ColumbusGuy

I had to have Neanderthals since they are my favorite branch of humanity. The dolphin bit slipped out, and the idea that they got away leaving their shark enemies behind was fun. How can you tell if a shark is angry? Who knows what the future (of the series) will bring out--an annoyed opossum, a frustrated raccoon?

Thanks dughlas. This is an old field I romped through starting at age 12, with bad short stories but grander ideas. The novel in high school went out to seven publishers, who all sent it back. Who knows what would have happened if internet sites had been invented then? I talked this premise over with a friend nearly a decade ago, but these are the first words to see the light of day...maybe the gay characters can make it more relevant than my juvenile years' efforts.

Thanks Eagle! Greg is going to do his best because Denny is his life now...but who can tell what will set things off--remember the wrestling in Greg's family room? Having Benny offer himself first was an easy choice, the hard part was whether he'd offer or Cal would ask...Cal knows it's not easy for Benny at the moment being assertive, so maybe he got him worked up enough to ask? I think it really is what Benny wants though, at least for now. Every little bit helps prepare him for the time when Cal is going to need his strength. Question is, is the shirt-ripping a one-off or a trend? Can Benny afford that much clothing?

Man, this thing disappeared off the cue fast. You nailed it again, G-Man...emotional upset and confrontation are the center of this one, but the most important part is the support of family...if you can't find it in the expected place of parents, then we can hope to find it in grandparents or older siblings. Given the broken trust between Mark and Nate, I believe Megan is wrong in insisting he return home for school...the most important thing is that Nate feels safe, and he doesn't at home, so things can only remain high-stress for him there...then add to that the feeling of his schoolmates after being forcibly outed? That is a sure path to another attempt to end the pain...and he might do it this time. Leave him in Ontario until you get your own house in order Megan. I think Nate sees very clearly what needs to be done, and not trusting his father is more than understandable. If that can be mended, and I won't say it will ever be completely fixed, then Nate can consider going home, but not to that old school. Can't wait for Mike and Colleen to get the news...fireworks will be an understatement!

“How did you get into my room?” That’s what I get for becoming old…the faculties start to give in to age, and you find yourself having surprises when you least expect them. Of course there was no one else in my room–Security would not allow it–so this must be a projection from elsewhere. I didn’t think such powerful equipment existed anymore outside my own facilities. I hadn’t been keeping close enough tabs on the world in the last century or two, and now I find unwanted visitors apparently sti

The Age of Industrialization…a lot of images come to mind from those words: steam-ships driven by huge paddle-wheels and tall smoke-stacks; soot-covered brick factories belching smoke from giant chimneys to spread across narrow-fronted terraced houses where people eked out their lives for a meager wage; women and children laboring in crowded factories among clattering looms; the blackened faces of men and boys emerging from deep coal shafts, squinting in the light of a smoky day, grateful for li

Man's future isn't all rosy dreams...there are bumps along the way due to human nature and environmental disaster.

A great insight into Rob and Jasper, I'm not sure how happy Rob would be with a 'hag', they are more real about some things, but carry their own dangers. The idea of being friends first, as Jasper said, is the way to go. I feel sorry that Rob got buffaloed into going out with a girl he didn't like just to avoid all the hassle of high school. I hope Rob does join the GSA, it will be a good experience for him, and he just might find a guy who he'd like to experiment with before finding a girl. The old scale of Gay-Straight isn't as rigid as it once was, research shows that there are many options in between...and a guy like Rob I don't think would shut out a trial run if the chance offered itself. I don't think it would be much more than a few dates, but it could lead to a lasting friendship. I gotta wonder if it could be Jasper...my first was with my best friend in high school, but it happened at college away from the drama of the other kids. It could add a few fond memories for them in later years as they raise their families. Come on Eric, do your job and reassure your boyfriend you love him! More please, Tim!

