Uplifted Spirit

Knots 5 Chapter 30 Matt I began to think more about my relationship with Andy after my meeting with Dr. Walker. He made me realize that when I was with Andy, I was content and happy. Our sex was loving. All my talk about not wanting to be tied down began to seem meaningless after Megan and our foursome. That didn’t mean that if Andy wanted to have a foursome, I wouldn’t agree. But it would have to be a decision we made together. I began to think that maybe it

Zarek, I apologize for not responding to your review earlier. I thought I'd already done so and for some reason decided to go back and check and sure enough I hadn't responded. I appreciate your comments about the scene between Jason and his mom being so realistic. I remember, when I added the stop light if it would make it seem more realistic. It may have been just a small thing, but things like that can make a scene seem more real than just the two of the talking. I'm glad to see that you are gaining respect for Matt. You are responsible for the change of tone because of some of your previous comments. He does have a long way to go. Timing is the thing. Should it happen sooner rather than later or what? Something to think about.

John, I didn't realize I hadn't writen a response to your comments before. I was going back through the chapters after I saw your comment on chapter 29 and realized I hadn't responded. Sorry about that. I often wonder why young people can be so cruel, but I think some guys can't deal with gay people because of the fear that they might be gay. They deal with it by treating gay people cruelly. It's sad that they react this way. This whole scene turned out differently than I'd planned. They were actually going to meet in the dugout and talk and then for some reason I decided Jason wouldn't show up and Andy would go to find him. The scene continued to grow from there. Writing is like that for me. Sometimes I'm afraid I won't be able to write a chapter so figure that I'll just start and before I know it, it's on the page. Thanks for writing a review.

Zarek, I like it when a story touches someone as it did you in that it reminds them of a part of their life. My mother found a magazine of guys in swim suit under my mattress when I was 14 or 15 and she gave me a copy of Lady Chatterly's Lover to read. It excited me and I guess maybe it moved me away from my interest in guys. But I've always looked at guys and have been jealous of the hot ones. I often wish I had their bodies and it a way, this is the problem my characters have at times. They can't decide if looking at guys makes them gay. I'd have to say, it depends on the guy. Colt and Thomas may get back together. Matt seems to finally realize that his sex with Andy is special. I like your quote, but it's hidden by this reply window so I can't write it here. I'm not sure how my parents would have reacted if I told them I was gay. Of course, they didn't use gay when I was a kid. My parents were tolerant people and I believe my uncle had a lover when he was in his early 20's. He lived with my parents for a time and my mother sometimes indicated to me that he might be gay. I remember visiting him in San Francisco when I was ten or twelve. He was living with a guy and I remember thinking there was something about their relationship that was different. They were both ballet dancers. That isn't to say that ballet dancers are gay, but it makes me think of Billy Elliot. Again, thanks for taking the time to write a review.

Thanks Jay for taking the time to write. Jason's parents are a piece of work. I thought about making them even more radical than they are and maybe even have them throw Jason out of the house, but decided to have Jason back off instead. Like I said, "Sometimes wisdom is the better part of valor." I was asking myself what Thomas and Colt would be thinking after watching their former partner having sex with other people and felt I should have them deal with it and that's why Thomas is reflecting on it. Seeing Colt having sex brings back all kinds of memories and might be the catalyst to get them back together since Colt had similar thoughts and feelings.

Zarek, I think you're right about Andy taking it too lightly. I was thinking that as I wrote it but I think it was a bit of laziness on my part because I didn't want to dwell on it too much since there were other things Dr. Walker had to discuss with Andy. Again, thanks for writing. We've gotten a few new people to write and I like that. Riley Jericho has had as many as 22 reviews for one chapter of his story, which has little or no sex in it, but is very well written. He has asked his readers to respond and I think I might do the same. Hope Columbus Guy is doing okay.

Thank you John. Ironically, the chapters I have the most doubts about are often considered some of the best chapters. I'm not sure why I have doubts. Maybe because these chapters are different from the others in content. From what I can get from comments like yours and from emails is that many readers like it when Andy and Matt reflect on their lives and their decisions.

