Mark Paren
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Everything posted by Mark Paren
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I thought about including a revenge scene. Maybe I’ll add one. Thanks for the comment.
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It’s hard to wrap my head around it. After everything I’ve been through, I’m sitting in second-period Science with Oscar and Ralph, the room humming with the low murmur of everyday life. You’d think something massive would shake things up, but it all feels strangely normal. The Norwegian and American Ahnenerbe have taken the lead in Europe. Germany and Poland pulled out of Scandinavia, digging in to strengthen their hold on the mainland. Turns out there are smaller chapters in Austria and I
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Good insights. I suppose this story could go on for chapters and chapters. (I promise, it won’t.)
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Thanks for the comment. Keep in mind that the Argentinians may shift the balance. Also, I imagine many of the highly intelligent boys and men from both sides may have uncertain allegiance.
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Good point. Thanks for the comment.
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Could have been worse,
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I hope you like twists. Chapter 12 is on the way. Thanks for the comment.
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Thanks for the comment.
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** They should’ve turned northeast toward town. Instead, they veered west, and soon we were bushwhacking through Flandrau State Park’s snarled trails, their racket a beacon in the dark. Only three remained—two had slipped away unnoticed. The shouting and stomping led us to weathered cabins, squat and ominous in the gloom. “These must be the WWII German prisoner cabins,” Emma whispered. Then, silence—dead, suffocating silence. I glanced around. Five Minnesota men now stood enc
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Plant life—scary!
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Thanks for the comment.
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I sat holding Jakob’s hand, as Frank drove us to the airport, already regretting our impending weekend separation. We’d had a particularly sex-filled evening the night before, and at dinner, Frank and Carson gave us a few tips during a question-and-answer period. The discussion was fun and pretty sexy on its own. I came away from the discussion with a different impression of Carson. I’d always considered him the most sober and serious of the Norwegians—and he is—but just below the surf
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I know it’s a similar story for many.
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This story is unlike my others. It is the true account of a gay boy growing up in California in the second half of the twentieth century. A story many of us can tell. There is darkness and light in this narrative.
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Winter’s quiet always turns me inward. Three years ago, my mother passed at an advanced age, and I’m still untangling the threads of our complicated bond. This isn’t a tired tale of a gay boy with mommy issues. I promise. I’m the keeper of our family photos, a fading archive my sister’s kids have no interest in. When I’m gone, these images will likely vanish into oblivion. I sift through them now, drawn to the early years: my first thirteen, from my birth in San Mateo, California, to the fa
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Always insightful. Thanks for the comment.
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I suspect there will be some suspenseful moments for Matt and Emma in Minnesota. Thanks for commenting.
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I think it’s interesting to contrast Matt’s upbringing to what it must have been like for Jakob and the other Norwegians. Thanks for the comment.
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It’s my home town too, so it was particularly fun to write about. Thanks for the comment.
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** “I’m not very experienced,” I admitted shyly. “I’ve never had sex.” “Neither have I,” Jakob said, “but I know what to do.” Frank and Carson sometimes leave their bedroom door open when they’re doing it. It’s not that I’m perving on them; they intentionally leave the door open. It’s part of my education.” “We don’t have to leave the door open, do we?” I asked. “Not if you don’t want to. At some point, Frank and Carson will want to check on my progress. They’re really good
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I think you’re right. There are still mysteries to unfold.
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Good insight. Youthful angst and finding their direction is one of the reasons I enjoy writing Young Adult fiction.
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The St. Olaf reference is hilarious. I read about a town in south central Minnesota called New Ulm that has a high percentage of people with German ancestry and was looked upon suspiciously by the government between WWI and WWII. I know it’s nothing like that now, but a fictional place like that might be receptive to Ahnenerbe in the ‘30s.
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Good questions as usual. A ten to fifteen percent bump from generation to generation is probably manageable. We all have friends that are little smarter or less smart than we are. An over than thirty present bump is more obvious and liable to cause friction. Makes me wonder if the scientists that designed the program in the 1930s anticipated Gen 6 and planned for the discord.
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Teenagers can be impulsive, although in this case, I think, Jakob gave it some thought.
