Stephen

This promises to be an emotional read. Ian has some explaining to do, and Micheal made a promise to his mother. She is a rather demanding person, isn't she? Let's hope she's not hopelessly mean...

I hate that Penelope creature and her spineless husband. I am not surprised that she's gone and done what she has. She has no problem damaging anyone who gets in her way and her husband just lets her do it. It's good that Alan and Peter have a good lawyer and that they also have a good rapport with Children's Services. It's past time to get Lisa involved and blast that woman's battleship clear out of the deep blue sea.

As you say at the end of this chapter, this one includes all the main characters and their given situations, -most of them are desperate. There's also romance developing in some interesting places. Mira wants to have kids with Shay? Well, after that foray into theoretical abstract physics between Konstantin and Mr. MinorCorp, (no romance), I begin to wonder if biological advances may make that possible. This is fiction after all. The real kicker is that now we have two clear Enemies of Earth, and not just the Veil of Shadow, but this insane High Commissioner Guiterrez. Can on black hole eat another? These are dire days for Earth...and there's only one more chapter? I want more.

Some things have changed and others remain the same. I'm sorry to see Rosalie go, but it is necessary. I'm not happy that Penelope's back like the bad penny she is. I keep wondering about how she gets everything pushed through so fast. That bears further investigation... It seems that some parts of this parts of this chapter are repeated so you may want to look into that. I absolutely enjoyed it, so it's no problem for me.

That was good, and it had a happy ending that I didn't expect. I really thought it would end up with something in between. Thanks.

I like this, it seems current, real, and not overly sentimental. Your characters seem like well adjusted people who seem aware of who they really are.

Alan and Peter are doing a great job with those boys, and Rosalie is handy to set things into perspective just when it matters most. Then like a dark cloud, Penelope drops in to rain down more hostility and bias. Coping mechanism to deal with the death of her son? Maybe, I'm not sure about that, or confident that she'll ever come around and offer support. Small-minded bigots are usually too stubborn to change.

I understand Colt's feelings quite well since I'd react the same way in those or similar circumstances when betrayed by a 'friend'. I sometimes wish that I'd be a more forgiving person, offering the other cheek, -forgiving and forgetting. I am not that way and although I've forgiven some people, I do not forget. I am human and I am flawed, but I'm not that stupid either. I'd walk away just like Colt if I was in the same situation. No vengeance, but no pretending either.

Alan and Peter have been trying very hard to do the best job possible to care for the boys, so to see them encounter such latent homophobia must feel like a slap in the face when it happens. It's one more challenge for them to overcome. At least Rosalie is there to absorb some of the initial biased encounters and the guys are fortunate to have her in their corner. I imagine that getting to know these two gay men personally in real life will open a few eyes and minds. I am always surprised by how limited people's life experiences can still be at age 35. Most of the ones I know have been amazingly sheltered and I can't under- stand it. My life wasn't like that at all. They haven't known death, people of other races, ages, and ethnic backgrounds, let alone known gay people as friends and neighbors. It usually works out, but I hope Peter and Alan will persevere and make the experience a good one that enriches their lives. They've done well so far.

I spent the past weekend at a funeral home and a cemetery. There's nothing like sitting in a graveyard to remind us of the important things in life. We get lost in the extraneous stuff when we should keep our focus on what really matters. This story is a perfect example of that. Merry Christmas!

I read this somewhere else a while back and it's as heartbreaking and inspiring now as it ever was. Thank you so much for publishing it here so I'd read it again.

First off, that Santana song is one of my favorites from an excellent album, a really timeless record. Not so sure about the other one, -I just see Carol Lynley on the doomed Poseidon. Anyway... The guys are having a nice time at the beach, the only problem is that if Lee's lowlife grafter dealer friend catches on to his removals, he's going to be pissed off big time. There's going to be a fight.

This Nick guy is a piece of work, an audacious lecher. I can't stand that kind of person. I hope he's only a marginal character...

I haven't heard much about Biloxi since Katrina tore it up. It's hard to believe it's been long enough for the beach bars to look a little seedy already. I haven't been there since, so I'm glad to read about it now. It sounds like nothing's changed even though I know it has, since anything there now has to be fairly new. So tell us more...

Cupid releases his arrow in the strangest of places, here in a shamelessly dingy restaurant. It's an unforgettable scene in many ways, and the humor isn't lost on our boys, and still no signs of the young criminals.

This is the Spaghetti Western part of Mexico. I'm enjoying it, -but I wouldn't in real life probably. I've never been there but I've been close for sure...

Yes, I think Lucas has had a busy week. The final scene with the Arbiter was wicked. Elia at large? -I'm not sure though, since there are other possibilities. I know that I'll just have to wait and see. Of course I still have my suspicions. Konstantin is doing well in his off-the-cuff manner. He's proving to be a capable commander. The CorpSec ghouls are as evil and sadistic as ever and I actually enjoyed their bloody, visceral deaths. More of that is welcome. I'm getting to like some of these Brotherhood guys too. Here's hoping you don't kill them off too soon... It sounds like Shay and Mira will be meeting Yugan next. I'm looking forward to that, and the next chapter!

I'm enjoying this. Zac's beginning to understand that his life isn't over &ct... -but Billy and Lonnie stole the chapter, -I can only wonder what the parents will do. Really! -Lonnie licking Billy's chest in front of Mom! What are they, -like 14? That scene is priceless.

Mark is finally starting to open up, and it's good that he is. I don't like one- sided conversations. Surely we'll get more out of him if he gets drunk like he's planning to do...

I was confused by the status of this story listed as complete, so I didn't choose to follow it until I saw that you'd added to it and that it is a story in progress. I'll get notified now as you post new chapters. I often do not check the current story updates when I check in here at GA. I look at my notifications. I should always check both, but instead I'm lazy. I'm glad I checked both today so I didn't miss this chapter, and now Mark has joined Phil's adventure, -I wouldn't want to have missed that.

HAHAHA! I love it! -A bag of leeches! Just right for naughty, greedy Ben, ...thirsty leeches at that.

All told, the first regular day went well I thought. There are so many things for the guys to learn, and they're winging it. It's good that they met the nice older neighbor, but I imagine the mother's of the Thursday play group will be much more help. The young mothers are hopefully going to help with all the minutiae. Details details! Speaking of details, -Bradley doesn't miss much, does he? Some 4-year-olds are amazing.

This is a powerful and emotional story, beautiful in the end. Hell getting there! The intensity caught me by surprise and from that moment there was no turning back once started. You made a marvelous tale. Is there a reason why it repeated? I only read to the part of the boys' funeral and the Adagio. It seemed to be a repeat and I thought it was an error. Should I have gone on? Was I wrong? Did I read only half the story?

This is a romantic story, but the title suggests that there's going to be some sort of decision to separate coming up. We'll see about that then, my curiosity has been aroused.

OK, so I still don't get Scoot and the dog cage. I know that it represented some type of escape or reprieve from the burdens of life and the career. Most people just get in a car or hop on a plane... or get a hobby. Anyway, I liked these characters and they seem quite believable. This story itself was good to read and well edited. I enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing with us. I'll look forward to the next one.