ColumbusGuy

“Damn, where the hell am I supposed to go now?” Harman Halveg had been on the suborbital shuttle when the news feed to his implant relayed that the family compound in Finland had gone up in a focused mini-nuke blast. This was the worst event he’d experienced in his fifteen years—except for the loss of his parents four years earlier in a freak accident…it was incredibly rare for an automated car to crash…but it had happened. Then there was the loss of a small aircraft that claimed nearly fift

I'm so torn on this story now: it seems that none of the characters have any redeeming values--even Billy. Billy's temper and unwillingness to find out the truth about anyone has amplified his troubles to the breaking point. His preference for Brett over Dustin has been obvious from the start, and yet he won't see it--even when it's pointed out to him. I have more sympathy for Dustin than Brett because he's always tried to be friends with Billy, despite his knowing he's second-best. His home life is hell, and yet he tries to be cheerful and kind despite everything, with the exception of Brett. He sees how Brett acts in school and has likely seen him buy drugs from Max, and he's trying to let Billy know for his own good...all Brett has done is breeze through things and bad-mouth Dustin at every opportunity--obviously jockeying to push him out of Billy's life. I agree that Billy leaving the hospital with zero consequences is stretching things--particularly when Dustin told the Police what happened, and they should have alerted the doctors that he was at-risk for hurting himself. Yes, Dustin's behavior in this chapter was horrible, but he's been betrayed and hurt by his best friend--and he was attempting to fix it when Billy did his typical fly-off-the-handle act. I feel bad for Dustin right now...I hope he's with Mike because there's a mutual attraction, and not a predtor/prey relationship. Give him a break and let Mike be a true friend, please Jeff.

Thanks, AC! I'm glad you liked the drive-in scenario...I went there a few times, and it was a lot of fun. I think that's where I first saw Deliverance! Not a great intro to 'guy sex' in that movie. I checked Belleville, and it says it was near Chicago, so the easier acceptance doesn't surprise me...but my little town would have been less tolerant I think. I wasn't willing to risk it, so I can't swear to that...but the 'f-word' and 'queer' were valid insults in my school, and kids got picked on for being different--me because I was a bookworm and passive. The new guys are in the Descriptions post linked on the entry page if you want to see what they look like--Kevin appeared briefly in Chapter 5.

I'm so happy to see these boys again, and Father Mason is a fun guy as the trip back to Los Angeles showed. It's nice that Carl and Andy will be together now, rather than having to be separated by school, and that Cam and Kevin are still going strong. I'm really looking forward to seeing the rest of the boys--maybe another marathon poker game?

What more needs to be said? You've captured the embodiment of Dreams, and the Sharing of Souls.

Okay, I'm glad that Marty might be moving to Ontario, and that Liam is improving a little...but to me, it doesn't matter whether Nathan is thinking of pizza as a date or not--he's been far more attentive than his job warrants, and Liam would be a fool to not acknowledge that. As for Alek--Liam doesn't strike me as a person who loves getting abused, but he's certainly acting like after multiple second-chances with the man, he's willing to offer him one more. No one, no matter how much you think you love him, has the right to keep on abusing you emotionally and mentally. Kick the a-hole to the curb permanently and give Nathan a chance!

Now I remember why I don't do prompts much--you are so much better at it! You bring characters and situations to life, while I get bogged down in details. Come on Ivor, give us another!

Okay, Jeff...I have no idea what the eventual relationship between Brett and Billy will be. At one point, I thought they'd wind up being lovers, then it looked like they were both distancing themselves from it, even before the school year began...but they're young, and both have had very rough times. I am still not fond of Dustin, who has his own issues, but seems unwilling to ever think a nice thought about someone he dislikes...evein if it's for no reason. My mom was like that, and formed a negative opinion of the guy who would later become my s.o., so I never told her I was gay. Some years before, she'd said it wouldn't matter, but since I was single, I saw no point--then, why fight an uphill battle once I was with someone she didn't like? I feel so sorry for Brett, facing so many challenges...I hope Billy sticks with him, and can draw Dustin into being a friend to both of them...but I won't hold my breath!

Hey JayT! There's a lot going on here, so it's no wonder TJ is so shaken--I'm hoping his therapist is a good one. Sadly, the already tough situation in the house has just ratcheted up another notch. I began having suspicions about Sean, particularly when he talked about sports--smallish town, football and baseball? I was hoping Sean wasn't Josh's crush...guess it's going to be another explosive chapter coming up.... More please!

