Fae Briona

There's actually a reference to that in one of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy books -- about how boring it would be reading about Arthur brushing his teeth or something along those lines.

I think they're doing pretty good given not only different language but a completely different frame of reference -- not just for things, but for basic concepts. And my guess in the last chapter was right! lol

There does seem to be a bit of disconnect in what happeded at pub with Novy's comments and this chapter.

Ooooooh...... What a way to end the chapter. 🤔

Hmmmm..... will be interesting to see what "Hasserack" are, and if Zane is able to explain that like the cuttlefish they're not the same (maybe? mind is thinking "sharks").

Amazing chapter. Loved the description of the kits, with hints to the fathers.

CJ wanting Owen's input on the house to buy is a good sign for the future. Not sure why Owen would be suprised.

Not a big club person, and haven't been to one in a long time. But as you said in an earlier chapter in this series, a gay club is a space we can normally let down our defenses and be ourselves without worrying about who might see. Can remember the bars in the early 90's. Even in the capital of the state there was only one main club. Had a Country & Western bar and an everything-else part. On a Friday/Saturday night you could find everyone in there -- every race, every ethnicity, most economic groups, and a wide range of ages. Our unity was membership in our tribe. It was always refreshing to be able to relax and be oneself, when back outside you had to put the walls up again.

Reminded of a political cartoon I saw after the Brexit vote: "But I didn't think the leopards would eat my face...," says woman who voted for The Leopards Shall Eat Your Face Party.

That last line was almost a proposal.

Have to explain my "sad" response. Reading the section on the quilt brought back memories. I was a volunteer who stood out on the quilt to help people find panels when a portion of it was here in Tulsa in the early 90's. Was in college at the time, and went with a group of friends all of whom but two were also volunteering - the remaining two were presenting panels. One friend was presenting his own; he just had a feeling his time was getting short and as the quilt was there it the best opportunity (unfortunately, he was correct - he passed less than a year later). The other friend was presenting yet another panel. My mind blocks the number because it's too heart-wrenching to remember, but it was over his 10th. At this point he was emotionally numb. Everyone he knew & had been close to had died from it. I missed it, but a friend said there was a Catholic priest who was escorted out of the building when he was caught doing absolution's for the damned. Was an event where you don't realize how much it affects you until its over. Got back to the dorms, put my stuff down, and collapsed on the bed sobbing for over an hour. The most emotionally intense thing I've ever done -- and don't regret doing it. The memories it brings back, even after all this time, can still be overwhelming.

That's only happened a couple of times, and I always say what the issue with the story was that made me stop reading.

Been reading the story while sitting at home trying to cough up a lung from allergies that have turned into something else. Greatly enjoying it so far. Not sure what happened that made me loose track of it when I started reading it the first time a couple of years ago.

Thank goodness -- that's a suggestion that deserves a "Yewww" reaction .

Well this chapter had the GSA and teacher followups I was hoping for in the last chapter. Good to see that Tu apologized even though it seems like there probably wasn't much of a GSA left after the first meeting. Still have a feeling Sgt. Dickhead won't be around WALLS too much longer.

Was hoping for an update on the xeno-phobe teacher and GSA in this chapter.

Interesting end to the chapter. 😛

So many things have happened to CJ in just one year, it's amazing he held it together as long as he has. And yep - known a few flamboyant men who's outrageous affectations are a mask to hide their fears.

As someone else said, this is one time I can forgive CJ for thinking with his fists. Rational calm would not have been a realistic response to finding out douche had been planning on drugging and raping him. And looking forward to what happens with J-M. Sad that he was willing to go along with his cousin.

"... whom they both doted on. Dallas knew many black children in the south were born in poverty, were raised in poverty, and died in poverty. Discrimination and lack of opportunity for the descendants of slaves was still common...." Who's Dallas? Or did the characters name change and that should be Flynn?

I read it as something that probably wouldn't have happened if not for everything he'd been through the last several hours - on a normal day, when he wasn't so emotionally off-balance to begin with, he might have made a more responsible decision. But then he is 15 and male so..... lol

CJ's conversation with his little brother makes it sound like bro is still not 100% filled in on why CJ moved.

Hm... it's not including the quote from headstall that I'd wanted to include. I agree with him on feeling the pain that Doc. is feeling. I've been in that place -- that last final hope that somehow, during this last final chance trip, you'll be able to reconnect to the person you think you still love. And the pain when you finally admit that's never going to happen. 😢

Nice upbeat end to a depressing middle. Thought the phone call was well written, and packed an emotional punch.

The best families are the ones you make - not the ones you're born into.