travlbug

A fitting finale to a "Heart"-warming story. 😊 Clearly, in the last 14 years, Tyson has lost none of his snark, but Masha still knows how to handle him! (I hope Sandra-Ann knows him well, as she would then realize that Tyson has lots of bark but very little bite. In fact, it's a loving heart that decides him to become a lawyer for the underprivileged.) Nice to see that, even after 14 years, Tyson considers Vlady "the most amazing man...in the universe." In fact, Tyson's not so shabby himself, and despite their mental challenges, they have traveled the world, acquired a loving daughter as well as a devoted circle of friends (even Elijah and Banjo--a nice surprise!), a loving adopted family (for Tyson), and fulfilling careers. They show, in fact, that mental illness is no bar to a fulfilling life. Unfortunately, schizophrenia is a chronic illness which can be managed but never cured. That said, Tyson has found Vlady's love more than worth it. "He saved me. I will never stop trying to save him." And that's the entire crux of the story. My thanks and congratulations to the Glittery one for giving us a fascinating read, a rewarding tale, and a needed insight into the lives of those who deal with mental illness on a daily basis. This story should become a classic.

If I see any see any slip-ups, I won't breath a word...maybe..unless I can't help myself.... (I'll try to be good. ) A nice little peek into the lives of Ozzie and CJ, and a nice way to build up the excitement before the TV show. (My sister was a contestant on Sale of the Century, and even though we knew the outcome before seeing the broadcast, I remember our keen excitement at watching her win!)

Fascinating chapter, with three basic parts: First, the introduction to Stravor in the obsidian hall, showing the dutiful side of Stravor (rhymes with slaver?), who thinks of himself as a slave to his god. That he kills for his god is made abundantly clear. (I love the juxtaposition of "Life" sword and Hall of the "Dead.") Second, the view of Stravor as a typical human male, interacting with the innkeeper as a friend, indulging his lust with the man-boy, shopping, teasing the barmaids by dribbling water through the floor boards, etc. Yet, at the same time, the reader (and even the man-boy) sees that the townspeople are afraid of him. The killer is feared, as opposed to embraced as the right hand of a benevolent god. Further, Stravor himself is given cause to question Hemothracene's veracity when Keter notes that his village was destroyed by the Stone Men, despite the god's assurances to Stravor: "The Stone Men do not pillage anymore; our God has told me." He also questions the god's imperative that he kill Keter. Third, the scene at Stravor's ancestral home, where his father paints a picture of Hemothracene as evil: “Stravor … he is not what we thought. I can see the truth, and you must stop him. His is not the way.” Thus, in a single chapter, Stravor's viewpoint shifts from loyal servant of the god to a questioner, with his father vilifying the god and his mother telling him to flee. The chapter really ends in a cliffhanger: will he choose to honor his parents' views or continue mindlessly to follow his god? (Since the next chapter is already published, I don't have to wait to find out! 😊)

I wish Alex had just refused General Forsythe's request for arms or negotiated to provide a specific number of guns: The inappropriate request by Forsythe and Alex's tricking of Major Harrison will have created animosity on both sides: They may never be able to work together again. (In fact, Harrison's insults and disrespect/disregard for the children of Fort Walker would likely have doomed future relations between the two camps regardless, as Harrison--the stand-in for Forsythe--is probably echoing Forsythe's own opinions.) Alex, Harris recommends that you search the rooms of the kids suspected of bringing the Lazarus virus to the fort: If you won't listen to me, please listen to him! Ah, Noah acknowledges his feelings for Alex. Can't wait to see where this leads. 😊 I looked in the window to find Mac hugging her little brother as Nate rubbed his eyes slowly. "What the hell’s going on?” I heard Nate say through the speaker on the wall. Nate and Tobi are both sick, but Nate has just recovered from his coma. Is Mac hugging Tobi because he is also recovering or because--like Georgie--he has succumbed to the virus? (I hate cliffhangers! 😱)

The Captain has been playing his cards close to his vest if he knew about the trap all along but said nothing about it. (Kohen is sure to give him a thorough talking to later [if they survive]! ) The point is that Everett would not go into the situation unprepared, so I can't wait to see what surprises he has in store for Lakshou. (And don't underestimate Chomper!) Cia, happy 100th!

