pvtguy

How many are imprisoned while telling the truth? We find out that some are exonerated years after (I saw recently a man released after 30 years in prison following sloppy police methods when he was convicted!). I do hope the SFO agrees and believes Ludo, but I do like the approach taken by @Robert Hugill: it keeps this interesting, well-written story moving and engaging!

This is a very well-written story about a man, Nicholas Bowman, who literally comes apart during a summer vacation as he realizes things about himself and his family that he has either ignored or suppressed for a long time. Throughout, we meet complicated characters who surprise, entice, disgust, and wow us with their personalities. It is so riveting, even through very rough chapters, that the reader is propelled to read the next chapter. It is not your 'feel good' or happily-ever-after story, but is one filled with hope and fueled by love.

I'm looking forward to learning how John Renkin ended up in this situation - a lonely, rules-abiding (?), man. Another well-written piece by @empath.

Again, the ratings of the station were at the expense of near-death for Peter! While this titillation does result in ratings, it disgusts me personally. Watching a tree being uprooted and a roof being torn from its building should be enough to show the strength of the storm. Peter's ability to forecast was ultimately the skill that stood out to the cooler heads!

Would it even be possible or advisable for Ludo to initiate divorce proceedings and full custody of Damian? He needs to cut ties totally with the witch! I totally agree with @centexhairysub: Damian probably needs some professional counseling, maybe not therapy, but a nice grandmotherly or grandfatherly counselor that he can talk to and vent to about things. While his dad, Arthur, and even Adam will be there for him, he needs to have someone he can talk to that will just listen. That's exactly what I did for 36 years of my professional life! I will still get a call periodically from former students to just talk and help sort out whatever is going on in their lives. It is an honor to be available to them! Another wonderful chapter, @Robert Hugill!

I do certainly agree with @weinerdog: you have so succinctly and eloquently showed how life/reality often upends the best laid plans we make or hope for! As a former language teacher, I love the use of the subjunctive!

In the peace of this chapter, we gain insight into Carine and Beth as well as Ralph and Nolan. Ralph and Nolan are really trying to be as realistic about their relationship, but their experiences with their past relationships is keeping them from taking the risk of commitment to each other more deeply than already experienced. Ralph really needs to work through his "my Gordon" fantasy. Or is it a fantasy?

Agreed! Nicholas still has to deal with his separation from Jett. True, he had to work through his own issues and the reunion with Dawson will take care of that. However, Jett and he still need each other. What a powerful, superbly written story full of pathos and yet, ending with a sense of hope. Brandon will have to face the consequences of his actions with the "punishment" of his father's undying love. Beth will have to finally drop her veil of denial and see Brandon for who he really is. I really want for the true happy ending: an epilogue of a year later....

I spent 39 years between Massachusetts, West Virginia and Missouri - that's enough cold for me! Now 37 years in Orlando, FL, and 40 degrees Farenheit is freezing to me now!

Will Dexter be exposed for what he has done and who he really is? Will Laura give up her plan to punish Carter for the crime she believes he has committed? Stay tuned for the next episode of this fascinating soap opera!

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!!!