ColumbusGuy

A great chapter Mark. I like the fact that Cody and Brad have made up, but I think Cody is pushing too hard for Kevin to be forgiven. I can see his point about HIV screwing up your thinking, but what Kevin did was far worse than just not telling Brad--I think part of his actions were based on just getting the money Brad had, and that is using a friend in a horrible way--so no, Kevin does not deserve the same consideration as Cody got. It's nice to see that the anticipated disaster with Zach and Will didn't happen--either we were wrong, or you are toying with us! Will finally gets a totally happy birthday--yay! Can't wait for Hawaii, but I'd be surprised if Zach could play in a week--starting back too soon can only aggravate the injury. Here is a chance for Zach to show support for the team by helping them in other ways which would be a real sign of maturity on his part, rather than remaining the football diva...let's hope he can do that! More please!!

Dang it, Nightowl, you have to stop making such wonderful, emotion-grabbing characters! This is the third story I've read by you, and the second one today--Max and Josh has me on a rollercoaster it is so good, and the two latest with Wolf and now Alex have made me cry. A sequel for this one would be great, I could see it following them through college and starting a life beyond that...I am a sucker for sequels, at least in story form (movie sequels tend to suck--just look what the first Star Wars movied devolved into with Episodes 1-3, and I won't mention how much The Hobbit seems just a tool to grab money). I'm going to see what else you have posted to jerk my emotional chain...keep up the excellent work!

Just caught up with Max & Josh, so was checking your other stuff, and read this first, not realizing what an impact it would have. I am a great lover of animals, and at my age, I'm not ashamed to say that you made me cry with this one. The bond between man and animal is not something a lot of people understand, more's the pity. With any luck, I won't have to lose a pet agan--my 13 year old siamese and I will go out together.

A wonderful chapter, Tim...it was well worth the wait! Well, everyone else has pretty much said what I was going to...I too, noticed the improvement in style, and it has been happening since the start--I also understand it very well--writing in a different language is challenging: a balance between getting it right and making it sound good at the same time (for a long time my German was more concerned with accuracy than style!) The only issue I have is with Russ' comment on the rings and getting laid: I don't think Jacob would appreciate at all that decision on his part--Russ needs to realize that the selection is far more important than it allowing him to have sex. I hope he does understand that, and that his thought was just idle frustration. On the assimilation of the teenagers, it seems to me from the news and other sources, that their refusal to accept the social mores of their new culture is strictly a Muslim one--no other group has refused to 'blend in' after more than one or two generations. It is so even in America--although the problem seems to be more common to the zealots rather than more moderate Muslim groups. I also want to say how much I enjoy the gimpses into the differences in Danish and American cultures--you make me want to live there in such an open society. Please insert similar differences when you can, they are fascinating! Okay, now we meet the parents--post quickly, I'm dying to find out the details!

Great story so far, pm...I can't wait for the next chapter! Something is up with Scott, I hope he and Jay stay friends or more. I must say I can't figure Devon out at all...my instinct is to be suspicious of him from Jay's observations, he just seems so 'fake' as opposed to Scott. And what's up with Dani? A tad annoying to be a girlfriend, or is she perhaps a cover for Devon? Loving it so far, please post the next installment as soon as you can!

Wow, comicfan, what an impact this has! I like all the characters, they are all reacting as befits their own personalities. I love the fact it has a slightly different 'take' on the coming out scenario--it isn't mushy acceptance or harsh rejection, instead it points up that there are more issies involved than just being gay. Coming out is a multi-level process and how it is done is equally important as the act itself. I confess that this is one of the first things I've read by you here...a situation I am going to redress now. Are these characters part of any of your stories, or similar to ones in them? If so, I'd like to be pointed to that story as quickly as possible!!

Another nice chapter to the story--and I love Andrea being so in tune with how teenagers work! As for Alexander, he needs to stay in the doghouse with Anastasia rather than in the house with proper people. I like Buddy/Boris more and more as the story goes on...Oli needs to just give in, he's not going to win against Buddy's determination to be in a relationshiip!

