Sammy Blue

It is true that a car gives more possibilities, but do you really think they are all honestly that worried about Zach and looking at the situation fairly and clearly, and that they are not letting their personal feelings overrule fair judgement? It is true that Tonto wasn't always perfect, however, Stef did his part there, too. Tonto did react better than anyone else I can imagine would have and she quickly changed her mind and apologized. She did believe she was trying to protect Stef. It wasn't exactly a situation you got confronted with regularly back then. Sure, she was an old women and Will is just a kid, and he has yet to get there where she was, but I bet she was very similar to him in her younger years and I am pretty sure that he will eventually get there. Will's reactions and doings might not always be the best, nor the most diplomatic ones, but he usually does have a point in what he does and usually he tries to be fair more than anything else, or not?

Following what you write is going to be hard. When I read the last book I already said that the language was a challenge for me sometimes. But now you add several storylines with different narrators, and I have a month to wait for each chapter? No fair LOL it totally is a challenge I'm eager to take on. It was another amazing chapter. I was totally waiting for this to happen after Shay opened the portal to Earth. This looks like it's going to be amazing! Only thing I'm missing now is Shay and Mira. You're cruel, did anyone ever tell you that? Making us wait for their appearance so long, not knowing what happened to them? Although now I assume that something similar like with Konstantin happened to them Some Mira/Shay in the next chapter pretty pretty please?

"Hey Asshole!" I tightened the grip on the strap of my backpack and walked faster. ‘Don't turn around, keep walking. It’s only a few more feet to the door and then you’ll be in the schoolyard,’ I thought to myself in panic. He grabbed me by the shoulder from behind. There was a loud clatter when I was thrown against the lockers to my left. I fell against them and slid helplessly down to the ground. When I looked up, my gaze was met by a pair of angry eyes. 'What is your problem, Parker?' I w

She was slowly walking through the silence of the night. The smell of smoke, beer and vomit was still lingering in her nostrils. Every now and then, a soft noise emerged from the two bundles in her arms, disrupting the quiet peace. They were so beautiful, so innocent. She had hoped that Bill would change, that he would finally turn his life around with these two little souls depending on him. He had promised it. It had lasted for two, maybe three days. Then she had come back from her cleaning j

Josh’s life leaves a lot to be desired. Between his conservative parents and being an outcast at school, he feels desperately alone. His only outlet is swimming. Running into trouble at the public pool brings major changes to his life; a new friend, a first love and a boy who looks like he just stepped out of Josh’s mirror...

The discussion did get a bit heated here and there, eh? I think it's kind of funny what a big deal we are making out of this, and how people take sides. It's not like we're talking about something really big, it's just about whether it is justified if some pretty unimportant character doesn't get a car and whether it is right that Will bought him one anyway. It's one of those moments where I could strangle Brad and where I would love to tell Will 'good job'. And it does show in the forum discussion that I feel this way.. Anyway, I think that shows us one thing: Not many authors get their readers so animated about something that technically sounds like a non-issue. You are awesome Mark!

Oh yes! I am doing that every other day and maybe that makes me bigoted but at least the shop is only half a mile away! Maybe that makes me bigoted, who knows. Yes, they do care about him, but they sometimes have views that conflict with the ones of the CAP family. You do have a point with Wally and Clara though. As for Brad and Gathan, it was not possible to talk about this with them. They disqualified themselves from talking about things very effectively. Also, I disagree on Will being so immature. See it from this perspective: legally, he is an adult. If Brad or Robbie or Stef had done something for Zach or his siblings they considered right, even though it was without asking Wally and Clara or asking them but ignoring what they think, nobody would complain about it. If there was complaint then we would not talk about immaturity but about lack of thought or about butting in. And actually, they did do that a lot, didn't they? Maybe Will is butting in, and yes, I guess he should at least have tried to talk to Wally and Clara about it, I do see a point there. But I think he is being judged harshly. There have been various occasions where someone of the CAP family simply ignored Wally and Clara's wishes and/or politely forced something onto them. Brad and Gathan believe that they protect Zach from trouble by not giving him a car. We do not know Wally and Clara's motives but I doubt that they are so worried about what he will do with a car. I think they are in fact worried about what it will do to Zach if he gets money shoved up his a**. However, for that NONE of the CAP family can judge Will, because pretty much all of the key players here did the same thing. Brad and Gathan are simply bigoted. Zach will get into trouble when he wants to get into trouble. You don't need a car to get in trouble, I know many people, including myself, who are the living proof for that. I honestly think that this reason is invalid. What do you think he should have done? And what do you think is Wally's and Clara's reason ? Assuming he is in fact like Tonto, and Zach's parents had said no after talking to them, for the same reason as always: the money issue, how do you think could he have done this differently?

