ColumbusGuy

The more I read of Jarra, Mirri and Yirgy, the more I like them. They work so well together, I see them as making up one personality: Mirri provides the heart, Jarra the inspiration, and Yirgy the drive to make it all happen. Take away any one of them, and the loss would be incalculable. I thought you couldn't turn your back on Yirgy for a second because he'd come up with new ways to surprise you, but to hear that all this time, Jarra was thinking about anti-matter? That's scary! And Mirri? He's the grounding point for everything the others do--he keeps them rooted into the idea that it's all for the average man, to see that he lives a happy and useful life. Just amazing, Iarwain.

Gosh, you are good for my ego. I try to keep my people real rather than have them be stock characters...and keep their relationships real too. I'm so relieved that you think it works! A little naughty confession--I like school uniforms, maybe it's the shorts/socks combo? In our public schools, it's dress any way you want, so we wind up with jeans and sweatshirts mostly...not as cool looking. Here, it's almost unheard of to not have your licence once you turn 16--you just study the rule book, take the written test, then the vision one, and if you pass the driving part, you're all set. Cars were cheap then, and you could realistically save up for one doing odd jobs after school. I had the Pontiac for just that reason, and took a few turns in my mom's caddy, but couldn't pass the vision test, so I was left in the cold. My dad and a couple friends would drive my car, but I kept it until moving made it impractical.

A wonderful chapter from start to finish, G. Except for the hair. The way Kendall opened up and confessed to feeling he was too lucky was completely right--it can easily seem that way at times, and Michael said just the right thing to reassure his partner. The man is just so in touch with himself and his partner it defies description. And Kendall double checking about the house and other things isn't insecurity at all, it's incredulity that something he wants so badly can actually be something the other wants too. I just had to laugh when Michael asked if it was 'later' yet! More please!

I'd say Zane forced her--her dad being a policeman makes it worse for him--a lot could happen on isolated county roads.Bobby is being loyal, if dumb--which Linda understands and gave him a later option...Benny? They seemed to have parted friends, which makes me wonder why they didn't work out--did one of them have an eye on another person? Perhaps Dennis felt since she was Jay's sister it was okay for her to call him that? Or it was the stress, or maybe it had been a way to distance himself from fake friends like in his old school? He's been going here for nearly four months, and these are the first people who've had a chance to know him--thanks to Jay being who he is. Seems everybody has a story, just like in real life; some parts we can find out, others we may never know.

I'm glad you like Linda now, she's hard to figure out, but obviously a good ally to have. Will she get lost in the crowd at OSU? I somehow doubt it. Brains and looks can be a powerful combination.Denny is on his way to a more positive outlook now that he has friends like J/M--now if he could onlyu find a boyfriend...he'd be even more grounded.

What a fantastic review G...you know how I fretted over this one, fearing I'd done some injury to my boys by it. To get it back with just a technical error was reassuring. The second Beckel child is so different from Jay that she seemed not to fit the family, I hope this chapter allayed that feeling; family and right first, but not in as flamboyant a way as Jay expresses it, until it comes to the test. One last child--Jerry, the oldest--a bit unknown to us, beyond the fact that he never asked sex questions, and never dated, just that he wants to help others for a living. Denny was a surprise: as I wrote, I remembered rumors about private schools and he just seemed to say 'that was me'...what could I do but let him tell it? If J is lucky to have M, as Denny says, then D is doubly so for having found Jay. It's been asked, who started the fight--is there really any doubt? Next chapter, we will hear more about it at Jay's house.

Thanks Caz--Linda gets her own say for a change, rather than just be seen as others imagine her--not quite the self-absorbed cheerleader type after all. Zane's got all her friends watching him now--will he be that stupid? We'll have to wait and see. One good thing, Benny is there for the final year J/M will be...Linda didn't just date seniors.

Thanks, Lit. Mikey couldn't really do anything except send Jay after Denny--he'd just gone through his own ordeal that weekend, and he knew Jay could/should help.We have to wonder if Linda was so against Miles, or if she was testing his sincerity--but she sees now that he's even willing to fight for Jay, so I'd say he's out of the 'cooler' with her...but she's not gonna go all soft on people, it's just not her style. Bobby was tough on her...she knows why he did it, and respects loyalty even if it's misplaced, but until he changes his tune and dumps Timmy, he's out of her life. Family first. Zane better keep his word, there are lots of people who'd like nothing more than to rat him out--and Linda's jock friends would love to see him taken down a peg or two. Linda has one ace in the hole--Benny doesn't graduate until Jay and Miles do.

I thought Linda needed her own view at some point, and it seemed the logical choice for it at school--her home turf. She does care about appearances, but that's not all she's about, and I hope that came across.I hoped the smart aspect came across earlier in her views on sex, but it didn't. She's very aware of the world around her, hence the 'not having more than two children' line. She's a product of Dirck and Rosalie--she couldn't have gone too far wrong.

POV: Mikey, Jay, Linda Once Greg left to continue his cleaning duties, conversation felt a little awkward, as if I had to watch what I said to Jay with Dennis there. That was strange because I wouldn’t have said anything too revealing in such a public place, and Dennis seemed like a cool guy, if a bit shy...and we did have some musical tastes in common. After a few minutes, I thought it was due to the fact that I’d been ready to talk about what my dad said this morning, and now I could

All great points, Eagle...Mr. S. is trying as best he can, and hoping. Mikey's growth is due strictly to Jay's influence--he's shown him the way out of his cell, and given him the key to the door.As for Dennis, he's had a rough time at his old school, on top of being in a new situation at a public school now. Thinking it was all starting again hasn't helped him so far. No surprise Jay wanted to help--but where is the anger coming from? He never liked Zane, but this seems worse--is he more sensitive tothese things because he has Mikey now, or is it because he thinks he may have to 'toughen up' to keep his relationship a secret? He definitely DID surprise himself though. Congrats on catching up! More chapters coming.

