ColumbusGuy

Thanks Lit! Want to hear a secret? In the very beginning, I wasn't sure if Jay wanted anything more than sex--or being friends with benefits as they say nowadays...but when Mikey did his car stunt, it drove home to Jay just how much he wanted to be part of Mikey's life. That close call with Destiny was their defining moment. As I mentioned to Tim, C/B are both very new, and they must learn to talk for it to work--we know a bit about why Benny finds it hard to do, but Cal is still a mystery to be solved. Grandma S did seem to know about Benny--or did she? We have a clue already about how she might have known who Benny was...$5 says you won't miss it.

What's this--cheeping from the Hungry Bird clan? I'll see about starting 33 today...that first paragraph is always the hardest. Tim, Tim, Tim...did you really think my sex scenes were just that? Okay, maybe it seemed like it at first, but it's just part of the way our boys show their love and commitment to each other...and Mikey does need this contact more than Jay...but he's not going to be selfish about it now that he has his partner...it's about both of them being happy. Cal and Benny are so new, they could easily screw things up by accident...I'm hoping that they will learn to talk more rather than hold things in. Aren't you glad Cal's grandma doesn't remember any Dutch? You just need to supply me with Danish goodies.

POV: Jay, Calvin, Benny I don’t know how I managed to be late getting to Mikey’s. I guess it was my talk with my sister that started the process, but I made up some of the time by driving my truck over the 35-mile speed limit on the back roads from my house to his. I was half wondering if he’d gotten the gækkebreve I’d sent Tuesday night, but this was only the second morning so that was a little fast even for local delivery. He’d probably get mine, and the ones from my parents tonigh

Y'know, SD, I might feel sorry for David if he didn't bring all this stuff with Kathy on himself. He refuses to voice his reservations about anything, an so is putty in the hands of people like Gary and Kathy...so I see a long line of dates, and perhaps he'll even have sex with her because he won't approach Lanni, or even consider what he really wants. Now I'm waiting for the penny to drop with Twoey--Erik has mentioned discussing hot guys with Danny, not exactly what a straight boy will do--so I wonder when he'll put things together? Still hoping Twoey gets the man of his dreams, but I have to say that it's looking less and less likely. More please, my friend!

Oh Graeme, I knew it was too good to be true--the whole grand final in one post. Tense, nail-biting action on the oval and off...what more can we ask? More please!

Sorry to be so late reviewing, I've been busy. I'll come back and 'like' this when I get some more. Ann and Louise want to 'compare'? I hope that's all they want to do, and not want to try sex with Pete and Tom, out of curiosity. I can believe they want to see a guy so they might be able to make convincing comments to other girls about their boyfriends, and the same goes for the boys, but it would be disheartening if they actually tried sex itself. The plan to hide their orientations is understandable for that era, but so many people tried to live it for safety. On to the next chapter!

Personally, I see no problems with Rob joining the GSA; if he never tries experimenting, he's still open-minded and tolerant, just the type of members the group needs to bolster their image as a group for both gay and straight segments of school life. In addition, Rob will be more likely to encounter girlfriends who are more like him in outlook than if he wasn't a member...so it benefits him in that way as well. While Eric worries about being in Rob's shadow, on this issue, he's on the opposite side of the balance--bringing his own strengths to the gay side of the group, while Rob does the same for the straight side. Each brings something the other can't, and that is only for the good. It boggles the mind to consider what the two of them could do for the group if they teamed up. Go for it, and on to the next chapter!

Am I missing something SD? I have the impression that David is from a first marriage or something, and Tommy's mom is his stepmother...which makes her evil and him a male Cinderella. I hope Twoey and Erik work out, but it's too early to say for sure if it is a good thing--our boy needs someone to build him up, but he also needs someone who will be dependable and faithful...and I'm wondering if Erik is that person--so far, David won't be. More please!

Deeper and deeper, Elias...that's what I see. Everyone is digging holes to bury themselves in. Everyone is so sure of their course of action, not being able so see that it's built on false-assumptions or outright self-deception. Everyone, except Andy. He sees and understands, but is unable to plot the course he needs...the others are digging his hole for him in addition to their own. I just want to bang my head against a wall and cry for him. He's looked at himself with honest eyes, but is trapped in the games the others are playing. More please!

Happy tears, Gary, and nothing but. I know all the parents are going to be ecstatic, but I wager Agnes will go ballistic. I can't wait to see their reactions, and the planning is going to be insane. So, what is the custom for hyphenate names? Alphabetical, sound, age? My friend Amy has her last name first, followed by her husband's, though that reverses them alphabetically...it sounds nicer than being alphabetical too. I'm eager to see what you come up with--I know it will be perfect. More please, you romantic devil! xoxo

Yay, you are #200! Linda is so right--Ben and Cal are such boys! They let things stay bottled up inside until there was no other option but to explode...I think she believes that girls are more logical--but maybe that's just her way of dealing with things? My experience with girls is limited, and Linda's outlook is based on a friend I've had since '83. She is the longest term friend I have left--I lived with her for about seven months before buying my house--we would go to the bars together and cruise guys. I turned down her offer to marry me--we'd both be free to see guys since there was nothing sexual about us--but I said no. I wonder if I should have, since she has a great job and owns three houses.... Anyway, we'll hear more about B/C's situation soon. Don't worry--I have a feeling it will eventually work out.

Thank god Dave is more outgoing than Reece, or there might not be a second date. He has been through so much negativity in his life that he can't see himself as a worth-while person to know, and that is limiting his potential. Go Dave--Reece needs you! I can't wait for the next chapter Renee.

