Uplifted Spirit

Knots 4 Chapter 8 Andy Matt’s pretty much told you what happened, but I thought maybe I’d let you know what I was thinking. When my dad first told me we had to go to counseling, I wasn’t too happy about it. I had the idea Dr. Walker was going to talk to our parents about what went on because they were paying the bill. But once I found out it was all private, I felt more comfortable. The way I opened up surprised me. I think it’s because, unlike a lot of guys, Matt and I talk

Lisa, like I said in my last comment, "The truth shall set you free." In this case it would only work if the parents didn't go after Derrick. Andy and Matt would be exposed and probably arrested for prostitution. Often the police overlook and try to get help for kids who prostitute themselves when they've been kicked out of the house and living on the street, but this sure doesn't apply to Matt and Andy. So they would have been exposed to another trial and maybe some jail time or probation. Not a good idea.

The Bible says "the truth shall set you free." Does it? We'll find out. I agree, the time spent between Matt and Andy was special. Who knows what lies ahead.

Lisa, this was a hard chapter to write because I love my characters and hating it when they do stupid things. But all of us do stupid things and these boys are as human as the rest of us. It will be interesting to see how they find their way out of the mess. Emily is less judgemental than Gina. Sometimes I think Emily is a lot like Andy and Gina a lot like Matt in many ways.

Lisa, you are so right about what it would be like to have a boy like Matt do what he did. Andy too, but he's always been considered the wilder one so maybe it doesn't come as quite a surprise for him to do what he did. Dr. Walker is pretty good. I'm currently wondering what Matt will say or if he'll be quiet and withdrawn. Thanks for writing a comment.

Jaro, thanks for the wonderful comments. You had asked where the story could go after the boys had prostituted themselves and I wondered myself what could happen. I''m glad you like the way the story is going. It was enjoyable to write and I too am wondering what Matt will say. I believe he'll be more guarded than Andy.

Knots 4 Chapter 7 Matt I forgot to tell you what happened after we left Andy’s. I let my parents walk ahead of me and enjoyed the silence as I wondered what I was going to do about the money. Should I give it all to them? Was my first question. How was I going to keep them from knowing the total amount I made or how would I separate some money out if they followed me to the garage to get it? Maybe I should tell them I don’t want them to see my hiding place because it’s pr

Sammiam, thanks for the review. When I started writing Knots I'd only planned on writing Knots 1. Then I thought well, why not keep going until we get to where the boys are today. What happens, is an author you want the story to remain interesting and when you write one novel or even two, it's not too hard. But by time I got to Knots 3, I was beginning to wonder where the story could go. Where they ended up surprised me as much as you. The idea of something going on with Derrick occurred to me when Derrick and Matt were talking in the restaurant. I wasn't sure if I should follow that story line or not. I do not agree at all with what they did. But as I've learned in life, some people do some of the stupidest things when they should no better. All of expected more from Matt. So here we have these two boys, one who most readers have admired throughout the story turning to prostitution. Not because they were poor and kicked out of their homes for being gay, but because they were lured by the idea of sex with older guys and the money. Eventually, it all becomes about the money I suppose. But of course the boys can't spend it. So what good is it to them. The question for me as a writer and for you as a reader is how will they save themselves or will they save themselves from the knots they've tied. I have made an attempt in the next chapter to begin to solve that problem. It should be posted today. Sorry I didn't get right back to you. I realized you'd written when I came to post the next chapter. Again, thanks for commenting.

Jaro, I'm glad you liked this chapter. It was a ballsy thing to do. The thing was, they didn't want to go through another trial so what could they do. A trial would have brought out so much information and probably a little jail time too. So this was the wisest and also the bravest thing they could do. I've avoided the truth a few times in my life and it had ended terribly so sometimes it's a good idea to have your characters set a good example as to what some unusual options might be. You are also about where will the story go from here. I'm not sure. Stories need conflict, but I don't like to create artificial conflict just for the hell of it. It should have meaning and seem natural to the story. That was my concern with having the boys prostitute themselves. I kept asking myself if I was creating conflict for the sake of it and decided as I was writing that Derrick's interest in Matt led to the possibility that he would either have sex with them and of course led to Derrick realizing he could make money because he had friends who were interested too. Of course, the boys still have to face their parents, grounding, rumor, football, Andy getting well, etc. Thanks for reviewing.