You're right, Lit, Greg has started his 'treatments', but it's a long road if the damage is deeper than just feeling anxious about oral sex--did it affect any other aspects of his sexual identity. Ben and Cal are a bit odd in that Cal was more actively outgoing being a hunter, and his photo work needs a positive direction to work also, hence his making the first physical move when the time came. Benny has sort of trained himself to be a follower outside the wrestling ring, not wanting to be seen as a bully. Cal told him he needs to change that a little if they are going to work out, and I believe he'll lead by example. There are times Cal will need Ben's strength, so he has to make sure it's there when the time comes to draw upon it. And, you're right about the four months--they aren't strangers--just estranged. Four months of thwarted desires--I'd have exploded in a big mess!

Thanks G-Man. I hope I never write something which will disappoint my readers. Is it odd that our boys are all seeking permanence? By today's standards Yes...but in the mid-70s in a rural community, I'd say No because there were very few options open to closeted gay teens. Differences had to be worked out or you were single and alone, but our boys do seem to fit well. I'd put that down to Jay's influence thanks to his parents' example, and also to the fact that Greg was fairly insightful when he Cal and Ben together. As for the humor, I'm glad it works for my audience, as it was a big part of how I dealt with things back then, and probably still do today. I don't know how many kids thought about ken and GI-Joe, but the one I had looked like the picture, and that might be where my first vague fantasies began. I don't think that was what the toy makers intended.

Greg hasn't had anything more than a Psych class elective in high school, but he's the oldest brother and has had some experience helping others sort things out. He is being guided by his feelings for Denny, which is always the best route. Callie and Ben--our wrestler is a bit of an irresistable force, at least to Cal, who's had months to hope for this moment, once the anger was gone, he let his true feelings be known...they've had four months of pent-up energy to get rid of, or is this going to be their normal behavior? Wait 'til next chapter.

POV: Denny, Benny I was almost floating as I followed Jay and Miles into the barn, the smells of feed, straw and dust mixed with the scent of cattle and horse was a potent combination; add to that the sweet smell of my boyfriend Greg, and I was nearly delirious. This barn was so different from the one at home—it was a vibrant thing, unlike ours, which hadn’t seen a living creature other than mice or a stray cat in decades. My parents had no time for animals, so when Grandpa Watson died, the

Ah, those were the days--of illicit reading! Once I was 18 and worked up my courage, I bought a couple gay magazines at a regular book store, sneaking them in with a regular one and some books, and I'm sure I blushed when the cashier checked me out at the register...but I'm sure they had sold them to others, and they never said anything to me about it. I had gone to that store for several years by that time, and they all knew me, so that was a little scary, but they didn't live anywhere near my town to talk to other people I knew. I was very lucky that the Joy of Gay Sex was published my first year of college, and I bought it before I'd had a chance to do anything in it--so I had more information to work from than Tom and Peter. Still got it, though the illustrations with the cheesy moustaches are a turn-off...I was never into facial hair, but that was the rage in the late 70s. More please!

What else needs to be said? Kendall has been granted his fondest and dearest wish--the love of Michael Aceto. The attaining is as wonderful as he expected, the more so because he had almost given up hope. Twin stars, twin flames burning forever, like the Dioskuri Castpr and Pollux, together forever.

Makes me wish I could write poetry, but I wouldn't be able to outdo this...even if I had the inspiration. Amazing, my friend.

A great addition, Tim! I knew Rob was more than a 'jock', so the only surprise is the biographies--I'd have expected more fiction, but he has a work which is already great and far-reaching in scope...it is a work which challenges the mind and imagination. Gotta love Jasper, he sees the important matters, and strives to make them easier to deal with. I'm not at all surprised he saw Nelson's anxiety and understood it. We may forget that Eric is younger and less experienced at times, and that has to worry Nel a lot. Nelson, despite his worries, will not force Eric into anything he isn't ready for...but it would be nice for him to have his dance and kiss at the Prom. More please, min ven.

Great chapter SD, as we've come to expect. I agree with Parker on everything, but what will David do? I'm sticking to the theory that he won't do anything. He won't rock the boat no matter how much he hates it--his friends HAVE to be appeased for him to have is image intact. Until he can't hold it in anymore, and then, all Hell will break loose. We've already seen two episodes of pent-up frustration, so I assume it's going to be violent, but against whom? Twoey is sure finding 'friends', but what is really bothering Danny? More please!

