ColumbusGuy

Ty comes through again, showing the maturity mixed with boyish charm he's developed under Jim's tutelage. Paddy need have no fear for him, and he'll be a great member for the Blues, as will Dad. I'm sorry to hear you lost some great supporters in the course of this series...but you've finished it in grand style. I'd love for there to be a fourth book, since we are so invested in the Leopards, and want to see how they recover from such a hit to their line-up... Just so we can find them, perhaps these stories could be together in one volume? That would allow you the freedom to move from player to player, or scene to scene, and yet keep a unified theme? Perhaps a title like 'Leopards Challenge'? A truly awesome set of books, and I'll hope for more glimpses of them in the future!

Hey Geron, I thought you were a couple chapters ahead of this point--oops. I was reading ahead a bit to refresh my memory, and silly me, I finished the story as far as it goes so far. I'm glad you liked Denny, he's growing on me. Jay is irrepressible, isn't he? This could get him into trouble at school if he's not careful...let's hope his concern for Mikey will ground him. Answers are coming for your questions, asked and unasked...so far, Billy Zane is a typical bully, but Bobby seems to know more--will he let Linda in on things to save their relationship? Keep reading, my friend--more to come!

Okay Ivor, not the line I thought you were going to use, but you picked a challenging one. I have to add my encouragement to that of the others--you can't leave it like this! Brandon is already a person we can care about, and leaving him used by that asshole Chuck is just not on. He already knows he can have sex without having to be battered and forced to wear drag, so why should he calmly submit to that? He didn't show any signs of needing to wear that stuff before, and he should find someone who likes him for himself, and not as a doll to take out frustrations on from a guy who can't seem to get it up for a real woman. If you want, you could use a different prompt for each chapter, but have it tell Brandon's story in that format...it's a challenge to weave prompts together in a way that can tell a coherent story, but I have no doubt you can do it. Please give us more of this poor young man's tale!

I don't know, SD, these chapters are seeming a bit short. I can't fault David for deciding to move in with Twoey, he had no real family at home, especially when his dad never came back; his Aunt was merely a place-holder, and Tommy had been drifting away as he became immersed in his affair with Barbara. What person would turn down a chance to live with someone who genuinely loved them for a place which held nothing but bad memories? In addition, I can't fault David for wanting to go to the same school as his lover. With the trials they've had, they both need the support of a person they can trust implicitly. David has enough brains to study whatever he wants, and if that turns out to be the same subject as Twoey, what of it. Perhaps they discussed fields, and chose that one together? As for the same employer--is that fact or supposition? That will depend on the needs of the company, and their grades in college. There are some fields where teamwork could be a plus, such as marine research...especially if the partners choose complementary branches of the same field, which might heighten their appeal to future employers. We'll learn more in time, lets just be happy that the two older boys have found a way to remain together, unlike Chuck and Don. More please, SD!

Skinny, I'm so sorry I missed this--I must have been off-site reading other stories and it went by too quickly. I had no clue until I just saw Chapter 2 listed. I had no clue it was related to 18, and I couldn't place Don or Chuck, or even Tom at first...not until you mentioned Twoey did it come together in my head. So Chuck is Danny and Carl's brother? I don't remember that, but will take your word for it. Not sure what to make of Tom(my), so I'll leave that for now, but you'd better tell us why his and David's dad never came back...not that he was much of a parent. I can see him getting killed in Mob hit or something. I really hope that this tale's 'shortness' is only relative, I don't want you to rush through out of fear of telling a complete story. On to Chapter 2, now that I know about this!

