jess30519

190 foot sailboat? I'm very glad that I don't have to sand its bottom and do the anti-fouling paint. Yikes! Toph is getting it together and still plumbing new depths of his own character. He seems a little surprised to find that he's a talented artist and generally a very nice person to be around. Clarissa's impending wedding has been looming larger with its potential for renewing family tension, and now, with the appearance of the Ice Queen at the gallery, we see Toph about to re-erect his defences. I hope Gary can successfully guide Toph through this upcoming ordeal, possibly with Charles' help. We don't know yet if Toph's fears are justified, but we don't have much longer to wait. Thanks, Skinny!

Still watching in horror as the scene unfolds. And hoping that Twoey and the cavalry come over the hill in time to save the day! For sure, no "responsible" adults are around to do any good. Grrrr.

Whew. That was intense! I... I... I just don't know what to think. I think I'll wait for the next chapter, which it would be most welcome if posted this afternoon! ;-) but I guess we'll just have to be patient. Thanks for the stomach churn, Skinny! ;-)

I want to drive to Daleville (not that far from where I am), meet David down at the lake and do everything in my power to lift him out of his depression and show him that his life is worth living! It hurts to see him struggling, apparently alone and with nobody caring. Of course, we have (mostly) only David's point of view and his interpretation of events to go by; what we really need is for Skinny to quickly write, retroactively, a parallel story that shows us everyone else's interaction and thoughts in detail! ;-) How hard could that be?? Meanwhile, I can't wait for the next episodes. Fingers and all crossable body parts are crossed, hoping for it to all turn out well for David and Twoey. And for *all* the good guys, of course. Great stuff - thanks, Skinny!

I found this chapter frustrating! But it was silly of me to think that David would suddenly see the light and alter his approach to life. He willingly falls back on the safe family Christmas traditions, and carries out his part in the silly gift-giving knowing that these won't require him to cross any of the boundaries he has set for himself. Then, when Donny, ably aided by little David, leads him into an act that can only be interpreted as gay, he rationalizes this outcome around until it isn't his fault at all, but Twoey's! Sigh. Will he keep his promise to Ginny (and Twoey) to join them on Christmas Day? Of course he will - David keeps his word, at least. Should be a very interesting visit, and I can't wait to see what happens! Thanks, Skinny!

Belated wishes for a very happy birthday, Skinny! I hope you had a good one; even better if you were on a sailboat! In fact, I can't imagine a better way to spend time than sailing off the coast of Maine. Or sailing anywhere, for that matter!

Alas, David has the family gene set which prevents him from discussing his feelings, or even communicating useful information, with another human being; birds seem to be okay, though. He won't share with Twoey his realization that Twoey is the one with whom he feels the deepest connection. And i'm sure that he won't let Donny know his feelings about consuming alcohol. I foresee a disaster in the making when Donny collects on his "Christmas present". But we can't blame David for the way he keeps it all inside himself - his entire family (with the possible exception of Tommy, but there's little evidence) carry on their lives without consulting anyone else! Still, the glimmer of hope for a D&T reunion has just gotten brighter, it seems to me. Go Team Twoey! And thanks, Skinny!

Needy? Donny says that he is needy, but he's not the only one! David needs some adult guidance but all the adults are skipping town! Twoey needs someone to fill the void after Erik's much applauded departure, and he's hoping that David will be the one, but David is still trying to find a solid base to latch onto while he recovers. He seems to question whether Donny is that base, even though he admits that Donny did help him to uncover some of the deeply repressed feelings inside him. And those of us on Team Twoey are needy! We need to see a clear path to D & T getting together permanently, as the sun sinks slowly in the west and the credits roll!! But nothing is that straightforward in Skinnyland, it seems! Looking at the other reviews it's pretty clear that the characters in this story have come to life in your readers' minds! Well done, Skinny, and, as always, thank you for sharing it with us.

Not much I can add to the previous reviews (!) except that I'm wondering why Tommy suddenly doesn't like Donny. He didn't mention anything on Saturday. Has he learned something about him while seeing Donny's sister Barbara? Some reason why Donny and David shouldn't be together? Apart from my own enduring desire to see David and Twoey get back together, I mean... ;-) Why do I suspect that Skinny is gonna spring something on us at that party? Would he make us wait 6 more chapters to do that? Why, yes, I believe that he would!! :-) This was a chapter that gives some hope to those of us rooting for Team David! Thanks, Skinny!

