Uplifted Spirit

I'm not sure why I wrote that Thomas broke his ankle. It really didn't seem to add to the story, but I couldn't go back after it was done. You can't unring a bell. glad you enjoyed the chapter.

I agree Jaro. This was about the only verdict they could come to since Dillon was under 18 when he had sex with Thomas and Randy. It may have had negative effects. Just look at how Randy reacted. Thomas is more mature, but they had their youth stolen in a way. You could say they decided, but like it was said in court, they would have never chosen to do what they did if Dillon hadn't been there to coerce them. At least Dillon will spend some time in jail. That's a good thing.

Well, in keeping with my name Uplifted Spirit, I try to have positive characters in the middle of bad situations. I get so used to everyone being bad and gay kids being bashed, abused, beat up, or kicked out of the house, that I like having positive roll models like Matt's parents and Coach Gilbert. Even Andy's parents. Sure, there are some real jerks, otherwise there wouldn't be any story. But I like having things go well now and then. I think readers do too.

I once took a law class in college and was told that if you're guilty, you should ask for a jury trial and if innocent, you should ask for a judge alone trial. I'm sure it doesn't always work out perfectly, but if I was innocent, I think I'd prefer a judge. I'm glad to see that you have rendered a verdict. This was a hard decision for me to write, but I tried my best to be a fair juror and as it turns out, you predicted the decision a few reviews back. Now I see you've changed your mind. As you know, this story is about friendship. Matt keeps trying with Gina, but it never quite goes anywhere. He's still confused. I sometimes think he doesn't want to be gay. He wants to be hetero while enjoying all the benefits of being gay. He's once confused character.

Jaro, it dose my heart good to know you're still enjoying the story. I love writing Wheeler's character and dialogue. I actually have to say that about all the court scenes. I liked doing the defense too. It's fun looking at both sides in their adversarial roles. Andy is love starved even though his father has started to come through for him. But in life, nothing changes overnight. We are always growing. Even at our age.

Interesting that you called Andy a boy whore. Dillon did what the guilty always do, lie. You can't expect much more from him. He sure doesn't want to have to do jail time. But no matter what, he's a predator and needs help. It is surprising that there are no reviews here.

You are so right about Matt and Gina. Thomas an Matt might be a possibility, but Matt is afraid of commitment so that hinders him a great deal. It's just easier to have sex when you want it if you can find a willing partner. Yes, he's become more like Andy. I suppose it was bound to happen.

Jaro, I'm always easy. I really have difficulty letting my readers suffer for very long so I get someone like Coach to fix things. You may find that the jury agrees with you. Like I said, much of this story is about real friendship unrelated to sex so the girls will probably come around.

I loved writing that Coach Gilbert speech. It expressed so many of my feeling about what should be said, but like you pointed out, is rarely said. I was a coach most of my teaching life so have quite a bit of familiarity with kids and sports. Plus, I go by uplifted spirit so it's nice to have some good guys that do the right thing.

Andy's does surprise all of us sometimes. We should always want to have well rounded characters and it's possible that Andy's good side didn't come through in the beginning. But characters, while they make mistakes, should also grow. Although I sometimes wonder about the knots these boys tie in their lives.

Jaro, I thought I replied to this, but I guess not. Ollie is only a secondary character, but one that I've fallen in love with. I got this idea from reading someone else's writing. He wrote about this kid that made me laugh. He was only in the story for a short time and was then gone. This won't happen to Ollie because he's loyal and makes us all laugh sometimes. Thomas is really a secondary character to since the story is really about Andy and Matt. This is one of the reasons I don't go into large subplots about the other characters except when they interact with the main characters. I like keeping the story focused on Matt and Andy. Thomas is younger than Matt and Andy and maybe that's one of the reasons he's a little less driven, but it's also part of his personality. You could say that Matt and Andy chose to have sex while Randy and Thomas were seduced. That can make a difference too. But as you already know, it affected Randy much differently than it did Thomas.

Matt had been on the right track and got off track and began to tie knots in his life that have taken their toll on him. His life has moved in directions he never expected when he gave himself to Andy. And now, he realizes it's too late to turn back. Matt's parents have done a good job, but it didn't prevent him from taking some wrong turn. A parent can only do so much and pray a lot.

Jaro, I love it when you say you're pissed or cried. That means it's gotten your emotions going and that's what a writer wants to do. This chapter is full of surprises. I see you've read through chapter 10. Unfortunately, since I write a new chapter a week, I don't have a chance to go back and look at what I've written. I'm seeing it again through your eyes. The DA and the lawyers are both doing a good job. They need to both be equal to the task to make the chapters work. When you get to the part where they're getting ready for a verdict, let me know what you think the verdict will be. Do it by email or here. I think I asked my readers to let me know, but I don't think anyone did.

Thanks Jaro. Your review made me smile. Like I said, writing these court scenes was very enjoyable and makes for great drama. The problem is that it's hard to compete with these scenes in later chapters of the book. I'll be anxious to find out what you think.

I love Andy's spunk too. He, like most of us, has his faults, but he had other positive traits too. I know you didn't much care for him in previous books.

Thanks Jaro. I loved writing these trial chapters. It was fun writing both sides. (the defense and prosecution)

An accused person has a right to face their accusers so the boys have to testify. Of course, the boy's names can't be put in the paper and they can't be shown on TV. This doesn't prevent the kids at school to have some idea what's going on when the basic trial information is printed or reported on TV. The parents probably will be shocked the most.

Randy is a wildcard. And like most readers, everyone hates to see Matt change from the squared away guy to a guy tied in knots by his sex drive. Of course, this is why they tell young people to wait. Matt's an enigma because he is so unsure of everything. He used to know where he was going and now he's gotten lost in life. It happens to all of us in different ways.

It was hard to find a place to end Knots 2. It was getting unwieldy because it had already gone 34 chapters. I like to keep it in the 20's. Dillon will be going on trial in Book 3. It was fun to write. Glad you liked the poem. I like to put one in a story now and then. Thanks for reading and reviewing Knots 1 and 2.

You make a good point about parents and Randy. But I was thinking the story would be sidetracked if I went through it too much. Hard to believe you've finished two books already. You are dedicated.

I'm getting tire too. You have written a comment on every chapter and I just can't stop writing you. So it's now around 12:30 AM and I'm hoping to get all the way to chapter 34.

I had been thinking a long time about Andy saving some kid. Actually, I originally thought of Matt and Andy saving him. But in the end, it is Andy who is just cocky enough to step up and do something. Matt's a nice guy, but more reserved and more laid back. He's not aggressive in the same way except on the football field.

I like that you said sometimes Matt doesn't come up to scratch. It seemed to me that Matt was coming off a little to saintly. After all, he's done a few things he's not proud of and he's not perfect. It's always disappointing though when a character we admire shows their human side. I know it is for me when I read. But that's what makes them interesting.

Lisa, here I thought I responded to all your reviews. Jaro pointed out I hadn't responded to this one. Of course you already know all about Ollie so it's no surprise to you.

Well, this is one of the turns in the ride on the roller coaster. Matt loves Andy unconditionally, and while Andy tests that love, Matt hangs in there.