ColumbusGuy

A nice chapter SD. On the surface everything seems to be going fine, but there are dark undercurrents, and I'm afraid Twoey is going to be hurt by them...there has to be some basis for the concern about Danny. As for Gary, it's a shame he's not content to let people live their ow nlives, it's going to lead to trouble, if David ever wakes up to the fact that it's him who put him in the position he is with Kathy. He's not the best friend David thinks. Waiting for the train wreck.

Thanks AC, I had to read the first part again since it was just normal to me. I think I get it now. The whole Gay or queer wording we've talked about, it is proper NOW to use gay, but back then I hadn't heard it or seen it until I was in college. The news still mostly talked of 'homosexuals', and it was a year later that Anita Bryant had her 'gay agenda' crusade. So until the boys saw a copy of The Advocate, they were clueless. I think it was '77 before I saw my first gay picture magazine, Blueboy I think. I'm still puzzled why Cal's room description is so arresting--unless it's the pic of Benny on the door.

One more chapter shines in the Writing God's temple. The cintinued affirmation of M and K's love and support for one another has extended, as we expect, to Nate. I knew Michael wouldn't delegate his duties to Kendall, but seeing how he approached the issue raised by his nephew reveals a different method, but one which works equally well. Kendall has the words to express what is needed, and Michael has the emotions to soothe the fears of his 'buddy'. Both methods are vital and mutually supportive for Nate...Michael is getting the practice of being in touch with his inner self which Kendall has developed over the years he spent waiting for Michael. His first step was to tell the boy he didn't have all the answers or experience, but he would do his best. Such honesty is important when dealing with others, and too often, we lose it, thinking it is more adult to keep ourselves hidden and protected. I'm eager for the rest of the talk, and Michael's day out with his nephew!

What a great chapter, Tim! So much discussion and reflection on Russ' past, but at the same time we get the happy prospect of the four guys living together. Evan's offer to drop out of school just to wait for Russ almost made me cry...and now Russ has to think of what his refusal meant to his twin. No wonder he was crying, it never occurred to him that Evan was doing it for himself also. Russ didn't mean to hurt him, so that makes it all the more painful for him. He won't ever do anything to hurt Evan again. Jacob and Chris continue to grow on me as the good and thoughtful partners they are, and I think they are already well on the way to becoming friends. More please, min ven! Very hygge.

Well, I hope Twoey sticks to his goal of coming out to Lanni, and that she isn't starting down the road of the possessive girlfriend scenario...there's more than enough of that with Kathy. Danny remains the big mystery--why is everyone so scared of even going to his house? More please...no comments on David.

I've always been pleased with the progress Andy's made, though he has had setbacks. I had to smile at Zarek's comment about Matt...I have been 'down' on him because I've seen his lack of growth since Dr. Walker's visits, and his denial that any of his problems are a result of his own actions. Not everyone can see or learn from their own mistakes, and Matt was one such, now others are seeing his self-absorption. No one forced him to continue with the prostitution--he did it for the money just as Andy did, but he saw it as Andy's fault...he hasn't yet faced up to what he is inside, despite his parents' urgings to accept consequences. Maybe with Andy's talk to him he begins to see how his acts impact others. Much as I feel for Andy, I think the plan is a good thing...he is better off without Matt the way he is now--if Matt becomes a better person in the future, then maybe the two of them can become a couple...but for now, friendship should be all there is between them. More please!

Reece is far better off without his parents and aunts and uncles than if he'd kept in touch with them. The wound can now heal and not be a running sore to drain his life and happiness away. It's hard when a parent(s) can't accept you, but the pain recedes--it might not go away completely, but you can put it in a separate place and get it out of the forefront of your thoughts. I know, this happened with me. The good parts of your life take over, as they should, and for Reece that's Dave and his cousins. Hooray for standing up to his loathsome family's elder generation!