Toph gains some insight into those around him, but I wonder if he realizes how important Luke has become in his life. Luke is a true friend, at least I don't detect any dark ulterior motive behind his moves; one expects him to want his gallery to profit, of course, but he appears to genuinely go out of his way to enable and encourage Toph's development. And he does it in such a way that Toph hardly realizes it. He is kind, thoughtful, perceptive and considerate. We all need friends like Luke! And now Toph has gained an ally inside his immediate family. Perhaps Charles will act as his ambassador back in Utopia and others there will become more open to thinking of Toph in a positive light. Toph and Gary - is this turning into the perfect union? Or does Skinny have some evil plot lurking in future chapters, ready to spring on unsuspecting us? This would not be totally surprising! 6 chapters to go! Thanks Skinny!

It makes perfect sense that Erik wanted to get Twoey away from Mike and Alan; he undoubtedly realizes that those two have known and been close friends with Twoey all his life, whereas the Daleville gang only met him a few months ago. But Erik's tactic of calling out Mike for his reaction to Twoey's coming out... that wasn't smart at all. And it seems to have spurred the Daleville gang into action. Finally! Here's hoping that Gary and the guys can convince Twoey to drop Erik like a stone. I'm sure that Donny will grow up to be a psychologist! He knows exactly how to create an envelope of calm and (semi-) normalcy around David, which our hero desperately needs right now, as he works things out on his own. And he does appear to be thinking logically at the moment, too. It's also nice that D&D had a fun and stress-free time in Syracuse. If only they had known what was going on elsewhere in the mall! I sense that we're not done with Erik just yet. Can't wait to learn what happens next! Thanks, Skinny!

Whew. What a chapter! I can only point to all the great reviews here and nod my head a lot and say, "me too!" Another deadline! Well, two more deadlines, actually. Dr. K has added another frightening one to add to Danny's prediction about New Year's. And, of course, there was Matty's much happier goal of bedding David by then, which David doesn't even know about. And now there's Donny's deadline to have anal sex with David by Christmas! Which sounds to me like a wonderful thing to anticipate, and even David seems to be more than a little attracted to the idea, despite the uncertainty about how this will finally define his sexuality. Well, David, it's about time, and nobody better than Donny to help you out. This trip to Syracuse has all the signs of becoming a Major Turning Point. I just hope nobody gets hurt! Skinny, your ability to bring these people to life still amazes me. Thanks!

<PollyannaMode power=max/> New dawn breaking Shifted sands Friends assembled Helping hands Twoey waiting Understands

At least David has come to accept, sorta, that he is gay, but the poor guy continues to be mired in doubts and confusion (much of both being self-inflicted). Dr. Keating seemed to be much more competent during the previous consultations weeks ago, or perhaps it is just the shortage of time that's skewing his usual approach to this particular patient. i have a bad feeling about this impending "special therapy". I don't see how things can possibly clear up in time for NYE, but keeping us guessing is, no doubt, Skinny's intention. And he's very good at doing that, too! Now I want the remaining chapters to come quickly, on the one hand, but on the other hand I'm already regretting that this story will end soon! Thanks, Skinny!

And now we see the real Erik emerge for a brief moment. But that seems to have woken Twoey up! I wonder if he will confide in anyone, although I'm thinking that Mike, who's known him for so long, will figure it out when they meet in Syracuse. Should be an interesting trip! Dr. K's trip to Europe is the perfect accelerant that explains the coming urgent self-examination and therapy. There are only 15 days left before the deadlines - both Danny and Matty have mentioned New Year's as the date... but with totally different goals in mind. The race is on. And about time that dear old Dad started to open up a little about how things were in that family for the first 7 years of David's life. If it helps our hero to untangle his memories and unlock some of those safety deposit boxes, well then that's all to the good. David seems to be accepting (on one level, at least) that he might be gay, and isn't freaking out about that. Progress! But we still don't know why Gary was getting into Mel's father's Cadillac, if it *was* Mel's father. :-) I still harbour a suspicion that we haven't heard the last from Uncle John, although I can't imagine how he (or Mel's dad) will figure in the next two weeks of David's life. Just have to wait and see! Thanks Skinny, you do know how to keep us guessing!

Toph appears to be just as busy and productive as he was before the Texas break, but without the undertow of stress threatening to overpower and incapacitate him. He opens up a little more in each chapter, revealing previously hidden depths of character, as well as being more aware of people and situations that surround him. And Skinny's prose has kept in sync: to my mind, the recent chapters include descriptions that are warmer, deeper and, yes, more colourful than the earlier episodes. I suspect that this is deliberate. Skinny is always so very economical yet effective in his writing. Oscar's patio is referred to as an altar. What other word could convey all that Toph feels in the presence of Oscar, and in that magical place that always inspires him? Wonderful. A delightful chapter, Skinny - thank you for writing and sharing.

