Dodger

It was nearly four weeks since Alex left and nowhere was his absence felt more than in the boy’s locker room at Stephenson Collegiate. Showers were mandatory following team sports, but for the only known gay guy in class, they were generally an awkward and unpleasant experience. You don’t know what you got till it’s gone, was something my mom always used to say and this was true with Alex. Up until his recent disappearance, our unlikely friendship had worked in my favour at school, particula

Thank you, @daveymars, for some wonderful comments and for sharing your job and personal experiences with us. I'm sure you mentioned to me in the past that you were involved in counselling but I was fascinated to hear that you are similar to Jo. It's a huge relief to discover that her character is believable, especially when it comes from someone who does the job for real. My experience of counselling is limited to half-a-dozen or so visits as a patient. I was a little older than Robbie and not nearly as messed up, so my situation didn't help much when it came to writing about Jo. I did a fair amount of research, but it was still a risk trying to portray an unconventional character working in a specialist job I knew very little about. I'm always worried that I'm going to get it fundamentally wrong and be called out by a professional. After posting the chapter where Robbie is rushed to the hospital with a head injury, I remember reading a comment from a neurologist. Just my luck, I thought. Why did he have to read it? I was expecting him to explain where I went wrong, but instead, he thought I described the symptoms quite well. This was a surprise because what I knew about neurology I could write on the back of a postage stamp. Needless to say I'm not going to push my luck and start writing a story about a nuclear physicist.

Hey Page. How are you?

Haha. Oops. Hey Gary

Five Guys make the best burgers and fires around here and with bottomless drinks!

Good for you, Thorn. You make some excellent points, and your work is certainly good enough. You're one of many authors on GA and similar sites who, if marketed correctly, deserve to be able to publish their stories and make money. I think that's a fairly reasonable statement to make, and I doubt if many would disagree, but the last two words, for some stupid reason won't sit well with some. As you point out, anyone who dares to talk about 'making money' is immediately regarded with suspicion. It's very odd, but this is especially true when it comes to the arts, where the presumption seems to be that it's somehow wrong to ask to be paid. Isn't that what everybody does anyway. Most of us get paid for something. Nothing stifles creativity better than a lack of funds, and although this may sound a little extreme, I often wonder how much we've been denied through the ages. How many budding artists, writers, and musicians have had their talents suppressed because of their circumstances? I'm not saying you're going to starve to death in pursuit of your dreams, but money is useful, and it sure helps to have some laying around. You may not make enough to retire with, but you certainly deserve some recompense for your art. There's nothing wrong in promoting yourself, and your talents to potential readers outside of the GA community and I'm sure everyone here would applaud you for it. Cream doesn't always float to the top on its own. Well, it does, but you know what I mean.

You totally nailed it @droughtquake Kids can relate to her and will listen to her because she so obviously represents them. Robbie wants to be seen in her company because she's cool and even Ginny talks to her more as a friend than someone who works for the school district. She would be quick to point out that it's just the way she is and not an act designed to win their trust but it certainly helps. She's also quite good at her job of course.

I think we're all grateful for a little less wind, Albert.

Are you OK Albert?

Great chapter Tim. The more I read of this the more impressed I am with this world you've created. There's a lot of feeling in this chapter. As I read I cannot decide if I love Stravor or hate him. I think both at the moment. I wonder if Keter will trust him. Like @droughtquake I'm also interested in Shade.

Not sure it would suit me, Albert. Plus I get terrible hay fever... but I've probably worn worse outfits.

I might need to brush up a little. It's been a while. YouTube should have something.

Count me in! I love hula dancing

I'm good, Gary. Just enjoying the last of the summer or is it fall now?

Who is this guy?

Hey Albert, how are you. Hope you're well my friend.

Robbie clearly hasn't been able to get over Nathan. He still has feelings for him, is still attracted to him, and is insanely jealous of his new boyfriend to the point where he would find it difficult to be in the same room. Conner is a nice guy who is eager to have a normal relationship but I'm not sure if Robbie is the right person at the moment. Not because of what happened with Alex, but because he's still obsessed with Nathan. I know she wants to help Robbie but it's still a little odd that she should invite him to her party knowing that Nathan will be there with his boyfriend. This potentially could make Robbie even more depressed and she should know this. It may sound like fun but Robbie should think seriously about the consequences. Jo doesn't like taking risks and she's obviously not comfortable with Robbie's situation at the moment. I guess she has been around long ehough to know the danger signs and she definitely recognizes them in Don's recent behaviour. Robbie needs to be aware and listen to her advice.

I think this was a deliberate tactic by Jo maybe to try to isolate Don. Sue's the weak link and her abilities as a mother are being questioned by someone with the authority to take Robbie away. As you point out, they can't ignore it.

Thank you @Arran for your kind words. I like Jo too and I've been itching to bring her into the story and see what kind of reaction she gets. She works well with Robbie who is completely mesmerized by her. He will find it difficult when she has to move on, but that won't be for a while.

So now Don knows what he's up against with Jo, and he definitely won't want the shame of having Robbie removed by a child protection officer. However, Don will know that Jo can only do this if she has evidence to suggest Robbie is not safe in the house and as far as he's concerned there isn't any. Sue may have challenged him but Don's still in the driving seat or so he thinks.

Poor Ginny has had serious issues with depression, which even Jo has been unable to reverse. Robbie has been a lot more responsive to Jo's therapy but he's not out of the woods yet. There are still serious issues that he needs help with, but Jo isn't going to tell this to Sue. She knows that Don is still a formidable opponent and is concerned by his recent erratic behaviour. She's seen something she doesn't like and this may well be the reason why she decided to push Don into a corner perhaps a little earlier than planned.

Robbie was convinced from the moment he met Jo that she was the right person to help him and so it has proved, but Don is unlikely to back down without a fight.

As long as he doesn't decide to expose himself. That would be too much!

As you know, Tony, it's important for Robbie to understand that there's nothing wrong with him and his recent problems aren't caused by his sexuality. It's the complete opposite to what Don believe and even Sue to a certain extent. Jo has made her intentions clear and Sue will have to make some life changing decisions.

I can't see Don going so easily or calmly. No doubt he will be back to try and assert his authority.