Thanks for writing this story, Jeff! I hadn't known about it until a chapter popped up on the queue the other day, then I found it wasn't the start, so I had to backtrack. I don't know about the second book, from your few words about it...Dustin, so far, isn't my favorite person...but I understand his feelings if he had been Billy's best friend before. Sadly, Billy has a temper like mine--it takes a lot to make it flare up, but when it does, it's incandescent! Every single time, once I calm down, I feel worse than before--and I want to apologize for doing it, as my reaction is overboard most times. It's a constant war with my mom's quick temper, and my dad's cool and collected attitude which takes over very quickly. Combine that with a sense of jstice and how the world ought to be and isn't.... On to Book Two!

Damn it, I don't know how I missed this showing up! I read it at IOMFATS when Ivor pointed me to it, but then you sneak it in here! At least here I can write a review on it...so, here goes. I could feel a lot of Kevin's emotions as they mirrored my own--our house was always neat, but at least my room was my sanctum--though I kept it neat too. I also had parents that didn't seem to be involved in my life on a daily basis: they both worked, and my Dad especially never talked much. It was just his way, and as readers of Jay & Miles know, they were not mean, just didn't have time for me once I got to be able to look after myself. At least Kevin had a brother to bond with--my sisters were all older and gone by the time I was thirteen. It was great that Kevin finally got Ronnie to be fully engaged--I'd love to see another chapter/story about them! I had so many giggles over their interaction--farkin' fantastic. My mom found one of the little stories I wrote about being with another boy, but I wussed out and said I didn't know how it got into one of my school books. How dumb can you get--I bet she recognized my handwriting! Maybe that's why, years later, she said she'd have no problem if I was gay? Sadly, once my dad found out just before we moved to separate houses, that was the last I heard from him. Once more, you have wrought amazing characters I wish I could meet in person!

It's such a relief that Logan is going to be himself again...once he gets used to the idea of being healed...that could still take a while, and he needs to rediscover who he was if he's had the tumor's effects for a long time. If he knows of an earth mate, that will certainly help. Vega has a huge decision to make, and I hope they choose the right one for everybody. Maybe the skeleton crew could be the unmated ones--done in shifts so everybody can benefit from the energy pairs radiate? This gets me to thinking about other packs...what if a lot of them are gone, or even worse of? And what if their Alphas are not as cooperative as Clarence? Of course you know we want more...damned rigid schedule.

Definitely adventure time for Jay and Mikey...will Jay still be the first one to be on the bottom, or will Mikey convince him to be on top? I hadn't thought much about Finn's preferences, but it just felt right as I wrote him...and I'd wanted Greg's younger brother to find someone, so why not another Ross? I think Sam is the perfect foil for Mikkel--maybe similar to the roles Jay and Mikey have together? Stay tuned for more ahead!

Hey Ivor! Glad you're still with me! This is the last cast addition, I swear! They weren't supposed to be major players, so we'll see how much they show up--but I won't leave the audience hanging. I kinda regret nixing the underwear idea...getting Linda, and especially Bobby talked into it could be fun; maybe Jay can work on Mikey to change his mind?

Tusing tak, min ven! I guess Linda isn't as 'cool' as she tries to be--at least not in private. Asking him to dinner is a big deal for her, showing she thinks he's worthy of becoming closer to the family...will this translate to him staying over? Kevin is added, and so is Bill...and Uncle Mikkel and Sam. I'm not sure why they got left out; I hadn't really thought about doing Kevin until I mentioned thinking about my late bf to Geron, and wondering if he should be there. The troubled emotional stability and family problems are what he had going on, sadly. I like to think that he found some happiness with me, since we were going together for ten years or so.

Thanks, G-Man. I wasn't sure what you'd think of having another few characters...it's getting kinda crowded in JM Land. I wasn't intending for Bill and Kevin to play a big role--more like associates, but now I have to think that over--I went into a little more backstory than originally planned. If the name Kevin sounds familiar, the guy is based on my late boyfriend--I thought he deserved a little memorial in a happier retelling of my youth, though he didn't come into my life until more than twenty years later.

Even though it's been a while since the last chapter, I loved the fact that I needed no review to fall right into the world of Peter and Patrick...that doesn't always happen, so you muct be doing something right! I'm hoping everything goes well with Michael's operation, and that he'll be home next Tuesday. He's such a great boy, and interested in everything around him. Now let's see how things go with Fiona--Patrick needs a relative who isn't an enemy.

