ColumbusGuy

With apologies to the author and readers, I can only say that I'm now done reading this story and won't be commenting on any more chapters or giving reactions. This is extreme for me because I like a good sci-fi story, and despite more than a few bad edits, I was enjoying it. However, from hints in other comments in chapters, I went online and found the full story posted elsewhere, and spent two solid days reading the entire book. Now I know about the reason for a comment that it hasn't been edited since the original posting because the same errors are still there...but worse than that...is the final chapter. We cruise through many events in the lives of the characters, good and bad for thirty-two chapters, and they were intriguing and leaving me wanting more, then Chapter 33 is opened, and I was angry and made a resolution to not read any more from this author. In that final chapter, we get about five sentences covering more than twenty years...three huge revelations concerning the plot and characters with zero details or story at all--bald sentences just telling the event. And then--to top it off--the writer says he'd hoped to write a better ending for the story! Pray tell, it's been ten years since this went online, so what has kept you from doing a better job, unless you're planning to do it in this reposting? With the errors still intact in this new posting, I don't see that happening, so all I can do is say this: I'm done with this one, and if you want to read it 'til its conclusion, feel free--but you'll be as disappointed and angry as I am at the waste of time you've invested. I truly hope dkstories will re-write the final chapter here...only that will give me back my former love for this story....

Oh, the 'sad comment' wasn't directed at you, but at the state of the world today...in the days of easy information gathering, I was just surprised that the error occurred at GA in particular. I missed your name in the comment since it was being narrated, and I made the assumption--you know what those mean--that you were among the 'kids' at the site. :) I was born in 1958 and was entering college when Village People were getting going...but had yet to experience gay city life since I grew up in a small rural farming town, and went to the private college one town over....I didn't go to my first gay bar until about 1984 and then saw the clones first-hand...quite a shock for my system to see them in real life rather than in videos. I had wide-ranging tastes in music from classical to folk and rock, but was too inept to dance anything other than English country dances I learned at a local group here. Cultural misfit and bookish geek rather than part of the main stream culture other gay people revelled in at the time--only drank a tiny bit, enjoyed talking more than partying, and was in search of a long-term relationship, so didn't fit in with the city crowd even in Columbus. :( All that said, I can remember the damnedest things for no particular reason, including stories after reading them once which means not being able to enjoy them a second time, but any math beyond basic geometry leaves me stunned. Hence recalling most of the Village People stuff and other stuff from back then without needing to look it up. Ask me who the local politicos are, and I'm like a deer caught in the headlights. :) If you're Australian or of similar origin--good on yer, mate! I love stories and movies from Down Under! A friend of mine has posted two sci-fi stories here set in that country, and are wonderful--Attunga and Mparntwe.

Sorry, but you're disseminating wrong information with that comment. I was a teen when that song came out, and their other ones too. YMCA is one of their song titles, not the name of the group. And, they were all gay originally, and dressed for their performances as the clone types popular in the late 70s and 80s: A construction worker, a biker, an Indian, a sailor and either a farmer/soldier/gym guy--can't remember which. The name of the group was The Village People...an iconic gay group and one of the first openly gay ones that hit the main stream with their music. Sad to forget such an important part of our history...not even bothering to search the internet for the song. Sigh.

Because this is a public site that thinks we should all respect one another--a view I hold--they also say that political or religious discussion should be very limited. Okay, I'm fine with that too...but the underlying priciple of our country is freedom to be expressed civilly by all, and that is vanishing in our current climate. The Pastor and his group are clearly prepared to take advantage of a situation to further their own agenda, as were the Muslim extremists who blew up the oil processing and shipping facilities...but we are also seeing other opportunists coming out of the woodwork in this tale who are politically motivated; but the one thing both the religious and political agents have in common is this: the desire for power over their fellow beings for their own profit. I'm certain there will be parts of this narrative that are going to make me very angry, but I think they will be learning experiences for the thinking reader at the same time. Henry and Dylan and their unknown-as-yet friends sound like they will be the voice of Reason, and I'll hold out to see that triumph. I hope the one lesson people will learn from this story is that the threats that can destroy free and open societies come not only from Conservative , but Liveral extremists as well. As the ancient Greeks said, 'Know Thyself', and 'All Things in Moderation'. Only in those maxims can society prosper and advance in a meaningful way.

