jess30519

"Glittery glare" - opposites, but with a common cause. Very much the situation that our David is waking up to find himself in now. I know how I'm hoping his declaration goes! and what do you mean, not *everybody* reads "18 Weeks"??!! I want names! *looks up Uncle John's number*.

Whoa. That PPF and TWWUTLIDH were killed (assumption!) on the same day as Burch and the others would certainly seem to indicate that some major organization was involved. The police undoubtedly have noticed this - there must be plenty of activity in the homicide department that we don't hear about. But this implies that Gary's uncle John (and possibly David's grandfather) are connected to a big and powerful group. I mean, this is way beyond some citizen's group rallying against a fake church! Eventually this is going to cross David's mind, too, and that would one more mind-blowing aspect of the whole affair. He really, really does need to get some help from Dr. Keating. I hope he wasn't blowing off Sam when he said that he would do that. And why was Burch in a position to abuse David all those years ago? Was he babysitting? Did this happen repeatedly at some church swimming event? And how come Dear Old Dad didn't pick up on any of that? In any case, David really needs some adult intervention right now; I hope his father turns out not to be the wimpy loser we've been shown up until now. Thanks, Skinny, for a story that invades my mind all day long, when I'm *supposed* to be being productive! If my project is late, I'm blaming it all on you! But things are happening quickly now, on all fronts! So we need new chapters every couple of hours! Right, Skinny? Hmm?? Right?? :-)

Shimmering but imperfect reflections - David and Twoey are both trapped in kind of mirror-image relationships that they think they want, but are wrong for them. Wrong in different ways, yet they are both oblivious to the walls closing in on them. Or they were! We're seeing some cracks in those walls now, and that's good. Sam and Randy really ought to form a relationship consulting company; they are the only two teenagers in that town who seem to see the whole picture. Interesting that David plans to bring in the Syracuse guys to help extract Twoey from Erik's clutches. I'm assuming he means Mike and Alan... but I don't quite see how they can help. It's going to be hard waiting for the next instalment! Thanks, Skinny!

Wonderful that the real life person in Toph's painting happened upon and purchased it! And so rewarding for Toph that his imagined back story fit the actual situation so well. That whole transaction should boost his self-confidence several degrees. This entire chapter is filled with signs of progress in Toph's journey to maturity. He is filling out, and reaching out, more every day. Nice to see that his relationship with Gary is notching up, as well. Can't wait for the report of their vacation on the Texas coast! Charles can't have been all that anxious to contact Toph, since he hasn't called in a couple of weeks, apparently. I hope that, when he does make contact, it doesn't bring grief to our hero. Things are ticking along so nicely at the moment. Thanks, Skinny!

Hehe. Alex in the protection racket at 6 years old! :-) She should team up with Gary's uncle John in NYC! Poor David - not easy taking care of business with an arm and leg in casts. Lucky he didn't lose his balance at the crucial moment - Tommy would have had to bust down the door, and that would have been really embarrassing. David seems to be slowly waking up to the contradictions in his sexual orientation. Randy can only help get him onto the right track, I think. Randy seems to be a level-headed, calm and thoughtful person, which is what David needs at the moment. Plus, of course, a number of sessions on Dr. Keating's couch with perhaps a sprinkling of chats with Ginny! When the moment arrives that David remembers what happened to him years ago, I hope all those qualified people will be there to support him. Matty must be a little taken aback at what he's unleashed in little Chucky! Yikes! I don't think he minds at all that Chuck and Curt seem to have an industrial-strength attraction to each other; after all, I'm assuming that Matty still has that New Year's deadline in the back of his mind. Can't wait to see if he gets to work once David is back in school. He'll have to be a fast worker, though! Thanks, Skinny!

Oh yes! I can hear the protesting, rusty, corroded hinges of that door to David's past that Danny is valiantly working on opening, finally! And thank goodness it's Danny and not Hermann Hesse who stepped out of the elevator! Hesse may be a great writer, but he was lousy at managing his own relationships. He wouldn't have been any help to our hero. Apart from writing "Demian", of course! And it is surely no coincidence that it was Chuck that gave the book to David... does this mean that Danny can exert some influence over events in David's life? I certainly hope so! Randy is Alex's close friend, of course, but why he appears in the relationship diagram between David, Twoey and Alex is unclear. Unclear to David, too! Is it that he will eventually convince Alex that David's true destiny is to love Twoey and not her? Okay, I'm presuming here, but hey. We'll just have to wait and see, as usual. Does the timing of Uncle John's message to Gary mean that PPF and TWWSFRN are already dispatched? Does David's father know, since his own father almost certainly does? And surely David's dad knows what Burch did all those years ago - shouldn't he be guiding David through this period and leading him back to Dr. Keating? So far, I'm not at all impressed by dear old Dad. But he could turn out to be key - in Skinnyland, anything is possible! Thanks, Skinny!

