ColumbusGuy

Yep, Irri, Genghis was a big boy with pale sky-blue eyes--sleeping was hell with him and Bortai: one on either side of my head, tails facing me so their heads could lie in the palms of my hands--Bortai content to adjust herself to me, Genghis would nudge my hand until it was where HE wanted it. Still, the joys of having them as companions outweighs any future pain of parting, though it may not seem like it at the time. At 3months, Genghis stuck his head in the gas logs and came out even sootier looking than his partial markings showed--and at 4months I lost half my cat figurines because he tried jumping on the mantelpiece-not quite enough and scrabbled on the cloth I had as decoration--I managed to catch half of the pieces, the rest broke on the tile hearth. He was always the adventurous/evil one of the pair.

Boxing Day isn't a US holiday, but what an appropriate day for this chapter to come out! Besides the small velvet box, you've given the rest of us a huge one wrapped in sunshine and happiness. All is tied up nicely and everyone is with the person of their heart's desire.... You said the next part isn't quite an epilogue or prologue to a sequel, but I'd really like to see more of these guys even if they are mostly off-screen in a story about Wes and Angus. Thanks you so much!

Being in the city for nearly 30 years, I won't have a dog--there isn't space for one, and I don't do indoor dogs being used to German Shepherds and Great Danes. It's a shame about the hubby, because there are so many cats needing homes--even Siamese ones--there are rescue places that specialize in them, particularly older ones. If I ever get another, it will be a rescue, as all my others. Oh, my little avatar pic is of Genghis about age 4--he loved hiding behind the shower curtains being 'invisible', but he never figured out that his tail was always sticking out.

That could be it--I've always been very attached to my pets, which is why I hope Bortai will be the last--it'd be devastating to lose her after so long, like it was with Kublai: I came home from work about 10pm to find him upstairs, so I carried him down (not unusual) and he ate a bite or two, drank a bit of water, then turned and collapsed. No vet opened until 7am, so I sat up holding him in front of his electric heater all night, he was in a coma when we got to the vet's, and he said fluids would revive him for a week or so, but it wouldn't last--so I held him for his final injection, staring into his eyes as they dimmed. If I hadn't had a ride from my stepfather, I'd have been unable to get home. Bortai is going to be just as painful when her time comes.

You know Irri--I have heard and read that all my life--I've had siamese cats growing up except for a space of six years, and while they will talk if I address them, it is seldom more than a faint mew--the lilac point above, Kublai, was the loudest, he'd meow whenever he heard me call him, but more often than not it was a 'silent meow' with just the mouth opening. When he went blind and deaf, he'd meow if he started circling (age was starting to affect his brain), so I'd pick him up, fuss over him and set him down, and he'd be fine, going about his normal routine-he knew where everything was, so I was sure to keep things where he'd remember. Bortai will mew if she wants something, but it's barely audible, even when it's ham!

A happy Yuletide Season to all my GA friends and fellow members! Dinner was great--ham, fresh bread, green beans and sweet potatoes...and sweet tea to drink. My little girl--okay, Siamese cat Bortai, is enjoying an inch-thick slice all of her own, suitably cut into small pieces. She is one happy 14 year old girl right now! Her birthday is around now also, from what I could calculate when I got her and her brother back in 2001 when they were 3 months old in March. Her brother was stolen six years ago, but I still have her--their mom was tossed out at my sister's farm, and I lost my 21 year old lilac point Siamese to kidney failure in February that year, so she gave these two cute little fuzzballs to me. They are traditional Siamese, who are much bigger than the skeletons on show today--Genghis was 14 pounds, and Bortai has topped out at 11.5--none of it fat! Genghis at 3 months, brand new to me:

Thanks for the Christmas chapter, Sasha! So is this the second or third date? Did the ranch count as #2?

