sojourn

Yes, it is when we "don't talk" that can often lead to situations where we never talk again. Thanks for posting your comments. Jim

Thank you. I certainly hope all goes well with your therapy. Jim

As I told "Carter", I don't do it for the emails, the praise or the story. I do it for the money. I assume your check, like his, is in the mail? I will try to explain... I write. I don't get paid to do it. I choose to do it. Sometimes I force myself to do it. Sometimes, when I think I have done an exceptionally good job, I enjoy it. I have read some of my stories years after they were posted and have felt a certain degree of satisfaction at having written them. My ideal would be to be as widely read and respected as an author as Mark Arbour. I do not suffer from delusions of grandeur. His stories are perfectly edited and soooo much better written. I know my tales are more likely to be graded a C, maybe a C+, while his are A+ across the board. Plus mine are much more sexually explicit. Feedback? "Emails" "comments", "likes". Chapter 24 was my most widely read chapter in this story, having been viewed by 1,653 people. I hope you will allow me to assume that most of those viewers read the previous chapters. Of those 1,653 readers 16 chose to leave a comment. If my math serves me, that means that 1 out of every 100 readers bothered to encourage me or to criticize or to praise my writing. One percent! And that is with the groveling for comments and emails you so kindly pointed out. You imply that my need for feedback is some kind of neurotic, almost diagnosable, most certainly laughable cry for attention. Maybe it is. But, it most assuredly pales in comparison to the blatantly diagnosable conditions that permeate my everyday life. I am an old man. The only way I measure the result of my efforts is through immediate feedback or allowing enough time to pass so that I might more clinically judge for myself. The truth is I enjoy the comments and emails much more than actually writing this story. I enjoy hearing people make reading my story a small part of their everyday lives. I love it when they tell me it moves them. I love it when they disapprove of a character's behavior. I enjoy hearing one reader agree or disagree with another readers comment. I love the very real interactions that my fiction creates. I am amazed and flattered and encouraged that my stories do this. That is why I write. Thanks to your comment and two others posted regarding this story, I am seriously thinking of making it available through a free email subscription only. That way every reader would have to sign up to receive future chapters. I could count the addressees and know who likes my story. Then I would know how many of those 1,653 viewers were interested in my story. thank you for at last succumbing to my "constant need for emails". now consider whether you like my story enough to actually send a single one time email to subscribe to receive future chapters. p/s, GA has some serious issues with regard to their "notification" system. It is frustrating to have to scroll through stories I have posted years ago in order to find recently posted comments, instead of receiving the promised "immediate email notification". It pisses me off that I receive their "newsletter" and "newsy" emails but never a notification. It tells me where their priorities lie. Certainly not with the authors.

Mike, unlike many authors, I write as I go and post a chapter immediately after it is edited. So, I can't promise that this will be a "bump in the road". Until this chapter was already being written, I had no clue Paul would react and withdraw as he did. Jeff is on his way to confront Paul, I think. So, maybe we will have our answer soon. Thanks for the thought provoking comment. Jim

The fact is they had no "safe" word which would probably be moot since Jeff was gagged. The real problem is they didn't communicate after this totally unique experience. Had they discussed their actions/reactions it could not have festered in a way that had them even avoiding eye contact. As always effective communication is the key to all mutually satisfying human interactions. In reality it was the fact that neither chose to ask what was bothering the other or to say what was bothering him. They relied only upon their own perceptions without seeking the other's input. Thanks for posting your comments. Jim

This has been a pretty steep learning curve for Paul. Just when he gets almost adjusted to the money... he let's his own self doubt and inexperience get the better of him. Thanks for posting your comments. Jim

I somehow have an image of the cowardly lion saying, "Ain't it the truth! Ain't it the truth"! Thanks for posting your comments. Jim

Thanks for posting your comments. I suspect it will be a long time before they explore any kind of kink again. If the relationship survives this episode.😉 Raymond and Daniel are both more emotionally mature than Jeff and Paul. Raymond is ten years older and Daniel is combat tested. Thanks again, Jim