That was nice of Chuck to let David keep the Nikon. Now I wonder what he will do with it and how it will figure in the storyline between now and January. After all, *everything* is significant in Skinnyland! And another puzzle to ponder: why was Lanni's little fling with Cal included? Hmm. My guess is that Cal, now all steamed up and frustrated, will make a beeline for Alex when he spots her and David all lovey-dovey at school next week. Although how that might play out is very unclear to me. Things are getting more complicated as we go along! I agree with Spikey and CG - Twoey definitely did let go of his end of the rope. I hope that rope is still within his grasp when he wakes up to what Erik is doing to him. And sooner rather than later. Somehow I think that circumstances will provide a new and stronger connection between Twoey and David during the next 4 weeks. At least I hope so! Skinny, you are a master at muddifying the scene when what I need is clarity! :-) But thanks!

Lanni knows all about Cal and his reputation for playing around, yet she is going willingly into this little fling. Is it some sort of science project? A sociology experiment? Lanni's up to something, and I have no idea what... So is Erik slowly and patiently reeling Twoey in, only to return to his controlling ways later? By all accounts he has made sure Twoey has no spare moments for any of his friends, yet Twoey is so overwhelmed by all the attention he doesn't seem to be bothered by this. Perhaps he thinks that his little outburst earlier, where he told Erik to back off a bit, has done the job. And perhaps it has! Only time will tell. Sam and David will be watching closely, though! But as Sam pointed out, there's not much to be done, at this point. Especially as David is still insisting on being straight! ;-) Something is bound to coalesce out of all these parallel threads, I'm sure. And only 4 1/2 weeks left for that to happen! I'm as addicted as ever to this story - thanks Skinny! Oh, and BTW if Gary's family has a regular need for codewords like "vixere", I'm staying well away!!

Yeah, Skinny! You are for sure a Real Author and not only that, you are currently my favourite one, a post previously held by the absent Sasha Distan, whose prose drew me into a world of friends I cared about. Well, it seems that your stories do that too!

They should definitely check the city water pipes in the neighbourhood where David and Twoey live. There must be something that is making both of them unusually complacent and even dulling their usual perceptiveness. And whatever it is, it appears to have affected Gary in the opposite way! I mean, he has been very attentive to David lately, and he picked up on the Cicero quote immediately - has he suddenly taken to studying Roman history? However, I sense that Twoey is beginning to find Erik's attentions somewhat constricting, even if he's chalking it up to being "romantic" at the moment. I'm pretty sure Erik will cross a line at some point and we might witness a rapid escalation of the friction (the bad kind!) between those two. I'm thinking that Alex is going to wind up with Tommy! That would solve one problem! :-) And Lanni - still can't figure out what she's up to by flirting with Cal. But she must be up to *something* - everything is significant in Skinnyland! So, what is it??!! Have to wait and see... thanks, Skinny!

I was sure I had the 5th symphony here, but all I could find was the Allegretto so I had to make do with the YouTube version played through small speakers. Even so, it left me in a much different mood than I was in after finishing this chapter of Toph, which I found very positive and hopeful. Considering how he is now filled with self confidence, Toph must have harboured a deeper guilt about many aspects of his previous life to feel such a release after clearing the air with Nico, Austin and Gary, and dealing with his mother's interference. Good that he is sweeping away those cobwebs because repressed guilty feelings can really keep one in a semi-non-functional state. Don't ask me how I know... Toph is so introverted that he doesn't seem to realize what everyone else does: that he is a very talented artist. Now that he is getting more exposure in the gallery it should boost his self-confidence even more. In this chapter he has opened up on many fronts, not the least of which is the relationship with Gary, of course. I'm still wondering how all these wonderful developments will eventually jibe with the story's title... Thanks for another excellent chapter, Skinny!

Hrmf. I looked up "vixere" and I must obtuse because I don't see how it relates to Coulton and the other kid not being a future threat to David. Yet Gary knew as soon as he read the card yesterday. *puzzled* Alex seemed a tad less pushy, and a lot less sexy today. Could the shine be starting to come off that relationship? Or is this wishful thinking on my part? I'm betting that once David is mobile again he will find ways to avoid being cornered by her at every turn. And Randy: don't send your gaydar for repair! It is working fine! Give it a little time, I'd say, like 5 more weeks! Maybe less; only Skinny knows for sure!