Unfortunate (but understandable) that David reacted so badly to Dr. K's knowing about his head pains and breakdown at Sam's. He really needs to grasp the fact that everyone around him is anxious for him to recover and be healthy. Ginny being the school psychologist probably picked up gossip in the halls and put that together with her previous knowledge of David's confusion. Or perhaps one of David's friends clued her in. Either way, though, she should have made it clear to Dr. K that she hadn't spoken directly with David. I'm glad that, partway through the session, David seemed to calm down and see how important it was to cooperate with the good doctor. And, really, Donny should be assisting Dr. K with those sessions! He has the psychiatrist bit down perfectly - even answering David's questions with a question! “I don’t know. What do you think?” - sounds familiar! ;-) Donny and Randy should open up an office and start practicing. They could have Sam as an investigator! They'd be kept busy with just the gay population of that one high school alone! :-) Twoey continues to be mysteriously subdued and seems to be drawing into himself. Not good. I don't think Erik is going to be very happy about this Syracuse trip. The tension there seems to be mounting, and something's gonna break. Here's hoping that all the Good Guys survive this next two weeks! I'm sure that more surprises await in Skinnyland! Thanks, Skinny!

This chapter has left me with a bittersweet taste, although my usual Pollyanna mode makes me see more positive than negative in how David is continuing to work his way towards the light at the end of the tunnel. With a few steps backwards, like putting off calling Grandpa and stalling Donny, he does seem to want to dismantle the walls that his subconscious has built up over the years. Alex is so accepting of David's new reality that I think she must have had an inkling about David and Twoey 'way back in the hospital. After all, she is as smart and observant as Randy, and those two are close and must have talked about it at some point, even causally. At any rate, it is encouraging that she now vows to get D&T back together again! She is a force, and now it will be put to good purpose! So the sweet part is that David has Randy, Alex, Tommy, Donny, Mike and others all in his corner, some of them about to get involved in helping him overcome this dark, troubling, debilitating part of his life, and this gives me hope. The bitter part is how David seems to be slipping back into depression again, as he walks home alone. Tomorrow's session with Dr. K. will be revealing, I think, and helpful, I hope! Thanks for another good one, Skinny, now I'm really looking forward to the next episode!

This is very good. I really feel that David is starting to seriously grapple with his emotional churn. And I think he's on the verge of unlocking and opening up that particular safety deposit box where the Burch's sexual abuse has been locked away all these years. Plus he appears to realize that telling Dr. K *everything* is only going to help him. No point ducking and weaving and avoiding all the mounting evidence, as he has been wont to do all these years. Go David! And hey! The old broken pier looks exactly like my own old broken dock! And that is exactly the place where I go to think about Things, so I know exactly why it attracts David as it does. Water, especially water in motion, is certainly medicinal! I'm glad David cleared the air with Tommy. Not that it seems that Tommy had any doubts, but David was very worried about his brother abandoning him. At least someone in his family is there to support and comfort David when he needs it most. And the new church will help wash away the very bad taste that PPF's fulminations, fire and brimstone, David was left with. Just being around that gentle and accepting congregation every week can only ease David's mind, I think. Good chapter! Thanks, Skinny!

Go, Chuck! He's really getting the hang of this relationship thing, not to mention the awesome sex thing! ;-) And giving practical advice at the end, too! Too bad some of the good vibes that surround Chuck, Cory and the gang can't be gathered up, dried and sprinkled over David as a magic potion to give him instant insight into his ever-more-convoluted state of mind. With only 3 weeks to go, I hope that something can happen quickly! And I really wonder what Gary and ol' Uncle John are up to! You kinda snuck that in, there, Skinny, but a meeting between those two has got to be of some significance, I'd think. And where are they going in the Caddy? Or is that just a convenient and secure place for Uncle John to meet his nephew. But what are they up to? Jeez, if Mike manages to convince Twoey (and Erik) to travel to Syracuse for shopping next weekend, that will be only 5 days before Christmas! But I guess I did leave shopping that late, when I was that age! In fact, I most often could be found panicking and running through the mall on Christmas Eve... Not sure what Mike, Maryellen and possibly Alan can do to pry Twoey away from Erik's clutches in one short visit, but things have a way of unfolding as we least expect them to, in Skinnyland! Great chapter, *again*. Thanks!

I'm glad that David isn't neglecting his morning shower activity, even though the object of his fantasy is morphing from one person to another, female to male. But skipping that morning ritual would be a serious omission and an indication of a mind more troubled than even David's is right now. Unfortunately, he is resorting to trying to work this thing out on his own when he should be sharing his thoughts with others, especially Randy, Alex, Ginny and, of course, Dr. Keating. Perhaps the seagull's short absence was to go and let someone know where David wound up. He certainly needs help right now. We don't know how his friends at school reacted to his absence - we haven't heard from most of them yet; we do know that Alex is worried, and I'm sure that Randy is too. Will Donny figure in more than David's dreams and morning showers? Have to wait and see! Things are moving along quickly now, but in which direction??! Thanks for another good chapter, Skinny!