The Wright household, during the flood, felt like a Noah's ark for people! I would have loved watching a relationship grow between Davies and Preston, but with the ending of the story, I'll just have to use my imagination. At least, the end finds our dramatis personae well placed to live happily ever after.

Wow, a hidden area in Wonderland! (How in heck did the prior owners get a Baby Grand into the basement? At least I know why they left it there! 😂) I love the idea of a hidden passage from the school to the house, but why was it put there? (A secret school with a secret access--I'm hooked!) Will we ever get to hear the back story behind this surprising find?

In a way, with Hunter wondering about his next step in life, and with his background in family care services (not to mention his medical science and psychology degrees, plus a diploma in education), the idea of opening Sanctuary to homeless kids is a no-brainer--even if it took his own child's being homeless for a time to open his eyes. The house behind Sanctuary--also owned by Hunter--could be converted into a barracks for the kids, though at least one adult would need to move in as a house leader. (I wonder how long the process of governmental accreditation will take or if there's a way to streamline the process!) I am happy to see that Hunter is thinking of others to share in the benefits of Sanctuary: For the kids who can't be placed, it will be a sanctuary indeed. (Because of the natural suspicion of the street kids, it may actually take some time for attendance at Sanctuary to increase; but once the word is out, I hope there proves enough room in Sanctuary to help every child who needs it [or maybe this will be the first of a whole line of "sanctuaries," if the government becomes convinced of the worth of the program!].)

Mr. Wright"s doctors are probably being driven crazy by his need for rehab vs his heavy schedule and international travel, but I hope he doesn't neglect himself (if he wants maximum use out of the affected leg). A full house can be a happy house: I wonder if Mr. Wright is lonely. Why live near the Hudson, the Potomac, the Mississippi, etc., all of which flood? Why live in New Orleans, five feet below sea level, with frequent flooding? Why live near volcanoes in Hawaii or close to faults in California? Why live in wilderness areas prone to wildfires? People will put up with a lot for splendid vistas, easy access to leisure activities, and even privacy. As long as the person knows the risks and takes appropriate precautions, it simply becomes another life choice. 😊

That the father beats Aiden merely for communicating with his gay brother seems crazy: For such a disproportionate response, the father may have been abused as a child (I can't think of any other explanation for his behavior--trying to "convince" Aiden to stay away so as to "save" him in the long run. Ah, the "Tulloch Tingle": Something more than static electricity? 😂 (So, Davies, why not go out on a date or two? There must be someone you like better, W̶r̶i̶g̶h̶t̶ right? 😁) Mr. Wright is being very generous in taking in Davies' family. I'll bet he does that for all his assistants. 🤣🤣🤣

Sweet story, beautifully done. Amanda finally learns what the boys already know. (And Jack and Jerry learn about love at first sight. 😍)

The telephone conversation between the English lawyer and Davies lasts exactly 15 minutes, reminding me that lawyers charge for telephone calls in 15 minute increments. (The lawyer, who acted annoyed, was probably annoyed that the call wasn't 16 minutes! 😁) I love that Wright's first name--as the famous gay Australian writer alluded to in the papers--is Preston. (A complete coincidence, of course! 😂)

In the first chapter, Mr. Wright is described as a middle-aged man, which could mean anything from age 45-65 to a lay person and 30-50 to a medical professional. He certainly acts too young to be smitten by a stroke. Of course, he may be having a transient ischemic attack, where the neurological symptoms resolve within 24 hours, or he may be having a true stroke but wind up reaching the hospital in time to receive tPA, as long as there are no contraindications. In other words, even if he manifested some paralysis or speech difficulties while being carted off, he may yet emerge from the hospital whole. (Or not, depending on the author's purpose.) Even if his infirmities reverse, from this point on, Mr. Wright may become more dependent than ever on Davies: Their relationship is sure to change.