G-Man, all I can do is send you my love through the aether, you know I hope that it's genuine despite our never having met in person...but we forged our connection through our boys and those bankrupting chats while I was in the rehab center. I've felt remorse over many things, but sadly, it was always me that got dumped--I was always hit out of the blue, unaware that my partner's had any problem. I don't know why, but I always tried to keep the lines of communication open, but that had to work both ways, I guess. Take all the strength you need from me...it's freely given. xoxoxoxo

Ah, Gary, it sounds like some of the reviewers don't get it...cutting the ties which once meant so much isn't something done dispassionately, far from it. For me, it's the hardest act of love to commit--and perhaps the most self-less. With all the best intentions to remain friends, it isn't always possible; there is a reminder of what once was, but is now a hollow shell, and neither of you can begin to move on and give another heart the chance to make you happy if your body is filled with sad echoes of past endearments. No, the kindest act and hardest of love is to let the person go. It shows that you still care enough to want that person to heal as well as yourself, especially if you didn't part in a blaze of hatred and anger. Closure is an act of commisseration and support in it's own way...the worst thing in a relationship is when that isn't possible, like it was with my Kevin. He was there one day, and gone the next because he took his own life rather than endure the pressure of others on his psyche. To this day, I can't escape the thought: could I have done more to prevent him taking that drastic action--after all, I'd seen him just three days before? I'm with you always, my dear friend. xoxoxo M

I loved the byplay between Kellar and Tobyn with Eleanor...she pegged it exactly as tag-teaming. I'm glad she thought of letting Adelin know about having a mate--a little detail that the two guys sorta forgot. Leave it to moms to be practical. Okay, add another chapter to my previously mentioned delay...you're killing me with anticipation here, G-Man! Hey, maybe I should plague you with exclamation points until you satisfy our anxiousness? Super job, my dearest friend--I'm trying to get something for you to look at, but getting my energy and visions in sync is tough. xoxoxoxoxo

Wonderful feelings all around for this one, Graeme. Alistair is earning his keep already for Roscoe, and it looks like he's going to achieve his chance to show the AFL what he can do, and stay with the Leopards as well. Ty living with Paddy--what a great idea--they got along so well over the past year, and the man will be a big influence on Ty. I'm eager to hear what Shane has to offer Jim...I just hope it's a position with the Blues in the Rookie Draft. So many good things going on for the guys, it would take a chapter just to comment on all the nuances and our hopes for their futures... You're well on the way to making all our dreams possible, Graeme--congratulations!

This was just a perfect blend of charm, humor and tender caring which reveals the depth of Lance and Julian's love. When I wasn't laughing at scenes like the banker, I was smiling and feeling that warm glow that comes from the enjoyment of seeing a couple's rightness for one another. The boys' revelation of love at last, and their placing the spanking into the realm of a game rather than some dark controlling fetish was just what was needed to allay my initial fears of the story turning darker. The boys are still equal partners in things, and in the depth of their feelings, so all is right in their world. I can see these two spending the rest of their lives quite happily together. As Geron said, if there isn't such a loving relationship out there, then there ought to be. Eager for whatever you post next, my friend!

Oh Gary, you're such a tease. Spring the surprise of Warren and Adelin on us, then make us wait at least one more chapter for the end result of him meeting the Pack. Evil. I know it'll be at least one because we have to have the talk with Eleanor about Resnick, and then going to get Warren which means a fuller disclosure of what's going on, then getting him back to Morningstar...only then might he get to meet Adeline...so it could be three chapters yet. Not that I'm complaining--okay I am--but you're really twisting the screws here, my dear friend. Come on, don't make us wait any longer than we have too--give our Tim a kick in the butt to edit faster. Just awesome, my dearest G-Man.

Well done, Ivor! I was fairly certain that Julian would be tossed out at some point, and I'm glad that he wasn't hit at the same time. The question now is, what will Becky do in regard to her parents? I'd sever contact with them as soon as I could. I loved Lance's parents, and love the way they accepted Julian without question--that's probably a rare thing at the best of times. It seems Lance is becoming aware that there might be something deeper behind the martinet...I hope they can come to find out what it means, and perhaps get rid of it...Julian is such a sweet guy that it just doesn't fit with the rest of his personality. Eager for the next installment, my friend.