Knots 4 Chapter 6 Matt My parents’ third degree didn’t settle my mind any. I called Andy around 7:30 PM on my old cell phone, which my parents were happy to remind me I still had, and told him about my talk with them. “Damn, Andy. I told them Derrick was the manager. What if they call the Outback and want to talk to the manager?” He laughed. I raised my voice. “It’s not funny.” “I know, but what can we do. Like you said, you can’t

It's always hard to see our hero's fall. Matt has fallen hard. He's still only a kid, although 16 is moving close to adulthood. They are not kids like they were when the were 13, 14, and 15. There's something about being 16 that makes us feel like adults. Matt's parents had to step in and do something. But you're going to have to wait until tomorrow to find out what happens next. Hopefully, it will surprise you.

Jaro, they are in deep trouble. Gina is somewhat like Matt and Emily like Andy in their own way. Matt worries about what people will think about everything after the fact of course. Gina is tentative too. But Emily and Andy forge ahead. But in the end, maybe Matt will pull everything out of the fire.

You are very perceptive. You're right. There would be no story to follow. I found while writing this that I was in the same predicament. But Matt had an idea. At least he was wise enough not to be a male escort. Look where it got Andy.

Jaro, you're right. This is headed to a bad place. Will they be able to get out of it? There lives could be ruined at that school. But they live in a small community and the family would have to move or the kids would have to drive a long way, but their reputations would probably follow them. They have one option that probably no one will have thought of. Although the home schooling isn't a bad idea, but where would that leave us and the story?

Jaro, glad to know you liked the opening chapter. I just finished writing chapter 6, which will be posted tomorrow (Saturday here). It kind of brings everything to a head. You may be surprised how the boys resolve the problem staring themselves in the face. Probably was an anti-gay guy. It's a logical conclusion to draw.

Jaro, I'm glad you like the ending. Endings are always hard. But I hate to see stories go longer than 30 chapters and this seemed like a good place to end (28).

I'm not sure about where you are now, so of course I don't want to give any of the story away. Derrick is a pretty good guy. He's knew at it. I watched a few things on pimps, and of course, they are usually bad guys and treat their prostitutes badly. But I figured this made it possible for him to treat them differently than if he'd been doing it for a time. But then he has a lot to lose and could go to jail for pimping as well as pimping underage boys.

Jaro, I really have been troubled with their decision to do what they've done. What will happen? It seems that it's going to be hard to get out of this. So much is at stake here.

I agree with you 100%, because it went places I never expected too.

Jaro, I'm really pleased with your response because I had a lot of doubts about taking the story in this direction. Glad to see you don't hate Emily quite as much as before. Change is always hard and I'm pleased that you didn't find the story anticlimactic after the trial. I was worried about it too. I'm finding myself in similar bind now in Knots 4.

Jaro, the direction the story took surprise me. Now I could have avoided my inclination to take it that way, but I tend to go with what my subconscious brings to the direction of the story. I kind of bounced it off Lisa because she kind of responded like you. But teenagers do stupid things at time and this all heads to places they didn't expect when it wall started.

Are you horny or what? I'm not sure how well I wrote that and I look forward to your comments.

Glad you like the direction of the story. Yes, the pond always has fond memories. It plays a very important part in the story later on. I'm not sure if you're there yet or not.

I think you did misunderstand Derrick's interest in the boys. He wanted the boys to be aware that he knew who they were. And of course, you know something's up. Even I was surprised at Matt being hell bent on trouble and becoming more like Andy. Emily is a confident young lady and speaks her mind. I'm thinking I may need to write a few subplots related to the various groups of friends.

Jaro, you responded the way I hoped readers would. I like characters to have flaws and then examine what they've done and do something to resolve the problems they create. You're really going to be surprised what part the Outback plays later in the story.