This story is just amazingly warm, especially once Andy got over his 'save the world' complex and saw Eric as a real person. Do you know how rare that is for elderly or handicapped people? I think you must by the way you developed these characters. Eric had the double curse of being old by society's standards, and being gay as well. Even in that 'inclusive' community there is little place for those who aren't young, attractive and able. I don't know if that's true in larger cities, but when I used to go out, it was certainly true in Columbus. With the death of my last partner in 2007, there was no point seeking another since I'd gotten him because it was his decision--but I at last had what I'd hoped to find since the beginning of my alternative odyssey. When you say there will be more in time, I'll be waiting and hoping for Eric's luck to continue. Will this be in another story or additions to this one? I'm sorry I haven't been to the discussion forum, but those are just too hard for me to follow these days using my narration software. Hearing and having to skip endless headings and reps just to find a short few word comment and trying to piece things together. Never take that to mean I'm not loving your story!

Bugger me, mate! Another fookin' cliffie? 😺 Sadly, I'm sure this has something to do with either Troy, the GSA or both. I'm wondering who it is, since there hasn't been any word of any prison escapes, and though Adam's birth vessel and her deranged pastor are warped psychologically I don't see either as being the type to do this. One of the parishioners, yes...Oh, just had an idea but I'll wait to see if it might be right. Dang, now I won't sleep well until we get the next installment, and you've got me craving cookies....

Nice to see Alex growing into his role as leader, though he's going to have one very tough decision to make very soon regarding Larry and Amanda. Perhaps Tom as well, but I think there may be hope for him if he can get away from the other two. I suspect the choice of children has much to do with their talents and the potential for them to be seed stock for a new beginning for humanity after the invasion ends, one way or another. It will be interesting to see what the hinted at common factor is between all of them...immunity to the virus? Youth alone? Why no adults at all? I'm thinking an adult may be too restrictive in his/her thinking to consider new options for an unknown future. But I am sorely questioning several of the personnel choices--makes me think Larry and Amanda might have been there for the positions that their parents held rather than any innate value of their own. An adult error that may have serious repercussions down the line. Next one, please Wes!

You've answered some of my worries in your replies above, but not all. I think if Nathan and Robbie ever do include someone else, it will likely destroy their relationship, at least as lovers. Robbie doesn't strike me as a free-wheeling guy who can just be so casual about sex. The other thing is Tom; whether that last kiss was intended as a joke, it turned into something more, and Tom admitted he's not been as active or serious with girls since Robbie left England...I think he's finding out that there may be more of the bi or gay side to him than he supposed...and I think it centers on Robbie as the object. In the end, who will Robbie wind up with? I'm leaning toward Tom, much as I had in the beginning, but can't rule out Nathan entirely--or even Alex. I added that last because my most successful and longest relationship was with a bi guy who was reputed to be a homophobe, but actually asked me out six months after a mutual friend introduced us casually. Go figure.

Another great chapter, my firend...I almost marked it 'Angry' because of the appearance of that woman and her hypocrite 'religious' appendage. Yep, that makes him fookin' dick, and her nothing but a worthless 'slag'. I think that's the right word I recall from a movie.... Wasn't there a restraining order against them? If not, there surely ought to be now!

Def writes stories?! Man, if I miss something in the queue, I have no idea it's there...I hate that my vision now impacts me so much that things are harder to find out. Sorry Def, if I'd known, I'd have looked for them--you've been a follower of my boys for a long time, and I do my best to keep up with friends like you!

These boys are so new to the scene that experience still needs to point them in the right direction to get beyond the most basic steps of hugging and kissing. In the 'Club' they just joined they can't show any signs of being interested in each other as that would be bad when the other guys are just there to 'get off' and go home. Finn is so lucky that Benny is so nice and willing to help him out. Greg can try to do the same for Lee, but his house almost always has their little sisters around, so they don't have as many chances. My own sisters were older, but even so, I had very little privacy until they all moved out when I was thirteen. 😺 Welcome aboard Richard, and I hope you'll continue to enjoy my little clan....

