Carlos Hazday

Thanks, bud. Glad you enjoyed it.

@Daddydavek The chapel's magnificent, and I hope one day to see it person. Renovation work's ongoing so I think I'll wait until it reopens. Should happen before Ritch's graduation. I wanted to show Ritch following protocol to a point, then laying down the law. Glad it worked.

Thats how EVERY word's spelled in Spanish. Of course vowels having one single pronunciation makes it easier.

Mann did exactly as you did. PIMP! When I described CJ's outfit. (Which I thought was perfect for someone coming from a few days in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Can't wait to write that.) I DIDN'T READ AHEAD When Ed call's him the same. Thanks for all your help, bud.

Thank you... Over 20 stories in the main series and spinoffs, I've tried to mellow CJ's violent tendencies and energize Ritch. Hopefully, as they continue to grow, they'll find the right balance.

I'm not about to stop placing the story in the middle of reality. Hell, I couldn't make up half the crap going on around us. I have friends, New Yorkers, who years after the 9/11 terrorist attack still had difficulty believing it happened. That's me with the January 6 riot at the Capitol. Including such events in the story helps me deal with them. In my mind, CJ equals hope. Hope for a better, fairer future. There are people like him out there, of that, I'm certain. I just hope they put apathy aside and try to help our world. I'm inspired by my youngest niece. She graduated from college last Sunday, turned down a couple of lucrative job offers, and decided to accept a position with Teach America. She wants to make a difference before she worries about accumulating wealth.

Languages evolve and English is not an exception. Older individuals will often resist common usage and complain, but it's impossible to stop change. One helpful reader once chastised me for ending sentences with a preposition. I pointed out it was dialogue and as @Valkyrie explains, not something a decent editor would correct. People rarely speak the way an English college professor might. Some rules, like the preposition one, seem silly and outdated. I'm confident enough these days I often break them. Hun for hon's normal. Last time I stopped at Burger King the cashier called me that half a dozen times. How about bro, bruh, brah, and a few others instead of brother? My characters have used all of them. The difference between dialogue and narration's important to me. I don't even use contractions in the latter. Messaging has accelerated change, since most people shorten words when texting.

At times. particularly with new readers, I can tell when they binge the series because of reactions or comments. I am aware others return to it now and then and you have no idea how flattering that is. Thank you!

If you haven't read @Parker Owens latest story, Double Concerto, I highly recommend it. If nothing else, you should skim the final chapter. Parker introduces a character I referred to as a helicopter mom. He corrected me claiming she's a bulldozer mom. Brett, on more than one occasion, has talked about the value of travel as an educational tool. Of course, that gave me an opening to write travelogues, but I agree with his sentiment. Traveling, even if it's within our home state, province, or whatever, can expand our horizons. One example was a guy in a bus in Albuquerque who chatted me up praising my tattoos. Then he showed me the ones he had gotten in prison. That conversation's still filed away for possible use in a story. My point's traveling can make us interact with people we might not otherwise, and we can learn a bit more about our fellow humans.

It does. Unfortunately fucking evangelical Christians think they own the place. President Abello would have a field day with those suckers.

I'm impressed, Erik. I wonder how many people recall Brett's heritage. I touched on that briefly in a Summer chapter and haven't mentioned it again. We'll be in Mexico City in the next book.

Yesterday at Carnegie Hall and today at the Air Force Academy, damn CJ gets around. Thanks Parker. Considering how he handled the situation with Simon and the insubordinate cadet, I think Ritch's learned how to function within the military structure. He's ready to become an officer.

I think we see some of that in this chapter. At least that was my intent. Cesar & Brett have The Elite, CJ & Owen The Squad, and Ritch The Wing. I repeated the named group of friends on purpose, wanting to show how each generation influences subsequent one. Ritch has seen his fathers and brother support their friends, and he follows in their footsteps.

Thank you! I have a phone app with the constitution and all amendments. When in doubt, I look things up. Instant access to information through technology partially eliminates the need for memorization, but there has to be a basic understanding to begin with.

Thank you.

I think the apathy so many Americans have when it comes to politics may be due to ignorance. And as far as those standardized tests go, they should go. Forcing teachers to mold their lessons simply to increase grades in those things reduces the overall quality of education.

It should but I wonder what topics are stressed in those classes these days. School days and years are limited and certain topics are replace with more current ones. The basics of government deserves to be part of the curriculum no mater what.

CJ strikes again. He has a way of tackling issues that resonate with readers. Too often, educators are underpaid and overworked, CJ brings the private sector into the equation instead of having the government intervene once mor. I thought the approach fit in well with his dislike of mandates and excessive regulations.

LOL I didn't even think of that when I brought in a jewelry box. I can't recall what I was taught in high school, but college's a different story. I had to read most of the Federalist Papers for my freshman government class. That's probably beyond the scope of CJ's new organization, but learning the basics of our governmental institutions wouldn't hurt. Of course, I'll delve a tad deeper into what he's doing in a future CJ story. I didn't want him stealing the show in this one.

I think a couple of years at a service academy will help almost anyone mature. I sure as hell hope so since those cadets will be the ones leading our military forces in the future.

“Jesus, Peterson, wipe that stupid look off your face already.” Joel crumpled a piece of paper and ricocheted it off Ritch’s forehead. “What look?” “The silly one you get every time you talk to your woman. You do it whenever you call her.” As he did most nights, Ritch had taken a break from studying to call Lucy. Because of the regimented schedule at the Academy, evenings were the most convenient time to do so. He had warned Lucy if she called or texted him during the day, they

Guess you liked the chapter, eh?

Never read that. There's a story on Nifty titled CJ, but not really worth reading. The author couldn't figure out what he was writing. I trudged through it, but never again. The theme of allowing people to out themselves when ready will be a recurring one. In the main series and in spinoffs.

Wouldn't fit into the decor. I see the front and dining rooms as being somewhat formal. Pocket door inspiration was the home of a banker in Miami. His dining room was in the center of the house, had 2 swinging doors to the kitchen, and pocket, french doors on the other four walls. LMAO, Either old or if they move to Los Angeles and start rooting for the Lakers. IT'S A GIRL! Didn't you notice all the pink at the reveal party? LOL They wouldn't be caught dead doing one of those silly things. I'm delighted to see you embrace violence. Welcome to the dark side.

LMAO Didn't I write a story about that?