Bad author--I discovered this last night, and just finished it! What a great story and I loved the characters! Book Two can't come fast enough for me!

Did it again Mark, another great one! It is nice to see Will having a good birthday for once, no dramatic explosions. I like the idea of him going to see Zach's first game, but I can't help but think you've inserted some foreboding--not telling Zach--and I just hope that things don't go sour there, say by Zach being caught in a compromising position with someone else. Well, my Alex-o-meter has hit rock bottom, he can't possibly get any lower in my opinion--so far as I can predict. I didn't like him much to begin with, but I sure as hell don't trust him now; breaking up Wade and Matt, hitting on Will, and then saying he didn't know that JJ had a crush on him--I really do not think he is that unobservant. The rationale may be that he thought Wade an acceptable match due to breeding, but I really think his goal is to use anyone and everyone around him: he sees everyone else in the family as toys for his gratification because he is part of the landed gentry in a fossilized society of nobility, and everyone else is viewed as chattel to be used as he pleases, however rich they might be. Having Cody show up for the party is a big surprise, and it gives us another example of Will's growing maturity in the way he dresses down Brad and Stef for their rudeness, and also emphasizes his concern for other people. Let's see Maarten find something in that scene to crriticize.

What a full range of emotions we have in this chapter, both with the characters, and myself! You sent me from humor (the dog collar scene) to anger at Oli (nearly fucking Stuart) to frustrated happines (the end). And in such a short space too! I'm still hoping that there is a way that the two of them can finally get together in the same form...and sign me up for the Anti-Alexander Volkov League!

Thoughts whirled in and out of Philandros' head for the rest of that day, and indeed, every day for months thereafter as events will relate. As he passed his grandfather's study late in the evening, he almost went in...but was stopped by his own sense of pride and confusion, were he to be completely honest with himself. Seeing the stern old man sitting at his work table, staring blankly at the papers piled before him--eyes glistening with unshed tears Philandros thought--was the final reason he

Another great chapter, Krista! I'm eager to see what comes next, so write hard! Why is it that I don't believe that Jenny has moved on? I think she still wants to replace Clinton. Andy and Keith are still a hoot, and I can't wait to see if Corey's dad shows up as threatened.

What!? You stop the story right at that point? A suspenseful moment, yes--but you can't leave us worrying about Oscar that way for more than a few days! Ideally, I'd like to see the post today or tomorrow! We know he can't be dead, but I'm going to have bad thoughts running through my head until you post again! Take pity on us and post very very soon!

What an excellent chapter, Tim! The way you handle Russell's emotional state is great--makes me feel like I'm going through the same thing. I did note, however, that Jacob is catching on to the way Russ can divert atttention from uncomfortable topics--but in this instance, Russ still got away with the change from discussing his BDSM search, unless I mis-read it? I'm now worrying, like Jacob, as to whether Russ has some other health issues--related to the previous TBE or not--it isn't unknown to have such an anxiety attack, but I hope it isn't something worse. Some of the symptoms could refer to diabetes-related issues. Again, your chapter length is no problem--it went quickly with the interaction and observations...even so, you made me upset that it wasn't longer! To break it at just that point--you are an evil bastard! I'm anxious to see what solutions you can come up with for Russell's visa issues, and the wedding also. Next chapter as soon as possible please! Stay off those wonderful beaches and write!!

I have enjoyed this story so far, and agree with A.C. and Headstall's comments on Russell, but I think it is going to take him some time to really get where he wants to be mentally--finally noticing the improvement physically is a great start, but the mental inferiority issues caused by his father are very deep. Off to read the new chapter--Thanks Tim!!

Another wonderful story, Sasha--you are one of my favorite writers here at GA! I love th characters, and laughed when Jame ends his role the same way it started, kissing Luke! I hope you will bring them back at some point--I get attached to good chracters, and am alway want to see what happens to them later on...that doesn't always happen, but it is a sure sign of excellence!

