MJ85

Imagine the most evil, maniacal...grin, you can think of. That grin, all by itself, can sum up how I feel about this chapter. Go. Stef. Go. I still hope he relieves Brad of all his job responsibilities, even if it were to be only temporary. What would be the point of keeping him on, after making it plain that he has no use for him? It'd also be nice to hear directly from JP, just how he feels about all this.

Also mentioned in the opening description is that "Blizzard" was intended as an anthology entry - I think that had it been submitted as one, the story could have worked as is. If anything, I think the story is a bit more powerful the way it is than if it had been written with Jason and Patrick as a gay couple. With them as a couple...you'd already be able to sense a strong connection between the two, because it's implied. With them as (not knowingly romantic) friends, such a strong connection isn't quite implied as strongly - and that's what makes Patrick's bravery later on so powerful. It's those actions, and the final scene days later, that let you know how much they mean to each other. I do think the story is better off for being able to show that so vividly. As for "The House Always Wins"...I don't recall reading that one, but maybe I'll give that one a go. (P.S. Renee - any short stories available needing review? I can try reviewing one of those. )

I would think they're not at a point completely beyond repair...yet, but with what's happened in this chapter, is Will going to be all that keen on trying to repair the relationship from his end? It seems doubtful. That's a feeling that can and probably will pass, but perhaps the dust needs to settle for a time.

Ah...okay. One of the reviews mentioned that it was like both sides are "at the edge of the abyss". That made me think of "One Step Closer", even though yeah, it's another Linkin Park song...

Yeah, I agree that dealing with this in-house...er, in-family, is much more likely. I only said "either effectively or legally" because, well, in a series that has seen some pretty wild turns at times...who knows?

You're assuming Stef would just leave Will in Hawaii alone once Will lets him know he's there. I'd imagine that he'd want to go get Will to ensure his safety first, then go after the "marine" with blood on his mind. (I put marine in quotes because, how would it be if it turned out Martin was really a complete fraud? Just a random, and maybe a wild, thought...) Yeah, I do think they deserve to have their parental rights stripped away, either effectively (as in, Will's able to be separated from them for a time) or legally (the latter requiring much more effort; may be less likely).

I don't think Last Resort would apply - the song's about taking your own life cause life has become so messed up, and that's not Will at all. With lyrics like "suffocation...no breathing, don't give a...if I die bleeding", they're not exactly ambiguous about it, either.

Assuming that they're not ex-communicated from the family after this... I laid down for bed at around 1:30 last night. I see the posting time was 1:57. Go figure! Will mentioned that it seemed like they didn't have the support of the family on what they were doing...but really, no way did any of them have any idea that they were doing this. Brad and Robbie...or whoever the hell they are now, will be enraged, yes, but they'll also be damned lucky if they're not on the hook next to Martin for child abuse. Hell, I think Stef should at least take away from Brad the one thing that seems to mean the most to him now, thus eliminating the need for a daily wardrobe anyway: His. Job. Oh, yes...therapy has been suggested, in previous chapters as well. After this, I'd say he definitely needs it now...but I can't help but think that maybe a fresh set of eyes and ears would be warranted - in otherwords, somebody other than David. So, Mark...you said I should give Will more credit than choosing to run away and never go back. Really now? I have to say, I find that very funny.

LOL...happy birthday, dude.

Unless...

I'm actually not hoping that there's something big going on that's got their attention that we don't yet know about. For that to be the case, would make the drama set-up of this story seem so much larger than would the premise of examining father-son relationships. I feel like...if it's just Brad and Robbie failing, really really badly at this, that brings the father-son point home. But if it's the something mysterious going on, that brings the "oh, it's a drama!" point home. Quite honestly, for it to be the latter would leave a very bad taste in my mouth. Why? Because since it would reinforce the drama aspect, it would at the same time make the father-son premise look less like the heart of this story, and more like a device to merely fuel the story drama.

Remember, next chapter is the strict disciplinarian chapter, so...be careful what you wish for, you just might get it! Having said that...I was afraid something like this would happen with Will getting busted, but at the same time...I feel like Tom wouldn't have suddenly showed up, if not for the warning that this was coming. So...yeah, you definitely telegraphed that one, Mark. I'm anticipating the next several Will chapters to be pretty well ugly...there's really only one thing that Brad and Robbie might comprehend from Will (keyword, might) at this point: the message that he feels they don't love him any more. And the way things have gone, it wouldn't surprise me if that message came out in the most incomprehensible way possible: a fit of full-on rage. Not saying Will deserves to get off scot-free, but since I'm sensing that the forthcoming discipline will be overly harsh even by past standards...if I were Will, completely broken, unloved, AND beaten, I'd be thinking about running far away, leaving everything behind...and not going back. I am now fearing for Will's safety. Has it been worth taking this story to this point?

Assuming, of course, that Will believed he was sincere about that - which, given the state of things now, there's a good chance that he would not have.

It's (mostly) fiction eh? Well that certainly does the perspective a little bit. Why not post this as a story? You're off to a good start here.

Well...you might as well fess up now, because chances are if you don't, Sean will - assuming he hasn't already. If you lose your bf, then...honestly, you would deserve to lose him. I read this and...it makes me think not that you're afraid of commitment, but rather that you simply don't want commitment. You can't even say your boyfriend's name, which doesn't imply that you care all that much about him. If you want to learn your lesson, as you put it...you need to look yourself in the mirror and ask yourself what it is about commitment that you simply don't like. I know I'm being somewhat harsh on you, but...it's moments like these where a little self-reflection will go a long way for you.

I hope you're right...

I find that I cringe thinking about this coming up, too...I see "breaking his spirit" and I imagine something other than simple discipline. In the hands of Brad and Robbie, with the way things are now, I imagine something truly horrible, something that will do more than just break any father-son bonds forever. I imagine something that Brad would be a monster for doing, under any circumstances, something that would cause irreversible damage. Maybe I'm overreacting a bit, but at the very least, I don't see "breaking his spirit" as a euphemism for simple discipline.

What happens when a boy who’s fallen in love with his best friend chooses to tell his dad the big news? Will his dad accept him...or...?

You Sure You Want to Do This…? “You really want to tell him now, Kev? It’s only been a few days since you told me you were really in love with me.” “I can’t do this, Jakey. I can’t have him keep asking me when I’m going to find a girl to go out with when I’m not going to. I can’t go on being boyfriends with you and have him breathin’ down my neck about it. I just……I can’t. I can’t hide how I feel about you either, Jake. I don’t……I don’t want to have to hide that I love you at my own home.”

Glad you did. Think you'll like my next (non-epic) story too.

He's been uncharacteristically quiet since he put the chapter up...

LOL! And Brad doesn't?

I dunno about that, if only because I feel like if that were true, eventually JJ would slip up and Will would find out about his delight over the situation - and when that happens...cue the raving bitch fight between them!

I think that's way too pessimistic an outlook on things ...but having said that, I think that if it did go this route, eventually they'd end up no longer on speaking terms as opposed to trading barbs indefinitely. centex's post gave me another thought though...it made me think of when the family turned on JP over the Brian issue (a revolt ironically initiated by Brad). It feels like, if Brad and Robbie were ever to be put in JP's position...Robbie would ultimately cave, and try to make amends, but Brad would stick to his guns and refuse to give in, even if it meant going on as an island unto himself.

Gee...you'd almost think Will has written off Brad and Robbie completely, like it's past the point of no return. I doubt that it is actually to that point (yet), but it's sure looking like it really is. Wonder what it would possibly take for reconciliation to happen...cause I don't know if I can imagine it happening.