Lisa

Adrian's sperm donor pastor is such an asshole. Does he think Zac's being gay is going to rub off on Adrian? (since he thinks he's straight) Adrian can't even be friends with someone who's gay? What is this guy so afraid of? I'm glad A&Z (ha! Another A&Z story! lol) talked (snicker, snicker) and told each other the 'L' word. Now they're both on the same page. I'm just afraid Adrian's asshat sperm donor pastor is going to get violent with him. On to the next chapter...

Omg, I was really laughing in this chapter!! From attack twink to smash and dash (had to Urban Dictionary that one! Oh, and I keep meaning to comment on the 'bogart' thing too. That's another one I had to Google. lol Gotta learn the language of youth! ), to testicular torsion (another Google look-up) to Attack Twink threatening Indie with making balloon animals with his junk, you had me lol'ing throughout the chapter. Attack Twink is such a wonderful friend. All joking aside though, he did help Cory and Efrain tremendously. I'm glad they were able to talk, and now they both realize the other really cares for him. And of course the b-word was mentioned a time or two...

Obviously, Marc had never told Lee about the predator. If he had, I don't think Lee would have let him in. Even as nice and sweet and compassionate as Lee is, if he found out what the predator actually DID to Marc, he would have kicked him to the curb also. The predator is very lucky Lee doesn't know about him. Yet. Now, will he be gone in the morning? He's feeling sorry for himself, sad for wasting years on doing what? Is he sorry for all he's done? Is he sorry for all the damage he's left in his wake? Or is he just sorry that the horrible video is online? I'm looking forward to what happens next (as always!).

Well, from Marc's reaction, the predator was mistaken to go there. What will he do now? What could he possibly say to Marc to garner any sympathy? As all your readers said: Marc has all the power now. How does it feel being helpless, Predator? I want to say I'm surprised campus housing kicked out redhead and whomever else was living in the suite. Ted maybe? Another great chapter, Parker!

You got Skinny! Way to go, Bnd! So what happened with Sasha? Did Cal realize she's a bitch? I like the way Alex wants to take things slow and really get to know Tracy as an adult. Let's see how long that lasts!

Oh man, I totally didn't get the last part until I read the reviews! I thought Cory was coming BACK, not leaving. Oh shit is right! lol Indie is so jealous, it's obvious. I loved the texting C&E did in the parking lot before they went to Efrain's house. 'Im hard af' I'm assuming means 'as fuck'. At least that's how I interpreted it!

Terrific chapter, Dayne! Preston continues to crack me up! And he's so right with the marking territory stuff and how Cory's already in love. lol I think Cory and Efrain are goners. haha Especially since Efrain has broken every rule he made for himself regarding his hook-ups.

Comsie! I LOVED this story!! Which of course doesn't surprise me, since I love all the stories I read from you! I thought Eli's speech to Chris was wonderful. Chris was such a dick, he certainly didn't deserve Eli. Too bad he'll probably act the same way toward his new 'boy toy'. Devon's a dream, and I'm so glad they're now together. Awesome story, Comsie!

I thought Billy was hysterical in this chapter! Also, Dad and Josh were pretty funny. Dad's still trying to get that discount! But, kidding aside, my heart broke for Adrian. I know some readers are saying it's Adrian's fault and too bad for him; Zac shouldn't put his life on hold because Adrian will never come out of the closet. Adrian has it rough. His father sounds like a major asshole -- asking Zac's mom if he has a girlfriend? WTF? He's another Kenny, but older. True, maybe Zac doesn't want to wait the rest of his life for Adrian to decide what he's going to do. But it's Zac's choice. I think what Omari did by 'claiming' Zac was pretty pretentious, and I would have been pissed too. Especially after the snide 'Old lover' comment. Totally uncalled for. Poor Irene though -- she was like caught in the middle. She didn't know Zac well enough to realize that he's not ready for a physical relationship or a committed relationship. Ron, I noticed in your review response to droughtquake, that you said Zac was only seventeen. But, in one of the first few chapters, Zac says he's nineteen, and in one of the chapters Adrian says he's nineteen too. Honestly, when I read that (I remember reading it on your site too and thinking the same thing), I thought it was strange, because usually you graduate high school at either seventeen or eighteen. Unless they were both held back (doubtful) or they started preschool or kindergarten a year later than everyone else. Anyway, I'm just nitpicking, but I wanted to point that out.

Wonderful story, J. It was very emotional and heartfelt. I'm sorry Mike never got to talk to his grandfather about Sam. I'm sure his grandfather would have opened up about LJ too. Especially considering that everyone in the family knew about Jacob and LJ. It was so tragic, though, that LJ never came home to Jacob. The letter Jacob wrote to LJ in 1995 was beautiful. I also loved the scene between Mike and his dad. Although, why wouldn't Mike come out to his mom and sister at the same time? Along with your other readers, I really liked how you wove the past and the present (with Mike and Sam's journey). Donating the letters to the museum was another beautiful gesture.

Sui!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations on the blog feature!!! I love the way Sui writes. She makes her characters believable (even the badass Toshiro! ), and her dialogue is terrific. She has more stories than those featured in the blog -- like the You Make Me So...series. Some of which I need to catch up on! Congrats again, Sui!