Knots 5 Chapter 29 Matt Greg Johnson came up to me after the game and told me he was impressed and then said, “Sorry, Matt, but you have a long way to go before you take the job from me.” I tended to agree. He’d gotten us a lead, and that was the only reason I got to play. I gave him a light punch in the shoulder. “Guess I won’t have to use the pipe on you after all.” He patted me on the back and laughed. Jackass saw this and started to say someth

Knots 5 Chapter 28 Jason Settles Jason's father slowly moved into the room. "Jason. I'm here for you. Is there something you want to tell me?" "Dad, I keep telling you no." "Well...it seems like you don't leave me much choice. Your mother and I are going to the school tomorrow to see what's going on.” Jason jumped out of bed. "Don't do that. It'll screw everything up. Just leave it alone." "We can't. We love you. W

Spikey, thanks for taking the time to review Knots. You and Mikiesboy pretty much agree and as they say, if one person believe something it's only one person, but if more than one person sees it the same way, you should listen. I think you're right about leaving out the other characters through the third person narrator. I also understand the show don't tell much better now than I did then. But every time I read those first few chapters, I knew there was something wrong, but couldn't put my finger on it. Thanks again for taking the time to review Knots. It's greatly appreciated.

Mikiesboy, thanks for taking the time to do a quick review. Your honesty is greatly appreciated. I've often felt there was something wrong with those first few chapters and I think you hit the nail on the head. I was originally going to try to show how each boy looked at the same circumstance in a different way, but that didn't work. I have since made each boy's part different by having them tell different parts of the story. The third person section were just a way of writing about other characters from a different POV. I'm not sure it works, but once started, it seemed like it was too late to change. Again,thanks for giving me some of your time and for the review. It is greatly appreciated.

Zarek Great idea doing a spin off. I have another idea in my mind about these boys in college, but would use a different title and different characters. I'm glad to know that you see Matt maturing. I've been working on that so it's nice you see it happening. Thanks for your comments.

Thanks Alan. Glad you're enjoying the story. I always love getting reviews. Keep writing. Thanks.

Knots 5 Chapter 27 Thomas and Colt Thomas and Colt’s gym lockers were next to each other, and they’d talked about many things since the Sunday’s foursome, but they never talked about the sex until the day they went over to see if they could help Matt with Jackass Barnes. They stood there silently, afraid to say anything and end up being attacked by a senior. Sure, Jackass was a jerk, but they didn’t think they would be as quick as Matt with a response. Colt wanted to step f

Knots 5 Chapter 26 Andy I forgot to mention that Jason had returned my t-shirt and slipped his wet shirt back on before we left the bathroom. The idea of either of us leaving the bathroom with our shirts off, scared the shit out of both of us. Once Mr. Evans was finished with us, he sent me back to class and had Dax take Jason to the nurse. Jason Settles Jason’s mother parked and ran into the school, only slowing after she was through the door. She stopped a

Zarek, I explained the mug and flower in my reply to Jay. The water in the toilet may not have been too clean, but it was better than going out into the hall with his shirt off. He's already paranoid and that was the last thing he'd need. Plus Andy would be with him. Just think of what image is going through Jason's mind about coming out of the bathroom with his shirt off. Just think of how Dax reacted when he entered the bathroom and saw Andy's hand on Jason's chest when he was trying to wake him. Originally, I had something about a shirt and them pulling the front apart and the buttons coming undone. Lisa thought ripping was stronger and I agreed. But you've pointed out an inconsistency here. It would be hard to put on a badly ripped t-shirt on and not have everyone notice. It was a regular button shirt in my head, but I didn't get it on the page. That way, when he put it back on, he could tuck it in his pants so it wasn't open down the front. Or there could have been one or two buttons left. You may be right about less thought in this chapter. Well, I didn't actually put less thought into it. It seemed like it was going so well because when I started, Jason was actually going to meet Andy in the dugout, but as I wrote, I thought, how about if he didn't show up. (external conflict) That brought about the bathroom scene. (More external conflict) Jason's biggest fear is that someone will find out his gay and having these guys come in on him and Andy is his worst nightmare. (internal conflict) Maybe I didn't make that clear enough. Let me know if that's the case. I told Lisa I wasn't sure what was wrong with the chapter when I sent it to her. She cleared up a lot of things, but I guess it still didn't quite work. Hopefully, it left you wondering what Jason will do next. Let me know if it did or didn't because I'm sitting down either this evening or tomorrow morning to start the next chapter. Thanks for commenting. I just reviewed a number of chapters of Another Chance.

Jay I tried replying earlier, but could get in. You are right about the mug and flowers. Lisa agrees with you. I thought about changing it, but they're kids and I thought it was something that only kids their age would think was good. (That's despite their having lived a pretty wild life so far) Trust me, Matt and Andy won't end up a couple tweakers. It's just that I watch Queer as Folk and these guys, not all of them, spend a lot of time getting high and hooking up. I just wanted to throw that in as a fear Matt has. I thought of mentioning Queer as Folk, but there was no way of referencing it that might work. I can't give away the ending of course, but they won't be tweakers. I'm not sure that every story can have a happily ever after ending, but we can always hope that Matt and Andy have something like it. I'm beginning to wonder if readers are getting tired of this on again off again romance. But as soon as they're together, if they ever get together, there is no more story. Well, unless they get together and break up and then get back together again. Thanks for making a comment. Your comments are greatly appreciated. I wish more people made them.