I have to disagree with this.I am pretty sure Will understands them and I am also sure that it wasn't about him not thinking about it, it was about him not caring what they think (or maybe even him deliberately pissing them, Brad, Gathan, Wally/Clara, off). I can understand him very well. Will has had major issues with other wanting to control his life and not giving him the responsibility and respect that he deserves. He sees the same thing happening to Zach, nobody giving him a chance. If I was him, I would totally do the same thing. Maybe it is not exactly mature to do what he did, but what exactly is mature in this situation? Saying 'as long as he is not 18 it is none of my business? He simply can't do this, with his own history. Trying to talk to Brad/Gathan about it? Good luck with that. No honestly, I really don't think I can judge him for buying Zach a car. I actually think it was the right thing to do. No matter if Zach proves to have changed or not. If he didn't change I would still think it was right. PS: Also, it was fun seeing everyone freak out about it :D

I certainly didn't expect this

This was so funny and awesome! I was grinning and laughing through most of the chapter. Will's really getting good at the game. If he keeps it going like this and blows up less and preferably only after others he will have a lot less problems. It was really amusing to see how he let them all run into brick walls. I guess there will be a confrontation eventually and he might either blow up there or he will get really calm and serious and firm. Cold voice style. Either Gathan or Brad are probably going to blow up though.

It was sad, but also nice, in a way! I like the descriptiveness. :3

Actually, I can imagine two things happening. It is probably that JJ is in fact rude, not intentionally but simply by being self-absorbed, but it would also give an opportunity to show that JJ is not necessarily always like that, that he is growing up and seeing someone like Kai's father might just evoke a reaction that we didn't expect. JJ might be bitchy, but he isn't really malicious, I think. Edit: If he fucks up, there is a chance that he realizes what he did wrong, but we do not know that. It would actually be cool if JJ came to Hawai with them, I hope it will happen at one time or another...

Well I do know quite a few people who insisted they weren't gay at that age (while having sex with e.g. me), but now they are out and all. It is weird, but it makes sense, in a twisted way. Fucking, sucking and giving hand can be explained by either 'just doing it to get off' or necessary 'reciprocation'. Being fucked is where many people draw the line. In a way, it would give you the 'role of girl' (in a heteronormative/stupid way of thinking), and kissing (as well as other additional show of affection) would disturb the excuse that it is just about getting off. Basically you try to keep the emotional connection as low as possible and just work on physical satisfaction, which makes it easier to justify what you're doing (for your own conscience). Kissing is considered 'romantic' and that is a level that many don't want to enter. I know that for some people kissing is more intense than most other stuff. To me a kiss is pretty meaningful. I might make out some, if it is necessary, so it doesn't get awkward (when hooking up), but a genuine kiss that comes from heart does mean a lot and is rare. If I had a problem with being gay, I would definitely have a bigger problem with kissing people than with having sex.... because, at least to me, a (genuine) kiss means more than just 'sex'. I know that some people think differently, but that doesn't help how I feel about that.

You do have to feel bad for Zach. He looks up to NFL players as his Gods, and even in 2013 there still isn't a single active openly gay football player. If Zach does get far, and does well enough in college that he's considered an NFL prospect, he really doesn't have a choice- he has to continue living a lie. With Brian Bloom, he was good college-wise but not considered NFL-material, so it wasn't as much of a problem with him. Zach will probably wind up getting married to a woman for his beard, and having sex with men on the side without ever getting into real relationships. Hey, give the boy a break, alright? He is, as mentioned before, only 16. I don't know if it would even be appropriate to use the term 'living a lie' for a 16 y/o boy. He might be in denial yes, although with Will I didn't see much denial there, or did I miss something? The major denial, if I remember correctly, was in PMS, he was 14 back then, wasn't he? I think it is reasonable to be confused or in denial at that age, and even at age 16, it is understandable. Maybe you are right and he will be living a lie, but at his age, I don't think you can say that so definitely. The reasoning makes sense, though, method, good explanation (with the NFL)