Thanks Pal! I grew up across the street from a big farm, and me and my dad did jobs for the elderly ladies who lived there, but by our time the cows were gone, and they just had fields and orchards, so I never milked--cows. Another neighbor did teach me how to operate a sulky on his home track though...that's as close as I got to riding a horse except for a pony ride at the town's street fair--my sister's were moved out by my teens, otherwise I might have ridden a horse owned by one of their friends. I think Cal had his eye on Ben for a while. I'm thinking there may be one more couple...but they don't know about each other yet. Oh yeah, I need to tell who won, don't I?

A nice chapter Dodger, and I hope Robbie is wrong about Tom contemplating suicide. On the brighter side, I really hope he can talk to Sue about himself, since I see nothng but trouble ahead if he doesn't...I hope she is more open minded than Don. Is the boy at the bus stop Nathan? I hope he is so Robbie can make friends with him...and I really hope Fran isn't putting moves on him, whether she's a lesbian or not. He's getting more than enough pressure from Nicola and Daniel. Next installment please!

Whoa--that's a real surprise! So different from what I was thinking at the beginning...but it works so well. Can't wait for the next one!

A great chapter, but the image for the movie Giant didn't show up. I put pics in my chapters, so here's how I do it: find the pic on the net with an image search, it will have a 'view page' or 'view image' on it when you click it to see it. Click on 'view image' to bring it up on a black background. Right click on the image and pick 'Copy Image'...now go to the GA editor for you chapter, in the Chapter Text box, click on the spot where you want it to show up, and right click and choose 'Paste'. It will show up and you can have the editor place it left, center or right by clicking it to select it then choose one of the align buttons at the top. Try to choose an image about 250x250 so it won't be too big. If you have problems, PM me and I can give you step by step instructions.

A good chapter with Twoey and Erik, kudos SD! I'm disappointed in Twoey/Lanni right now...but that will alter if he doesn't string her along as a cover for his real feelings--no girl deserves to be a token girlfriend to hide behind. If he makes her think they're an 'item' and 'together', then I'm done with him. As for David, no comment. I've said all I need to about him, and I have no sympathy for him until he sets his house in order, in all respects. Until then, no more comments from me on him--no matter what befalls him. Great chapter, more please.

Don't worry, SD, Mikey has no doubt about his relationship--it's just him thinking what a big step that will be. He's known what he wanted, but the final step means he's a new person after that--or maybe a new 'us' instead? Finn is wanting very badly to make his way into the story...so he's being really nice to Benny. Nah, he IS nice, whatever happens with him. About Beth...she's a great grandma, solely concerned with her boy's happiness--the missing pictures in the hall, who took them down, and what were they of? And Cal's desk has a picture of his grandparents on it rather than his parents.... Now, do I show the match between Cal and Benny, or cut to the next day, maybe with a flashback? Maybe some ideas in the discussion group?

A lot going on in this one, and it was great! I loved when the couples danced with their real partners for the jitterbug...it was looked on as a fun thing, but we know what it must have meant to them. Only been to Cleveland once, but a friend of mine comes from Shaker Heights, and goes up twice a month to visit her mom. Been to Cedar Point though, which is up that way. On to college now? More please!

Another cool chapter, Tim! We see Rob getting set for every contingency, and allaying Eric's fears at the same time. He made some great points about the prom, so I think Eric will be able to make the night bout fulfilling Nelson's dreams rather than worrying about other people. Here's a thought: if the college Rob gets into doesn't have an organization for gay students, Rob ought to start one. More please...hope the twins are okay!

I'm behind in reading, but getting there. Another great addition to the story. Peter and Tom certainly have made new friends very quickly, and I'm glad to see that it hasn't diminished their connection with one another. On to the next!

A wonderfully tense chapter, G-Man! A great build-up with the phone call, showing us Megan's part first, then the revelations about selling up and moving back to Ontario. Living in Markham is great fo Nate, and being with M and K is going to be so educational for him to realize what it means to be a gay person...it's more than just sex, and he will have two great teachers in his uncles. Now comes the hard part, outfitting Nate for school until his clothes and stuff can be shipped. Wonder how much money the guys have left over after they get the house set up? Nate's going to be okay, with a man like Big Mike watching over him.