This is a nice way to spend some time today! I'm glad that Ethan and John are starting to forge a closer relationship, wherever it might go. It seems that John might be getting in touch with his emotions and social consciousness...that is good, but even with normal teens it's rough, for John, it must be totally alien. Got my fingers crossed it all works out!

You know, I'm not surprised that this group of people took in Robbie...it's awfully sad that he had such a bad experience with his sexuality, but this group of caring people will help him find the joy in being himself. a teenager who has fears, but just wants to belong. Now that Jeff will be going to the same school as Brian and Annie, I wonder if they will accidentally let their secret out? With all he guys in the car crowd as friends, I don't think Brian would encounter a lot of trouble--he seems to be a mediator of sorts and can fit in with almost everybody. He has coupled the joys of being young with the growing maturity to deal with responsibility--successfully no less. The only worry I have is that Brian is resigning himself to the idea that he and Jeff have to part for college--no one has talked about where to go, or what to study--so why not try to arrange going together? Aren't some prophecies self-fulfilling when you think them inevitable? Drooling over the possibilities the next book will bring--lay it on us, man!

POV: Greg, Mikey, Benny, Jay I could only say one thing: Thank God it’s Friday! Our quizzes were over for this grading period, sure…but that meant it was a little less than six weeks before the Biggies—Semester Finals. For the first time, that didn’t make me want to barf my guts out from stress; I now had a group of friends I could study with, and while I was a good student, every little bit helped. I could face those trials with a calmer mind, in no small part because I had a boyfriend

You just captured all the reasons I don't like moving...I've only done it twice--okay, the one just before I turned three doesn't count...so it's twice in y adult life. There were a lot of memories stored up in that ranch house in the country--twenty-seven years of them, and it's weird to think that as of this year, I've lived in my current house a year longer! Lots of memories here too, but though I'd hate to leave, it doesn't feel the same--is it something in the water that makes country places the ones we are closest too? Or is it the memories from those early years were of friends and adventures rather than another working day? Nostalgia hits hard when you take time to let it in!

This is going to be rough...I was really close to tears in this one. In 2007, my mom went into the hospital the day before my birthday, and was gone five days later. She was diabetic too, and refused dialysis due to a bad experience a friend of hers had had....The only care she requested was palliative care, which meant it was limited to pain medications and oxygen when needed. My sisters and cousins sat with her, and we took shifts. I was with her almost constantly except for going home to eat or sleep, and spent three nights by her bedside alone. For the last two days she was in a coma, but we'd talk to her in case it would help. Back in the mid-60s, my grandfather went through home care in his last year or so--there wasn't anything they could really do for Black Lung and cancer both. I'm going to try to keep it together for this part of your story...the love the family shows for one another is amazing comfort to me.

Okay, counterfeiters and a chop shop? The Mystery Machine and it's passengers are alive in Komus. The story Brad and Casey told is a sad one, but at least the two were able to help each other through the aftermath of losing their parents--that the two were adopted is a surprise, but we don't know how old they were then, so the bond between them feels right. Love isn't something reserved for blood kin, though a lot of stories show adopted kids having a rough time, particularly gay ones. For that matter, Brad and Casey's relationship is a lot closer than the one I have with my remaining relatives since last January...good for them! It would be cool if Ed could talk his father into putting that engine into his old car...then he could have his own wheels--but then, we'd miss his antics with the others, so maybe it's for the best? Can't wait to see more of this crowd and their further adventures, in and out of the haunted mansion!

The 'warm and fuzzies' grow in the upcoming chapters, so brace yourself. It is hard to hide your feelings for someone else, especially if the observers are still in love themselves--sadly that isn't always the case for adults. Now that Mikkel's package has arrived, will we see Jay and Mikey go wild with experimentation? And will they share this potential time bomb with their friends? Still working on new additions, so don't worry about running out--you just may have to wait--as we do for you!

I'm really glad that the boys are allowed to continue their trip together! Will's talk with his Dad shows a growing maturity in him, and I have to wonder if it is because of him and Liam's new relationship? Each is now not only responsible for himself, but the other as well, so that has to be sobering--most of the time. We won't count the pranks at Subway against them...not after what Dad gave them! I hope the guys can get some of the groups from home on board to help the people in New Orleans! Despite the tension of the break-in, this chapter just reaffirms the warm and fuzzies.