Hehe. I bet I know who was in *Randy's* fantasies tonight! David's approach to figuring all this out is so very methodical. Trouble is, often when he overthinks things he steers himself away from the right answers. But this time, the evidence is piling up and surely he will come (or be pushed) to the conclusion that he is, in fact, non-straight. For one thing, he will have Randy (and Donny Nelson!) to remind him every school day! Lucky for David that Randy was open to believing the events surrounding the meditation sessions and Twoey. I remember being much more open to that kind of stuff at that age, as well, so not unbelievable at all. I wonder if Randy will let slip any hints about David when he talks (and comes out) to Alex tomorrow. It would probably be better if David admitted his uncertainty about his orientation before heading off to Syracuse on what she probably hopes will be an intimate pre-Christmas shopping trip. She's a smart girl, so she might get suspicious after hearing the questions David will be asking Mike. Or perhaps he'll find an excuse to send her off somewhere else in the mall for the duration. But once she does find out, however it happens, I can see her teaming up with Randy to support David during the coming crisis. Well, everyone loves David; his family and friends won't let him down, this time, I'm sure. I'm so happy now that there's a path for David to find his way around the mental barriers that the previous abuse set up! I will be even happier when and if that path leads to Twoey! :-) Thanks, Skinny!

So very pleasing: the description of the dawn colours washing over Gary as he lies next to a very mellow and contented Toph. What a great way to start a much needed relaxing holiday! I got the feeling that he continues to open up his heart and his mind to others around him. Toph is becoming more mature. Nice interaction with the kids, too. All very low key and just what he needed. Gary is to be thanked for that! Not even the texts from his brothers put him off balance, and that's another sign of Toph's new stability. Sounds like Charles has had the same difficulties with relationships as well. Perhaps all of his siblings are the same. Even Clarence appears to be making an effort to undo the admitted damage he inflicted on Toph in earlier times. A little surprising how quickly and easily Toph adjusted his attitude toward Clarence, even with Gary's poking. I guess there is a nuance between having no ruth and being ruthless! Still, Clarissa's wedding ought to be interesting! A most enjoyable chapter, Skinny. Thanks!

Surely Ginny has picked up on how Erik is smothering Twoey by now. We don't have her POV, of course, but Twoey hasn't mentioned her saying anything or even giving them the "look". But there's hope that David, Randy, Alex, Mike and Alan will come up with a plan that works. And the sooner, the better! David seems to be prepared to tell Dr. K everything that has happened to him since the shock of seeing PPF and TWWXYZetc. fucking on his bed. I hope he follows through with that! Armed with that knowledge I'm sure that Dr. K will realize that urgent action is required. And perhaps he will get Ginny to help out; after all, she knows David and his repressed orientation pretty well from his earlier visits. Meanwhile, tomorrow's meeting with Randy will be interesting, as long as David doesn't duck and weave around what Randy knows to be true. And how will Benny and Donny affect our heroes? Nobody gets introduced like that without a reason, in Skinnyland! Stay tuned for the next episode! Thanks, Skinny!

100 chapters! A milestone! This story and everyone in it have come a long way since the beginning. "I suppose I shouldn’t be mad at him. Every once in a while I probably don’t deal with stuff either." Hehe! The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. If Dad's safety deposit boxes look anything like David's I suppose we might forgive him (somewhat) for avoiding his family's issues. But surely after all these years, and especially having married TWWUTLUHR and her crazy "church", he would have learned to step in for the sake of his family. But he seems to have done the opposite, and it's clear that his son would prefer to do likewise. Despite being the worst thing for his mental health, David would dearly love to avoid all the issues that make up his current life. Thank goodness for Danny! David seems to listen to him, at least. And thank goodness for Sam and Alex, despite all previous misgivings about Alex, for forcing the Dr. Keating issue in front of the whole family! Sam obviously knew that this was the only path to getting David some professional help. And if Ginny contacts Dr. K as well, with what Twoey told her, this will surely trigger some urgent action from the two doctors. Hope so! Can't wait to find out what surprises lurk in Syracuse. How Mike and Maryellen will shed light on Twoey's predicament I'm not sure, but this trip ought to be interesting. And it will fill in the time until David's meeting with Randy - two episodes away! I must be patient... thanks, Skinny! Another fine chapter!