No wonder I always look at your reviews of other stories first...you find things which I wouldn't think of, and you've done it with this too. I put it in so Benny could change before meeting Cal again, and all I was thinking was the missing shirt...what if it was noticed? It just grew from that, and felt like something natural for close brothers to do--I never had one, but I hope I got it right...beyond the rivalry, even unsaid, isn't there that bond of support and protection? This was in the decade before 'Me' became the emphasis for a generation, coming down from the 'Love' movement of the '60s.

You're right Eagle, it's unexpected, but the Beckels are an unusual family. Could it be that Dirck has seen too much loss in his life to want see anyone go through it? Two brothers is a lot at a young age. No, Ben won't be rejected. We don't have details of Cal's parents yet, but the bond he has with Beth is obviously deep...maybe the big picture of Ben on her grandson's door is a clue?

Daayyum, Lit, you caught something about Cal that is just barely taking shape in my head! I was into photography for a while, with my own enlarger setup, but I couldn't get more film for my old camera. Now I have a digital one somewhere, but it isn't the same thrill. I have it on good authority from Gary that milking can cause erections...when I was that age, cutting the grass on our riding mower did it for me. The reaction to the 'new' Ben is going to be so much fun!

A great chapter Dodger, and I have no problem with the retrospective chapters, although it does delay finding out what happens in Canada--it helps fill in Tom's impact on his life. Sure, Robbie has known Tom almost all his life, but why is it so impossible for him to think Tom might be gay? I get that he's dated girls, but who says he hasn't wanted to do the same with Robbie, but never had the chance, since he thought Robbie was straight? He was always demonstrative with Robbie, and now that he knows the real Robbie, he can let his feelings show. Get a clue Robbie--Tom is at the very least bisexual, and is happy to be your boyfriend--don't screw it up. More please.

You hit it right on the head--the boys are hitched no matter what they've done so far--it's in their state of mind. Dirck's talk with Dave could have gone otherwise, but I didn't want him to seem overbearing--that isn't his style. I'm glad it worked for you. Regarding Cal and Ben, remember Cal's reaction when Greg first called--he thanked him for letting him know there were others out there, so he's been waiting for a long time, and Ben finally worked out, so he's not letting him get away--his being so forward is part longing, but also knowing that he has to make these first steps until Ben feels safe in doing it himself. Wanna wager that Ben lets him win?

POV: Jay, Benny I smiled down at the flushed face framed in dark brown waves of hair, brushing it back off his forehead with one hand. My other rested in the middle of his chest, feeling the rise and fall of his breathing, and making little swirls in the sweat between his pecs. Hazel eyes opened and they pulled me in like a hypnotic spell for a tender kiss. I could taste the mixture of our essences as we dueled for a bit with our tongues, then I nipped at the stiff nubs on his chest,

Thank you, Tim for having Eric say and do just the right things to comfort and reassure Nelson. He still needs some experience seeing that there is a problem, but his instincts on how to handle it are spot-on. The verge-of-happy-tears gave way only once when I laughed so hard at Eric offering his cherry to Nelson at the hotel after the prom. That was priceless. Eric and Rob, and Jasper and Nelson, are the perfect support teams which allow our two lovers to fulfill their dreams...if only other boys could find such support this might not be so unusual an outcome in school dances. Wonderfully refreshing to see boys being themselves, and being free to express their feelings for one another honestly. More please, min ven!

A nice chapter, SD, and I agree with everything Parker says...but as for my own reactions, they are different. Well-written and presented, I'm done with David, he's a hapless pawn and slave to his fears...but I thought Twoey was something different. I'm saddened that a young man who seemed so sure of his own sexuality has decided to hide behind the mask of 'normal' society by asking a girl to the dance...I'm not saying he should ask a guy instead, but he has chosen to not only hide, but deny his true self. What's wrong with going stag or not going at all? Both options are better than inviting a girl as cover when he doesn't need to hide at all--he just has to keep silent rather than deny his true self. I expected such behavior from David, not Twoey. Oh well. More please.