Poor Twoey is new at this boyfriend business! Erik is his first real boyfriend, if I'm not mistaken, and Twoey must be overwhelmed and feeling his way around (as it were!). But he's a smart and sensitive boy, so eventually he will regain his equilibrium, perhaps with Ginny's help, and then we'll see if he sticks with Erik. And David is pretty new at this girlfriend business too! He seems to be somewhat overwhelmed by Alex's attentions (who wouldn't be?!) and her constant presence appears to be beginning to grate on him now. His reaction to the bj was kind of telling - he definitely wasn't as enthusiastic as most straight 15-year-olds would be! And if Alex is so smart, how come she doesn't pick up on David's reticence? Love is blind... And exactly *how* did Uncle John avenge David?? Thanks for the cliffhanger, Skinny! ;-)

Matty and Chuck! Whew! Matty is such a good teacher he really should hold regular freshman classes for gay boys! I wish I had met Matty when I was in high school, that would have made life a whole lot easier! David's dream was disturbing. Underwater dreams were always very scary to me, yet David woke up feeling calm, so there must be some other meaning lurking down in his subconscious somewhere. Hard to see the significance of the shifter knob, unless it's the obvious, even more disturbing image. Ugh. Who murdered Burch in prison?? I'm betting Uncle John and Grandpa know. The sooner that whole situation is cleared up the better! Someone has to have tracked down PPF and TWWFWRN by now. Anxiously awaiting news on that front! Keep 'em coming, Skinny - I need to feed my addiction! And thanks!

A very densely packed chapter, where Toph is learning more about himself, and we do, too. I can only concur with all the previous comments but I must admit I am still a little apprehensive regarding the story's title and how all this introspection and growth resolves into an empty year. Only 6 months to go before I find out! Thanks, Skinny!

There has got to be a way to get Randy, Ginny and Dr. Keating in the same room! Then they could kidnap David and set him straight. Wait. I mean, not straight!! David's nightmare must be the beginning of his suppressed, subconscious memories working their way to the surface. This will no doubt be traumatic for poor David who believes he is in total control of his life. I only hope the others who are aware of his past are there to hold the safety net when he loses his grip. Like dear old Dad, who ought to be gently preparing David for the revelation. It would be interesting to hear his POV one of these chapters! Erik shoved Twoey out the door?!! That's not going to sit well with our gentle hero, but if it upsets him, Ginny will pick up on that pretty quickly and there will be another reason for her to intervene in her very professional way. I hope! I foresee a rearrangement of the tectonic plates in upstate NY, and the sooner the better! Although there could be (will probably be) casualties. More chapters soon, please, Skinny! And as always, thanks for sharing this story!

Back after a week of travelling and look - two Twoey updates! Yay! But I don't see the importance of the fish, even though this seems to be a Big Deal for Gary. Perhaps it's only because of his interaction with Uncle John lately; it must have some significance because *everything* has some significance in Skinnyland! :-) Hints of impending trouble in the Erik/Twoey pairing. I can't see Twoey sticking around with a domineering Erik for very long. Apparently it is well known in the (amazingly large) gay boy community in that small town, at least Matty's comment implies that it is general knowledge. I was sure that Twoey wrote that comment on David's cast! I don't have the time to go back to check right now, but I can't imagine who else it could have been. But surely David wouldn't purposely lie to Tommy! And what would be the point? All will become clear eventually, right? Right???!! :-) Thanks, Skinny! BTW, Skinny, you should change your copyright notice to '2016'...

Alex really moved in! I'm surprised that she didn't work a deal with Liz to take over Liz's room. How can David (and the others) not see that she's manipulating everyone to get her way? Well, I'm trusting that the natural forces for good in Skinnyland will make everything right, given time! But the sooner the better! Thanks, Skinny!

Quick! Bring on the redecorating team of Ginny and Dr. Keating to get rid of that old, ripping wallpaper and fix David up with some new horizons! Or perhaps it will be a group from NYC, headed up by Grandpa and Uncle John, who will reveal David's hidden (from him) past and let him get on with his life. Or maybe David's new meditation "partner" will be Norm Abram! :-) Meantime, Alex seems to be provoking some introspection which can only be good, even if to my mind she's way too pushy and a little overbearing! She will no doubt do her best to distract David from thinking about Twoey and Erik and their romantic interlude. Note that I'm not believing that this is anything long term! As usual, we'll just have to see how it all unfolds. Thanks, Skinny!