Not much I can add to what Graeme said--he covered my points pretty well. The continuing development of Toph and Gary's relationship is great, and he's doing a fantastic job helping Toph navigate through his mental confusion through the tools of love and gentle hints which help him sort out his way. For a long time I've thought of Toph's mother as evil, but Graeme's words gave me pause; I could buy it except for the way she tries to interfere in Clarissa's wedding and relationship, and set one of Toph's brothers against him...she isn't at all innocent, and money was just one of her methods--didn't Steve say that she hinted at threats later in their dealings? I was glad Toph got accepted into Abingdon, wasn't expecting that with his impressions of how badly the interview went. I was thinking before reading this, that they were showing their snobbery by quibbling over his knowledge of art history and the nuances of the various movements when he clearly has an amazing talent...to paraphrase a certain doctor from Star Trek: 'I'm an artist, not an encyclopedia!' Eager for the next one, my friend!

Such a beautiful way to express the need to write, no matter what may come from it. It's an irresistable force which refuses to be stilled, and we can only hope that someone out in the wider world can connect with what we say. I laughed out loud at the line 'vowels to me are like numbers to a nerd'...only you, Gary, could put things in such an evocative and provocative way. Maybe this will get me moving again, been sick and not had the energy, but this, along with a scene I saw in my head last night should get me going. Huge smiles on this one, my dearest friend!

Need a score card yet, Geron? This chapter seemed full of sadness and anger, but what comes through for me is the bonds these guys are forging with one another--nothing like an adversary to bring potential friends closer, and to bring out one's true nature. I see Zane as a bully, but only he and Bobby seem to know the cause of it--it seems he might not have been that way before high school, so what's changed for him? His actions could be his only way to deal with something going on elsewhere that he can't do anything about, and it seems from rumors that something is wrong with his whole family.... More to come, same Bat time, same Bat channel! I always loved that line, though I watched it mainly for the cheesy villains like the Penguin, and King Tut...and Robin's hot body, of course.

I hope it wasn't too confusing for you Geron? The main focus here is to illuminate more of Jay and Mikey's characters, though this is done through others. Lots of chapters ahead, and your questions will be answered in time...and like any good story, will be replaced by others. Lots of action coming up soon, so brace yourself!

Jesse got very lucky with his parents, but they didn't strike me as the kind to over-react. It helps a lot that his uncle is gay, and his mom stood by her brother in his time of need. As for Marty, it is great that Parker knows just how to 'work' her parents--it looked like his dad might have been ready to go off the rails a bit. When Jesse's family go to California, the boys can leave the GPP and Buzzy with Parker--she may never want to find a boyfriend after that! It was very nice of the guy in the shop to give them the vibrator, and I'm sure he's not expecting them to come back, but Jesse has said he would, so I have no doubt he'll make good on his word to pay for Buzzy. California? Wonder if they'll be anywhere fun, like Disneyland? That would just send the guys into orbit. Write quick, I'm missing my JM fix already.

Here's what I get for coming in late again. Just read two very good stories at Awesome Dude over the past two days...but I'm here now. Timothy M has said everything I was thinking as I read, so what else can I add? I'm hoping Warren and Adelin can help each other to a rosy future, and I think he could be a benefit to the Pack regardless of his past. I can't even begin to guess how the Hunters can find their prey unless there's some distant connection between them and Shifters...but I was wrong about the cause of the Malaise, so what's that idea worth? I knew Don and Karen were bad parents, and I feel sorry for those twins. We saw how much they hurt Kellar, but now he's seen just how extensive the damage was they inflicted on their own natural son. Bastards. Make the next one longer, please, my dearest friend!

Another great chapter, Ivor! I'm glad Julian was open to making love to Lance as well as letting Lance do it to him...it puts them on a more equal level, and minimizes the three year difference in their ages. Becky is a great sister, and Julian is lucky to have her support since it doesn't seem like his mom is really good with it, since she took up with a homophobe after Julian came out to her. Her actions speak louder than her words in this case. Lets hope Lance and Julian can concentrate on their classes as well as their relationship...the shiny newness of it all can certainly cloud your mind to everyday life. More please, my friend!

