Timothy M.

well I'd want to know more about the guys on the beach

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ! dughlas

LOL - I'm so glad you can relate. Welcome to the mad ride of my prompt story, I'm thrilled to have you with us. Please join the fun in the story forum as well, I wonder whether you are on Team STRAIGHT Rob or Team GAY Rob. Or just undecided like me.I promise to do my best on the GSA meeting.

Thanks Adi, I'm glad you feel that I have dealt fairly with the viewpoints of both Eric and his parents. They must realize he'll have sex at some point, but they don't want him to rush into matters. But how do you tell your fifteen-year-old "Can you please stay with BJs if you have to do anything."I have to admit I'm also getting fonder of Rob all the time.

Hey as a Dane I resent that - and his name is spelt Andersen by the way.

That was depresseng. Neil seems to be back into his crazy paranoid mode and his dad's homophobic ranting isn't going to help. If Liam as much as hints anything in school, things will go wrong. For once I'm not looking forward to the next chapter.

Hot doesn't even begin to cover this chapter But it was sensual too and gave them both a much needed relief. And the connection is even more secure and durable after this. I have hope for their future together even after the next part of the storm has gone by.

I can't add much to LitLover's review. I think Barry (as Frank) has had to develop the box strategy to deal with most of his life in the past, and it's serving him well now. He's not denying his problems, but he puts off dealing with them, since right now it's all about survival. Dave must be thinking the same. He needs to make Barry survive to give evidence and afterwards too. It's no good talking about romance and feelings until later.

Poor Larry, he must have been disappointed. He carefully and politely asked and still no cigar. But Barry and Dave are heading for a relationship. Will that be able to work with Barry in the witness protection program?

Hmm, not impressed with letting Barry get sunburned. But hopefully it will turn into a normal tan before the trial. And it does constitute a good excuse to stay inside and for David to touch Barry. He must be in an agony of hope for his feelings to be returned, but it's difficult to have a relationship when things are so unequal. Barry is completely dependent on Dave.

Well, a perfect cover would be for Barry and David to date. Although it could be tough on David if it doesn't last.

My main worry as I read this chapter was about the folder with his new life as Barry, He obviously left it behind with all his stuff, which is a major security breach. Hope they (you) have it covered.

Saved in the nick of time, this had my pulse racing. Barry needs to keep his wits about him. I guess his boys will curse him when they find out, and they probably have to stay under cover even during the trial.

Loved the cliché start and was heart-broken at the thought of his poor boys. But I guess there is nothing to be done. The sins of the father is visited on his sons. I'm hooked for the ride, glad I have another 8 chapters in front of me.

Thanks, Cole, and welcome back. Please proceed to the story forum for your Team Rob T-shirt, courtesy of Aditus. I'm glad you can relate to the problem most parents face with balancing the need to protect with the wish to trust. Just as we try to ignore the idea of our parents having sex, the opposite happens too, and sometimes with devastating consequences.

I'm glad Jonah had a nice time with Sandro the Hatmaker. I'm not sure whether they can be more than friends, but at least the option is there, if Ren is out of the picture. And Jonah's pushy cousin should know by now that Jonah is more likely to balk at a comment like that. Rick needs to butt out and let matters progress naturally. Or does he want Sandro to end up with a broken heart too ?

LOL everyone else seem to enjoy it too, so I guess blaming you wasn't necessary. But I'm particularly glad you liked it since your previous comments inspired me to add this part.You're right about the sex happening at some point, and better in a safe place. And behind a locked door. Why wouldn't Rob have fun at a GSA meeting? I have the feeling he'll enjoy the attention. Time will tell.

Oh, there is no doubt that Zach is a self-centered, manipulative, bad-tempered, lying bastard. So what?! I like him for being clever and honest with himself about what he's like. He's not pretending to be a good guy in his own thoughts, so that's why we can trust him when he occasionally admits to emotions - such as loving Will or admiring JP or being grateful about what Frank does for him. And at least he's not excusing his behavior by blaming it on his parents (like the counselor tried to say Wally may act like that because his dad did the same). That would be almost as pathetic as saying Zach deserves being treated like shit because he's a shithead...

I think Rob is open for at least flirting with a guy or accepting being hit on, but I'm not sure how far he would go.I'm glad you can relate to the parent stuff. I want to portray understanding yet still somewhat annoying parents, since surely they must exist in the US too. I'll do my best with the Mall (thanks for your help so far) and the GSA.

you're welcome dughlas and thank you for reviewing. I think you're spot on with the privilege and protection description. And I hope you got the impression from the text that Eric can see it too.

Good points AC, and ones I haven't consciously considered.I think Eric has repressed a lot of emotions and controlling his secrets meant keeping a tight hold of himself in all sorts of situations. Now that he's out and has admitted his feelings for Nelson, he may loosen up in other ways too. I think Rob has 'invaded' his brother's room for years and that Eric as you point out was annoyed but resigned. But now he may even welcome his brother - and I think he also wants to be supportive if Rob is upset about Melanie. Thanks for your clever thoughts - and your help.

I'm glad you feel like that, Gary, I wanted to push the parent-teen relationship a bit without falling into silly drama. Seems like I succeeded.Rob at a GSA meeting, yet another situation to add to my to-do chapter list. Rob getting hit on was the only thing on my mind, but AC gently reminded me that the GSA has an important role in US schools. It's another of those blind spots for me, since we don't have anything equivalent here.

“Why do I even bother?” Eric wanted to storm upstairs and slam the door to his room, but he knew that would be a huge mistake. He was pissed at his mom for not trusting him. He had explained again – in spite of being acutely mortified – that it didn’t matter if they had been alone at Nelson’s house, since they hadn’t done anything they wouldn’t do if they were here. After his shout of anger, he deflated at the sight of his parents’ upset faces. He slumped in his chair and hid his face

So for some reason Emeric's dad didn't quite trust his lawyer. Admittedly, the guy is a bit creepy, and I still get a huge shock when he's suddenly behind Emeric. Fuck. How come the bank security let him walk in there? Anyway, fingers crossed that he didn't see the letter or the chain.

it's a standard that Frank (and Isobel) has no problem achieving and Wally's behaviour in relation to the football thing is way beyond anything acceptable. I think Zach could deal with everything else with very little problem. And if you recall, Frank called Wally on this mátter a while ago, and even Gathan was pissed on Zach's behalf. Plus the counselor immediately recognised it as a huge problem. Zach should not have to concede on this matter - anything else is up for discussion and negotiation, but Wally (and Clara) has to admit he has been doing this unfair thing to his son, and promise to change. Otherwise, Zach should write them off. And the sad thing is I can remember when we met Wally and Clara and admired them for taking in Gathan and Ella and doing better with their kids than most Hayes couples, in spite of not being wealthy or 'smart'.