With a little under two months until their meeting, I hope Mikey will be more confident. From what I can recall, there wasn't any mention of gay sex at all in Health class...lots of talk of v.d., and normal care of your parts, but the discussion of regular sex was pretty clinical when it was mentioned at all. I didn't get to a gay group meeting until '87 when I moved into Columbus--OSU had a Gay Alliance group, made a few friends there, and even dated one of them for a time. Before that, it was just the occasional magazine I'd hide in a stack of books I bought at the book store when I went to the mall in Columbus. I was lucky that my first time was with a friend, who'd had experience before.

Man, Eagle--how did you get a ticket into my head when I was writing this chapter? The drama Mikey lived as a child was very real to him, so we were expecting bad parents, but he even told Jay they weren't--just busy. Now, we see them through Jay's eyes as a bit distant, perhaps not knowing how to make the connections necessary for good parenting....I think Jay might sprinkle some of his charm here also, in time.Super Jay's powers in action, or just a great boyfriend supporting his lover?

It's wonderful to see these guys again Don, I've missed them! The whole chapter radiated love and commitment all around, and we've made some new friends in the Romeros and Ryans. Eager for more!

I'm so glad Aki finally realized that he was a parent...that's the step he needed to take, and Ishca provided the little nudge to get him there. It was great when he gave Hel some clay, forging anothr bond with him to help him feel secure. I could say I'm surprised that Aki has trouble relating to teens, but what adult doesn't? It's as if some obscuring veil drops over your memory after you hit your twenties--hiding all the turmoil and pain so completely that when you encounter it later with kids, it's a total shock. Some natural survival mechanism for adults? There is some theory that our early ancestors didn't live much beyond 20, so you didn't developo memories of older generations beyond your parents...perhaps this is due to that? I think now Hel is going to be all right...if Aki can finish his task of being a parent. More please, Sasha!

Man, you scared the crap out of me when Kendall walked out...I'm so glad Michael was there and is so perceptive to see what the real issue was--but then, he's known K for years. Happy tears, happy thoughts all around. And a rousing workout to look forward to--doesn't get any better than that! More, please, my friend!

You got it all in the first go, Eagle! Mikey is a work in progress, and we'll just have to wait and see what comes out unexpectedly next time. What makes me a bit sad is that Jay, too, has the makings of a great father, but he won't be able to play that role for some years, perhaps never depending on where they wind up living.At least now, we see where Dirck got his outlook from--caring for his brother Eskil before he died.

Seventeen is a strange age--too young for some adult things, too old for children's pursuits. They are also the first generation of the television age--it has always been around, and they use it to forge links with one another and their world: most areas in '76 had four tv stations, no cable, no vcrs, no video games...my god, they had to GO OUTSIDE! Or play board games or cards or READ! What a waste of time to modern kids. Linda thawing, maybe a very tiny bit...what will Jerry make of our boys? We've seen him only through the eyes of others so far...will the brothers' close bond survive?

Jay is certainly determined to be the best boyfriend he can be, knowing that Mikey wants the same things he does has given them both a new way to share their love without reserve.It's still early days, so all the wrinkles in achieving a lasting relationship may still lie in wait....

Thanks Eagle, this was worrisome since it was the first time for the guys--I didn't want to let them just rut like animals--they care too much for each other for it to be about anything other than love and the desire to please one another. Who wouldn't love the Beckel clan? Alas, the only connection they have to reality is that that was the name of a family related to mine back around 1900.

I'm gonna cut you some slack Cia, and pose a question: supposedly the new style for words ending in -s is -s's...well and good, but what about something like -the Joneses being a possessive? I learned that in addressing letters to families, it's always The Joneses...so would the letter be, The Joneses's ? Pretty sloppy looking to me--the old way was to say The Joneses'. Just saying I learned the old way and will stick with it despite what modern stylists pronounce having given in to the lower standards of today--make it easier for the masses rather than try to keep style and grace in speech and writing. In this computerized age, tests and other information is 'dumbed down' for the public, so why should writing be any different? They don't even teach how to write or read cursive lettering anymore--something I find totally unbelievable.

By the end of the first paragraph, I was choking up, and kept having to wipe my eyes as they blurred with tears before I could keep reading. I have never cried through a whole chapter before...but this one was so deeply touching. It's going to take me some time to get control again. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, G-Man, for giving us Carson back, and for letting the family get to heal completely.

A wonderful chapter, Sasha. Aki needs to remember that his feelings are already in Ishca's head as soon as they appear--but despite the words, he still loves Ishca and isn't being sanctimonious. Despite his judgment, I like Ig--he knows what his brother needs and is there to help and protect him. The banter between them shows how much he really cares for Ishca. I can see Ishca being very successful in PR work, the one spot where being an empath is a huge asset--being able to judge the moods of clients and other people so he can tailor an approach just for them. Awesome fit for him! More please!

The guys certainly got more out of the mall visit than they'd planned...maybe the chance to see a movie next weekend with their new friends.I think this is a big boost for not only Mikey's confidence, but in his acceptance of being gay too. More adventure to come, the night's not over yet.

Thanks Eagle, that's what I'm trying to show, that while the physical desire is there as it is for all teens, they are more concerned with the feelings behind it, and doing what's best for the other.It was a surprise that Mikey had the inners strength to confirm the Beckels' suspicions--hut he's a good judge of character and knew there was nothing to fear from them. The night is young yet, but we know they are going to face it together.