ColumbusGuy

Little moments is just how I write AC--it's the way I 'plan'--I get a picture in my head, then I have to find a way to get to it, but what will happen afterward. The tough part comes when I've got too many that want to be put in...I guess that's how I get 11k-word chapters. I'm beginning to think that there's something 'magical' about Jay's family farm... So you think Ben and Cal have stolen J/M's bond--or is it anothre equally strong? I'd like to see you elaborate on that in the Discussion...I'm intensely curious how you see it going! Thanks for the 'take' on B/C--I hadn't thought of that--I'm still getting to know them.

Gulliver is some horse, I'll give him that--he seems to be a catalyst for J and M to get frisky--remember their first ride on hm and the grooming afterward? Greg is a product of the Old South in the sense that all people can judge you by is your honor...with his open-mindedness, maybe he was a product of the New South? Ben and Cal may have the hardest time finding places to be together, with B being noticeable and Cal living with his grandma. With the start they had, I think Cal realizes most that if it will work at all, then they can't hold things back...once school is out, where will they meet then?

Thanks SD--we'll see more of Benny, just maybe not as much as Cal will. I hadn't realized it, but you're right, there is one worrier in each couple...I wonder if that's true of most relationships? In my life, it was always me. My hardest moment is the blank screen at the start of each chapter...I may not even know who's going to be in it, let alone what might happen. For this one, I thought it would be lunch with the guys to talk about Benny and Cal, then move everybody closer to evening. I didn't even get to my original idea of Jay talking to the guys at OSU...guess that comes up n the next one...maybe. In the end, my sense of balance said that if one couple finds privacy, then it should be that way for all of them...and thus the darkroom scene...I had some crazy thoughts in that room back in 10th Grade.

I wish I knew how to do all the things you say--you know I don't plan ahead---I just put down what felt right for the situation. I guess instincts are right. There's no way Benny is going to risk his bond with Calvin, so I'm sure he had an idea of what his choice of picture meant. I won't say their physical actions were secondary, but I think they enhanced what was really being forged in that room--love and trust. And Mikey, he can figure out what needs to be done, while Jay has the romantic heart to make it happen. I think they are a good fit too. I remember having thoughts like those B/C implemented in the darkroom--maybe it was hormones, but my 10th grade photography class provided the safest spot where I could indulge a little and not worry about getting hard all the time.

I guess four months of pent-up desires can lead to over-reacting when you can finally exorcise them. Benny has the experience, but Cal has wanted this for so long he couldn't hold back when the chance came. I think Mikey is starting to feel the change knowing Jay has wroght in his life...at least a little. He wants his friends (still a new concept for him) to have every chance to find the joy he has in Jay...and when he suggested he and Jay go into the house, I'd wager that was for his own modesty rather than Greg's--he'd be mortified if the guys knew he yelled 'Jeepers' at the crucial moment.

POV: Greg, Mikey, Benny When Calvin made his way through the lunch line, I was dying to find out what had happened with him and Benny after Linda moved us into the building, but this was definitely not the place for such an interrogation. The long-haired blond was later than usual, and when he bypassed the stack of trays at the head of the line, I knew something was going on—he always got a full meal—especially when it was pizza day like today. Almost everybody liked the little round peppero

Another hit, SD. Lots of things to think about, the most interesting is Tommy--I think he's picked up on something. David, it's just so wrong in every way--if he would just TELL Kathy on the phone that he is just a friend, or tell her he needs to talk with her about it in person--but no, he just gets himself deeper and deeper by thinking he has to wait until after the movies. That is only making it worse. I don't care what he thinks--he's not the sharpest knife in the drawer! More please.

Another great chapter Billy! Letcher County has never seen so much action! I hope the two Browns are the last of the threat...JT needs to find some peace with his new family. More please!

Great to have another chapter, Elias! I'm happy that Andy is going to try Dr. Walker's advice, I hope it works out for him. Well, at least we got the icky hetero sex out of the way...Megna won her bet with Zoe, so maybe she'll let Matt alone now. More please, my friend!

Yay, Tyler got his house! No more predatory agent. It would be great if Damon and Tyler had a kid--but I'm rooting for a boy if that happens. I assume a surrogate would be involved? More please--I missed the guys!