Thanks, Lit...there is definitely more to Linda than we thought when we first met her--it's easy to underestimate her. I agree that Benny was wrong to do what he did, but he had no clue what Cal was going through...still, all Benny had to go on was past experiences where people never got close to him, so he made the wrong assumption. As caring as he is, we can only imagine how what he did hurt him...and he wants to make up for it if Cal will let him. These two need to have a serious talk before things can progress. Our group is growing, but I don't know if any of them will be more open at school--as we heard, in its twenty year history, no kid has ever been openly gay, or had strong rumors about being that different. Surely our boys aren't the first, so there must be a reason for that blank slate. Are they beaten down in elementary, so that they hide away?

Wonderful Graeme, and I loved all the interplay between the characters...especially Ty and Jim's parents. A lot of things to consider in this one, but I still have my doubts about Neil's mom. More please!

Dang, beat to the punch by Defiance. Still, Erik is moving fast; part of me wants to rationalize it and say that guys move faster than boy/girl pairings out of necessity, and that it's basically a purely physical attraction at first. For me, even when I had my first experiences in college, I wanted it to be more than that...sometimes I got that chance, but more often not. For whatever reason, my longest relationships were with bisexual guys--possibly because they could appreciate a more in-depth aspect of a male/male relationship. From my experience only, it seemed that gay guys were more superficial, they couldn't picture much of interest beyond the gay culture, whereas I didn't grow up in it, and considered it only a part of my identity and not the whole. Perhaps bi guys had that broader (sorry!) outlook as well? My very longest relationship was with a guy I was warned was homophobic ex Army...and straight--until a year or so after meeting him he came onto me, and we had a pretty satisfying relationship for nearly ten years; he'd go off at times for a few days to probably try being with girls again, but he always came back to me. Anyhow, back to the point: Erik coming on strong is okay, and even wanting to keep it quiet I can live with...and I hope I'm wrong, but I'm feeling bad vibes about him and Twoey. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he doesn't get hurt again, even if it isn't as bad as his former best friend in Syracuse. More please!

Sorry I'm late, SD...got behind trying to work on my chapter and being distracted by this story I was just going to glance at--turned out to be pretty good, and I succumbed to my usual urges to do it all at once. David is headed for a fall--he'll have Kathy in love with him, and then try to pick up Lanni? Not good and it will make him look like a user at school. Get your cards on the table the very first thing--tell Kathy it's just being friends and nothing more because he's interested in someone else. I feel very bad for Twoey--if he ever does get a chance with David, it's a big risk for him--he's clearly confused about even thinking of being bi, let alone gay...so Twoey is bound to be hurt there...he should go for Derrich--or Danny, who is the potential David-rival. More please, my friend.

Hey Pal--thanks for the review--now I need to know how you imagined Calvin--if it is as I thought of him, maybe I've messed up! Send me a PM or post in the Discussion Group please! My thinking was that Cal was upset and that altered how he'd handle talking to Benny, so this is important to me.

I really have to toughen up...Barega's death and Mirri's reaction--indeed the entire community's--made me cry. The effect on Akama is incalculable, he lost the closest bond a person can have, not just a brother, but a twin, which is a whole different level of closeness. Make them pay, and make it hurt!

I like this so far, Renee...I really hope things work out with Dave, and I'm glad that Josh is on his side. Stirs up some memories of my own experiences. I was five years older than your hero when my father rejected me, no matter what age such things happen the pain is still intense. I think that's part of why I'm writing my 'Jay' story, to deal with those feelings and try to paint a happier picture of my family. Very eager to see where this goes!

It's great to see Derrick and Tanner back...I hope Chris will help with the cooking job, and not be setting Derrick up for some mind game. What news of the books of the Ryan and Randy saga? I miss all those guys too!

I'm not a poet, so I'm glad you found the words to express what I've been feeling for the past week...losing Bortai unexpectedly was tempered by the caring concern of my GA friends...there aren't words to express what that means to me, but you found some that work pretty well. Hugs and good vibes, my dear friend. xoxo

G-Man, you make this seem so easy, I'm ashamed to be called an author next to you. Since you have given us a charmed story, I'm going to put two stipulations on it before you end it: first, you have to give us a baby chapter--second, you have to find Jeremy a partner. No ifs, ands, or buts...or would that be 'butts'? You blew my emotional balance out of the water with those final two ornaments--that has to be one of the most touching scenes you've done. More please, my dear friend!

A wonderful chapter Elias--it just reinforces my idea that Andy got more out of the talks with Dr. Walker than Matt did. He's finally owned up to someone else that he wants a committed relationship to someone else, just as Thomas does. Now that Thomas knows that, I think the two of them might be able to bond more, and having close friends is important at any age. I am of two minds about Thomas--I admire him for trying to be loyal to Colt, and yet, I think he needs to let that relationship go as it will be nothing but destructive for him. As for Andy, when it came down to it, I don't think he would have followed up on his offer to Thomas...he is still wanting the commitment of Matt...I hope he will be fully honest with Dr. Walker and maybe the doctor can help him move on to someone else. As for Matt, he's proving to be more of a hypocritical sleaze than ever...no surprise there. Let him have Colt, then they can both lie to themselves about their true feelings for Andy and Thomas. More please, my friend!

I liked this chapter too, SD. I sort of wondered before, but I'm thinking now that Danny has a thing for David...maybe Twoey should think about him rather than the repressed David? More please, my friend!

Thanks G--Benny and Calvin could be a great match, but they need to do a better job of communicating...Benny needs more confidence in situations where there aren't clear rules to follow, like relationships. He needs to learn that he can make decisions without being intimidating...and I think Cal will be able to teach him that, if he doesn't kill him first. Benny could very easily turn into a docile follower, and I don't think Calvin would tolerate that for long. I hope Benny sees now that he has a support group in Greg and Linda, the two who know him best. I'm glad you like my little family...since you had such a big part in keeping them real. Have to see what happens with Calvin and Benny in the next chapter...it's