samjones1

I'm so sorry to hear that you've been laid low by such a insidious illness. I hope that it's symptoms subside soon so that you can at least find a better quality of daily life for yourself. You deserve the best and we're all wishing it for you here!

I'm glad to hear others have moved on to worried from impatient. If any of his editors could just say "he's fine," I know I'd feel better. Hope you're all well!

Yikes...as informative as the earlier parts of the chapter were, it's clear that the final few sentences are the crux of the matter. This is right around the time when there were issues with protein supplements having undisclosed PEDs in them. I hope I'm wrong, but it sounds like we have WW 2.5 on our hands now.

I drove past Don Bosco on my way home for Easter today and thought of you and your stories. I hope everything is going well with you and that we'll hear from you again when thinfs settle down! :-)

It's great to hear from you, Mark, and know that it isn't a health thing that's keeping you away. I hope that things calm down for you soon and that you can meet with a bit more leisure. I'm using this time productively to re-read the Bridgemont series...hopefully all your other readers take the time to go back and savor what you've already done as well!

It's been a while since I posted, but I thought I'd pop in to give my two cents since I have a few free minutes. Unlike some reviewers, I think the current direction of the plot makes a lot of sense conditional on understanding everyone's motivation. Mary-Ellen is, for all intents and purposes, still under the thumb of her family - particularly Mom. Getting pregnant makes a lot of aense as an attempt to change that situation, and her willingness to bear some indignity from Alex perhaps points to just how intolerable she finds her lack of control over her own life. While it may cost her family money, she'd end up being relatively independent at the end. This is, of course, if you don't buy her explanation of wanting to follow her father's wishes...which I don't so much. Alex, for his part, is simply following his familial duties in trying to make the best of a bad situation. To dishonor the family is rather worse, to him, than hurting JJ or himself. It's really sad, but I've seen people do worse for much more trivial reasons. And JJ...well, there's a song from the musical "Ballroom" called Fifty Percent which talks about how he might be feeling. He's young and in love and is willing to do what he can to preserve that love. He isn't an adult yet, something which is easy to overlook given how independent he is now. In several years, he might not be willing to bear this sort of treatment. But we've all been in high school and suffered through out first love. While my family would have stopped me from doing something like this, JJ's family is much more libertine and hands off when it comes to this sort of thing. I can see him coming to a realization in the not-so-distant future that he needs to have a monogamous relationship rather than this arrangement. Or maybe he is bi and prefers this. Or something else. It's iust too soon to say for sure what he wants or needs. It's not too much for Mark to show the contortions of young love in this way and I find the whirlwind emotions JJ is showing to be rather lifelike. In any event, I'm loving the plot line. Keep up the great work!!!

I love reading this story so much, both for the action and the intrigue. It's interesting how this turn of events really drives home the changes in society over the past few centuries. Jay-Z is basically praised for letting Solange Knowles wail on him without any response. Ray Rice has basically lost his career for abusing his wife...well, or for doing so in a public place on camera (the NFL doesn't seem to care about wife beating that goes on without video evidence). Most people think that is as it should be. In your story, by contrast, we have two men basically plotting to subdue an unruly wife. In fact, the trip appears to be partly designed to achieve that goal by Elgin. Granger is eager to help: mostly to punish her plotting against him personally, but at least partly to reinforce societal norms of wifely propriety and subservience. I don't know if you have thought of the situation in light of recent events (you probably have knowing how thoughtful you are), but either way it really brings alive history for the reader. It's like 18th century Mad Men in it's drama and social commentary! Great work as always, but don't overwork yourself at the start of the term.

Such a great end to a great book in the CAP series, Mark! Thanks for giving us a happy ending and an excellent story! I'm already looking forward to the next one.