An incredibly tense last quarter, Graeme! The chapter was full of nail-biting drama, and the team triumphed in the end. I was so afraid this was the end--I'm so glad that there is another book! I really wish Neil's mum would come to terms with him as Jessica has said. It's time she realized that she is the main obstacle to Neil's wanting to visit home again. Guess I'll have to watch my recorded AFL games until the next book starts!

Another great one, SD! So, we were right about Danny, but I feel sorry for him with the home life that's been hinted at. And Matty too? There's no way David will give in to his advances, which is a pity for Twoey. I'm relieved that Twoey and Erik didn't go for the Big Event at his house--I was thinking that might be what Erik was after. It may still be, but he's taking his time, which is what worried me. More please!

Well, G-Man, you've done it again--made me cry at their celebration dinner, and as Kendall tells Michael they have a son! When you have Candy and Kendall in the car, I wasn't sure what was going on, and was suspicious just as the boys are...but then you show us that people can change--and now that Candy can see her mistakes, and explained why she doesn't want Michael to be too close, I understand. I can't yet say that I like her, but I sympathise with her pain over Michael. You and AC working to corner all the stock in Kleenex production? Just amazing, my dear friend. xoxo

Thanks Eagle, it's always nice to hear my humor works sometimes. That was the bane of my youth and got me into trouble with people more than once--especially teachers who thought I was being sarcastic. I'm still working on how B/C relate to the other guys, and each other. Right now, I thik despite outward appearance, Cal will have to take the lead in their relationship, but he'll be working on Benny to 'fix' him. The fact that they both drive to school makes things more difficult finding 'alone time' than the other couples

It seems people like Calvin's nickname, guess it will stay in. In 10th Grade I took photography and learned to do bw film and printing. I enjoyed it so much that I got the stuff to do it at home--got an enlarger for Christmas that year--only gave it up later when I couldn't get film for my old camera anymore, and a friend wanted to start doing it, so I gave him my stuff. Early on I think there's mention of the teacher thinking I had a wolf in my driveway when it was really my dog. True thing in that chapter!

Thank you, my friend. You always seem to find something to prove how 'deep' I am--maybe one day I'll believe it's planned. Without planning it, maybe I've given us an array of the different types of couples there can be? J/M are both inexperienced, learning their way toward happiness; G/D have some experience, not all of it good, to challenge their path; as for C/B, we have different levels of experience, and different types as well...one has the physical experience and has felt the need for love, the other has no experience, and his only idea of love has been warped by a bad relationship between his parents...I'm wondering if the path for Cal and Ben isn't the hardest one of all? Issues of confidence and trust abound as these couples try to heal one another and find that goal of true love. Okay, I can just picture Jay at this point turning his back to me and dropping his pants...then speeding off in his truck.

Welcome to the life of rural boys in search of love! The first two chapters were my first fiction pieces here, so the prompts were to get the brain in gear--and the story was only gong to be a few posts--but after those few, I needed to tell the rest of my fears and dreams from high-school. Everything Mikey feels was me, and Jay is how I imagine the boy who asked me to meet him one evening would be if we'd actually become closer--fear of exposure at that time kept me from making the little extra effort to follow through, and I've always regretted that momentary lapse of judgment. As the story goes on, I get more confident, both as a writer and as Mikey, so there is more to read, and hopefully enjoy.

A heart-breaking chapter Billy, but I'm glad to see the story continuing--I thought it had been abandoned. I hope JT does get some answers and finds the home he so badly needs with the Judge and Andy. I can't wait to find out who is in the truck, and what the connection is to JT's family. Make the killers pay for what they've done!

Hmm, Danny and someone in a big black car...there could be so many possibilities--another guy is age just slipped down the list a little. I hope it's nothing bad. Looks like Twoey is going to learn the ultimate act of a relationship if he goes to Erik's house...I'm not sure I'm happy about that, but what other choice does he have? He's curious, and the boy he'd like it to be is completely blowing him off in that department. I'm hoping Erik won't toss him aside when he gets what he's after. More please!

