Carlos Hazday

Hmmm... #feelingneglected Wondering why I'm once again left out of the update. Can't be a confusion over posting both on Friday and Sunday this time.

And welcome back to you too! I hope previous followers find their way back after the hiatus. I'm really excited about sharing this installment with readers. Modesty aside, I think it has some of my best writing to date. Both technically and plot-wise.

@GomezSC LOL You're really going to hate me after today. As soon as I finish doing a final read, I'm loading up the next two chapters. At least you know there won't be interruptions in posting!

LOL I think Fran Poulter's views inspire some but, damn! Yeah, there was backtracking with some previously described events like the Chicago wedding thrown in to tie the story back to Walls. Take a look at my reply to Dave's comment and you'll see what I was trying to accomplish. All new content in the next chapter. Very little drama in it and more of an exploration of family relationships.

Sorry I shorted you! LOL The fast pace of the chapter was intentional and I suspected it wouldn't work for everyone. I wanted to recap some of what had transpired in order to set the stage for what comes next. At the same time, I didn't want to repeat myself and tried to move the story forward. The Pulse scenes were tough. You're not the first person to tell me I skip over some of the emotional actions/reactions and it's something I've tried to address but can still improve on. But to be honest, I'm not sure I could have done much better in this case. Writing those sections took a toll and each time I've read the chapter I end up tearing up during CJ's speech. As an aside, that speech is an amalgam of my words and those of a county commissioner during a memorial service for Matthew Shepard. To me, the Orlando shooting echoed the senseless murder of Shepard in Wyoming. Thanks for the insights, Dave.

Thanks, bud. And thanks for reading!

@Bill Christiansen Thanks, Bill. The current installment will run 7 chapters. They are written and edited. The subsequent two will also be 7 chapters each and are written but editing is on hold for this month. The fourth section of Georgetown is in the process of being written. It covers the last two years of college for CJ and there's a lot I need to cover so I'm unsure how long it'll be. I do have 3 more books outlined and as long as there's a good response, I'll continue writing.

Hopefully better than I did. I've grown more intolerant in some areas as I've grown older

Thank you! You're correct in saying this will be an important chapter in CJ's life. The kid's a sponge, he observes and learns and the election of 2016 will be pivotal as he ages. He may bemoan some loss of privacy but will overcome his jitters in time.

LOL I hear Fran Poulter dressed as a scarecrow for Halloween. Oh, wait. That wasn't a disguise. All through the election I jotted down notes about things I wanted to include in the story. The "funny sounding, dark-skinned people is real. It turned my stomach when I heard it and instead of just getting upset, I decided to make fun of it. Glad you liked the chapter even if our boy's a leftie!

@Sweetlion Thank you! It's good to be back. You're correct, certain values/beliefs will always rule the day for CJ and most of us. However, without compromise, any government will grind to a halt. Just look at the US. If Tip O'Neill and Ronal Reagan or Ted Kennedy and John McCain could find common ground (I realize those names may not mean much to non-political junkies) why can't we in 2017? Sometimes, we need to accept something which may not resonate with us in order to achieve our goals. I think that's the lesson CJ needs to learn and then decide where he's willing to give ground in order to achieve something greater.

Thanks, Dugh! I wanted a short recap of what transpired at the end of Walls but tried to intersperse enough new content to move the story forward. Roar will be heavy on politics, it concludes on Election day, but I promise there will be plenty of other stuff to show CJ and the gang leading regular lives in spite of the kid being in the spotlight.

Readers may not recall CJ had a litmus test for politicians: they either supported equality for gay people or he wouldn't support them. At this point in the story, that's still valid and I think it works with a 16yo. Kids that age may see things in black and white while missing nuances and shades of gray. Let's see if he changes as he ages.

Politics were always meant to play an integral role in the story. It's one of the reasons I chose Washington as the main locale. It began in the first book when CJ interned in Senator Rubio's office. And just like CJ's views and attitudes have evolved in other areas, they will do the same in the political arena.

