Carlos Hazday

The new CJ may forego flashy fireworks for quiet resolve. I think people who can dress someone down, the way he did Rubio in this chapter, are often deadlier than those who shout and make a fuss. Our man's well on the way to being dangerous not only with fists but words.

CJ will come to value honesty and respect above most traits. He was honest and his fathers did not respect him in this chapter. Untangling that mess may take some time, but I'm sure he will, as usual, learn from the experience. By standing up to his fathers he proved beyond doubt he's nobody's doormat.

The wide range of gay sexual experiences, along with any related feelings, was something I wanted to explore. CJ's had his first and now we must wonder which path he'll follow, his fathers' monogamy or his uncles' open approach. Reunions back in Washington will be interesting.

And how to fight those fights. Sometimes the quiet approach is called for. I've been harsh on Pam in this story and will do it some more, but she gives me a chance to show CJ and Owen presenting a solid front with no cracks. As much as it is CJ we think of when she gets put down, it was Owen who lost it with her in Australia and is the one demanding action from CJ this time around. I think you're right, she may improve but it's going to take time. Hopefully, she'll realize if she can't stop her thoughts she should control her mouth.

Nelson was inspired by the longtime maitre'd at Joe's Stone Crabs in South Beach. The man was on the job for decades. I used to go there for lunch frequently with clients or recruits when on Ernst & Whinney's dime and the first time he greeted me by name nearly blew the top of my head off. There was an article about him when he retired a couple of decades ago, and they estimated he made over 100k a year in gratuities.

Unfortunately, lemmings are prevalent in our lives. My brothers and I are the product of conservative, Republican parents, but we all escaped that yoke. My cousin, 4 months younger than me, unfortunately, didn't He's a die-hard Trumper and so are his sons. My nieces told me at least one of them went to a rally in Orlando and posted some really stupid stuff online. The girls wrote their cousins off as lost causes after that. Interesting point since in the next chapter we hang with 4 individuals all raised by Republican parents but not tied down to the same ideology.in

I'll see what I can do, but I have a few more entries in the summer of 22 subseries and I'd like to write a Squad "reunion" set in 2027 and another Premium story before I tackle 2024. I do have a couple of ideas.

I wanted to show he has the ability to methodically tear down someone with facts and without relying on his usual potty mouth. CJ knows his worth, as a person and financially, and will take advantage of both as long as he doesn't hurt anyone else in the process. Georgetown administrators would be foolish not to bend the rules in the situation.

Pam gets more leeway than others would because she's Owen's mother. CJ might be showing some restrain, but his patience isn't infinite. They have been in town for three days, and Pam's managed to have misteps every single one. First, it was about how to deal with Liebe, then she added complaints about their decor, and now CJ's behavior. The woman's a klutz. I'm trying to remember if she screws up in the next chapter. LOL Presidential Party coming up.

Rubio could ask his marketing company for a list of everyone participating in development, filming, and focus groups; he might put 2 and 2 together. CJ's come a long way from when we started. Each experience he learns from only makes him more formidable. When they initially met the reporter, he admitted to screwing up by agreeing to only one interview about the Oscar. It might be something small, but the fact he admits to it and obviously felt bad about it shows he realizes he's not perfect.

I think CJ toned down the hits on Marco out of respect for Nelson and the location. And his takedown of Pam was gracious because she's his husband's mother. But as we see at the end, Owen's ready to take her down himself. Thanks for reading and for all your help, Wolf. Ready for more?

Like most boys his age, CJ follows sports, and getting the chance to watch a game at Wrigley had to be a highlight. I'll use the ballpark as a setting once more in an upcoming story. I think it was while CJ was in college.

Chicago's a great town. My brother and his wife live in the burbs, but I haven't been there since they moved. I think it's time I went to visit my nephews.

Current politics have always been an integral part of my stories, and I plan to continue using my platform to call out assholes. Not sure if you recall but in Ripper Christmas, Spencer--Owen's brother-- called their mother a cunt for being a bossy, meddling pain. He did it behind her back, but CJ would do it to her face. CJ and Owen's relationship with Brett and Cesar's quite different. They have disagreed, argued, shouted, and called each other names, but CJ's parents always fought with the guys in private. Pam has yet to realize she'll destroy her relationship with the guys if she continues to treat them as children, particularly in fron of others. You noticed those dark clouds on the horizon, eh?

Have I mentioned the DNA profile's title? "Washington's New Power Couple" Pam's listening; she reacts. But she's not hearing what everyone else is. Geoff does, and whether he likes how CJ and Owen live their lives, he accepts it's not his place to interfere. The summer of 2022 will be pivotal to CJ's political career. He and Owen agreed on their future plans, weddings in Michigan and Rhode Island provided an opportunity to meet powerful people, and their time in DC will allow them to grow their circle of contacts. A younger CJ may have screamed at Pam, but I wanted to show his growth by having him say what he might have ranted and raved about in the past in a calm, logical manner. Don't worry, he's still has the potential to explode.

New competitive sport: Marco Rubio trashing. LOL The man's a spineless coward only interested in what little power he has as a senator. I'm looking forward to writing about CJ's confirmation hearing as ambassador to Cuba in 2024. Marco sits on the foreign relations committee. He better realize CJ's going to outshine him whenever they meet.

In the past I tried to show Nelson as the ultimate professional, striving to make club members comfortable. He's still defending them. In his position and due to his longevity, I can see him not worrying about dismissing anyone. Senator or not. CJ met a lot of movers and shakers when he worked on Clinton's campaign in 2016. He kept a low profile while in college and during the two years he worked at the State Department, but the gloves are now off. It would be too convoluted to arrange for it to happen, but I'd love to watch him go after Florida's governor in person. I'd pity Ron Desantis. Whether it's residual grief or the effect of meds, Pam's clueless, living in a fog. Even Geoff acknowledges politics will be an integral part of CJ and Owen's lives. I imagined him tiptoeing around her not wanting to aggravate her condition, but CJ, and apparently Owen, have no such fears. If Pam continues to disrespect them, Geoff may have to step in and try to salvage any sort of relationship she might have with them. The foot-in-mouth syndrome's gonna bring her pain.

Pam seems unable to accept her little boy's all grown up and married to a man with a strong personality. As much as CJ's shown restraint, I fear at some point she'll push too much. You're right, he won't phisically attack her, but I fear a tongue lashing might hurt even more.

Thanks, Cris.

Thanks, Mark. Although I've evolved CJ over the years, his basic personality has remained constant. He's a smart ass who can turn on the charm, but he's ruthless when confronted. I pity anyone who runs for office against him.

Go ahead and enjoy it, it's sugar free so no cavities and no wight gain. LOL

Thank you. Albert. Writing dialogue for a bunch of teens was helped by listening to my nieces who, are a year older and a year younger than CJ. Even though he spent the summer hanging with the older men, I wanted to show him fitting in with people his age once he started school.

Dope? LMAO You're emulating a 15 yo hyperactive kid? Just so you know, Harley quickly became a reader favorite.

I'm glad you found CJ too, Albert. I know my writing improved over time, but I tried to maintain the same approach, depicting the family's life with touches of humor and at time a drop of sadness. Harley can cheer anyone up, though.

Let's hope Adriano finds peace. His words tell me he'll be in pain for a while.