ColumbusGuy

Okay, the headache could be either physical or psychological...I'll bet on the latter. Like the end of the 18 Weeks, David's time is coming to a mental close...the only question is whether he will have any friends, or mental stability left at the end. And the Twoey dreams, what's up with those? Extreme visions of his fears, or an attempt by his crumbling defenses to keep Twoey at bay? Without him, he'd be straight, right? The mind is a tricky and devious thing, never more so than in a time of weakness or under the influence of alcohol or bad judgment.

Well, Bucket covered the important questions, and dughlas added more observations, so what's to say? Tobyn"s mind has been poisoned with the Pack life he's led so far--one in decline without hope and few of the good things it could mean...Kellar approaches the idea of a Pack from a blank slate, which gives him a better chance of seeing reality. Tobyn needs to rid himself of his false notions before he can consider Kellar as his mate, and that will be hard. Yes, Tobyn has his head up his ass, but he's had no one else' to put it in. Literally and metaphorically. Lets hope Tobyn comes around before Kellar gives up thinking he's barking up the wrong tree.... More please, my dear friend. xoxoxo

Wow, I never would have thought Vincente could be so sharp. He's not afraid to tell Devyn just what he thinks, and that is something our hero needs right now. I was a bit angry at him for the way he treated Heather, he's certainly not off to a good start on relating better to people. I get his frustration about being 'protected', but once again, he's showing a lack of maturity in how he deals with it. He's a work in progress, but one who needs extensive renovation. Next installment please!

Tim pretty much covered my points, but I'll reinforce how much I liked this chapter too. The biggest surprise for me was Ross' accepting the date with Warwick, considering his fears and the events with Stuart...but I'm glad he's seeing him as potential long-term support for when he has or is forced to come out into the open. I think the two can be good for one another. I still wonder if anyone is really considering Jim seriously--he was an adjunct to think about Ty rather than a valid candidate for the draft--at least that's the impression I got at the time. It would be wonderful if Dad and The Brat could play on the same team.

Thank goodness I read the other reviews before writing this. SD, you've made David and his plight so clear now--his point of clarity indeed...but ours too. Hunter, spikey and lux so eloquently covered my thoughts, I have nothing to add. Okay, one thing then.... I was agonizing over David focussing his anger at Twoey, but had momentary relief when it left him, but now it rests on Donny, which is partly rational, but an over-reaction. Yet, David is clutching desperately for something to hold on to, since his family shows no closeness or concern, and he's succumbed to the idea that his friends won't be there for him once they find out his preferences. I went through that myself, and became a loner, with maybe one close friend. Even though that was forty years ago, it seems the feelings are still there in today's teens, despite some advancement in society. Emotions are primal and illogical things. I wish David could see that closing the door on Twoey isn't the right thing to do, but given the actions both real and perceived around him, I understand it. Save him, SD, please!

Thanks, SD.At some point Mikey's parents will find out, but will it be a confrontation or unspoken acknowledgment? The Study Group is a good name, since there are twice as many as to constitute the Three Musketeers, though the feelings may be comparable. Just who is holding this group together? Greg for initiating contact, Jay with his accepting family and attitude, or is it Mikey who wants everyone to get along? Stay tuned for more.

Well, your tag line says it all, G-Man. The upcoming trip to the mechanic is going to be interesting, but will it be successful? A lone wolf should rejoice in finding others of his kind, but with the history of your world, a gathering of kindred souls promotes fear of discovery rather than reassurance. I have to wonder how the Hunters can locate lycans so easily--what aren't you telling us? Then again, if there is some way, why hasn't the Pack been finished off years ago? I guess we all know what herb can relieve depression for a short time.... I'm wondering if Kellar's reactions are due to stress on top of the maturing bond, since Tobyn doesn't seem to feel it as strongly? After all, he hasn't thrown up like Kellar has. More please, my dear friend. xoxo

Once again, coming in late means everyone else has said my salient points. I'll only add, the train wreck is gathering momentum, the engineer has put on his blindfold and crossed his fingers as he opens the throttle all the way--he's absolved himself of all responsibility, shifting the blame on a passenger. I had been rooting for David to get himself together and become Twoey's boyfriend, now I'm thinking Twoey deserves much better. More please my friend.

