forget Britney! Oh, and Lucy Liu! lol Emi, that was a beautiful poem. Thank you! You're learning a lot from AC, hmm? AC, wait, what? Something on my profile page is stuck????? I don't know what you're talking about.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANDY!!!!! Hope all is well. You've been gone so long. We miss you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GARY!!!!! I hope you have an awesome day!!!!!

I like Austin. He's cute when he's so shy around Zac, but then he's Mr. Confident out on the field interviewing other boys and their coaches. Zac wonders why. Duh! Zac is definitely living under that rock! lol I think Austin has a little crush on our Zac. And at least he won't hide his feelings by going out with girls. I do think, if anything, Austin would make a great friend, and I think Zac should keep that in the back of his head. Boy, I have so many chapters to catch up on!! lol

I LOVE it! TP at Sea: Marc's Revenge!! Awesome! Maybe Marc paid someone to throw him overboard or something. Hehe Seriously though, I agree with Val; when Marc told TP he didn't hate him anymore I teared up. Dammit! No mercy for TP! No mercy for TP! lol Marc is learning from Lee how to forgive. Amazing. A little technical question, though: Marc wouldn't really be able to change TP's major, now would he?

Since I'm so late in reading this chapter, there's not much I can add. I agree with what everyone said about TP atoning for all his sins and paying his debts off. I also agree with you, Parker, that selling his car may not even make a dent in the debts he needs to pay. I think that TP's decision not to go downtown is one turning point he reached in this chapter. Marc and Lee have had such a positive influence on TP, and his actual feelings and emotions that they are bringing out in him is a wonderful thing. After all, the most dangerous man with a cruel mask on (who is worse under the mask), can't possibly have any feelings whatsoever since he treated human beings like disposable gloves. It is still yet to be seen if TP can redeem himself. We'll see.

Ok, after wiping the salt water off my keyboard, I can review. What a beautiful story. The first holidays after losing a loved one are certainly the hardest. I remember when my dad died; my mom was still a basket case six months later at Thanksgiving (and totally understandable). Then when my mom died many years later, I had to adapt to my 'new normal' and celebrate all the holidays without her. The holidays are also a time of mourning when a relationship ends, and all the get-togethers you used to have with both sides of the family suddenly stop. Now that I've made myself depressed all over again, I'll shut up. Awesome story whomever wrote it! It's so much fun reading all the guesses!

I had never heard of an Advent calendar until Cole wrote his beautifully-moving story Advent three years ago today. But even then, I didn't actually think of the concept of the calendar. That changed when Addy sent me an Advent calendar with chocolate behind every little door! That was a treat! And it was German chocolate!! Of course, since I didn't celebrate Christmas, I felt I could open as many little doors as I wanted to and not get into trouble! So of course, I did! I opened them all within the first three days of receiving the calendar!! I'm really looking forward to reading Addy's and Val's stories again, and reading Cole's for the first time.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ROBERT!!!!!) I hope you're having an awesome day!

Will this be up tomorrow? I can't read it now, but I want to read it tomorrow. Loved the story!!!