drsawzall

Well done and the following truly resonated with me... I look at my hands And see my dear grandmother Rubbing her age spots

I continue to be amazed to the overall quality of this story, it reaches depths, as @weinerdog , @Summerabbacat @Jjeffalch and @Gary L along with others have pointed out. Rather than go with the trite and obvious, you have found, and are mining a motherload of nuances seldom seen. There is a richness and quality to your work that shines in it's originality...thank you!!! The following nearly broke me along with what happens afterward... Jacob nodded. “Yeah I do, and I think I understand what you’re saying. I don’t want to be that person I was turning into, and I want help.” “You’re every therapists dream Jacob. I want you to keep in your mind what I said. You’re worth saving okay? I’m also going to write you a prescription for something to help take the edge off that will help you sleep. I don’t think you’ll need it in the long term, but in the short term it will help you and everyone else in your recovery is that alright?” Gavin asked. Jacob finally smiled and it almost melted Gavin to the core. “I would appreciate that thank you.” “Alright then, let’s write it up and get you out of here.” Gavin finished. The ride home from Gavin’s office was filled with discussion over what he had talked about over the session, Jacob had no intention of keeping his mother out of the loop on anything. Right now she was his rock, his comforting presence. She asked questions he answered honestly. “I’m sorry I never got you help after your father left, I had no idea.” She said as they edged closer to home. “Honestly mom, I didn’t know either until the dreams started. I thought I was over it too.” He replied. “Still…” She started. “Mom, please don’t beat yourself up over it. Gavin taught me a thing or two about guilt today, and he said we can’t fix the past all we can do is move forward.” Jacob offered in an attempt to sooth his mom. “Maybe I should book an appointment with this guy as well.” She said thoughtfully. “You should. He’s something else.” “I’ll look into it. Thank you Jacob.” She said finally. “No mom, thank you.”

O my...to be that young again....

From what Seth tells us, the divorce settlement was financially beneficial and the family, considering Mother Dearest has a well paying job, it becomes very clear that someone as @Summerabbacat mentioned, someone needs to slap Stacey not only into next week but into the drivers ed class and get her frigging drivers license... From the way Mommy ignores Seth and his needs may be a clue as to why his parents got divorced... What are the odds that Craig tries to boink Seth...and soon??? Will Seth go back to the hospital once Craig goes home...inquiring minds need to know... BTW...did Seth pay for his car and insurance???

Wow....just hoping everyone will be ok and the gunman(men) are apprehended. Was it Jonah or Martyn who issued the warning...or someone else??? “Danger, get inside,” but it wasn’t in English, it was in Nepalese, and both Kerwin and I reacted right away, turning and sprinting back towards the administration building, we heard footsteps behind us but we didn’t stop or look back to see who it was.

A limerick that covers the things you may have missed out on in your "Faiths of the Civilized World" class... A humorous look well worth the read!!!

Brilliant...simply freaking brilliant!!! This and "If Dr Seuss Had Written Leviticus" should be required reading at any book burning party, or cleansing our libraries of porn, trashy romance novels, demoncrats, actual history, and gasp...racism!!!!!

Yikes...

I'd like to echo the comments above by, @weinerdog, @Summerabbacat, @Jjeffalch, and @Gary L All were spot on and I could not agree more. Like the others, I was wondering how the events in this chapter would play out. Let's face it...it was/is a difficult subject to honestly write about given Tyler's state of mind and the conclusions he is coming to, without it becoming mauldin, sappy, or overbearingly using sentimentality... I found the following, along with the rest of the chapter to be very powerful...BTW Travis is a rockstar...sorry Ozzie or was that Oswald, the new guy in accounting... explanation below the quote.. He nodded and made a few notes and put down his pen. “Generally, when people such as yourself come to me for coming out, or being victims of what you went through it takes a while to get to where we’re at right now. I don’t often get to see the strength and resolve from my patients like I do you. Don’t get me wrong we still have some work to do because you need to be able to see past your guilt, and accept that you didn’t deserve what happened to you. I don’t see any trauma in you as a result of this, right now. However if that changes and it very well could, anything such as nightmares, anxiety, or panic attacks I want you to make note of those for me for when I see you again. And I do want to see you again in two weeks, if that’s okay with you.” “Yeah, I’m good with that. I kind of feel better about getting some of this off my chest.” I said as I stood up to shake his hand. “Another question for you, normally since you’re a minor I share basically what you’re state of mind is with your parents as part of the process, without actually getting into what was said here. It seems like you have a very healthy and open relationship with them. Would you at all wish for me to share some of what was spoken here today, maybe to help start a conversation at home? I’m willing to bet you would like it if they had a better understanding of where you’re coming from on some things.” I thought about it for a moment. I know Gavin would keep what we said between us if I insisted but I didn’t feel like hiding anything, “actually I think it would help. Sometimes I don’t think I’m good at properly expressing my point of view.” I admitted. Gavin gave me a heartfelt smile. “We will work on that too. I figured I could offer this to you, since you guys are that close and it will help some of the worry they express when it comes to how you are dealing with all of this.”

