darlingnikki

Mark, bravo to you for wrapping up 911 and Odyssey, and not even letting the ink dry, haha, before plunging ahead into the next chapters of both. I've been a reader for years and I hope you're getting out of this far more than I am, and I am getting so much out of this it's hard to believe. Ok, I'm a big fan of Brad and Will, and I am afraid of what Tony might do, directly or indirectly, to both of them when he realizes he's getting dumped-for-life by Matt for Wade and the family. I can't see Matt having any guilt about that. Tony, with all his issues about his dad, could cause a lot of damage, especially if he can find a way to fuck with Will thru his secret relationship with Zach. Where's that Michael Jackson eating popcorn gif right about now? That's how I feel every time a new chapter pops up!!

Fantastic chapter, and it was great to hear from that many characters, including a couple that have never been first-person before (Claire and JJ). That day, what a day of neverending tension, it was a day where the bad news did not stop, each hour brought yet another wave of horror. I am anxious to see where the day takes everyone in the story. I am so glad that JP was at NYU for the attacks, and not onsite, but the day is not yet over, is it? Thanks as always Mark.

I, too, am dreading what each new chapter brings, as you take us closer to 9/11/01. I don't think you'd take out your two narrators, but you've put nearly all of your main characters in motion, so I'm not going to try to guess who's going to, and not going to, make it. I'm so disappointed in Brad! I know you've explained that Will is his blind spot, but I have a hard time with Brad not thinking around it. Also not cool for Robbie to have less influence than Stef. I understand even less what's going on with Stef. How does he not see how hard JP must be taking the fractures in his family, all around him. I was at work in a big American city high up in the sky on the morning of 9/11, and as we watched the first tower fall on TV, we suddenly realized where we were, and headed out of our tall building just as it was evacuated. I have a good friend who watched it unfold from Building 7, and he didn't stop running until he was in mid-town. What a terrifying day, and it was actually a gorgeous day weather-wise. I remember looking up at the silent sky, empty of planes, wondering when I could get back up there again. No one turned CNN off for days. Thanks as always for the thrill ride Mark!

Will knows he's making a good deal, and he knows he's going to get Stef in on it. It shows in the way he's able to fully enjoy messing with Brad. If Brad enters the family fight as a proxy for Will, then everyone is going to end up with battle scars. And still no Marie at the table. Maybe now that Brad, Claire & Jack are parents, they can better understand Isidore. It's interesting that those silent Hayes guys haven't said anything yet. Aren't we due for an explosion from one of them on the matter? Very fun chapter!

I spend time in a similar sort of Ohio town every summer & T-giving. I wish a real life Crampton-Schluter-Hendrickson trio would take the helm and push through an economic miracle in real life. I'm glad that Claire called JP, but she's really not on the same page yet. This shows the vast gulf between JP and Isidore. She had to grovel after Billy, not sure I see her doing that over Will. Frank and Jack haven't been able to show mch moderating influence. Hmm...

Such massive drama. I'm not surprised that Marie didn't call right away. But she was introduced as a smart girl, so I can't see her going down the Bitty road. I hope to hear from John as a narrator, to shed some additional light into the personalities of his family. Loved having JP back as a narrator, and any glimpse of Brad gets my motor going. Claremont, here we come!

That was intense. Claire and Jack clearly do not fall on the wrong side of right very often. If Brad gets involved, he can remind them of how many times he's had their backs, yet they didn't look out for his sons. Does Marie know about Tony? If she, Will, Tony and Dana end up at the Claremont festival at the same time...oh my...

All this domesticity is almost...boring. I have a suspicion that this is going to be one hell of a float trip

Mark, you've given Will an amazing power of influence over people. He is so perceptive and can think many steps ahead. Hopefully Tony will like who he is with Will better than who he is with Dana. But you're really setting up a scary legal situation with Dana because of Will's age. Good luck to both of our boys!

Wow...Will's in love and he is loved back! But, there are some serious issues going on. How long can Tony keep up appearances with his girlfriend? I like this rapidly maturing Will. What an amazing adult he's going to be. That is, if he survives the story!

Amazing how, in this story, Will's previous combatants are now his solid allies. He is confident taking on Hank and his mother knowing that Brad, Robbie, Stef, and JJ are behind him. I don't see Hank causing as much problems as Marie. Sad to see her squaring off against Will for dominance. Didn't he just go through the same thing with Brad? And won decisively. Fingers crossed that Brad is a narrator also!

Sucks for Will that he's in for trouble with Marie & John. I can't wait to read more! Any insight into who the additional narrators will be?

I created an account just to throw my $0.02 out there...please let Brad be a narrator next! His scenes are so hot, and I'd love to see what happens to Darius, JJ and Will next from his perspective.