pvtguy

Living in a hurricane prone area, I do appreciate accurate reporting but I totally dislike when reporters are standing in the wind and rain, holding on to something to keep from getting blown away or standing in water to show how deep it is. We are warned not to be out in the storm, but that warning does not apparently apply to reporters for the sake of "ratings!" I guess I'm in a minority not wanting to see anything happen to the reporters or waiting for a thrill... Peter's gift certainly has saved a lot of people (hopefully - if they listened!).

So many thoughts: Is Brandon trying to say he's a sociopath because of genetics? Does he believe his father is also genetically disposed to be a sociopath? He seems to blame his father for his disposition - what does he truly feel toward his mother? How did Nicholas subdue Brandon without waking him? This certainly has been one intense chapter! As for the bright side - even though it is overshadowed by the focus on Brandon: Nicholas and Beth have certainly behaved in a mature and responsible fashion, rekindling their friendship and caring for each other while recognizing a marital relationship between them is over. Nicholas still has a close relationship with Jett. End of positive.... Amazing writing!

I, too, would like to know what happened to Brandon that brought out such evil. Yes, Nicholas can still love him (or who he was), but Brandon must face justice for what he has done. And what has happened to Dawson? Will he and Nicholas find solace in each other? It is good that Nicholas is still close to Jett. Still very powerful writing!

I'm puzzled by the "interrogation" of Rizzo (who, by the way, brings up a picture of "Ratso Rizzo" of Midnight Cowboy in my mind, though he hasn't the first iota of morals of Ratso): why did they not frisk him for their own safety? Were they just trying to let him know they knew more than he thought? I do hope the "boss" deals effectively with him. How long will it take for John Renkin to gain the courage to divorce the shrew and give the kids a warm and loving home? Looking forward to this and so much more in the coming chapters!

Tragedy is becoming the theme in Nicholas' life this summer! Has he been contacting Jett? Will he go back to his teaching job? After finding some peace in his life - he's got a lot to consider! And now, without Marcus, will he still feel at peace in Seagull's Bay? I'm eagerly awaiting the resolutions....

What I admire most with Ralph and Nolan - they talk honestly and openly! While there is worry (especially on Ralph's part) about upsetting Nolan, they do resolve issues very well. Therese still shows great acceptance of Ralph even though she is much more rigid in her approach with the girls.

Absolutely powerful writing, emotions, realizations, and emergence of a confident man!

I do hope we find out what changed in the relationship between Brandon and his father: I will say that a large part of that would lie with Nicholas possibly ignoring Brandon in a way that shut him out. Brandon has to make a move too - he is old enough now to confront his father and figure out a way to communicate. Nicholas did make a first step which seems not accepted by Brandon, but perhaps Brandon really did listen but did not show it. Yes, the relationship between Nicholas and his wife have changed, as noted by @Cane23,childbirth does change some women's libido (as does menopause), but that is just a challenge to be worked through in the relationship. Nicholas may also have lost his enthusiasm in life and his job - an enthusiasm which needs to be rekindled. Perhaps Marcus will awaken that enthusiasm once again...

This story touches close to home for me, having lived through a similar experience in my life. As to @drsawzall's conjecture about the harm done to Damian, I can say I know firsthand the damage it did to my son. Jackie should "get life" for sure, but a life where she must live with the knowledge of what she did, though she will most likely never blame herself for what she has done. A three- or foursome would be quite interesting....

A very interesting and satisfying end to exploring AJ's life. He certainly was talented in many ways and had the work ethic of his father for sure!

So much said so eloquently already for me to add much: as for placement for the children: I would hope that Social Services could quickly qualify Roger, Maria/Juan and Melissa as qualified placements so that the children will not have to be moved. That certainly will have negative effects on them, even though done in the name of their welfare.

Their lives did parallel in many ways via different paths: finding their true partners later in life, becoming parents, following paths that defied their parents' expectations. Still, young love proved not to be long lasting mature love. I do hope they all get together again, but don't see it as essential to either's life. Now on to getting Ralph's life more resolved!