I thought that I would roll my eyes when Matt finally turned out to be negative (and yes, I own that statement as being simultaneously hopeful and jaded), the explanation for the false positive coupled with the exploration of how people respond to the threat of HIV/AIDS these days was really quite thought provoking. I'm of Matt and Wade's generation, but I tend to think of HIV/AIDS on an emotional level as still being a death sentence even though I know logically that it isn't. I attribute this to having a lot of friends who are older than me and who remember when people started contracting it in the 80s. In any event, you handle it in such an insightful and sensitive way its hard to fault you for reporting that things have turned out in favor of my preferences - with Matt turning out to be negative and his relationship with Wade on the mend. Great work as always, Mark!

Another excellent chapter, Mark! I will be interested to see how all this progresses with JJ given Matt's willingness to use some of his influence to help keep him in line. I hadn't considered that JJ could be a big problem buT I realize it could well be given his loyalty to Matt.

I know it's been a while since I've written a review (blah, blah, dissertation pressure, blah, blah), but I wanted to take a second to write one for this chapter (and the related recent chapters). This series of events feels so true to life. A deep connection isn't something that just goes away when you stop being physically intimate with someone. In fact, I've always found the non-physical aspects of my relationships much harder to get past. In the case of Wade and Matt, it was easy for them to continue their emotional intimacy once they re-established their friendship because that has been the pattern of their relationship. They trust each other and have supported each other through difficult times (notwithstanding Matt's meltdown post-9/11). That connection also reflects the love that they share for each other - deep connections often arise from love, in my experience. I think what many of us miss, to our detriment, is that relationships are about more than just love. Relationships must fulfill a variety of needs: sexual, intellectual, emotional, etc. Wade's reaction to meeting Alex and subsequent crush, in my mind, reflects a missing component in his relationship with Matt that has been underplayed in this story but which would be a bigger problem in real life. Back when they met, I recall Matt reacting to the wealth of JP and Stefan with a comment abut how he grew up around country clubs and wealth and wouldn't be intimidated by them. Matt shares a similar background to JP and, excepting his young life in Paris, Stefan. Wade's patrician background, on the other hand, is on a completely different level. At some level, the difference in their upbringing must create some distance with Matt. I don't want to suggest that Wade is some kind of snob. This doesn't mean, however, that he doesn't notice the difference. I share an office with a fellow who chews with his mouth open. I know that he's a brilliant person, a good father, and a lovely person, but I want to put him in a Sleeper Hold every time I hear start to eat lunch. We've all been in a relationship (or most of us have, at least) where a habit that wasn't bothersome at the start of the relationship became unbearable by the end. For Wade, the allure of being with his social "equal" must be incredibly alluring: a case of the grass being greener at the very least. Even if Wade and Matt end up happily together by the end of this story, I think this dalliance will highlight a missing piece in their relationship which might suggest a change in the final state of that relationship. Matt's growth in Chicago will likely be a critical piece of that change. I hadn't considered that Alex might be a golddigger. He sure picked the right mine if so! Your work continues to be stellar, Mark.. This chapter made me slightly queasy, but I saw it coming so was prepared for it! :-P

I suppose that I got my wish for sexy times, albeit in an unexpected package. I was totally sucked in by this chapter and the potential for future drama it created. I think I better understand the deal that Will had with Brad and Wade after seeing it through Matt's eyes...being able to defend something doesn't make it advisable, I suppose. The fact that Brad didnt immediately drop the dime on Matt speaks volumes about how much blowback he anticipates this causing. I found it interesting that you mentioned, in your response to my last review, the fact that Wade and Brad could have supported each other without sex. Throughout this series of stories, however, we have been presented with examples of people who cope through sex. Brad had sex with Mouse on at least two occasions with the purpose of comforting him, including while he was infected with AIDS, because of Mouse's need to conflate love and sex. If this were Stefan, I don't think anybody would question that sex would be part of support. Don't mistake my meaning here - these characters are consistent and logical however they choose to deal with their problems. I am simply suggesting that it doesn't seem unusual that they would choose to support each other with their dicks rather than choosing to support each other with hugs and words. :-P As always, great work!