Knots 5 Chapter 25 Matt Colt and Thomas came over to talk to Andy and me after I finished talking with Coach Gilbert. “I’m in deep shit,” Colt said. “My parents figured out what we did.” “You mean you told them?” Andy asked. “Hell no. Do you think I’m stupid? I told them we’d watched Mission Impossible 3 on Netflix and then got into the hot tub. Only problem, Andy, was they didn’t believe that stupid story of yours about wanting to

Zarek You're a man after my own heart. I've heard many of those quotes and have them memorized, so seeing you write them here, made me smile. I hate to admit it, but I started watching The Young and the Restless to see what it was they did to keep viewers coming back every day. 1. There is always a lot of drama and conflict. 2. They have foreshadowing. 3. They have a lot of cliff hangers. The other thing they do is carry out a theme for a long period of time. I didn't really think I was doing this, but realized the other day that Matt has been in his downward spiral for some time and the reader is always hoping he's going to come out of it. They are always hoping he and Andy will be together. People want to know how it's going to turn out. I haven't done this consciously, but I realize these things must be resolved soon, but how soon I'm not sure. I'm sure some readers would like to see it happen right now, but if happened now, Knots would be finished. So for those who love reading Knots and don't want it to end, they'll just have to wait I guess. As usual, thanks for your support.

Jay You're right. It is about time for the have some kind of epiphany, so let's see if this plan Andy and Matt has will work for them. I had thought of having all the parents notified of what went on, but, while I like conflict, I thought it would really cause problems in writing since it's about the boys and their thoughts and action. They're almost 18 and as you know, they could actually get worse, although being whores is pretty bad, but like Matt was worried about, they could be going to gay bars, doing drugs, and have a wild crazy sex life after they turn 18. While most of us may think that sounds hot, I'm not sure it is a very satisfying life. But who am I to say? I just don't think it would be. I watched Queer as Folk on HBO or Showtime (I think it's off now), but that's the impression I get from watching the show. Thanks again for your reviews

John Thanks for your comments. Doc Walker will have his work cut out for him. The ironic thing is I never know until I go to write the next chapter how he or any of the characters will react. Lisa made a good point about Thomas' reaction. Thanks for writing a review. I really appreciate them.

Lisa I love when you write reviews. You are right about Thomas. to be honest I'm afraid I didn't give Thomas as much thought as I should in the next chapter, but will make sure to do so in the chapter that follows. There were lucky they didn't get caught, but as you know in the next chapter there are some consequences at least for one of the boys.

Knots 5 Chapter 24 Matt Colt’s parents headed back into the house and started picking up our clothes and trying to sort them. Colt’s dad leaned down and stopped for a second as he moved the recliner back into place. Shit! I figured we were had. He looked down on the floor in front of the sofa, then stared out at us. Colt’s mom turned on the TV, and thank God there was nothing on except the cable channel that was on previously. Colt’s dad came back out. “Wh

Zarek I debated whether I should have the parents come in while they were having sex and now that I read your note, I'm thinking I should have. They could still find semen on the floor or sofa. That would really make them angry because not only did the boys have sex, but also got their cum all over the furniture. I'll have to think about that one. I like the way you likened it to a smorgasborg. I think this is the first time I've ever devoted a whole chapter to one sexual experience. To be honest, I don't really enjoy writing them. I'm not sure why. I try to make them relevant because now that they've had all this fun glorious sex, how are Andy and Matt and the others going to deal with it? That's the question. And like you said before, abstinence isn't necessarily the answer either. One possibility it that they have one cheat day a week and they can only do it with one person. That's how I diet. It makes it a lot easier when you know you have a day where you can eat whatever you want. And who's to say that 1 on 1 sex is any more or less so bad. It's because we think orgies are bad. But if we're not talking about love, then who's to say. I'm just thinking out loud.

Knots 5 Chapter 23 Andy We had our foursome, and since I know many of you don’t want to read about sex, I won’t tell you what happened. There was the usual fooling around like we’d done in the past. You know it all, so there isn’t much sense in going into any detail. But for those of you who want the details, read on. If not, you’ll just have to wait until next week because this chapter is filled with a lot of sex. Like Matt and I said, “We’ll start our diet after the fou