Is Twoey letting Little Twoey take control of his life? Understandable, since he's not getting any encouragement back from David. And what will it take for David to properly look inside himself and see what Randy sees so clearly? And the fact that I'm so conflicted over fictional characters is an indication of how well you can write this stuff, Skiinny! Wonderful story, and I can't wait for more! Thanks!

Randy, such a meanie! But I suppose Alex must be used to him by now, since they've been friends for so long. Still, as Parker mentioned, he could have quietly clued Alex in to the fact that she (as far as Randy's infallible gaydar is concerned) is wasting her time running after David. OTOH, the sparks his little game generated between Alex and Twoey will bolster Twoey's resolve to show David the way of the future! Twoey's way! I'm so glad that Gary mentioned David's memory lapses to Ginny, whose brain immediately started working out the possibilities. I expect this new knowledge will be reinforcing a tentative diagnosis she may have made from interacting with David before D2 showed up. I really hope she eventually finds herself in a position to do something positive for David. And surely Gary's father, being an old friend of David's father, can start to put two and two together as well. There are enough adults around with partial knowledge that, if they ever get together and share what they know then surely something will get done. Have to wait and see... It is so nice that David and Tommy are growing closer every day. And now that Liz is back on the scene life at home should be easier for all of them. If only dear old Dad would get his ass in gear and DO something! Another fine episode, Skinny, thanks! Can't wait for the next one!

Revelation is right! But after Liz informs David that everything he thought he remembered about his early life was wrong, she just leaves him in his bewildered state? Then dear old Dad stops by to drop the little bombshell about Burch having known David years ago, after which he takes off without elaborating? That family really has communication problems! Except for Tommy, of course, who is trying his best, all on his own. I wonder what will happen when that photo Sam sent arrives in the mail, maybe on Monday. If Dad already knows about PPF and TWWFWRN, then that photo, although shocking, may not be all that surprising to Dad. But nothing happens in Skinnyland without a reason! Just have to wait and see! And why doesn't David remember any of these details from when he was seven and younger? That's scary! Did he get dropped on his head back then? Hit with a baseball? Is this why he can't remember that he's gay?? :-) I'm glad that Sam and Deena are working out, so far. Good on ya, David. At least you can still play Cupid for other couples even if you can't work out your own relationships. One of these days... Looks like any thoughts of Matty and Mark have just been wiped away out of Chuck's head! Look out, Curt - once Chucky gets into gear, there's no stopping him! Fun times, ahead! Thanks, Skinny!

Apparently Toph radiates an aura of helplessness because everyone he encounters feels free and obligated to give him advice on all aspects of his life! From subtle hints and nudges to outright pushing (Oscar), Toph is getting advice from all sides. Is he really that lacking in direction and ambition that others feel they need to take him in hand and instruct him in how to run his life? Seems so. I agree with Spikey - I'm not convinced that Gary isn't up to something. He is the obvious link between Toph's mother and Steve, and that situation still needs to be explained. And I've just gotta say, I've never encountered "enisled" in any writing, fictional or otherwise, that I can recall. Is this an indication of Toph's Euphoric education? Or Skinny's?? ;-)

Hehe. Matty has unleashed a beast in Chuck! One he might have difficulty controlling, and sooner rather than later, too! Poor Alex. Well, I'm assuming (hoping!) that she will be frustrated in love, if she's setting her sights on David, which she definitely seems to be doing. Randy, with his well-tuned gaydar knows that she's going to run into a brick wall eventually, but with David still obstinately refusing to let his self-awareness probe into his own sexuality she will probably make some headway. But I'm rooting for Twoey to head her off at the pass! C'mon, Twoey! That, and I'm also hoping that Ginny and Dr. Keating will get an opportunity to team up and get David onto the right track. Poor Twoey, too! But maybe Alex turning up and pushing her way into David's life will serve as a catalyst and wake-up call to get Twoey working on a real plan to win David over to his side. "... But first, I’ll cut out her liver." Too funny! Hehehe. Yep, very civilized, David! *snort* Thanks, Skinny!

It's good that David realizes that he needs to apologize to people. I hope that can happen, or that his friends can convince him that they are just happy to have the old David back before he gets too discouraged. I wonder what happened to Chuck's camera; I hope that won't cause too much of a problem for David; even if it wasn't the latest model Nikons aren't exactly cheap. Interesting that Sam's contact says that the big guns from Albany turned up to defend PPF and his accomplices. Does this mean that it was a bigger operation than just a small town church group? Do Uncle John and David's grandfather know of a wider association? And if they do, why do they? Hmm. Have to wait and see! Things are moving right along! Thanks, Skinny!