wallycleaver

I was thinking earlier that I hope this story goes on until Owen and Ryder's retirement years, but a sequel would be just as welcome. This outstanding story has become part of my daily routine - I'll miss it.

Ryder needs to quit smoking. I've been meaning to mention how much I appreciate the chapter-a-day pace of this story. Much more enjoyable than a post a week or post a month - I feel invested in these characters and how their story moves on from here.

Good point. Someone who is as passionate about the mortuary business as Eric should be able to understand Owen's passion for a different career.

It seems to me that Owen is slowly moving in the direction we all think he should be. Not surprising that it's taking him longer than Ryder and many of us would like, given his youth and the environment he grew up in. It's been what, three weeks since he discovered how much he likes working with kids? He'll get there soon enough. I'm sure his father, and to a lesser extent the rest of his family, will be hugely upset when he finally admits the funeral business isn't for him. But won't they also be at least a little appreciative of the fact that this all started with a church-related job they signed him up for? It's not like he's racing off to become a gigolo or a professional poker player.

I agree with Margot about not rushing to blow up the status quo. Doing so could be too life altering for Owen - if his parents kick him out, he's got nowhere to go and Ryder can't afford to support him. Why not, as she says, go to Ohio State, then start talking about switching majors. At the same time, have Ryder start showing up occasionally so friends and family get to know him. If Owen, Ryder, Jules, and Margot all ended up at Ohio State (even if Ryder doesn't enroll), the rest of the situation can play itself out over time. My thoughts would be different if they were just graduating college instead of high school, but at this point, Owen will need that college education for his future, and there's no way for him to pay for it without Mom and Dad.

A couple of random comments: I agree with those saying Ryder is coming on too hard and fast. That said, he had a year in jail to think about how to keep himself out of similar situations in the future, which probably led to him having such strong feelings about anything that comes across as less than 100% honest. Still, is Owen supposed to open every conversation with a list of anything that Ryder might consider negative? Constantly accusing Owen of dishonesty can't be good for the relationship, so maybe Ryder should stop viewing everything through that lens. It seems like going to Ohio State and taking teaching courses might raise less attention from his parents than changing schools, since at least his first year would likely be general studies anyway. And how hard could it be for Ryder to move there and find similar work? Owen starts as planned, then starts speculating to the family that he might like teaching better - edge into it rather than just having the mortuary science fight now. Is Margot's panic more likely to cause a disaster than Ryder's actions? Why couldn't Ryder go to the party and be introduced as a friend from the study group, there to celebrate the engagement just like everyone else? Wouldn't it be to the advantage of all concerned if parents and others got to know Ryder as a great guy who happens to be friends with Owen, starting them off with positive thoughts about him? Or would Ryder's aggression cause some kind of uncomfortable scene? I read a lot of excellent stories on GA. The best ones, like this, stick in my mind so I think about them between chapters. Thanks!

What happens when college is over and the families find out the relationship has been a scam for the last 7 years? Margot and Owen are doing this to keep their family relationships from blowing up, but how do you come back from that? Yes Mom, we've been dating and engaged for years but just realized we're both gay? Such a great story so far - I can't wait to find out the answer.

I found it perfectly reasonable that Owen didn't disclose more personal information to Ryder. He's eighteen, never been in a relationship, never used a dating app, first two experiences were bad, and never even met Ryder in person. In addition, it's only been five days, and the amount they could have told each other was limited by the time they had to do it. I found Ryder's reaction extreme and offensive - in Owen's place, I'd need some convincing before I'd even consider getting back in touch. A great story so far - thanks!

“Did you two hook up before I got here? Be honest.” Not a question I would have asked in a text message - how do you assess their credibility?

I could argue that given the family he grew up in, Orel must be fluent in the ways of fine dining. (And one could counter-argue that if that were true, he wouldn't be wearing a pizza delivery uniform). We'll know soon enough.

These Finn Grady stories get better and better. Thanks!

Thank you for this. My biggest disappointments with GA are unfinished stories, to the point that I won't read in-progress stories from authors with a lot of unfinished work.

While obviously no one would want to marry someone who cheated in the days before the wedding, I don't see it as Lyn's place to tell Bella - his loyalty is to Brad right or wrong, and Bella is a stranger. I would let Brad know how I felt, strongly encourage him to tell, then end my involvement. Not sure how I'd feel about Brad going forward, but a lot would depend on his faithfulness after the wedding.

I'm a reader, and I just want to see more of what you are already doing.

I've been reading this stuff since I had to wait for my modem to connect me to AOL so I could access Nifty. Gotta say, this is one of my top five stories of all time. I anxiously await every chapter. Thanks!