Oh yea, I don't remember the number, but the amount of money that he spend in Vegas alone makes any car you could buy seem small, I think. I just checked, he bought a diamond ring for 20,000$, and a bottle of wine for 500$, just for shit and giggles. “I spent a lot of money,” I said. “How much?” “Exactly $247,685.” I grimaced at the number. --- Excuse me? We're discussing whether Zach should be able to buy a car, and Gathan does stuff like this? “How did you gamble when you’re all under 21?” JP asked. “We bought fake IDs,” I said. “The cheapest purchase of all.” --- “It’s a trust,” Brad said. “For you.” “For me?” I asked curiously. I didn’t know much about trusts. Trusts were for rich people. Kristin probably had one. “It will pay you $250,000 per year while you’re in school, and then when you turn 25, the balance is yours,” he said factually. --- I mean, okay, Gathan did some stuff back them that definitely got him in the good books of the CAP family, while Zach gave enough reasons not to be trusted, but now that I check the actual numbers, it's almost shocking. Also, Gathan can pretty much fuck up and and doesn't have to worry about it, while Zach has almost no chance to prove that he has changed. He doesn't even really see his family members, besides on occasions like this, and none of them really gives him a chance. I guess if he gets closer to Will then there is a chance that he can show that he has changed, but without Will I don't think he would even see Gathan and the others enough to make a difference. Gathan is richer than God, for a Hayes, while Zach is pretty much at his mercy until he is 30, and the amount of money Zach gets is ridiculously low. Edit: Yea, if he proves himself, then he will not have to worry about money, but he doesn't have a lot of chances to do that...

This was beautiful. Can't wait for more from John and JJ. I can see why nobody trusts Zack, I mean he wasn't exactly an angel and he still isn't, but I do think that they are over the top. I think Stef and Brad will make a lot of money on the 9/11 aftermath. I can't wait to read more about that, I think it is kind of interesting. The rest has already been said in the forum. Great work, keep it up!

This was a beautiful chapter. I can't wait for the next time John and JJ get together. If they continue what they have going on, JJ's problems will come up again and he will eventually tell John, I think. It is a very touching plotline. My opinion of Zach just did a U-turn. Well not fully, but I'm getting there. He definitely has a side that I didn't see before. I don't think that he is out to hurt Will or to get anything out of him, at least not intentionally. It is almost funny how Gathan pretty much proved what Zach criticized only moments earlier. I can see why everyone is a bit cautious and warns Will, but seriously, everyone who jumped into this discussion - didn't they learn anything in the past? As if patronizing Will would do any good. I think the part about the car is total bullshit. It's not mentioned what he wanted to spend on a car, if it was a reasonable amount or an unreasonable one. I give Zach the benefit of doubt though and assume that he really just wanted to have a car to get around. Even if he made mistakes before, isn't this what the money is for? A car gives you a lot more options, e.g. when it comes to a job, and makes many things easier. I think it is wrong of Gathan to argue the way he did, he is prejudged and should not be in charge of the trust, at least if he continues to see things the way he does right now. It is obvious that Wally and Clara didn't think he need a car. He couldn't even buy new shoes from Robbie's money if it was up to them, we have seen how they think about that a lot. I think it is also hypocritical of Brad to jump in on their side. He has bought expensive cars for people, more or less just because they were a good fuck, but he is against Zach buying a car to get around - from his own money? That's nonsense and I can't wait to see if there will be more about this trust, maybe not soon, but at some point. Of course, if Zach just picked the most expensive car, to piss people off, then I take all of this back, but right now I don't really see that.

That would have added some twist to the whole emancipation thing with Will, too. Ace would probably have been on Brad's side, I guess. That would have given some additional explosive material for Escorial dinners and there could have been more light shed on Brad's struggle and his decision to let Will go in the end. But well, that can't be changed anymore now, besides it should tell us that he does not do anything with family law. Claire and Marie have both been fairly important in the past books. Even don't think we will ever have a female narrator (other than for very short things, like in 9/11), I can very well imagine this being a side issue for whoever is narrator and staying at Escorial. Especially if it's Will, the drama magnet.

However that really is only titular, I don't remember Frank having any interest in the latest Hayes generation. (Or do I remember that wrong?) After 9/11 he is even less likely to think about looking out for them. Well maybe he changes his mind and things he must take over Robbie's obsession with Claremont and his family, but I doubt that. I think if anyone will try to include the Hayes into the CAP-family or look out for them it will probably, as methodwriter suggested, be Brad (maybe Will). I'm not sure that is going to happen though.