@centexhairysub poses the question: Have to wonder if the Lindy has some type of gift and it is just dormant. Hard to image that all three kids would have a gift with just the father being a carrier of the gene unless it was truly a dominate gene. And @drsawzall queries: Thinking of the future…what talents will AJ’s children have??? I would say the answer lies in the genetics factor. In that all three children appear to have been blessed with psychic capabilities, it would indicate to me that Lindy does have some abilities as yet untapped. There are some who would say that we all have untapped abilities and have experiences which point to such abilities. Hmmm......

Anesthesia is as good a reason as any for loosening AJ's gift: under a deep sleep, his mind could well have been freed to release his ability. There are instances of people going into a coma after anesthesia and waking up speaking a different language or dialect. I, too, am eager to see the gifts of the sibs!

The detectives will soon find that the scope of their search is much deeper and wider than they can imagine. Roger's questions definitely are a start, but they are the source of the beginning of a solution: How can we help, Who will help, Where can the children go when found? It is not hopeless, but the fact is that many in society want and do bury their heads from the suffering around them. Otherwise, we wouldn't have a homeless problem or people (adults and children) starving. Yet, every single effort to assist any found in these circumstances helps. We can't solve the whole on our own - but we can help those we can. This is such a gripping tale! Thank you for writing it!!!

What a powerful chapter! Bishop has had to take a journey through memories to remember who he is. Pawn was the catalyst and perhaps will be the thing he needs to be himself once again.

In spite of the background cacophony of the reporters, Ludo and Arthur do have a respite thanks to Gordy. They will certainly need more evenings like this to get through the coming onslaught of stress caused by Jackie and a trial. The boys do offer the opportunity to enjoy their innocence and focus on normality. Arthur is truly a source of strength for Ludo.

The preamble to the Constitution, while a goal to constantly work for, still in the minds of many do not apply to all - we still as a society place some people as "others" who don't have the same rights as "we" do. And this Us versus Them attitude is promoted by so many of a particular political party in the United States who believe in "law and order" as they see fit to apply it. It would seem to me that the pilgrims and those who followed to the New World didn't follow the "laws" of the land they took over and displaced the residents who were already there. As for the child and sex slave trafficking: would that the same passion to rid our country of "illegals" be applied to the lowlife scum who perpetrate this abominable criminal activity!

You certainly have captured my feelings about what's happening politically currently. I refuse to lose hope, but that gray mist is certainly descending.

Nolan's advice to Ralph is very cogent: he has to go through his problem in order to go beyond it! I'll bet that Gordon is much more forgiving than Ralph expects, because they both ended up in a better place because of their own histories.

A simple Wow! This background certainly helps us understand more of these characters. Well written - I could picture everything via the very descriptive language! I have a hard time believing this happening in boot camp, but then again, having never attended one, what would I know?

I doubt that Jackie will ever feel that she did anything wrong but deserved the money and travel, etc. A confrontation with Ludo will still be an attempt on her part to blame him for an mishap that has occurred in her arrest. Will a positive story in the news about Ludo influence those who want to believe he was a weak husband who allowed his wife to get away with such a crime? Will the public be more sympathetic with his position? We'll see. I do agree: counseling for all to clear their minds and help them move into the future without so much baggage from the past! Brilliant writing continues! How long till next installment?

Add to that disgusted, sad, hopeful, and nauseous...and still loved it too!

What is the connection of Donald Cassel wearing Eddie's watch? Have I missed something there? The story is coming to a very intense moment: who's watching Riz? Is it an FBI undercover or one of the mob? Will he try to kill or hurt Roger from his current vantage point? It would seem that a small dent has been made in the child slave trade, but there are 2 more children saved. Powerful writing!

So much to digest in this chapter - budding love, potential mob solution to Riz, discovery of the young boy, an introduction to Det. Ramos' mother, and the growing confidence and respect of Juan Ramos. I wanted to hit love, anger, but decided on WOW! Great chapter!