Rndmrunner

Doug's character is really developing. You have kept him true while expanding his horizons and ours as we follow his actions and growing maturity. The key factor always being Doug's loyalty to Liam. Neil is also maturing and gaining confidence but at a pace that is fully consistent with his character. Neil has gone from hiding in the shadows to showing strength and even leadership but he continues to be fully Neil and not a new incarnation of the character. Just a few of the things that make this story such a pleasure each week. Thanks Graeme.

I received a cruel teaser this morning. When i signed on to GayAuthors, i received a notification that a new chapter had been posted to Leopard Spots. I was surprised as this would be a rare occurrence for Wednesday morning but followed the link. Alas it was just a ghost in the machine. Oh well only three more days...

Something is off. While i never follow team sports usually, you are turning me into a football fan. Loved the chapter and the game detail

Did you say you were on a Project Management or a Team Building course last week? Seriously though, have a safe visit with your mother; as Lit Lover said: the chapter updates can wait.

Great chapter. Thanks for keeping a few rough edges in Ty, otherwise the story would be poorer. Ty suffers for our gain!!

Just read The Art of Being Gay and enjoyed it immensely. Of course the the next question is has work begun on Comfortable inches Skin. You have a knack for exploring fresh ground in archetypical topics.

The scene with Neil's parents captured the awkwardness of the assembled group. You show the conversation stumbling and losing its rhythm at times which helps frame the scene. I hope that the scene continues in into the next chapter though as it would be interesting to understand Neil's parents feelings more, even as a discussion between themselves after the tea. I get an impression of Neil's father as actually being more in touch with his feelings than his wife because he is upfront (somewhat too much) with his emotions to the point of being a bully. Neil's mother comes off as a little paralyzed , obviously concerned for her son, but so used to keeping her opinions in check that she is less able to process it all. Finally you show Neil as ever more self confident and greatly matured in the last few months but still clearly remaining Neil and not a different character. I could be off base here in my impressions but it all adds a greater dimension to the family dynamic here. Thanks

I particularly love the chapters that have a football focus. It is one of the things that sets this story apart.

If it was Austen we would be wishing Deon's Dads pride and Neil Dad's prejudice against Jim's sense and Sam's sensibility

I agree that Graeme has a great eye for detail and it is one factor that sets this story apart. The main characters have 3 dimensional lives, good days and bad, and develop more than is simply needed to further the plot line. This is also for me the difference between the Review and the discussion forum. Many of the reviews reflect readers' involvement in the story through their hope and aspirations for various characters. The discussion seems to have a wider focus: writing, style, background discussions, continuity and other threads. And it helps bridge the week till the next chapter!!

I had to smile at how you handled Ty's locker-room scene at the end of the chapter. You just keep putting obstacles in that poor boy's path. Ty's character still has some maturing to do. None of the characters gets an easy ride though. "Pillow biter" is also a new term for me, you Aussies are endlessly creative in homophobic taunts and slang. As usual, another great chapter and worth waiting a week for.

Hi Graeme, another lovely chapter. The pacing of the story is fantastic. You manage to move things forward steadily and have moments of suspense, growth and conflict without ever having to pack a huge chuck of the action into a single chapter. I see other writers here struggle with this and you make it effortless. The only difficulty is waiting till Saturday of rate next chapter. Cheers

Hi Graeme, another fine chapter. I like how Doug is developing with his complex relationship to Neil through his relationship with Liam. It is also good to see Ty and Jim's storylines moving forward. And now another wait till next week. I, along with all the others will stayed tuned.....

Good use of the song in the story. I've seen this device used in the past as a sort of scoring for the storing and it has failed especially when verses of lyrics are included which break up the story. Here, it was woven into the plot and resonated in the moment, underlining the action. This is such a well written story that checking for the next chapter is now a regular Saturday morning routine.

Sure thing, "Tom"

Sorry Timothy, i was ambushed by spellcheck once again

Graeme, don't listen to Toothy, he will have the story all wrapped up in 2 chapters and then where will we be Interesting speculations though.

The flight response helps the plot line but these are grown up men. You have created 3 dimensional characters who have a history. Even if there is an ongoing misunderstanding, Patrick has regressed to a 15 year old here by the cut and run. Rob's connection and influence can still be explained gradually. I really like that the characters are not teenagers or young adults, it offers many opportunities. thoroughly enjoying the story

I think that Timothy has the idea. I feel that there is a possibility that Liam's family will play a short term part of a rescue of Neil from his Dad's abuse. This could provide a turning point for Liam in his relationship with Neil (enemy to friend not yet to boyfriend though). Neil's mum will also likely be at risk as this plays out if she chooses her son over her husband. Don't forget the football though. It ties everything together and bonds the Lillydale family.

Well, things are finally coming to a head. Hopefully there are still quite a few more chapters to go. I thought something was up when there was much less football this week. You got me hooked on the game/training details along with the story. You have really captured the potential for violence in Neil's dad. I am waiting to see how you handle his mum's reaction as well. She has had a more balanced view to date. I was trying to also figure out the significance if May 1st. Does it have to do with the proximity of Neil's birthday or something else? As always you have got me hooked and not waiting for another week.

As always i am amazed by how you hold all the threads together and make it work so well. You cover a lot of ground in this chapter which is technically harder i think than even the previous one. It also warms me how well all the guys are pulling together for Dave and for each other and yet no cliches in sight. Thanks

Really well set up. The themes are coming to a head but its not all melodrama. I like the pacing between the various themes: Neil, Dave and Ty. The middle characters round it all out and hold it together. As always an amazing story

Thanks for the explanations. It helps sort out the game. I am also enjoying the game play which is enough to help carry the story and the intensity of the game while supporting the story lines.

I love the complexity of the story. While i wait impatiently for the next instalment, i don't feel rush to get to the end. The characters and their interactions carry the day. Even more impressive is that you have created a raft of really well thought out characters beyond the usual 2 or 3 leads. Thanks again and take your time

The characters and their interactions are fantastic here. My one complaint is the melodrama: Jason's friends are made so one dimensional that they can turn on him (Tin'a pregnancy, the blackmail). It undermines the integrity of the lead characters as Jason has supremely poor judgement in friends or doesn't know them at even after years. The reaction to the betrayals is then cut and run and lots of self righteous anger. A subtler plot line would also allow Jason and Chase's relationship to grow more deeply by being faced with more nuanced problems. I know this sounds negative but you have such great characters here and i want more.