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Hurrayyy!!! I’m so happy you came back to this story. Thank you, I’ve missed it.

Loren got drunk because he saw the people closest to him doing the ultimate “adulting” — committing to one person and having kids — and he wants it, too. But it terrifies him. So he hid behind his former snarky self that was happy alone and for whom parenthood was less likely than going to Mars. But what was accepted behavior almost four years ago is startlingly self-centered and immature now. I recoiled as much as Jay did. The emotions some writers on this site are able to wring out of me continues to amaze me.

I actually feel an ache in my chest when I think about Wren. That’s your power as a character creator, @Demiurge. I continue to hold out hope that like Kalian, he’s just … sleeping to regain his strength. 🥺

I know you’ve struggled with this story, but I love the direction you’re taking. Kalian may be furious when he awakes, but shit needed to change. I particularly appreciate Wyn being informed of what’s really going on.

This. There have been several time jumps in the story, but this is one that you should rethink if you do an edit. The story has been building up to this meeting for awhile, and not seeing the four together for the first time is a big letdown. I think it also would’ve been helpful to see more of Jay and Loren’s interactions during the 10 days. I bet this trip was when Loren (subconsciously) realized he wanted to marry Jay.

Do it again, do it again!! I can. Whoever did this was desperate. Desperate people make mistakes … and sometimes take a lot of people down with them. I hope Terry doesn’t go pay his respects to Brenda. She blames this whole thing — including Maurice’s death — on him. Great chapter! As we say Down South (in America), now we’re cooking with grease!

Thank you, @CincyKris. I was sharing my opinion, not trying to start a debate or argument. I’ll just read to see how the story turns out.

I have to disagree. The town holds painful memories. The people Alec’s age who stayed are reminders of his past. The ghost of his mother, alive or gone, taints all. The only thing positive here is Finn, and his family. They may not be enough for him to come back, especially without River.

Am I the only one wondering why Finn hasn’t gotten to the “I could leave Iowa” point? He could sell his part of the gym — hell, Alec could buy it and add more staff. Once Finn finished school he’d have more career opportunities in a larger city. Planes fly both ways. Why not try it? They also should have sex before Finn explodes, lol.

Another wonderful chapter, but I gotta bring this up. I thought it was weird that early in this chapter, Seamus was referred to as Matt’s boyfriend. Because two chapters ago: As dinner ends, Seamus stands up. “Since everyone’s here, I thought this would be a good time to make an announcement.” Matt stands, smiling brightly, then he and Seamus raise their hands and show off a matching set of rings. “We’re engaged!” Jay stands up and hugs his friends. “Now there’s something worth celebrating.” Was that supposed to be part of Loren’s dream? Was the whole chapter a dream?? In this chapter, I particularly enjoyed when MB almost made Loren shit himself by going into fake labor. 😆

Your grandma was gangsta! Would’ve loved to meet her.

As everyone has said, great chapter. Well-written fights. I’m intrigued by Teddy. I wonder if Cyrus told him to keep an eye out for Wagner, or if he chose to do so himself. I like the two of them together. I don’t suppose they could become friends? Lovers? Working partners? Lots of possibilities there.

I used the word “cozy” last chapter, and the feeling continues. I just love all the scenes with Cynthia and the house! And how comfortable Terry and Cynthia were with the spirit — if Dan was gonna run, he would’ve done it after Jack’s visit. He’s in it for the long haul. Damn, I hope Terry has the sense this time to tell Dan his intuition about the bad day. I want the next chapter right now! It’s gonna be a long week. Great writing, @Mawgrim! Way to build the suspense.

What?! No!! I’m enjoying this unusual story so much. I’ll miss Dan and Terry … especially now that Dan has been welcomed into the family. The three of them having tea and talking until midnight, then up and eating a big breakfast, is so sweet and cozy.

I had NO idea! Comedian Kevin Hart has a joke where his safe word is “pineapples.” I have so many questions for him now. I also have questions for swingers. Example: How do you get the pineapple to stand upright when upside down? Is it on a skewer? And @kbois, have you seen the documentary about The Villages? Is it worth watching? Also, what a great setting for a story — two grandsons visiting grandparents who are shocked, awed and disgusted by all the freakiness going on and they find each other …

Such a great chapter! Such a long time for the two to go without seeing each other, tho — and I wonder if fans were clamoring for some Jay content on Loe’s feed. After reading this at the end of the last chapter, I was surprised Loren and Jay hadn’t had a serious talk in those three long weeks: “As I board the plane, I brace myself for what will ultimately be a terrible conversation, but Derek and Taylor are great men and they deserve someone to advocate for them. Like Derek said, a good family isn’t a perfect family. There may not be hope for me to have that good family unit, but there’s still hope for them.” And finally, I could totally see Loren hiring that guy because he’s the current hot photog used by Kim K. or Vogue or something lol. Not knowing he’s a snake, of course.

Not necessarily. Therapists and psychiatrists help, but the patient has to do the work. Alec is still young. It’ll take him years yet to heal.

That’s what I was thinking when Vincent decided to accept as many challenges as he could — excellent (albeit painful) training for his final big face off. I liked the game!

I agree that Derek and Taylor and their fiancées came out ahead, but disagree about them having a great relationship with Jay. They have a great relationship with each other, and they love their brother. The resentment they feel about how they and their fiancées are treated will only grow, so it’s a relief that Loren’s intervention will (hopefully) head off future blowups. Jay’s cluelessness is stunning, I know that lots of people for whatever reason go through life only seeing the glass half (or completely) full because of their life circumstances. This is where Loren’s love really shines through because he wants to help Jay see the reality instead of walking away for good. It’ll be telling what Jay does with his newfound family information when he finally sees things clearly. Donna … got a lot of thoughts about her. Looking forward to more family time.

Why is it that mediocre assholes are usually the ones to yell the loudest when they feel they’ve been wronged? While I’m glad Dan is cool with he and Terry being exposed, Colin finding out will be such a pain. I worry that whoever is threatened by Maurice blurting the truth will silence him in a violent way. Meanwhile, bring on the séance!

This! I got fixated on this. Two huge, heavy professionally wrapped boxes — how did they make it to Denver unscathed? I can only assume they were sent separately and Loren picked them up. The other thing that stopped me cold: Seamus and Matt were fine with letting Aido go with a solo Loren … and a solo Loren wanted to take Aido with him! No trace of that early fear. Enormous progress.

I think their choice to stay in the room was eeeeevil lol. The hunters are the hunted! They have to get past everyone else, and everyone else knows where they’re trying to get to. Keeping people Vincent likes and loves in the room was devious, too. This is really a game testing HIM.

I’m hoping Terry gets a bonus for cleaning up the projection boxes and equipment — enough to buy a smartphone! Ahhhh the first days of young love … these two are so cute. I want to know who started the stripper/orgy rumor. 🤔

This is why I’m enjoying this story so much. It’s so easy to take the simple way out and move the story along with trumped-up fights, convenient accidents, and people seeing something and running .5 seconds after coming to the wrong conclusion. I like that these two work their way through problems and have much needed conversations. To me, it’s the sign of a mature writer (not in age, but in thinking and writing). Also? I don’t remember how many chapters this will be (and please don’t remind me) but I’m sure I was stoked when I saw.

I immediately thought Trevor might’ve used Jack’s feelings for him to his advantage, like getting Jack to cover for him, etc. I like how into each other Dan and Terry are. Man, I hope both of them survive this!