Another great one, though the English is a bit rough in spots. If it was my story, I'd choose something like Old English for the font, or Gothic, like in medieval manuscripts...I think it is sometimes called Blackletter also...here is a link to these types--I think Cloister Black would look nice, and not be too hard to work out. Old English Fonts

I'm intrigued and looking forward to how this will work out!

Wow Mark--I was wondering if there'd be a chapter on Christmas day, and found an amazing treat inside! For those who want drama and have wondered where it was--brace yourselves. I hope JP goes with them, because there is no way in this world that Wally and Clara will accept the truth about Zach and Will. The new counsellor might try his best, but those two are just plain crazy control freaks. It is far more than having to let go of their youngest--it is about running his future career, and if they can't be part of it, then it won't happen if they can do that. There is no understanding of their son, just a power trip. I see Frank having to fill the role of Zach's father from now on. I hope Zach is completely honest with them about Will, there will never be a time when it will be easy, so do it quick to get it out of the way. If he doesn't do this soon, then I think all his new-found character development will be in jeopardy. I hope the counsellor can see the need to tell them, and give sound advice. Let's hope this guy truly is impartial and professional. One thing, why the restroom? I thought the plane had a bedroom fitted in when it was bought by the family? Oh, and regarding ShadowDancer's worry about timing: there is no conflict or 'lost' papers--they were served Thursday, this is now Friday and Frank said he has spent the last day trying to work things out with WC--that would only happen if they had the papers and were trying to weasel their own way with the situation. Great job, Mark, and have a nice Yule. New Year is coming up, so you are getting the fireworks started for that!

I'd love to see more of these characters--even beyond the New Year's party. Thanks for the nice Christmas present Cia!

What a great chapter this was! I guess I can hold out until January for the next one now that they are beginning to feel like mates This Canadian pack is weird, and I don't see how it can work, but that's what the guys are here for. Have a great Yule and New Year!

I guess I misinterpreted the title of the story, thinking it more in the old-fashioned way of someone who gets around a lot. I guess at my age, I'm still provincial enough to feel uncomfortable with Ashlee, though I'd be friends, but I couldn't do it as a physical relationship. I must be a bad gay man because of my rural childhood, because I don't understand 'drag' and cross-dressers. Though I'm no more than average on a masculine scale, I am gay because I like guys, and ones dressed as girls don't make sense--if I wanted a relationship with someone like that, I'd date an actual girl. Sorry Sasha, I like the story otherwise.

What a great story, and even off-stage, Loring Lane has woven it's spell. How many relationships are ruined by listening to supposed 'experts' when what was really needed was some old-fashioned common sense? The old ways don't always work, but you shouldn't dismiss them just because they don't come wrapped with degrees or ancient mysticism--to close the distance in a couple's relationship isn't best done by giving it even more space--it's by trying to find that which drew you together in the first place, as a team. Good Yule, Cole!

Oh Gary, I'm just trying to get the boys to enjoy what I didn't have the courage to at that time...and I hope keeping the story real. If I'm their father, then surely you must be their second parent with the insight and care you have for their natures. I'll sign papers making you their legal guardian if something happens to me. Who else would look out for their interests while suffering the flu as you did with this chapter? The next bit is the 'sleepover', and I think I'm as nervous as they are about it. And look--nary an exclamation mark to be seen. *tying hands behind my back*

Ah--a review in invisible ink! Alas, I can't think of a way to take a smoky candle to make the letters show up onscreen. Thanks Defiance!

For the life of me, I can't remember who Thomas Hartford was in the early books--especially since he knows both Stef and JP. Give us a clue. I am now certain that we can put Wally and Clara's parenting in thepast tense--Zach is done with them no matter what happens. It's about time--they haven't been worthy of the term 'parent' for years now. Zach will be far better off with Will's family and I hope they do move back to Escorial. With his talent, a scout will find him whatever school he attends. I also hope that Marc will now stay in California--the gallery connection should put the final seal on the deal, and he and Brad can take their time boinding--a good thing for both of them.