Man, what a place to end. Grumble grumble grumble. I was pretty sure appendicitis was the problem, but I don't know if that punch could have aggravated it or not. Chances are it was stewing away and would have occurred anyway. Odd connections do happen though..... I have to agree with Adam's view on the use of 'Dicky'...now you have me wondering about my two boys since this is also an issue they're just starting to explore. When I had my first experiences, tehy weren't used, though the guys were careful to prepare things properly. It just seems weird that 'life-like' often falls far short when you get right down to it. 😺

Shall we call you Edgar now, or HP? Is this an avian premonition at my window, or some eldritch horror from stygian realms where chthonic spirits dwell.... One thing's for sure--do not eat spicy foods before bed, my dear!

Tusind tak for the laughs min ven--it's been a tough week and this really raised my mood. There has to be more to the peculiar bond between Bart and Dean...you'll give it to us in time...maybe a bit sooner? But I know how elusive the Muse can be at times. Aren't there some Brothers hanging around somewhere?

Nice to see this back again! I hope Emily can do some good, but with the idiocy of Sean's parents, I doubt it. Fanatics just cling to their limited views beyond all reason. I wonder if that had something to do with losing their other son?

Poor Rory--but it seems he's enjoying his notoriety for now. He may be thinking that there could be a girl out there who wants to 'convert' him. :) Robbie is going in the right direction so far, being more open about himself, but he's just had a revelation on how to view his sexuality as a gift rather than a burden. Much easier to live with taken from that perspective.

These were all treasures, each finding its' place in my heart, so I can't pick one easily over the others...but if I must, then it would be 'Good Night, Dear Friend'. I think you know why from your calls to me while I was in rehab for two months after my eye surgeries. My friends lived too far away to visit, and my remaining family didn't call or visit despite living in the suburbs of my own city. Since I couldn't make long distance calls, it was your kind heart that made my life feel worth-while and encouraged me to keep up my small efforts at writing. To think this all began when I asked you to beta for me when Timothy M suggested you, and you nearly said 'no' out of your schedule's demands. I consider that one of the best days of my life, my dear.

It was great to meet Troy's older brother, he seems to be very accepting of their relationship now that he's met Adam. But then, he's a Connelly, so how else could he react? Now we have the problem of kids thinking they are indestructible, with Adam ignoring the warning signs that something is wrong...I hope he'll tell someone before he winds up in the emergency room after passing out or something worse. With it recurring over the course of several days, that should be ringing bells in his subconscious, at least I hoope so. I hope Carlos becomes a regular visitor with them, he needs a chance to be a kid himself.

The first and best call I got then was from somebody calling himself 'Rick'...I knew one person with that name, but the voice didn't match, so I had no idea how to locate the person. By our standards, our school was pretty big with about a thousand students in the junior and senior highs. I figure it was probably better doing this alone because you had both hands free rather than having to hold the receiver up to your ear!

Oh my god--I'd love to read a phone sex post by you! I'd probably be laughing too much to get a woody!

It's sad when the mind starts to go--maybe because you'd already done so in the real story?

Hey, you found these after the story itself...so duh. :) Oh, no one does phone sex--at least not anonymously these days...in the mid-80s I did it a few times who answered a personals ad I put in the local Columbus paper. We became friends, but never lovers of any sort. Surprisingly I enjoyed the calls from high school a lot more.

I only found out years later that all my own sisters knew about me and were fine with it. Jay is as I imagine my real-life friend might have been had I taken up his offer...I hope he's looking down on me and smiling about my vision.

By the time this happened, my family had been here for just over seventy years, but living in a heavily German area, spoke it at home and kept up connections via clubs and such. Didn't matter though--the country was so anti-German they renamed sauerkraut and frankfurters! The mood lasted until after WWII I'm sure, though it died down later. When I was in high school in the 70s, French and Spanish were the only languages allowed to be taught--I had to learn German in college. I gather from the district's site now that they do teach it, but still have no orientation protection for gay or lesbian students.

Not hiding...in plain sight, but I have done all my prompts lately as parts of Tales of Three Worlds. Genesis in the sense that they were the first parts before I decided to go whole hog and make it a much longer story, but the texts are identical unless I caught typos in the story versions.