'Then into the dark welcoming earth Alone, eternally to sleep Beings forever silenced In the fields of the forgotten Agnus Dei, grant them rest' This made me cry. I read the poem a few times now, Def, and it's this last verse that gets me every time. 'In the fields of the forgotten' I think is my favorite line. So sad. I picture grave upon grave upon grave, with all the seasons changing, yet the graves are always so solitary with no one around to remember the people buried there. I could never be a coroner either. Dead people just creep me out. No disrespect intended. Congrats, Def! You're a great storyteller, and you're an awesome poet! I'm looking to read more from you! '

Cole, you did a terrific job with this story. I was anxious the whole time I was reading. And you had me believing Malcolm did it also! I've never had anything broken into, but I've read that a person carries that fear with them for a very long time after -- if it even goes away at all. The feeling of being violated that way is something you convey very well throughout the story. I'm really sorry that you were writing from personal experience.

Now that I stopped sobbing all over my keyboard (tears of happiness, I assure you! ), I can review. I loved this story, Lit, from the first word to the last. Both Jason and Corey grew up in their time together, and I know they will still be learning from each other and growing as a couple. Now how about a story about Liam? He needs a HEA also!!

This is my new favorite, Emi. It's so raw, so full of emotion, and so heartfelt. I felt the pain of the poem -- your pain. I was blindsided by what my ex did almost thirteen years ago, and the pain may dim or fade a little, but it is never forgotten. I totally feel this poem, Emi. Wonderful job!

I agree with Tim. Forgiveness is my favorite, and it's also so hard to to.

Wow. Just. Wow. Fantastic story, Val. I don't know whether to smile or to cry. Actually, I'm smiling AND crying (tears of joy) for Ben and Jake's reunion. But...I'm also crying tears of sadness for Sally, Benjamin, Lee, and Richard. Their lives just came crashing down on them. Both Lee and Richard seemed like wonderful, loving partners, so I really feel badly for them for losing the men they were with. Luckily, kids are resilient, and they'll reap the benefits of not only having their fathers, Lee and Jake, but also Ben, whom I'm sure will spoil them with love also. Of course, this will take some time, as I'm sure Lee does not want Ben hanging around his kids right now. Excellent story, Val! I really enjoyed it.

Friendship first, kissing later. Loved that! Cassie, I really enjoyed this story. I'm not even all that angry with Brooklyn (cool how Brook and Sierra are both named after cities! ). She was feeling the same things toward Sierra that Chase was feeling toward Terry. She was confused and scared and didn't know how to approach him with her feelings for this new girl. Terry's a smart guy. He knows rebound relationships usually don't work out, and he likes Chase enough to hold him back for a month so he can revisit his feelings for Brook. And Chase is so lucky to have such a wonderful, supportive sister. Sam was just terrific in helping Chase realize nothing's wrong with the way he feels, and he's not the only one who feels like this. I would absolutely love to read a sequel, or a chapter two, or something, so WE can revisit these guys (and girls).

I believe I read all the stories in this Antho, but The River Ran Backwards blew me away. I was just in awe of Aaron's writing. And then to find out he's just a young kid in college really impressed me! He did start another story, but then sort of disappeared. I love reading antho stories because I get a chance to read a piece of work from authors I've never read before.

Oh, Puppi, I absolutely LOVED this story!!!!!! I agree with all your reviewers. Ruben was so funny with all the comments that AC pointed out, plus many more, and Perry was even more adorable when he had things falling on his head! And the way he huffs and acts all indignant like it's the objects' fault! haha So when he was piloting his spaceship, he probably stood up or something and bashed his head on a shelf or something (where that would be in the cockpit where all the controls were is beyond me...but something must have been there!), and that's why he veered way off course and wound up on Earth. He's too cute. And teal. lol I must admit, I had no idea in the world that aliens were suspected in building (or helping to build) the pyramids and such. Unless this was just for the story. lol If so, then I totally believed it without question! So apparently these aliens are very advanced in modern technology which is great because now Ruben and Perry (he'll always be Perry to me and not Cz....whatever it was!) can now communicate. I'm sure with their knowledge of technology, the aliens will now know how to get back to Ruben's house, so hopefully he and Perry can see each other often...which means, btw, that you have to write a sequel so we know what's happening with these boys! Err, Man and alien? lol Totally loved this story, Puppi! You've outdone yourself!

Like Val, I'm still working my way through the anthos...and Between the Lines. So much to read...so little time. lol

I'm loving this story, Comsie! Eli and Devon are so cute together. I hope Chris doesn't take the break up too badly. Although...where on earth will Eli live? lol

Def! What an awesome story!!! I LOVED it! As with everyone else, I was totally blindsided with the ending. Did not see that one coming! lol So, the guy who hates gays and puts fear in his children's eyes is secretly gay. Sure, now he's acting all contrite and apologetic -- where was he when his kids were growing up and they needed a father, a role model, not someone who would call them weak every chance he got. I hope we can read more about Brian and Nate -- maybe a sequel???

Great continuation, Mom! I reread the first story about Brady and Ryan, just to re-familiarize myself with them. I really like these boys. Yes, Brady was acting like an ass, but this was all new to him. He didn't know how to act, what to do...he was so afraid of anyone finding out. Well, they certainly found out now, didn't they? He just ran from that proverbial closet with his hockey stick swinging! Ok, that was totally lame, huh? Or phallic... I can't wait till the next antho on them!

What a wonderful story, Gary! Carl certainly was no friend. Friends don't want to see their friends hurt and in pain. Carl thought Duncan would come running to him so he badmouthed Leon every chance he had. That's no friend. Even though Kelly (love him!) and Martin were pretty sneaky, it was well worth it in the end just to get Duncan to realize he'd been misled and lied to by his supposed 'best friend'. I'm so excited for them to adopt Danny. Danny could be like a surrogate big brother to cute little Noah. Terrific story, Gary! Truly enjoyable!