travlbug

Dad isn't away, he's "gone"; and I fall in the camp of those who think that Bailey's father has died. Add to that his living off campus and limited time for interaction with other students on that basis, and you have the recipe for an alienated, lonely boy. Now, Declan has decided that his defeat is Bailey's fault, and I hope he doesn't intend to harras Bailey on top of everything else that Bailey may be going through.

As far as I'm concerned, the footballers did it to themselves: it wasn't a setup until they made it so. That said, I strongly agree with droughtquake that society gives football players a free pass (😁) all too often, though there has been some increased accountability more recently. I love Bailey's nonchalance despite a whole football team looming in the background, and Justin showed courage as well in standing up to Chris. Strong characters make for a good story, and it looks like we're off to an excellent start!

Kudos to Josh for questioning his parents' blind faith and for having the courage--a different kind of faith--to explore Pride. He might not fit in, but he is not deterred; and he receives a potent education just by watching the interactions between Alex and Conner. That Alex and Conner befriend him is the icing on the cake; and he now has his own personal guides to a life outside his experiece! One thing's for sure: His own life will never be the same (having had a taste of freedom), and I would like to think that he will break from his parents to achieve true freedom for himself one day.

Kudos to Tom for having the cajones to institute the complaint (who else?); and kudos to Jeff for sticking with the company, despite his ambivalence over why he was offered a different promotion, as there was still evidence for support from within the company. There are supportive people everywhere, but the good guys don't always win (and they wouldn't have here either except for Teague's big mouth). Thank you for writing on such a topical and important subject.

Artie's friends and boyfriend show how sensitive they are to Artie's feelings--in fact, this chapter shows just how good his friends really are to him. By contrast, Bradley--Adam's special friend--turns out to be a jerk. Adam may have lost a friend, but he has gained the love of a nephew, and Artie's determination to "make it up" to him clearly reflects that love. As for the loss of Bradley: Adam is better off without that creep anyway!

First, Carter starts to see Aron as handsome and to enjoy a taste of gay sex. Now, he shows concern about Aron's welfare by getting tested and by wanting to help preserve Aron's marriage. Finally, he learns that Aron cooks lasagna! 😁 The unicorns are getting saddled! (Hey, Carter, you may like the stirrups!) 😂

Can't wait to meet Bradley. Odd that Artie has lived with Adam for two weeks and still hasn't met him.... Coincidence, or a mystery? I'm proud of Artie for how he dealt with Sadie: Even though he was excited to hear from her, he did not accept her "bullshit" and stuck up for his uncle and, in doing so, for himself. I love the club scene, with all our teen friends enjoying each other and just enjoying life. (Now I know the ax is going to fall!) And Ace, since when does a summer job excuse you from writing day and night to feed the insatiable hunger of your avid readers? (What could be more important than our selfish desire to know what happens next!)

The more I think about the "beaten" quote, the more I think it has to be interpreted in light of the name of the novel: If his father and mother didn't beat him, then Adam remains "unbeaten" by them; and since he was clearly beaten literally, he remains unbeaten figuratively--i.e., in spirit. The name of the novel points the way. (If the novel had a different name, I would probably still think that Adam is deluding himself [just based on content], but I now think that Ivor himself has told us how to interpret the situation.)

While I can certainly see that reading of the statement, I rejected it because of Adam's actions: Ever since the kidnapping, he has tried to find evidence to exonerate his father of murderous intent. He gave his father the benefit of the doubt and attended his funeral, which I personally would not have done. I am concerned that Adam is going even farther in the wrong direction of seeing his parents in a benevolent light. That said, his decision to hold onto the belt makes more sense if it represents something he has overcome--i.e., has not been broken in spirit. At this point, I'm not certain which interpretation is correct, but I'm actually rooting for yours. 😊

Adam is seriously into denial: "It [the belt] may have beaten me, but he and my ma didn't." This is the first time that I've felt that Adam needs therapy, as he is not processing events rationally. Yes, Adam, your father and mother did abuse you, and the belt was merely their weapon. Adam will never have true closure if he insists on the fantasy that his parents were blameless. As for his mother sending the package: The "bitch" needs therapy too. 😡

"Come into my parlor," said the spider to the fly. I like this strategy!

An utterly charming story. I love that it is cross-generational and that both main characters are better off because of their interaction. I love the back story, where Alan and Eric are shown to have had a long-term, happy, and loving life together, as they provide a shining example for younger gay men as to what is possible--even against adversity. Finally, I love the "Oija-board" ring, which may move of it's own accord and which becomes the concrete symbol of "passing [love] on," when Alan gives it to Colin and when Colin passes it to Jake. And the story ends with a hug (showing that the love can flow backward as well as forward!) Many thanks, Ivor, you made my day. 😊

Hmmm. Jeffrey and Sean seem to share an exclusive mental link, and the scene at the pool did not really seem consistent with their sensing the thoughts, or even the emotions, of others. Rather, their Spidey Senses were tingling just before the drowning event--precognition? Add that to mental telepathy and telekinesis, and our boys are developing the potential to be truly formidable. Of course, I may be missing the mark completely, so maybe I should ask Lady Cleo! 😏 Also, I'm glad to see the boys' relationship deepening. Jeffrey, in particular, seems more comfortable with the physical aspect of their bond, spooning Sean, trying to be sexy for Sean, kissing Sean's shoulder, grabbing Sean's package through his underwear, lying naked with Sean.... Need I say more? 😊 And Emily is still a pill.

