Kitt

Ok - not quite the blow up I was expecting when Dana made her appearance - but then the night is young so they say. Somehow I get the feeling of sitting at the top of that roller coaster again in that moment or two that the car just sort of hangs in the balance after the climb chain has let go but the car hasn't started the free fall yet. I must admit you are one addictive author Mr Arbor! There are few people who get me coming back daily watching for new material and fewer yet who have caused me to put my name on posting lists to make sure i don't miss the next installment. You sir are fully half of that list.

Chapters from JP are always a pleasure. Being a tad older than Ace I suppose I identify more with JP and Stef. Somehow I never connected with Rob and Brad the way I have with JP and Stef. Its nice to see JP is still the analytic creature he always was. Cooler heads do tend to prevail and I am quite sure in the end things will work out to the best possible. I am glad to see that he is looking at the causes of Wills displeasure and not at the way Will presented itself. Too bad the three generations of ladies are not doing that. On a personal note - were an amphitheater being named for my mother I would see to it that every single living member of the extended family be present - if I had to use duct tape and goons to get them there. The ladies all complain that Will was disrespectful. How disrespectful that Isadore did not attend - Marie took her into her home on her arrival from France in '63 and the woman doted on Claire as she grew up. I do hope these women wake up and smell the coffee before they create a split in the family that JP cannot repair. A superbly written chapter Mr Arbor.

I needed to take a day and digest what happened in this chapter before posting a review! Welcome back JP! It was nice to see a voice of reason after Will lost it at dinner. Not that Will was unjustified. While he might have been able to present his views in a more calm manor, he is 15 after all. It shouldn't surprise people when he acts like a 15 yr old! It appears that Isadore and Claire are both completely missing the point Will attempted to make.Perhaps Frank will talk some sense into Isadore. After all, he does come from a more middle class backround than most of the Crampton/Schulter/Hayes family. I am quite sure he remembers being on the less desirable side of the have and have nots. I was half expecting Stef to narrate this one. After all a similar issue of nobless oblige is what started the schism between him and JP that just got rectified a couple books ago. Jack's reaction was a bit surprising. I understand the concept of "my angel can do no wrong" but he has always been a bit more open minded in the past. I think JP DOES appreciate the person she seems to be becoming and feels a need to guide her in a bit more appropriate direction. The fact that she did NOT call to apologise to JP was as telling as the fact that she obviously lied to her parents about making things right with Will. Trips back to Ohio always seem to precipitate some major shift in the dynamics. I can't wait to see what comes next. And of course, we are drawing steadily closer to the biggie of the year. As usual an excellent addition to a string of excellence. Thank you

It amazes me that everyone seems to think the "gayness" is what is the draw. Speaking as a straight middle 50's woman I find the story lines compelling and the sex just a part of the characters lives - not the main draw. Writing should be done for your pleasure Mr Arbour, and if we enjoy it so much the better. As you noted in a reply to a review - In my case you have achieved heroin status.

That wasn't QUITE as bad as it could have been. Marie is turning into a bit of a self centered little schemer but I think every woman has at least a short period of that in our pasts. Most of us mature and out grow it. The inclusion of the two violent young men may have been a simple mistake on the older ladies parts, but the exclusion of half of Wills "extensive" guest list of two should have raised a red flag to them. One wonders why they did not press Marie for a reason that Noah made her so uncomfortable considering that he was specifically included by Will. If for no other reason Marie should have been told to smile and be polite and just avoid contact with Noah during what will obviously be a rather large party. Even my divorced parent-in-laws could have managed that much. The one that supprised me was Claire. Till now she has been the most steadfast supporter of what is right. That she did not follow up on what was obviously a directive for Marie to make things right with Will after the Eric incident was bad enough, but then to allow one of only two people Will wanted there to be excluded on a word from Marie and then to defend the decision at the dinner table......... Makes me wonder if something stressful is lurking behind the scenes of Claire's life distracting her from her usual good sense. Another chapter that completely feeds the addiction. No wonder Jeff had so much trouble.

So why is it I can hear the " dunh dunh" shark is approaching music from "Jaws"? There are so many different spots the offal can hit the air circulation device! Are you trying to stretch our nerves to the limit???? Another addictive and wonderful chapter. Thanks.

Ok, since a missed click posted an empty review on the last chapter I will post my comments here! It may seem odd to add my review such a long time after you published the last chapter, but i have just recently found the sight and am now working my way through. I love your quirky characters and the crazy situations they find themselves in. I find myself reading "just 5 more minutes" till i am late leaving for work or up till the wee hours, So, will we see our little cat getting into more trouble in the future? Thanks for sharing your work

Ok, so Tony has to stay in that closet a bit longer but now he has Will visiting for company. The important thing is them both figuring out how they feel. And why was Berto not such a big supprise??? lol I find myself wondering just how much trouble Dana will make for Tony and Will. I can see her putting 2 and 2 together and then ripping the door right off of Tony's closet. That could mean major trouble for the older boy. Lets hope Wills maturity doesn't pick then to desert him and let his emotions carry him away.

Well finally! It's about time Tony sees the light around the closet door! Perhaps now he can start to peek out a bit more and begin to embrace life. I know the characters are young but life is just too short to lie to yourself about what is it you really want. As for Hank, the jury is still out there. I'll wait and see where you take her and the relationship with Jeanine before i decide if i like the character or if she will turn out to be someone I like to hate. Your descriptions of Rome make me want to see the city, and that is saying something since i am firmly ensconced in an effort to see every state of our own beautiful country before starting on the rest of the world. Your writing is captivating. It has been a godsend over the last few months. Nothing like a good story to occupy time when you can't do the things you want to. Now that i can do again I watch for each new chapter and make the time to read as soon as one appears.

You do know how to plant the seeds for possible blow ups down the line! I've known cops who were fantastic with kids and those who were just high on the power they think a gun and badge give you. Hank seems to be teetering on the latter. Does she really think she is a match for Will???? Thanks for a quick turn around.

Interesting to see Will acting his age. We have become so used to his mature behavior it is easy to forget he is 15 and that is how 15 yr olds think. There is a reason it is generally believed that 15 is too young for deciding someone is the love of their lives. As for the one readers comment about adults not addressing the issue of cheating with Will, if they had read all the previous books they would see that most if not all the adults in the story have had a time or two when their morals have been a bit questionable. Glass houses and all of that......... There have been no mentions yet of Jeanine's reaction to Wills emancipation. Perhaps that will be discussed at dinner in Malibu? As usual a fantastic read. Never stop writing!

As usual an excellent start to the next installment. Your work is quite enjoyable and I look forward to following yet a new twist to the Crampton/Schulter family drama.