Carlos Hazday

Thank you. In the past, I've dealt with difficult issues/situations quickly. I want a positive, happy story so in a chapter or two, CJ was back to spending money and being a spoiled rich kid. This one's different. Brad's hopefully coming home without legs and we'll have to deal with his condition permanently. Considering I introduced Brad's more somber attitude during the wedding chapters, you can figure out I started planning for this story arc a long time ago. Hell, I started before the wedding but I'll keep when and where quiet for now. I'll stretch it out for a couple more chapters as we deal with the repercussions of Brad being in a wheelchair.

LMAO. A certain reader who shall remain nameless ( @dughlas ) demanded I start writing happy, sappy, romances after I posted today's chapter. Something about his eyes shedding water several times with today's chapter. For the past couple of years I've concentrated on one series:CJ. Coming of age story following a gay teen who's now about to graduate from college. It's my best writing, particularly the books covering his college years. But it requires a commitment. The current book is number 10 and by the time it finishes posting, the series will have about 3/4 million words. It can be done, someone emailed me recently to let me know the binge read the previous nine books in a weekend. I hope he took food and bathroom breaks. Try Tomorrow. Short story I wrote for the last anthology. It'll give you a decent idea of how many of my characters act. I do believe in happy endings. I don't believe in angst. There's drugs, sex, cussing, and banter in my work. I mostly write stories based on real life and if I could get paid for all my product placement I'd be rich.

Yep. You chickened out...

Great story, Wayne. Dovetails nicely with the chapter I published today. It highlights a 'community' coming together to support an injured soldier. I'm a big believer in personal involvement and lending a hand whenever possible.

I'm gonna do what my readers do to me: predict the future. Chad's going to be a very important cog in future events. He and the two agents Harris left in Hailey will be a line of defense. Paul will be the final protective barrier. How close am I? LOL

CJ may have a vindictive streak, but when it comes to those he's closest to, his pushing is out of love. You nailed that one.

High praise coming from a talented author. Thank you. We'll start the recovery process in a couple of days and next week I'm taking CJ, Ozzie, and Harley to New York and then New England. A motorcycle trip's always a good way to get rid of stress.

Did I mention I'd love to move? Is Sydney far away enough. I kinda like Australians.

Recovery from losing two legs will never be fast. I talked to someone who lost them years ago while researching the Brad story arc; fifteen years later, they still face medical issues and the phantom pain is a constant reminder of the loss. Young men, and more recently women, have always been cannon fodder in wartime..

I'm learning as I go along. One of the 3 stories I'm currently working on lends itself to foreshadowing but I'm resisting. I want the ending to be a real surprise.

Mr. Google helped me figure it out. LOL

I was never in the military and some people have questioned why I portray service members in such a positive light. I remind them I've also showcased at least one jerk (CJ's teacher who objected to him not saying the Pledge of Allegiance.) But my experience with vets has been a positive one overall. I've dated a few of them, lived with a sailor and then a flyboy, and count many good men who served as friends.

With the cast growing so large, and the boys now adults, I've tried to give everyone air time. I did it with Trip and Danno on the trip to California, and now with another 5 of the older guys. Hopefully, the change in how the younger and older crowds relate to each other has kept pace and evolved properly.

Wow! I'm learning new cuss words! Brad's been my whipping boy for a while. Maybe his life will improve now.

As usual, CJ throws his wealth around, but again as usual, he spends just as much on others as he does on himself. Let's hope Brad does get to walk again.

This was already written when I read Changes. Brad's road to recovery and the final outcome will be different. I sweated it for a bit.

You scare me because of how perceptive you can be. I tried misdirection with you, but you were right: I foreshadowed this happening. Hell, I had itplanned out a couple of years ago before I even started writing this installment. Let's see what you think of how CJ tries to help the recovery along. He may get pushy.

Thank you. I hope CJ's living up to the expectations of family, friends, and fans. He's one of those men who born to lead.

Thanks! Although some readers feared the worst, I hope sparing Brad's life came as a good surprise. He may be calling Don to get tips on handling a wheelchair.

A bull in a china shop when he feels strongly about anything. It could backfire on him, but Owen can slow him down if needed.

I could title it either Hero or Cripple, which one you like better? Let me get through my list of pending stories before I consider a Brad spinoff. As for writing happy sappy romance, I think you have the wrong author. How about next week I give you a motorcycle trip with Harley instead?

Thanks! There was no way CJ wasn't flying to Europe. His comment about being there for any of his peeps encapsulates how he feels about the Squad. Hope you liked the appearances by 5 Elite members!

I took his legs but I didn't kill him. That's what a few people feared. I'm hoping the sober demeanor displayed during his most recent appearances presages good things. CJ's like a snowplow. He'll clear the way so others can get through, but the blade can sometimes scrape against the sides. In this case, he definitely bulldozed over everyone to get his way.