pvtguy

Good coming out of bad...Liberty Academy will help these abused boys to grow into their own freedom if all the areas of help are provided. Lots of work for all involved!! Roger will hopefully make the time to work on himself once things get organized. Beautiful chapter. Now I am eager to see what happens to the Deck of Cards!

Bunny's brother is so much a bully, but also a failed writer himself, apparently. Angus is a typical "agent/producer" in that his primary motivation is success of the program regardless of the effect on the participants. I'm wary of him. And Jamie is truly naive in the truest sense of the word: he doesn't know what his commitment to this program will do to him or his career. In that the tour he gave Angus did not include seeing him practice what he hopes will get him noticed, Angus may well not be focused on Jamie's success as a musician. Red flags all over the place!

Thank you for bestowing a new chapter to us and bringing us on another adventure with the Devlin-Majors, et al. I still want to sample as much of the food as possible! I can eat aubergine (eggplant to some of us in other parts of the world) in any way it is prepared. And the desserts cry out to my sweet tooth! May the coming year be filled with joy, peace and good health to you @Andre Delport.

I wonder if Meghan invited Uncle Bryan on purpose to confront daddy dearest? She may be more forward than Mum in that regard. I do hope we see more of Raffa (in all ways, lol!)...

Wishing you the joy and peace of this season and hope that it may continue throughout 2025! This was a wonderful story to share with us.

I do agree with the comments so far, but I am of two minds when it comes to the issue of the housing issue: one one hand, getting a new place would allow for a whole new life for Ludo, Arthur, Damian and Adam. On the other hand, Damian would be leaving behind what he considered his foundational home. Would it be too much for him? Would it force him to fully feel the abandonment done by Jackie? Having experienced this reality in my own life, I see both sides of staying or establishing a new "home". My vote would be for selling the house, placing half the proceeds into an escrow account for Jackie, and starting a new life where all four of them decided on a new home for themselves. I join in on wishing you a very Happy Christmas, @Robert Hugill, and thanking you for sharing your wonderful talent with us!

Thank you for this delightful installment. A very Happy/Merry Christmas to all!

So many emotions and thoughts are swirling in my head: what now for Roger and family? Will they every find the parents of these boys and would the boys want to leave their "brothers"? What's going to happen with the task force, or is that for another story? I'm eager to see what's next but I really don't want this story to end too soon!

Ok. I abandon my drugged theory! Mike is complicit. Now I'm intrigued as to why Mike called in sick. Did Raffa's text scare him? Excellent chapter!

Bunny brings up valid points as to the reality show - but I am wondering how he knows so much. Also, this relationship with his brother (who is a major bully) must be confronted. Great chapter...I do feel they both came closer to knowing one another or at least planting seeds to breaking the barriers.

Woosh! I would only be 108 then!

He's taken already, lol.

Please - I live in Florida with Ron DeSanctimonius, wannabe dictator. Don't foist that petard on us with the turd introducing him!

It was fortunate that Elena was chief at the new job. The name 'Peter Noonan' will be more known after this!

Come on, Jeremy! Grow some cojones! Let Carter's words take hold!

I believe things are slowly turning positive for Grayson, but he definitely needs to speak with Bryan or a counselor to help build/rebuild his self-esteem. He has the confidence of his bosses and support of his mother. And now, he has a peer with whom to speak in Hoppy.

Wonderful chapter as the web is closing in on the Cards. Now we have to see what Mr. Vitale is wanting of Roger.

This may well be a calm period before another storm, but one major thing is happening: life is moving on for Ludo and Damian without the cloud of Jackie weighing them down. This will give them more strength to face the challenges ahead with a trial. Both Arthur and Ludo are building more solid relationships with their sons!

How will the truth come out in the end? Jeremy has learned some truths withheld from him by Ethan, but where will it lead? The drama continues and it would seem that Laura and Dexter have "won" this battle.

@Summerabbacat: Maybe Felicity still loves Richard and sees in him something that he has not brought to the surface yet. That is why I hold out hope that he has depth that will finally come to the fore when he deals with the fact that his son is gay, but he does, in fact, love his son. It takes a lot of courage to break the shackles of "traditional thinking" and let love win out. Might this happen? We'll have to wait and see as we are not writing the story. I hope he is a more complex character, but that's me!

Mike is definitely a tool! I hope Claire steps in and does more than warn Tom! It takes someone getting fired for bullying/sexual harassment to send a message. Mike should also be brought up short! Grayson is growing more courageous and needs to follow through with what he knows he needs to do. It took a lot to confront Mike, but he did it. And my previous question still remains; why does Mum stick with Dad if he's such an evil person?

There is a place for data collecting, but how can you quantify insight? Peter has an ability that is not necessarily quantifiable but is just as valuable as data analysis. This same process has been used since the 90's in education in the name of "accountability." Students are given tests from which data collected evaluates the effectiveness of teachers. Evaluation of teachers becomes formulaic, in many cases requiring a "standard" method of "teaching" which takes creativity out of it. All we have to do is to see the inability of many students to do critical thinking and problem solving. The can spout skills required on the tests but that's the limit. Sad state of affairs. Peter is caught in that type of thinking - since he can't formulate a mathematical analysis of his ability, he is let go. For sure - not only NHC's loss but possibly negative effects on others who would have otherwise been forewarned. Let's hope the new job will work out for him.

Therese certainly has grown and appears much more tolerant than at the beginning. Ralph's confidence is also growing stronger with each chapter. Wonderful chapter!

This story yielded deep feelings in me too. Yet, I feel a peace that has been lacking for a while. What great writing you have provided, @CasualWanderer82. It is/was powerful.

Why are some Americans so against regulating fire arms? I know, "people kill people, not guns"... but it takes people to use the guns. This idea of open carry, lowering age limits for who can buy them, failure to differentiate against automatic weapons vs. regular handguns...my frustrations go on and on. These senseless acts of violence will not just go away without strong action by government who are supposed to represent all of us and make laws that protect all of us! In the meantime, I weep, I pray for all affected, and resign myself to being powerless when confronting my representatives. Only replies are get are canned ones: "Thanks for contacting my office." Your poetry is always so moving. Thank you for continuing to share your talent even with the saddest of topics.