Geron, these guys just get deeper and deeper into my heart. I feel like I missed so much by not discovering the physical side of lovemaking until I was nearly 22. Love itself came much later, but the joy was finally there, and wasn't abated or diluted by time. I'm glad they talked to Greg and Rafey, and hope they can get together again during the summer. Rafey in particular needs more of the stimulus that Jesse can give him...it seems like he's opening up a bit more, and that can only be a good thing. The Great Purple Pecker--hilarious, and just the right name for it. Boyish excitement and joy at discovering new things abounds in these stories, and it's particularly poignant that love is so dominant in their interactions. Parker is turning into an asset to the two boys, rather than a sisterly encumbrance...and Jesse introducing her to Kim was a master stroke. I'm beginning to wonder if by the end of summer, Jesse will feel ready to come out to his parents? The charm of Marty and his way of building Jesse up could make that very likely. If it does, I think Jesse might be surprised by his parents' reactions. So many special moments here, my friend, and yet I am yearning for more. I started this before lunch, did my meds, and came back to finish it. I think having it narrated makes the task easier, because I wasn't ready for the end when it came. Marty got Jesse good with that cape trick, I was laughing my ass off!

We're coming up to the big moment...so many dreams on the line, so many hopes to be potentially dashed. I hope Kevin and Liam can live together--it would solve a lot of problems for both of them...Kevin would have his privacy, and Liam the knowledge that his room mate was both gay-friendly and a good person in general. Phil Hughes' death is traumatic for a lot of athletes, as evidenced by Deon's reaction...but no one is guaranteed a set number of years in or out of sports--you can be hit by a car or bus crossing the street, even if you have the right of way...or have a fatal accident in your own home. The trick is to do what you can to be safe, the rest is in the hands of others. Clarissa knows this, and I hope Deon will realize this too.

I thought I'd review this and the previous entries together, first because I missed it, and second, because they are sorta linked in my head. How often have I said 'I'm fine', when I was far from it? It's far easier to say that than bring down your friends with how you really are--their concern may be genuine, but how often will they listen to words which spoil what has likely been a sunny day for them, and real joy at seeing you again? And how often has the root of one's problems been the seeming disregard of someone close to us, intentional or otherwise? The person may not even know they've done something to bother us, we are so good at hiding our inner selves from those around us. For them, we are friends, but to us, there is a special spark which draws us together, but we won't say it out of fear, and they won't share their own spark for the same reasons. Unless we speak, share our thoughts, dreams and aspirations with others, how can they know the impact of their actions on us, or we on them? I recall a story by Jack Vance where the citizens of a world had their own personal leitmotiv playing, and it reflected their current moods...how much simpler would it be if we could hear the other person's music? Or where is a patch on our foreheads which changes color to show our emotional state at a glance--our own biological 'mood ring'? No, we just have to muddle through, enduring the pangs of emotions we can only guess at, and wish for that personal connection that societies make so hard to forge...sigh.

Mikkel shows he's a teacher here, but he can get the hint when Sam shows him what's needed. Wait until their 'package' arrives later! Alas, Jay knows one evil person--Timmy Zane, but Linda seems to have him in check.

Wow, SD, this was so not what I was expecting. With the name 'Ethan', I was thinking a story about our duo, Aidan and Ethan...it didn't take long to realize my idea was seriously wrong. The concept of multiple forms for one shifter, none of them wolves, was very cool...but not the actions of the protagonist once he'd changed. Since it never happened before, and he seemed very inexperienced, I have to wonder if it wasn't just anger, but sexual excitement that caused the shifts to occur? The fact he can't shift in prison is perhaps due to the lack of a strong enough sexual impulse....deeply disturbing, my friend, but once more an awesome example of your talent.

Oh man, Gary, you're driving me crazy! This seemed short, but maybe it was just the tension? I was afraid the Hunter might not be alone, but now it seems he has some special way to sense lycans...not good news for the Pack. This maniac has to go, but it looks like it won't be soon. Anxious for more, my dear friend...shivers up my spine here.