Malis, malice...but the malice towards Aron is definitely decreasing. Malis/Alice in Wonderland? He visits a body with nobody home; meets Yolanda, who comes across like Baba Yaga but is actually a mother hen in disguise; is accosted by a middle-aged dick twirler; turns down an early evening liaison (probably because mad tea parties are better); and then meets 🎵 a boy with kaliedoscope eyes 🎶.... Yes, I would say that he has had a curious day. Even more curious, he hears from Mr. Shifty Eyes that Aron is cheating, and he becomes even more protective of Aron, defending him against the accusation. (And the unicorns are still laughing in the background!) Love the story so far. Can't wait for the pizza and cheeseburgers to start having their inevitable effect. But this is wonderland, so maybe here, they're diet foods (at least, I can dream!). 😃

This is a sweet chapter , with Adam taking pains to assure that Artie is comfortable in his own skin. By the end of the chapter, Artie has progressed to an out and proud gay teen--an amazing transformation, considering his roots. Artie feels closer than ever to his Uncle Adam, and his relationship with Dizzy is deepening. So why do I feel a sensation of impending doom? (Donut withdrawal? 😅)

Adam's father is killed during the commission of a crime, and he is eulogized as a man of God. Weirdly, none of the parishioners sees a problem with this, including the minister. (They may be ostriches, but I won't say where their heads are actually hiding!) I hate it when the bad guys turn sympathetic: Kyle still needs to be punished, but he was misled and has his other, hitherto unknown, issues to deal with. Maybe he can be adjudicated Adam and Troy's personal slave for a year and then call it even. 😂

I was also very happy to see Artie come clean to Adam--and vice versa. Relationships need to be based on truth, and the relationship that binds both uncle and nephew together will be that much stronger. They can now share their lives--their real selves--in a way which would have otherwise been denied to them.

Hmmm. Chickens and foxes. Artie favors the chickens, and Dizzy favors the foxes. And we all know what foxes do to chickens.... Ace, are you trying to tell us something? 😉 Darn, now I have to go out and buy some donuts!

Scary to be locked into your own body! Still, Kohen had the last word. 😏 I think we're looking at the beginnings of the new Guardians of the Galaxy! (Stan Lee, eat your heart out.) 😉

Nicky is my hero, too. 💖

In the quest to woo Artie, Dizzy created his own advantages, refrained from badmouthing Ky, and remained truthful (as far as we know). Ky, on the other hand, was more reticent and proved a "backstabber," even if he didn't view his actions as such. Further, he acted childishly after Artie made his choice, causing that choice to appear even more reasonable. Of course, this is high school, and the circumstances may change by tomorrow. That said, here's hoping that Artie enjoys the ride!

Yes, Carter, Aron is growing more handsome to you, and of course, any straight guy could see how handsome he is, too. And of course, gay sex is becoming easier for you, and you are even deriving some pleasure from it, but it would probably be that way for any straight guy in your position, right? You can now see your way to being Aron's surrogate husband, at least for a while! After all, it won't be forever.... 😁 I think I hear the unicorns laughing! 🦄

No matter what happens at the funeral or the jail, Adam is now surrounded by a loving "adopted" family, not to mention a soulmate (who will lick his toes and shave his pubes, and who may be planning something unmentionable which requires super cleanliness!). I have no worries for his future well being. If Mike's red briefs were a voodoo doll, then Mike would be pretty well defiled by now. We'll have to hope that the navy ones fare better. 😂

Sweet story, with a satisfying ending. Sequel? I love the idea of watching a younger generation growing up in Sanctuary--maybe even living with Sam's people part of the time! Also, are there other groups like Sam's? The kids could spread out and create other "Sanctuaries"--or do other such enclaves already exist? In any event, thanks for a lovely read! (And they all lived happily ever after! 😍)

Whatever else one has to say about Dizzy, he goes after what he wants with tenacity. He spams Adam with invites "until he deletes me or joins." He tries psychology on Artie so that Artie will be thinking of Dizzy even when he's with Ky (though the strategy backfires somewhat when Ky badmouths him). And his greatest achievement: winding up in Artie's bed for a kiss and a cuddle! (Even if his cock-and-bull story is true, only Dizzy could parlay it into a nighttime fantasy!) I love the twist about Dizzy's character: Is he a womanizer who loves them and leaves them, or is he a caring lover spurned because no one appreciates the real Dizzy? Ky believes the former, and Charlotte believes the latter. Hopefully, we'll get to find out what Artie decides on this issue. I love the name of the chapter: So the elephant in the room is pink! I guess Artie really is becoming more comfortable with his own sexuality!