Nice chapter Hunter. I'm glad the police caught the two guys, now comes the trial, and Devyn will have a hard time with that, I'm sure, judging from his reaction to the guy who wielded the knife. Nice scene at the frat house, and Bryce being much more considerate than he has been before. Slow and steady will work best for Devyn right now, rather than a more forceful approach like Sean had used. Sent a note, no worries!

Thanks AC, you always bring something new to the reviews with your encyclopedic knowledge of gay history. I liked the movie Breaking Away, but don't remember that scene clearly enough, and it being discussed in Time was a revelation. I think the only friend I hugged in hs was my German exchange student friend Peter just before graduation. He was hot with his long brown hair, and a really nice guy. The guys may do mini-golf some time yet--I loved it when I was in school.

A fun chapter, Graeme! It's nice to see how Ty put friendship above the medal, but that's so like him. I wish Doug would give himself a break and accept that he can do nice things for a friend of a friend. Ross was showing his good side when he tried to help Andrew at school, and even more so when he offered him a place to stay if he ever needed it--it may not be potential boyfriend material, but at least he hasn't ruled it out. Ross needs to start thinking in terms of whether anyone needs to know, rather than when to hide it. He's not openly obvious so no one would guess unless his paranoia give it away...so it's safer to ignore the subject and think who needs to know, not who will find out. I laughed at him in the Hawthorn uniform. More please!

Thanks Jason! You got it just right, the chapter is all about the depth of true friendship and what it means to all concerned. In a way it is deeper than family because you choose your friends, while family members can be asses and you're still stuck with them. Writing the backyard game scenes brought so many fond memories, I wish I had such a swing now...and the friends to share it with. Growing up is inevitable, but it would be nice to have a way-back machine like Mr. Peabody and his Boy Sherman. More chapters coming up soon!

You bring up the side father/son relationships I have no experience with, yet make it so clear. I could only hope that I got it right, and maybe I did. I guess my dad showed his feelings more through actions than words--since I couldn't drive, he'd take me to shop at my favorite bookstores whenever I asked, and wouldn't complain when I spent more than an hour browsing. My Christmas wishes were always filled too. Maybe he'd have been more open if I'd asked--but what teen thinks of doing that? He even took me to see family cemeteries when I was interested in genealogy. I guess he was doing fairly good for his generation--he was born in 1918 when kids were expected to act like adults rather than be carefree like kids today. I was treading a thin line with the backyard bonding--I didn't want it to feel like a setup for sex as a group...seems like I managed that.

Tak, Tim. That game was one I played a lot with my friends before middle school separated us--I guess it was really my first erotic thrill now that I think about it I remember we'd take our shoes off in fifth and sixth grades too, and sometimes at recess. The school was built in around 1910 and had darkly oiled floors. It was better in the later grades with their linoleum floors. I invented the story of M's dad's friend, he never opened up like that to me, and I only saw him cry once when his brother died. The part about him not being able to enlist is true. It's still up in the air as to whether J and M's relationship is known for what it really is...or is it? The barbecue being clandestine is due to Mikey not feeling comfortable yet having friends over--it's been a lot of years since it last happened. Eventually he'll ease up on the social front.

POV: Mikey, Mikey, Jay I was tangled up in my blankets by the time I woke Saturday morning. As usual, the room was a blur without my glasses, and I could barely see the numbers on my clock-radio. 9:15A.M., or was it 9:45? It didn’t really matter…it was way too early for me to get up…but I couldn’t get back to sleep knowing Jay and all the guys would be over around noon for our cook-out. What in hell had possessed me to ask everybody over? I hadn’t had a friend visit since 7th Grade. I

Well, it's a good thing I'm a night owl, because this one would keep me awake. I always hated scary movies as a kid, and even as a teen I'd turn lights on as I went to bed. You know there's nothing there, but the primordial ooze of the subconscious is so close at night. Wonderfully creepy, my dear friend.

Once again, you leave us wanting more, G-Man. I won't jump to the conclusion that the two teens are mates--best friends act similarly, but it would be interesting if others still thought it was possible. Has Tillie actually told Tobyn to follow his heart? Will he listen, or cling to his 'duty' to the Pack? Kellar didn't hear her parting words, so he has no clue to what was said or resolved...so he's going to agonize since Tobyn is in an uncommunicative mode. The other kids pale auras may be a symptom of what he suspects, rather than a product of their ages...it would be nice to know for sure. Wonderful and leaving us panting for more, my dear friend.