There is no such thing as a healthy tan: The increase in melanin production is an indicator that DNA damage has already occurred. SPF 70 is probably a better choice than even the 50. "The bleeding heart side of me wanted to adopt every one of them. The doctor side of me kept me stoically remained detached." In other word, all doctors have multiple personalities; and no matter what they do, they cannot win. 😅 Astrophysics, Marco? "Deacon Galactic" may give Virgin Galactic a run for its money! 😁

The new and improved Loz without doubt: He's off to a good start, with family support, a nice school, and a possible friend (or maybe more?). But most importantly, he is willing to come out to Jason (and thus, to his old school, as Jason will certainly spread the word); and he shows remorse when thinking about Daniel and how he may have permanently damaged him. This version of Loz is a decent human being, and I'm glad he has had this second chance to prove himself.

Congratulations on creating one of the best books I've read on GA. You have a knack for bringing complex, nuanced characters to life and making them completely believable. Following Tyson's life, not to mention the doings of those around him, has been an absolute pleasure. Can't wait for Book 2! (I even ate a bagel in your honor, but don't feel obligated. 🤣🤣🤣) Спасибо огромное!

The unified field theory of Tyson: While Tyson demonstrates symptoms from several mental illnesses, he does not have a specific behavioral health entity which explains them all. Rather, he may be considered as a bright but otherwise normal boy who is subjected to stressors outside his control (mommy and daddy’s head games), with the evolution of maladaptive behaviors designed to allow him to survive the strain. Cynthia’s theory of “The Three Tysons” is a great working model which explains Tyson’s conduct/demeanor in a clear, logical, and convincing manner. I love the give and take between Cynthia and Tyson regarding the reasons behind his “suicide” gesture: The dialogue masterfully provides insight into Tyson’s thought processes and exposes the limitations imposed on even the most ardent patient advocate, despite her best efforts. Of course, Cynthia sees through the “suicide attempt,” and Tyson ultimately admits that the diazepam “overdose” was meant to hurt his parents and not himself–to “drive the nail into the coffin”–to make sure that his parents’ punishment is maximized. (Fascinating that Cynthia makes no mention of Tyson’s need to punish his parents to the full extent of the law but simply admonishes him for putting himself at risk while doing it.) Her perception that the HDU is counterproductive for Tyson (as the stiff regimentation mimics the “cruel, abusive, ruthless routine at home since the day you were born”) is spot on, and the reader is led to assume that Tyson will be released into the general population. “Now that Edith and Chase were definitely going to lose custody of their son, they would no longer be able to obstruct the healing process. By removing them as a factor, Tyson no longer needed to put his treatment second to his desperation for freedom, and with his level of self-awareness, Cynthia was sure he would make for a speedy recovery.” At this juncture, “True Tyson” takes to the fore, as Vlady and Masha visit him and provide the love he so desperately needs. The chapter ends with Tyson thinking, quite aptly, “He was safe. He could finally move on.” Now if only he could get a decent cup of Milo!

Cell phones are so versatile these days: Apparently, they can get you up as well as make you go down! 🤣 Funny that Nash and Jarren try to recover from the dead mouse by going to where they serve dead cow (with greasy fries, please!). 🤗 "He was finding it harder and harder to ignore his attraction to Jarren. Jarren made it more difficult by just existing." Shame on you, Jarren! 👼 Cupid, I saw you trip Jarren into Nash! Smooth move, and nice sneakers. (Sometimes love needs a little push....) 😊 "My brother told me that if just one person saw what his son died of and thought twice about doing drugs then it was worth every word. I agree." And so do I. Kudos to your brother and sister-in-law for their bravery in telling Brian's story, and again, my deepest sympathy on your nephew's passing.