Danged if you do, and danged ifin you don't...communication is a two way street and it needs to start very soon...At this point I would be making noises about going back, something like...take this quest and shove it...

Now back and settled into the routine of daily life, wonder if any new surprises await our boys!!

Oh my...a cliffhanger...what could possibly go right...wrong??? Let's hope only fisticuffs are used...

Ain't that the truth brother!!! When you don't talk to each other but...at each other!!!! I suspect Jacob won't be able to escape the harsh consequences that society will insist he face, regardless of Tyler's forgiveness or advocacy...It will be interesting to see how they walk the long road towards redemption together...

What a fantastic chapter and so glad to see more coming!!

Great chapter, the following was spot on... “Is it serious?” He asked cutting me off. “Oh no, it’s not medical. It’s my therapist.” I replied. Gus gave me another one of those penetrating stares. “Therapy, workforce job training, and the kind of work ethic from someone used to getting their ass beat from goofing off. You’re in The System, aren’t you?” He asked sitting back in his chair. I quickly closed the office door and turned to face him, “yeah I am.” “Foster family or Group home?” He asked. “Group…” I replied with a sigh, “please don’t tell anyone I don’t want Josh to know.” “Why?” This was getting uncomfortable, “because I don’t want him or anyone to feel sorry for me and I don’t want anyone to…” My voice faltered a little as my face fell. “Because you think your a throwaway.” Gus said hitting the nail on the head. I didn’t say anything as Gus opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out a bag which I’m guessing had the bank deposit in it. He pulled out eight twenty dollar bills and put them in an envelope and handed it to me. “Take it. Consider it a sign on bonus.” I took it because I knew arguing with this man would not be productive. I turned to leave his office feeling a little dejected. “Benjamin.” He said as I was about to open the door, I turned to look at him. “You aren’t a throwaway, don’t ever think like that in this building you got that?” His eyes where on fire with that statement as he looked at me, something had happened before and I could see it on his face, a pain he didn’t want to relive.

So nice to see that love will find a way...thanks for sharing!@

Looks as if Mateo might have a bright career and future ahead of him...looking forward to more!!

What will be most interesting is to follow the changes that are bound to be coming their way as other survivors are found/discovered...Garrett has gone, like everyone, from a form of pure hell and it remains to be seen how he copes. The old adage "Size Matters" is never more true in this instance, in this case...just how large a group will the farm accommodate, knowing at some point, one more is too many?

The whole episode with the attempted break-in seems to be, with the assistance of the caretaker, more than a bit dodgy and good thing they left when they did... Looks as if there will be plenty of veterinary calls by the boys as news seems to be traveling faster than they are!!! Another wonderful chapter and the historical sign tweaked my interest and a chance to learn a bit more...Thanks Quoka!!! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrow_Creek,_Northern_Territory

Not much I can add to the comments Val, but to my deepest thanks and respect for putting up with me as I tried to post my first contribution to an anthology...you took this babe in the woods, held his hand and helped him see the light. Here's to avoiding any speed bumps!!!!

Loved this chapter and as soon as I finish this comment, I'm heading out to the supermarket for some Jumbo Shrimp and sides!!!

Time to get the posse organized and go a huntin....

There's no closing that door, now is there....

As with the others, our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected...And another fantastic chapter!! https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/cyclone-ilsa-sets-a-new-wind-record-as-it-smashes-into-australia-s-western-coast/ar-AA19PL38

This is for anyone who harbord doubts imposed by others, the following excerpt should give everyone pause for thought... Explore your childhood fantasies and someday one of them may also be fulfilled. Don’t give up or listen to the bullies and naysayers that enjoy crushing dreams: Just do everything that you can and possibly your dreams may also come true.