I am not certain, but I do fear a (forced) separation between Shay and Mira coming. In plots where you have a couple like them, separating them is one of the possible ways for the author to create 'problems' to keep the story going. While it is a way that can be taken in a storyline like this, I think it would tear me to shreds if I had to read it. I really hope that you will find other ways to keep it up, or if you do separate them that it is only for a short period of time. I do see a problem coming up with 'they are brothers'. I thought about this whole 'guardian' thing for a while. Would it not make sense if Konstantin said that he adopted both the boys after their respective parents died? After all, they can easily claim they all are from the colony and hence, the social services of the earth should not get involved in any way. It simply is not their job. I do not see why the family they have should get into any trouble about that. We will see in the upcoming chapters, I believe. I discovered this story just yesterday and have hence never posted here or in the former thread. I need to say, I think the bound between Shay and Mira is very special, one of the most interesting I have ever seen. I cannot wait to see more of it in this story.

I have started book one just yesterday and now I finally finished here. It was an amazing read so far and I really want to thank you for writing this story! Sometimes your English is a little difficult for me, even though I am not a native speaker, I do read A LOT (roughly 20mil+ words this year) in English. It is rare that I have to look up words or have problems with the reading flow. However, while it slows me down, that is also a good thing, I certainly do learn from reading this. I am kind of excited about where this will go. I can see that there might be reasons that Mira and Shay will take a while before they fully appear in the story, however, I hope they will remain the focus of this story. The storyline of Yugan sounds very interesting and I can imagine him playing a bigger role here, as long as the focus on Mira and Shay is not lost. Thanks again for your writing. I found this story when I was searching the web for stories about romance in a end-of.world scenario and I must say while it is hard to find good stories, this one does not only prove to be superior in this category, but also an outstanding story among all that I read. I can't wait for the next update, good job!

I kind of do sense something here. It totally had the alarm bells ringing there. Question is, is the curse of the Hayes family broken after Robbie's death? It does appear to me like that after this chapter. Maybe we will now see how the Hayes family deceases and the Danfields will rise. However, I hope that they will always remain at least a little bit involved. Maybe a nephew of Robbie happens to be gay but has been raised by religious wackos? I wonder about one thing in particular: while it is said that in case his nephew/niece want help they have to reach out for him, it is not being said that there has been any kind of contact. They don't even necessarily know about their family ties to Robbie. There is possibility here, but it's one of those where my instinct tells me 'might be, might not be' - yet I hope for something. I was taken aback in the first moment when reading it but then I was like 'FINALLY!!!' When's the last time that we have been interested in a teenage character that has not been downright gorgeous and perfect (physically)? I completely agree. Another thing! Wade being the guardian for his brother seems like a very interesting idea. It is very unfortunate that we've had roughly 1 million words on paternity in the past books (Will/everyone and Wade/Riley, Wade/family // other). While I can't wait to read about how Wade will handle this, I am afraid of it being tiring to readers (or me) - or it will be cut short of details. I am really thrilled to learn how Mark will solve that problem.

"I hoped we’d remember this when Riley got to be a teenager." I SO can't wait for it to happen, although it will probably be 2015 or 2016 by the time that is being written.... ^^ I'm so gonna rub it in if he doesn't! Anyway, nice chapter. The beginning felt like a typical sitcom (LOL I could see it before me! It was like video transformed into words x.x the talk about sex between grandfather, father and son. very absurd yet very entertaining ), then Robbie's will did not really contain any surprises, that that was alright. Still wondering what that special memorial (in ohio) thing is all about though... Ethan was interesting. While I'm kind of annoyed about not learning more than we did, I really do like that you take your time writing this. I can't wait for the next chapter, but that's a good thing, isn't it? Anyway, I'm drunk outta my mind and just got back from a freshmen party x.x I hope I'm making any sense...... (It's 7:30 am x.x) I'm so gonna reread this at least two times....

I did not elaborate that enough, I am sorry. Of course sex can be consensual yet harming, in cases where one participant is not mature enough to give consent. I would consider these cases as 'harming'. I did point out Germany as one example. There are different laws all over the place. I do not know what studies these are based on, however, I think that this is not the right place to discuss laws in detail (or am I wrong here?). I think what I am trying to say is, whichever law or study you will take, a general rule can never fit the reality of all cases. There are people above 'age of consent' that are not mature enough and there are people below age of consent that are. We could of course discuss which law fits best, but I think we can also agree that no law that simply gives an age will be capable of correctly addressing every case. As far as I remember the past books, in the case here discussed, that is Will, yes, Will has this maturity. He does handle it far better than some of the 'mature, older' characters, such as Matt. That is what I was trying to say. IF this maturity exists, like in Will's case, then what's wrong with it? Ok, yes, that was a stupid and unfitting observation/remark I was making, you are right. ^^

When I was about 16/17 I had a boyfriend who was 15. I don't know his story, if there is any in the way that JJ has, but we were together for about 2 or 3 months before we did anything sexual. So at least from personal experience I can say that this is not impossible.