I'm feeling about where several other readers are with all this...hooray for a little support nookie, boo for Will being such a self-righteous prig. I generally view Will as one of my favorite characters, but I just don't like the whole "I barged into your room after a half-assed effort to get your attention and discovered something that I'm now good to lord over you like a douche!" Is it a big deal for Wade and Brad to be sleeping together? Yes. Is it the same as Jake? Absolutely not. I hope that Brad will engage in a full-throated defense of those differences in the coming chapters. Wade and Matt were clearly separated and Wade told Matt they were not getting back together and that he didn't love him anymore. Wade is not a blood relation (or the equivalent). I hope that Brad is able to not-so-subtly put Will in his place with regards to these shenanigans. If I were Brad, I would come clean and take the wind out of Will's sails... It's going to come out eventually because Will is not subtle (God love him, but he isn't...everyone will be asking what's going on with him as Brad before the end of the day). Great chapter all around...but I wasn't surprised by Wadr won't the FWB. In my mind, he's the only one who made sense. :-D

This story is destroying me...you know that, right? I've been going through a situation in which I'm Matt (albeit a much less buff version) and the man of my dreams is pushing me away. The pattern of the conflict has basically followed the timeline of your chapter posts, so I spend the ten minutes after reading your chapters in tears because my feelings are so much like what Matt is going through. Everything in today's chapter is correct, but the missing feeling here is the emptiness that inevitably follows the decision to "stop feeling pathetic". I've been on a series of increasingly hilarious dates since we decided to stop dating and just focus on our friendship, but one of those people are "him". I feel desirable, sure, but I can't shake the loss. I can save my pride, but I can't save my feelings...and I think Matt is going to spend a lot of time in that empty place once even after he supposedly moves on. Matt has a good head start on dealing with all this due to the six months of being apart, but I don't know if you ever really move in from losing your soulmate. I'll be interested to see how he deals with it all going forward. In any event, your work is always impressive. The previous paragraph is meant as a compliment toward you, one I know you will appreciate since you know well that the best writing is writing that leaves you feeling and thinking. One request though: please give us some sex soon so I can stop wallowing by proxy. :-D

The only disappointing thing about this chapter is finding out that you, Mark, might be an efficient markets guy. As a behaviorist, I frown upon that. :-P Otherwise, this story has gotten off to an exciting start. As I'm experiencing my own heartache over a long relationship these days, I recognize the array of emotions that Matt seems to be going through. One way or another, though, we all have to live with our choices. Watching those folks live with theirs is always a pleasure. Congrats also on the award for 9/11. You deserve that and more!

I know I've said this before, but this story has just been fantastic. I especially the way that you held true to the spirit of the time in your story, providing what I consider to be a realistic view of how people dealt with the aftermath of 9/11. I can't wait to read your next story. Thank you for all your hard work!

I popped on to read the last couple of chapters and found the story to be on hold. Reading over the reviews, I am not surprised. I think Mark, as an academic, must be used to getting unfiltered and unnecessarily negatively-framed feedback on his writing from other people in his academic field. I got a review report back yesterday that nearly brought me to tears, so don't think I'm not acquainted with that sort of feedback personally. Writing stories for enjoyment and to bring pleasure to others shouldn't have to involve that same sort of angst. Take a vacation, enjoy a beer, and try to remember why you wrote these stories, Mark. For what it's worth, your story "9/11" has proven to be deeply cathartic for me. I couldn't even think or talk about that day up until this last anniversary. Now, I feel like I've finally and truly dealt with the trauma. I know that is because of your story and these characters. Whenever you come back, know that there is a loyal gang of readers who hang on your every word. Also...block works pretty well. Despite rumors to the contrary, we are not actual reviewers in the academic sense. You can call us idiots, ignore our rantings, and still get published! :-D

The last few chapters (which I've only now had a chance to read) have been quite a tour de force, Mark. I love the direction that the relationship between Zach and Will have been taking. I'm not sure if you intend this to be the case, but I feel like there is an interesting juxtaposition between Will and Zach's growing relationship and that of Brad and Chris. A few chapter ago, it was Zach who was mysterious in his motivations and dangerous in his potential to hurt Will. Instead of proving himself untrustworthy, however, Zach has quickly become an important part of Will's life. Similarly, Chris is at the point where Zach was a few chapters ago. He's known to be a player (regardless of whether or not that is true) and is an unknown quantity in terms of potential for harm and personal motivations. Hopefully, he will pan out as well as Zach has by helping Brad heal and turning into a friend (or possible more). Thank you for filling my Sunday morning with great reading! It was much better than church would have been.