Thanks, Chris. It's great to have readers back for this installment, I've missed the 'family' while on hiatus.

LMAO! Why am I not surprised you caught that? Not everyone will. This was a tough chapter to write because of the Pulse murders. I wrote those sections first and then filled in around them. I tried to lighten the tone a bit and also tries to ensure there was more than politics involved. Hopefully, it works.

At fifteen CJ Abelló is exiled from his home in Miami because of his sexual orientation and sent to live in Washington, D.C. with his gay father and his father’s wealthy partner. Over the next few years, CJ flourishes in his new home thanks to the love and guidance provided by the two men and their group of friends. He is nearing graduation from School Without Walls High School, ready to begin his freshman year at Georgetown University, and volunteering in the 2016 presidential campaign.

In our age, there is no such thing as keeping out of politics. All issues are political issues… George Orwell Following his meeting with Hillary Clinton in late 2015, CJ wrote her a note expressing his gratitude for the interest in him and her faith in his ability to represent her U.S. Presidential campaign. He composed it on his laptop, reviewed and revised it several times, and had his dads read it over asking for their input. Once satisfied, he rewrote it by hand on good station

At fifteen CJ Abelló is exiled from his home in Miami because of his sexual orientation and sent to live in Washington, D.C. with his gay father and his father’s wealthy partner. Over the next few years, CJ flourishes in his new home thanks to the love and guidance provided by the two men and their group of friends. He is nearing graduation from School Without Walls High School, ready to begin his freshman year at Georgetown University, and volunteering in the 2016 presidential campaign. CJ

Bravo! So glad this feature is back. Thanks, Renee and thank you Hudson and Tim.

@BHopper2 Glad to see I'm not the only early morning person. Send me a PM and let's see if we can work together.

For once I'll say I'm glad the chapter wasn't longer. Damn, but that was a lot of information to absorb, it borders on a dump but I liked it. Liked it enough I'll be following the story. Good bones all around with some easily fixed errors. I think you'd benefit from a beta reader at a minimum. Maybe someone with experience as an author who's worked with good editors. Someone willing to share what they've learned in the process. I know someone like that. ME! ---Thank you, @Renee Stevens for saving this comment when you had to repost the chapter. ---

@William King Please do not allow the avalanche of opposing views deter you from stating your opinion in the future. It's refreshing to have someone speak out when they feel strongly about something. I happen to agree with you. If one type of reaction is called comments and another one reviews, to me they're so labeled because they're meant to be different. There are many fragile egos unable to handle real reviews where weaknesses are pointed out and I'm glad you're not amongst them. You encouraged me to be honest in my reviewing of your work and I've tried to do so. I don't write many because authors (and some 'fans) have jumped all over me for being honest and critical in the past. I do appreciate all feedback, but often wish more readers would let me know how my writing skills help or hinder their enjoyment of something I post. Or if something in the story doesn't make sense. I spend countless hours trying to present a quality product and so does my support team, but I'm not perfect and never will be, even though I continue to strive to reach that elusive goal. Let's see how many people get ticked off at me over this!

@Gary2881 I'll skip the gun issue since CJ has done nothing illegal and as you can see from other comments on this story or other chapters it's polarizing enough. "If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor." - Desmond Tutu "To sin by silence, when we should protest, makes cowards out of men." - Ella Wheeler (Often erroneously attributed to Abraham Lincoln) "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke The above quotes distill CJ's values. I think his actions perfectly reflect his beliefs and are entirely in character for him. He'll never stand on the sidelines when he sees something he thinks is unjust. This week, the white supremacist who organized the Charlottesville protest spoke at the University of Florida. My nieces are students there and were part of the multitude of people who protested his presence and views. I couldn't be prouder of them.

@Dmrman I think readers have figured out I don't always follow the obvious path; what comes next surprised quite a few. Owen will be a recurring character so we'll see him again. Whether he and CJ end up being friends or more is very much up in the air right now. Even if some people can't relate to the idea of a little vacation sex being nothing more than that.