Gandalf

Sad that GFD characters are less vilified than in this. Having a grandson on the autism spectrum makes me look at where I fit I that spectrum, or where my daughter fits. Maybe some day we will be able to see where we are in this spectrum. Thanks for bringing your considerable writing skills to this taboo.

So great to have everyone back. It says a lot that like old friends we can pick up where we left off despite some time away. The rings are a great idea. The free radicals comment is disturbing. Pax. Steve

Best thoughts to you on you and yours being well. Take care. Know you have done so much for us and we all wish you the best. Pax. Steve

More Please! I don't remember commenting before on your detailed descriptions of the food. Interesting. But just a side plate to this fascinating world you have created. Hope to see more,of,the Abels and family. Thanks for hanging in when, I assume, all felt lost as a writer. You pulled it back so well. Steve

Add some silent era organ music and twerel my mustache. What an example of Arbour at his best. Thanks. Steve

Stars and Bars on top of Rainbow? Or filling in from both sides? Stay safe.

So need to start by saying I kept looking for JJ in Greensborough this weekend. I guess he might be old enough to be a commentator? Darn. I get get nervous when so many people are doing well in a chapter. I even think the triangle may be ok for JJ. But you have a lot of plates spinning. Eek. Thanks again. Steve

What a great chapter to bring it all back in a contained and focused way. It felt like Bart, the reader and maybe you were all being brought back up to speed. I am so glad to be back in this world. Pax. Steve

Powerful well drawn and more real than comfortable. I can't wait for more.

For some reason the opening scene had me thinking of a young J. P. looking at, shit can't remember who. Then J. P. was there being J. P. Zack, Will, and Clara seem to be moving into a better place and even feel that this counselor might get Wally there with the help of the Arbour gods if that is god's Will(sorry). Happy New Year all. Ste

Oops.

Your posts here across the boards make me suspect you could be a good J.P. Best wishes for the year.

Those times were so different. But think I prefer the risks of hitch hiking and doing who knows what. To the world of play dates and people afraid of shootings in school. I think you made a good point that in those times of freedom and lack of societal awareness the kids were not linked. Kind of like in the "History Boys" when the teacher points out that soldiers were not listed on monuments before the Great War. In fact I suspect there were other similar events at least since the industrial revolution which due to racism or classism were never found out as no one was tracking the kids that Horatio Alger wrote about. Corll and Gacy probably helped start this awareness. Also the fear mongering that is now so endemic. Youth are probably safer now. Although my guess is that the increasing level of homeless kids is or will become at similar risk. Scary stuff Rustle. Glad you followed your instincts. I haven't followed Brooks at all but if he has had a positive time in prison would look at current thought about adolescent brain development and see if he could learn to function outside. He may not be able to function outside anyway. Imagine it is mute point.

Oh for them to be safe and er warm? Just finished these chapters. It has been years since I read the first bunch of GFD. I may need to go back...if I can figure out where I left off. Hehe.

I was a bit surprised that Brad was not a bit more aware of abusive dynamics from Robbie's experiences way back when. Although of course those dynamics were not codified then. I have a hard time with Frank not being more helpful with Zack. Fear those zealot types. Good to see Zack again. Great chapter but opens the way for much new angst for Zack and Will and maybe some more healing for Brad.

Great to see them back and adding yet another plate to spin and balance.

Enjoying your tale. A bit Tolkianesque but fun so far. Thanks.

Sasha is almost as compelling as Silver. I have liked most all of your adventures but do hope it is not too long before we see Sasha again. Thanks.

My first thought was that I would need to review back a few chapters to bring it back. It is a tribute to your skill that I had no problem picking up and enjoying this new chapter. Thanks for another addition to your family lives.

I am rereading after how many years? I remember waiting and waiting for chapters then suddenly they started up again. What a great chapter.

Shaping up to be a nice family birthday weekend. Hope it continues in this vein. But I fear Arbour will strike again. Young Parnell will be in the crosshairs now. 40! I remember that. Hope Brad's fortieth is as memorable as mine was.

Uum. Ageing as a side effect. Guess more of an ugh at my age. But if they can cure a hangover why not ageing? A WEEK? Thanks for your work. Hope the struggle works out.

Wow. Zack zaps and J.J. Steps up. The fact that I worry that JJ not be hurt and Parnell is adds to the kind of ride we get. Liking the Lord and JJ as well as Zack more over last few chapters. Thanks.

Rough when people you have come to like and respect are forced to do painful things. Thanks for the great chapter. New directions? Uum.

Early on I had wondered about this being the first of your stories I've read in process. It is hard but no worse than many other stories I am reading here. Hopefully the next phase will give Sacha and us a break from the pain for awhile. Thanks.