A wonderful chapter Mark--just wish I had had the 'boot camp' session before I first went to the bars! I went with a feew friends, most of them straight and one bi--but they were all open-minded and had fun. The biggest thing was that I am a terrible dancer, unless you count English Country dancing--this modern free-form stuff is impossible. I can see that Brad's approaching it as a business scenario works for him, he has always been good at that. I hope I see something possible with Dustin since he comes from California also--perhaps not a long-term thing, but at least a new friend for Brad? The snippets about JJ fascinate me--he is growing on me as a person, which seemed unlikely for so long. The fact that he thought of Rosa was a real surprise to see, but it shows that despite appearances he isn't really as self-absorbed as he lets on. Write faster--I need my Streak fix!

Thanks Ron--I wondered about doing it that way, and opted for footnotes, though that made it harder for readers--I wasn't happy with that option entirely, but if it comes up in future, I'll try the other way. On a side note, all the names and relative ages are accurate for my father's family...my dad said he often heard all the relatives speak German, but they didn't teach it to him or his siblings, since that was the time of WWI, I could only assume a reason like the anti-german paranoia of that time.

With the westering sun, the large porch was finally being shaded by the huge oaks closer to the dirt road. The shrieks of children playing around the side yard had grown louder as the heat waned...to the annoyance of their parents and other assorted relatives; today was a special one: all the cousins and aunts and uncles were gathered at the family home to discuss a very important issue. The older generation was represented by Uncle Lewis-Frederick and my mother, Sarah--my father having passed

It just keeps getting better, Mark. I was unsure of Cam's actions while reading, but after seeing Gary's review, I have to agree with him--given both Cam's and Brad's histories, Cam was being true to himself, attempting to maintain his own dignity and not be Brad's kept boy. I think, if Brad doesn't force it, that they will work out--the only trouble that might arise is how others will view them--we got a hint of that when Cam's friend asked if Brad was his father. JJ is a surprise, but I am beginning to see it is a pleasant one--hee is aware of his faults, and tries to overcome them...I am worried that he seems to be so dependent on Alex--if he thought about it he would see that nothing permanent can come of that--but then, when has attraction ever involved logic? Darius' comments just prove how close the brothers are despite huge differences in temperament...and I have to agree that he is wiser than Brad about relationships--had Brad pegged to a 't'. And the final dig about repeating what he did with Will? Priceless! I don't see JJ burning any cars though...so no need to call the fire department.

A great story Krista! I was really hating Corey's dad until the past two chapters...I wondered if he loved his son, and was sure he didn't, but I'm glad came around. I am glad Clinton stood up for himself at last--not just because of Corey...I was hoping he would turn out to be worth it in the end. I can't wait for the next chapters, and to find out if Corey and Clinton can get to the same college!

Cia, this is the first story of yours I've read--I loved it! Now I have to read the rest of the Cathera tales! It comes at a good time because I'm caught up on all my regular stories, and have to wait for updates...I had no interest in were-stories before now, but finding some here by wolfwriter and Sasha Distan has me hooked. Glad to see there are more to banish my addiction for a time!

More and more interesting! Can't wait to hear the Seth side of their time on Earth.

Nice to see Luke and Erin back together--I was pretty worried about that! Also to see Luke dealing with Greg's death in a healthy way. Bring on the next chapter!

As Maarten said, another great chapter! Nice to see JJ behaving more human and less like a skating machine, though I worry about his attachment to Alex--I don't see that working out with JJ needing to be organized and focussed in competitions...I hope he finds someone other than Alex as a potential partner. As usual, it is so fun to see the family's rattling of each others' cages--seeing how long it takes for them to catch on adds to the fun. I was surprised to see Wade actually doing it a bit--maybe there's hope for him yet? Matt going to Australia--I don't see it no matter what Wade says. Can't wait for the next installment! Marlin