Sorry, as you probably know I usually post at faster pace. I will try to do better. Damn notifications! I just got notified that you "liked chapter 28" about two minutes ago (5 days later!) I think it would be better if they just reverted to emails. Thanks for the nudge. Don't hesitate to post a comment if I don't keep up a better pace. Jim

Each of them needs to learn from this. Unfortunately, many of life's lessons have to be repeated. War comes to mind as an example. Let's hope they can talk it out before this skirmish results in carnage. Thank you for posting your comments. Jim

WOW! "Smack them... With a pan. Turkey sized." LOL! That should get their attention. Thank you for posting your comments. Jim

You are right in your observations. I would blame it on their youth, but we both know wisdom doesn't come with age experience does. And experience is the key to wisdom. Thank you for your insightful comments. Jim

Why, thank you. Sometimes, it not the big things you have to look out for. Thanks for posting your comments. Jim

Your "mean mood" is probably a result off too much processed food. Excuse me while I stir my ramen noodles with chunks of spam. As to the "dumbasses" I couldn't agree more. There were times in my life I was surprised that my facade of calm didn't reveal the actual turmoil going on inside, even to those who knew me best. So, I am not surprised that even a perceptive little girl like Maria didn't catch on. Thanks for posting your comments. Jim

The slightest conflict can be allowed to fester until it seems insurmountable. Thanks for posting your comment. Jim

Well, it looks like Jeff is pulling his head out of a dark, damp place. Thanks for posting your comments. Jim

I think they should have talked to each other instead of talking to themselves. Thanks for posting your comments. Jim

Even as I wrote this chapter, I wanted to smack them both upside the head. I know from personal experience, what you don't say sometimes communicates just as readily as a shout. Thanks for posting your comments. Jim

Awakened by the alarm Daniel shut down the beep almost immediately. Raymond shifted slightly but remained unfazed by the intrusive alarm. Daniel was tempted to awaken his lover for more of what they had shared last night. Instead, he gently lifted Raymond's arm from his chest and twisted out from under his leg. His man pulled him in close to his chest. He could feel that massive cock press against his lower back as Raymond stretched, yawned and pulled him even closer. “This is the first time in

Snap, Snap... Snap, Snap.

I just realized I have already responded to you comment posted on the last chapter of this story. I just feel weird. Sorry, it took so long to find this comment. Jim

My best friend's father molested his children until they were grown. They never discussed it outside the family until a sister tried to commit suicide. I spent a lot of time, sometimes a week at a time, at his house and never knew. I was told only after we were both fathers and then only after coming out to my friend. People are strange. Thanks for commenting. Jim

I have given up on GA "Notifications" I found your comment by accident today. I think the appeal of alcohol is it's anesthetic effect. At first it makes you feel relaxed and then you feel as if you're floating. The relaxed feeling is the "sophisticated" aspect, if one maintains the relaxed status one is assumed to be more in control of his life as a whole. Unfortunately, the relaxed/sophisticated state too easily slips into the sloppy/irrational state. I have experienced "blackouts" where I didn't remember anything that happened until I woke up the next day. I don't think what Wylie did was too much of a stretch. Thanks again for posting your comments. Jim

Thank you for posting your comments. I accidentally found it today. The relationships of the previous generations of the "small town in Texas" will be told in another tale. I have decided to develop this into "The Adams Family Saga". I intend to bring in the tale of the passed generations and their relationships, contributions and conflicts in building the family fortune. As to Mary Ann... Paul Simon says, "a man sees what he wants to see and disregards the rest". Thanks again, Jim

Thanks Brian, I would like to point out that there will be 'sex', albeit the vocal as opposed to the oral variety. I have been advised that Modular homes can be had almost immediately... apparently "money talks". So, we'll see. Thanks again for posting your many comments. I look forward to them. Jim