pvtguy

Charlie may have had a university education, but Neil has shown greater talent so far! Has he ever invited Charlie to see his work? Someone has to rise above the pettiness and it won't be Charlie! Alex and Neil are such a well-matched couple! They truly bring out the best in each other.

You are a gifted writer, @Mark Ponyboy Peters. Your capability of getting inside the minds of your characters and getting us readers to experience the tensions, the joys, the worries, etc., is amazing. I do believe that whatever occurs between Casey and Levi will ultimately bring him even closer to his dads as they work through this period of his life.

I'm still having difficulty accepting AI robots as "persons" as in human. Yes, Julian has absorbed millions of bytes of information about human behavior and is responding appropriately which may well lead to a deeper relationship with Ben - but he is still a machine. This is my humanistic bias showing. Now, I do believe that Julian is going to help Ben evolve from the doormat to a fully functioning person, and for that, I am looking forward to that evolution. The story is, as usual, well written by a very talented @mastershakeme and that is why I am eagerly looking forward to each posting!

Such codependency - Ben take care of his family's "needs" while needing 'family'. Maybe Julian can help resolve that situation.

A possible bump in the road of Levi's development: Is Casey for real or is he setting up a bad situation for Levi? Everything else in Levi's life is going so well - does he need to be hit with the reality that some people are not as they seem? That Casey agrees to be on the DL with Levi is concerning and portends potential danger in my mind.

As human creators, we are capable of creating both useful, good, fun, and also destructive/evil. AI has only not proven itself, in my humble opinion, with any sense of morality that I've seen. It seems to be replacing reflection and problem-solving in humans who want quick/instant results without thinking about the ethical dimension. Again, only my opinion to this point. I am open to learning as things develop.

I can't say anything about Neil any better that this! As for the driving, it is merely dealing with the adjustment period of driving to get used to a different method. A week might not be enough of a period to do so for many people, but I know several people who have done it successfully but with great focus.

To start, I guess I'm showing my age and beliefs about AI: One can mimic humanity via AI, but in the end, Julian is still a machine. I am intrigued to see how this story evolves, but I feel sorry for Ben because he does not have a human with whom he gets the relationship he is expecting from this "companion".

The continued growth of Neil in becoming more confident in his speech and actions is amazing! Alex's acceptance in the group is a plus for Neil too - they can enjoy more things together.

I do "know" Ben: I understand all too well being the one who always helps when others need something. Ben hasn't discovered the peace that finally comes when the word "no" is said and meant. He does love his nieces and his Gram! Gram is going to do something, I hope, to deal with his mother. I'm ready for another ride on the @mastershakeme! You do create wonderful stories!

Casey took a few steps away, then turned around to face Levi once more, giving the front of his floral board shorts a rub as he did so, which didn’t go unnoticed. I'm a bit wary of Casey: This action seems overtly as a temptation to Levi. Is Casey teasing Levi so that he can later say that Levi seduced him? Of course, the speculation that Casey might be gay himself and afraid to say so to his family is a real possibility too at this point. We shall see... I loved the interaction between Matt and Levi. And Levi's thoughts were very telling of his progress in thinking: Their relationship was growing, day by day, and despite the misgivings he’d had when Matt first came on the scene during his mother’s illness, now he was giving thanks to the man upstairs every day for allowing Matt, and also Luke, into his life. Great writing, @Mark Ponyboy Peters.

What a wonderful introduction to a full family event for Levi! His heart is expanding in love which is slowly allowing him to push out the BS he was fed by his maternal grandfather. He has received wonderful material presents, but the love and respect he is being shown are gifts of a lifetime! Beautiful writing!

Neil and Alex continue to deepen their relationship through everyday events: shopping, eating a meal, grabbing a drink, viewing sites as tourists, and simple conversation that is open and honest. Neil may well have been not encouraged by his mother/father, but he is certainly getting more open and assertive comfortably. His relationship with his brother is taking on a more mature and respectful nature. This story continues to grow in depth without all the drama of other stories. I love it!

I read the entire story in one afternoon for the simple reason I couldn't stop! Such fun, yet so heartwarming. I loved the speeches! Thanks for sharing this story!

I like this style of writing and organization: several chapters in a volume that sets up the premise and leaves the reader eager for the next cluster. Light-hearted, humourous, and enough titillation woven together so cohesively.

I'm really enjoying seeing the growth in the relationship of this couple without the drama. The focus on the growth in communication, development of feelings, the sharing --- this is truly a mature relationship which should lead to a long term partnership.

Fr. Costas has a way of planting questions for Levi to consider. Levi is showing such wonderful growth. I had glassy eyes too when reading Levi's response to what he learned from his birth certificate. I also understand Matt's sense of loss but he is certainly establishing a strong parental relationship now!

That would assume he was a learned man in ways other than the negative side of the Bible. He certainly did not quote the positive side!

A very compelling story about a young man, an only child, (Owen), whose whole life was determined by his parents even before his birth. He has never been seen as an individual with his own likes/dislikes nor allowed to express such to his parents. His best friend, Margot, has her own agenda to deal with her own situation. It is a coming of age, a coming out, and a journey to individualism supported by love. Definitely worth a read!

Ah -- my happy/sad emotion hits again: happy to see life happening for the four, but especially for Owen and Margot; sad because the story has now ended and no new chapter to look forward to each morning. As others agree - superb writing! Now on to the next story which I hope is soon!

I did use the word "hope".... I don't actually think they did, but as they were fully business-like in their manner, they might have paid him something as an obligation, not out of any other motive. After all, he did have gas money to fill his car and money for food apparently.

I would hope that Owen at least has a bank account with some earnings from his summer job at the funeral home! I know families where the children are on their own at 18. I once knew a family of a student I had in school: there were 9 children total, mother died after the last one was born, father remarried, had uge dinner and party on the child's 16th birthday and then had a suitcase packed for the child to go on to a relative's house to live, financially cut off from the father. That was their "normal" and accepted as such. The oldest child became the relative that most of the younger siblings came to live with until they could go on their own. Amazing. Not my style at all. Owen will make it. He has the drive and desire to do so and the support of Ryder and a slowly building network of others - his cousin and aunt to begin with, hopefully his mother. Perhaps in time, his father - but I don't hold out hope for that just yet. Loved the story and the exceptional writing!

Neil shows that he can hold his own with people! I would imagine that people in Rose's social scene might well want to commission works via word-of-mouth advertisement. Wonderful chapter!

Paige has made the stunned silence ok by simply hugging her sister. Her reception wasn't ruined as far as she is concerned. Beth is the supportive person we all knew she is. Great chapter!

I know how the expectation of a parent/parents can damage a child: I've seen it in my own family. The result: the child lost all feeling for the parent, even to the death of that parent. The parent couldn't even acknowledge the child in the will. Owen may lose a family who never fully accepted, respected and recognized the true child they bore, but he will find a family of his own choosing as he moves on.