Well, no real surprises here as far as David's behavior goes--he's hiding his feelings from those who could help him, and letting Donny influence him just as he did Alex and Kathy. He has glimpsed what his problem is, and yet again refuses to confront himself in a meaningful way. More headaches? No surprise as he's piling up more closed doors and ignoring his inner advisor who he's tasked with sorting things out. The nightmares of Twoey are disturbing to say the least--not conducive to bringing them closer. Perhaps they are a last attempt by his subconscious to deflect the reality of his gayness? Time's running out...and now there's alcohol in the mix? Very bad. My heart weeps for Twoey wanting such a mess as David for his soul mate.

I'm sorry I'm late, I was occupied reading a great story at Nifty, and didn't check to see what was new since Saturday morning. I'm all caught up now with the three chapters I missed. It was nice to see Devyn finding a way to participate even though it was seeing how to deal with bunts. It was also a nice thing to see the team support him after his coming out. I had to laugh when he put in the line about Bryce--good for him to both say he was gay/bi and yet tease him at the same time. I hope this will ease his worries about being out, if only slightly. For anyone else, it's not their business, and maybe Bryce will figure that out since the attack. Good job!

Sure, I miss a couple days reading elsewhere, and three people sneak chapters in on me. I'm glad this was one of them--I've missed Eric and Nelson, not to mention Rob and Jasper. I'm glad the walk turned out to be good after all...Eugene is a good friend who may now have a better image in his girl's mind. I'm eager to see more of the guys during their overnight stay--take that any way you want Tim.

You've pegged Greg and Denny's relationship perfectly, Tim. Emotional needs on either side for differing reasons. Alas, only Jay's and Mikey's parents have met, and that was briefly on Easter Sunday. I think the Beckels would like almost anybody. The couples are bonding more as time goes by, both within their pairings and with each other. Just wait until Jerry comes home!

Okay, this is just so typical: everyone seems surprised that David's father is leaving town at a crucial time. It didn't come as a shock to me, nor the way David has reacted to things in his life throughout the story: no one in that family confronts any issue head on, let alone talk about it to anyone who might help. David has no examples of involved and listening adults to set an example. His grandfather has offered support, but note it's always by phone and mostly involves throwing money at it. Once again David is hiding from the choices he must make in his life, Donny or Twoey. He is letting (unsurprisingly) events dictate his actions, like a good little maze-rat. Far be it for him to be proactive. He is a creature of the moment, a chameleon who is a reflection of those around him...until too many forces pull him apart. We know the stronger bond is with Twoey, but that is also the one he feels most threatened by--it is a much too revealing choice for his inner self. Donny is the safe one who is content to see only what David shows him. It may not be a rubber room awaiting at the clinic in Syracuse, but it's going to be one very soon. David fucking himself is entirely the right metaphor.

Oh heck, it's almost too hot to laugh, even with the fan on, but you made me do it anyway. This one is going to stick in my head like Python's Lumberjack Song. Smiled all the way through and giggled, but lost it with the last 'Free Willy' line! I guess it's back to the salt mines, or more likely the ink pot.

Hmm, the plot--and the bond between Tobyn and Kellar--thickens. Tobyn has rejected the concept of earth mates, which Kellar sees as being the situation between them. With Tobyn shutting off any chance of a physical relationship, it's for the best that Kellar leave. Does Kellar see that what Tobyn has decided will not really do anything for the Pack other than prolong the eventual demise? A new fact Kellar wasn't aware of--the effect of silver on wolves. Has he just gotten some sort of clue? Can't wait to find out. More please, my friend!

Well, Wolf, my heart sang when I saw a new chapter...this has been one of my best Monday events since you started. I'm going to miss all your wonderful characters and their unique view on life and Pack relations. This was a perfect way to end the first book...now take some deep breaths and get back to planning out a sequel or two...or three. The next one has such scope it will be hard to plot a path for whoever appears in it...even the chance of there being kids for Ethan and Aiden...just try to skip the messy diapers when it gets to that part. Thank you for this wonderful and at times heart-wrenching story!