Zarek pretty much covered my points, including the typo of Megan instead of Zoe...so there's not much else to say. Just this--an awesome chapter Elias! While Matt is being his ususal dickish self, I really hope this is the end of Megan. I didn't like her scheming with Zoe, and I didn't like the way she was doing it with Matt. Good riddance to self-centered high-maintenance rubbish. I'm a bit disappointed in Andy--he thinks he's following Dr. Walker's advice, but he's got it wrong. I hope he realizes it before anything happens with Ashton and Scott. I'd hate to see him regress after all the advances he's made. Colt and Zoe, what's to say--disaster looking for the right time to happen. More please, my friend!

Naughty Dragon--this one slipped by me. I thought I saw it but next time I looked it was gone. Ian will one day realize that Miles isn't like his ex...but I well remember the times I was starting a new relationship, and these stories bring back all that anxiety--I always over-analyzed and fretted that things would go wrong. In my mind, I didn't have a lot to offer, being a nerd with thick glasses and not into sports, with my interest in movies I could make friends, but not often find someone who'd date me...I even had one person show interest so he could approach my roommate--who tore him a new a-hole for that move. I can SO empathize with Ian! More please!

A wonderful chapter G-Man. I'd put an exclamation point here, but you don't like me using them. Nate is a wonderful kid, and I love the way Kendall bonded with him to bolster his self-image. He'll make a great dad. So will Michael, but in an entirely different way. I'd like to see Nate stay with Colleen and Big Mike, then maybe with K and M. Barring that, I'd like to see Megan and the girls return home, without the sleaze-bag Mark. I don't care what Mark promises his wife, he doesn't deserve to be a father to Nate after what he tried to do in 'fixing' him. He may say he'll change and accept him, but it will only be on the surface, and will come out in the end...his habits are too ingrained. And in addition, Nate's life will be hell if he goes back to that school...so he is better off near Toronto. I hope Megan isn't as gullible as most women might be regarding their spouse's promises...she deserves a better husband. More please, my friend. xoxo

I agree with Parker, SD...Twoey wasn't ready, and although he should have waited, he's young and hormone-driven. I'm thinking the sex with Erik is going to taper off now, or at least not go so far. If he could only let his mother in, he might have an easier time...but what teen wants to talk about sex with his mother? Silence on David from me...we know what's going to happen. No sympathy from me on that score, but I love his reflections on his church visits. More please, my friend.

Great chapter Dodger! I was surprised to learn that Robbie was s ofar behiind...I thought he was smart. His famioly is going to be disappointed. One enemy already, but then the secretary is just the sort of person who'd tick me off to no end. I have a weird feeling about Mr. Andrews--I'll save that for later developments. Trot out the cover girlfriend...or if you have another solution I'd love to see it. More please!

Sure, cue up the chapter, go eat, take a nap, and come back to be totally blind-sided! Holy cow, Batman, this is going to be ugly unless Kendall can get Michael unde control--there's no way abusing his nephew will be allowed to pass. Either the man goes to jail, or Nate finds a new home with Colleen and Big Mike or Kendall and himself. I was going to talk about the wedding, but that just got eclipsed by your surprise. More please, and make it fast!

Nice chapter...I skimmed most of it so I wouldn't be distressed by the straight sex bits. I loved Peter's talk with his brother, but he did mention it being girls toward the end, so I guess he changed his mind about his brither being gay....it would have been nice if he added a line that some guys and girls preferred their own sex, that would not have incriminated him. He could have said the same rule of caring applied there also.

Neat chapter SD. Gotta wonder what's up with Danny--I think it's more than the fact that Twoey didn't back him up--I think he's mad that everybody is taking David's control of his own life away from him...and I bet he wishes David were available for himself. I can see Twoey's concerns, he's too new to the gang to really offer a differing opinion from the others...they'll just ignore it or rag on him. I hope he can figure Danny out before something happens. I'll lay odds that David WON'T say anything to Kathy...he's way too concerned with image to stand up to his friends, even if they are dicks. Besides, he's not gay, as he tells us all the time, so it's Kathy or nothing since he hasn't ot the gumption to approach Lanni. Train wreck coming up? Hell no, it's gonna be a freakin' disaster movie! More please!!