This was a really sweet chapter, particularly the parts with Zach and Will. It seems like they each dote on the other, thinking about the needs of the other. It's all very equal, very caring...I love it! I've known several people in my life who are compartmentalized in the way that Zach seems to be: a loving, devoted spouse or parent at home and a successful, effective jerk at work. I'm not ready to declare that I like Zach as much as I like the people I know who fit that category, but I feel like I understand him better after these last few chapters and that I like him better now than a month ago. As for Brad, well...recovery from trauma happens in fits and starts. Let's hope the visit to Tribeca is a firm start to his final healing process.

I had a friend like Austin once...one of the coolest guys I ever met. Completely straight but with an almost zen-like ability to hone in on other people's needs and help them out. Now he's a yoga instructor and my Facebook news feed is filled with shirtless pictures of him...c'est la vie! This was a cool chapter. I love that Lark is setting aside his usual douchebaggery to help out Brad, both with physical/emotional support and advice. Here's hoping the rest of the trip goes as smoothly as this chapter!

These chapters just continue to break my heart. These poignant moments where we see Brad trying to cope with his loss are just so real and...well, sad. Watching everyone try to overcome their own issues to rally by Brad's side is, simultaneously, very touching in it's own way. Even Tony is making me smile a little these days... I'm starting to appreciate more and more, the serial nature of these stories. I've gone back and re-read the other books and notice that the subsequent times, while enjoyable, don't force me to be as introspective as does the ongoing story. Having time to digest the story, to think over their actions, to feel the anticipation and make predictions. It's like every few days I get to experience the thrill of possibility. I hope you term is finishing up well!

Ruh-Roh, 'Rorge!?!?! It's good to see another chapter of Odyssey here. I recently went back and re-read "The Land Whore" and have come to the conclusion that Calvert reminds me a lot of Peter Gordon. His proclamations of love and devotion seem mealy-mouthed and weak, just like when Jackie tried to separate Peter and Stefan and Peter got all drunk and pathetic. Calvert's performance here is the 18th-century English equivalent of that mess. I'll look forward to seeing how it turns out!

I've been waiting for you to get to this point in the story to drop in for a review. I feel like the past few chapters are all closely related in that they deal with individual reactions to the post-crisis onslaught of funerals and information revelations. I've very much enjoyed how you make each of these characters so real and so consistent in their behavior throughout these tough times. What could have been "OK, now we're at the next funeral" turned into a very rich set of chapters which more fully develop characters who already feel like my best friends. The poignant scene with Brad at the end of this latest chapter tells me that we're likely to be turning the corner into "How do we go on?" territory...something I'm looking forward to reading about. As always, your work has been outstanding in both quality and speed of output. Personally, I've found this story to be enriching to my life. I've talked about 9/11 more in the past two months than I ever had in my entire life since it happened. I attribute my ability to do that, to have those conversations, to the catharsis provided by your vivid writing. I'm certain that I'm not alone in feeling this way...the fora tell me that other people have grown as a result of having read your story. This latest chapter leaves me feeling hopeful for not only for the future of the Crampton/Schluter clan, but also for my own future. Don't work too hard, Mark...we'd rather have slower chapters than have you stressed out from overworking!

Dropping some stock knowledge on the assembled masses, Mark? That makes this the best day of the week!! It was nice to have such diverse perspectives in the chapter. Nicely done! I feel like I recognize the reaction from Will toward his grandfather. Pops sounds a little "handsy", I'm my opinion. I hope I'm wrong and he's just a Republican or something less bad.

I'm shocked at how surprising one word can be...in all my wildest dreams, I would never have done up with that word. This is why you're the writer of stories. I'm sticking to academic writing. :-P Great work, Mark!