There's a lot to think about here, Elias...and I think Andy is closer to figuring out what he wants...I just hope he can find his happiness with Matt. As for Matt himself, this is just me talking here, I think he's still far too concerned with appearances--and this 'be the best you can be' is just another aspect of that. It's sound advice and something worth striving for--but you do it for yourself, and I think he's wanting to go about it to fulfill what he thinks others expect of him--like possibly being straight. His parents may seem to be a bit broad-minded, but they are urging him to be their image of a good son, which doesn't include a happy life with Andy; they keep putting little bits of advice in his head which seem harmless and good,, but when added up amount to molding him into what they want--a nice normal straight son. I think Matt is giving in to social pressure and that is the source of his problem with being Andy's boyfriend. Maybe he should have sex with a girl to see what it's like, but cutting Andy out of his heart to do it is giving in to the 'expected'. We all bow to that pressure at times, back in my teen years, I did to a degree--out of shyness and not knowing any other gay people, I didn't come out...but I also never deluded myself into trying to be straight--there was just no arousal from the female segment of the population for me, even when puberty started. More please!

Since everyone else has covered my observations already, I'll just say how great this chapter was, and how you let Reece's anxiety come through very nicely without being overbearing. I know how nerve-wracking it can be to cook for a date, no mattre how much you try, there's always the possibility that your guest might have issues wit diet that you don't know yet. I'm glad the meal was successful, and I don't think that the two are rushing things--they sense the connection, and it's more than casual sex for them. Does Dave know Reece is in financial stress? Maybe, but I think the relationship means more to him than the economic status of his new friend--and he won't comment on it because he is well aware of Reece's sensitivity and growing confidence. More please!

Great chapter, Dodger. I'm not fond of Daniel's friends, and I find Sue a bit much even without the loss of my mother as Robbie has. I'll give you that Daniel seems like a nice guy, but for all his words to support Nathan, I have to point out that he doesn't hang out with him as much as he used to--so something isn't quite right between them now. Maybe Daniel can tolerate his friend being gay, but that doesn't equate to wanting to spend time with him like they used to. I'm really hoping that Robbie will stand up for himself rather than 'play along'...a new school means a clean slate to be who he really is, which I think is what he needs most right now--he won't feel right until he feels like he doesn't need to hide anymore. More please!

Thanks to you, my main man, Benny and Cal have a chance to make things work...but I think the unexpected drama in the morning made it possible--no holds barred and no hidden secrets left can make you really think about a situation. Maybe they can talk easier from now on. I always love writing either J or M's POVs--it just comes out almost effortlessly. They have a jam-packed weekend coming up, more so if Jay actually invites his 'in-laws' to Easter lunch! There's only one person we haven't met yet, though he's been in the story several time--Jay's older brother Jerry, off in SF serving in the Coast Guard. He'll be home for Graduation, so I wonder what he'll have to say about his 'baby' brother?

Thanks SD--I've got the doc open for 33, but so far there's nothing but white pixels. There're a lot of ways it could go in the new chapter... I'm glad you liked Cal's day...and the snickering at his embarrassment is just what he was afraid of. Things could have gone south pretty fast if Benny hadn't finally told him why he pulled back...and Cal was able to see that despite his hurt, he really didn't want to lose the big wrestler over some stupid mistake. That took a lot of courage for him to admit, so I think both boys are open to adventure, so long as they don't let themselves get in the way of the future they both want. And how does grandma know about Benny?

A poignantly painful chapter, Dodger. So many memories of my life eight years ago when I lost my own mom. I can't imagine what it must have been like for Robbie as a teen dealing with this...it was hard enough on me as a guy almost 50 years old. In my case, I had my three older sisters and some cousins around, and we kept vigil for almost a week at her bedside. With her, it was kidney failure due to being diabetic, and she didn't want to do dialysis...she'd made arrangements that no measures were to be taken beyond oxygen and pain-killers. The fact that she went into the hospital the day before my birthday, and died five days later made it worse. I can look back on it now and remember the good times we shared, but that summer was the hardest I'd ever had: a few months later, one of the cousins I'd grown up with who had been there, died of an unexpected heart attack, and a second died a month or so later. As a final cap to that time, my significant other took his life in early September due to trauma about his family's treatment of him. For Robbie to lose Tom by moving to Canada has to be as bas as my losing my s.o.--there was no time to deal with it, and nothing Robbie could do to prevent it. I hope he can keep Tom in his life, and am anxious to read the next part, but reluctant to find out if Tim remains in Robbie's life. I hope so.