Iarwain, you are so clever! I love Mirrigan and Jarra, and all their family, and this glimpse into the history of the underground cities is fascinating--and yet, I was lamenting the absence of dolphins who are not yet more than their native sentience. If I can't have talking dolphins, you give me the birth and development of the first independent AIs instead! Such a clever tease you are--I was content with finding out more of the history of this society, and you toss in the special gift of being present when the AIs become their own controllers. I am just awestruck. Of course, you are also bad--eager as I have been for new chapters, you just saddled me with it in spades. I'll cook your meals, bring your tea, do your laundry--whatever it takes to get future installments out as quickly as possible!

I'm sure there's going to be drama tomorrow--Rob's there so it's axiomatically certain. I'm so glad the parents' meeting went well, and it was great the way Nelson got Rob invited out also. It would be so cool if he was a little attracted to Jasper. Really keen chapter, and can't wait for the next one!

Anxious for the next chapter fan--tell your friend to get it in gear. I like this a lot and want things to work our for Quint!

Think of a mall as a pedestrian street of small shops of various kinds, maybe one or two larger ones where you can get lots of different things--toss in a cafe or small restaurant--with maybe one or two cross-streets: now, roof it over and add air-conditioning and horrible background music. Plot it in the middle of a huge car park, and you're all set! It was common to go and spend an afternoon there just walking from shop to shop, maybe have a snack, maybe see a movie. Here's a link to the site with a few pics and map-scroll down to Eastland Mall:http://mall-hall-of-fame.blogspot.com/2008_09_01_archive.html

I too wondered who Tony was, but pretty soon it was so woderful to see the love the family has for Wes, and Chad's parents were a real revelation! I still blame his dad for the bad advice, but mostly because he never talked about it again, leaving his son to be unhappy all those years was just wrong. I am glad he can do right now...something I never got with my own father. The only disappointment in the whole thing for me were the links to the two best Christmas carols of the modern age--it would have been better to do the first as an instrumental--vocal versions of it ared almost always bad, as here. The second carol was also disappointing by the choice--both should have left us to find our own favorites, or do them in our heads as I usually do. I grew up in the era of good Christmas music (60s) and heard far better versions of both during every holiday--like so many artists these days, they take classic songs-especially the Star Spangled Banner, and put their own 'stink' on it: alas, the term is far more accurate at describing the results. I'm not religious, but have to admit that the Yule Season has produced some wonderful music through the centuries. One more chapter...man, I'm gonna miss these guys!

Eastland Mall was just as I described it, and Lazarus was my favorite store--the clerks, usually gay guys-were always friendly and helpful, and the leather pants were there just as I said--I couldn't find a pair in my size, alas...not everyone had a 32 or less waist.I checked to see what mags were out in 76, and those were there, but Advocate was still a tabloid type made of newsprint stock. The In Touch issue came out March/April of 76 with that cover--I saw it on a back issues site, and it arrived today so I can mine it for gay lifestyle info for the era, since I didn't get into the city until 87. Scooby Doo was okay, but I saw a van online done up like it, and I figured it was even more likely back then, so had to do it. I'm glad you liked it!

POV: Mikey, Mikey It was 7:00 before we pulled up into the Eastland Mall parking lot. I knew we weren’t going into our own town when Jay turned south on the road past the high-school, and I thought it might be Reynoldsburg, but he took Route 40 only as far as the road down to Interstate 70 heading west. I figured it was the mall when he took the Hamilton Road exit south, but there were still a lot of stores and things there, so I was still clueless. When we’d left Jay’s, my hand wa

Man, I thought Eric was going to go crazy after what Nelson said to Rob--I'm glad Nelson immediately came clean with his sexual history. As for Rob--I think he'd be open to going out with a guy, and actually, I'm pretty sure he'd do more than he said if it was approached the right way. Melanie needs to stay gone, and maybe he can take a nice guy to the prom!