Jarren thinks of Nash at night to enhance his jerk-off sessions (Nash at night is much more entertaining than Nick at Nite! 😂), but Danny--despite his compatibility with Jarren--simply remains a friend. (They even have a "wet towel" policy together. 🤭) Who says that "chemistry" is a science? When around Nash at work, Jarren has to think of "old ladies hula dancing naked" to get rid of his hard-ons. Our boy has really got it bad! (I remember seeing Hilo Hattie on stage singing The Twelve Nights of Christmas, Hawaiian style. She was already an old lady at the time, and I guarantee that the show would not have been enhanced by her doing it naked! 😱) Jarren's flat tire, nicely arranged by Cupid, allows Nash to take Jarren home and have dinner with him. Jarren learns that he has a pink tongue fetish, they agree not to discuss the most important things about each other, and Jarren refuses to admit that he's gay. (Sorry, Cupid, you tried! 🤗)

The only idiot in Davies' family is the father: With the rest of the family on Davies' side, I'm surprised that mum doesn't tell Dad where to go and how to get there! That said, I'm glad that Davies knows that he has love and support from the rest of his family. 😊

Why do I think the directors are overreaching with Project Overreach? How does the new prison matrix involve Lucas and Elliot? (I'm envisioning a scenario like Escape from New York, where our intrepid boys need to enter the matrix to bring someone out [like Chris, after the stupid directors throw him in and then find they need his expertise]). Or maybe they'll be thrown in themselves (as undesirables) and have to figure a way out for their own sakes. I'm probably completely off the mark, but it's fun to speculate! 😀

End? END? Angelo and Gianni are only getting started, and their relationship is still not public knowledge. I WANT MORE! (If I throw a tantrum, will you write another book? 😂) Gianni truly tried to kill himself, and he actually would have died had Angelo not arrived in time to save his life. (I wonder if Angelo will ever tell anyone.) He would have missed Angelo's kiss and affirmation of love. He would have lost a wonderful future. Sad to see that he is pushed to this extreme for his family to understand what is really important and to start the healing process. (Nice to hear that Pietro is sorry for yelling at Gianni during the wedding, but it will take more than a "rough handshake" to patch up that relationship.) I'm happy to see that the grandparents now want him to stay, and will even try to understand him, so perhaps Father Stephano is right after all. 😊 I love that the ending comes back to the adage, "always be true to yourself." Gianni's life will now be the better for it. (Mother clearly knew best! )

I love a good romance, and this is one of the best I've read (even accounting for all the killing, poisoning, shooting, etc... 😂). Leon sighed in relief as his heart filled with the assuring warmth of having someone to call home. I love that Leon understands that home is a person and not a place. 😊 Till next time, Sui, but please make it quick. And thanks for another wonderful story. 🙋‍♂️

Regan is now going to learn about positions that don't involve embarrassment. (They don't involve clothes, either. 🤣)

This chapter is a study in loneliness: Gianni experiences a virtual wall around himself even in his dealings with Toto and the waiter. He doesn't perceive that Claudia and Angelo's listlessness may derive from their forced separation from his company, and I agree that he misunderstands his brief conversation with Angelo, as he interprets it through a lens of misery. His loneliness is compounded by his grandparents' complete lack of understanding and support, coupled with their ultimate betrayal and rejection. (When Marina informs Gianni that they'll be sending him back to England, the depth of her and Vittorio's incompetence in dealing with their own flesh and blood becomes brutally clear.) In an ironic turn of events, Father Stephano becomes Gianni's only source of comfort during this period, but his advice turns out to be utterly false: He convinces Gianni to talk to his grandparents and give them time to adjust, whereas his grandparents have already decided to abandon him and put their plan into motion. When Gianni is reviled at the wedding, he seeks refuge at home; but when home rejects him, where can he go? Once again, I fear that he has been pushed to the edge--perhaps one time too many--and that he may begin to see death as his most viable option.