pvtguy

"The times, they are a changin'"... Where in times past, people married and stayed together through everything, regardless of "feelings", mostly because women couldn't support themselves otherwise, one women started working, they were able to support themselves. That is not to say that they earned as much as men - that doesn't even exist 70+ years after the end of WW II - the beginnings of more freedom for women are there. Divorce was seen as a shameful event for women - seems they bore the brunt of the negativity more often than men. Thanks again for a glimpse into life at that time!

The domestic scene is always normal for CJ and Ozzie! They are not pretentious and loyal to a fault with their friends. I love how the story is shaping up. Good to be back in the CJ universe once again!

Interesting turn of events! That Kyle was so accurate with his shots is amazing! But it certainly makes for a good story!

How wonderful to have this family back! Thanks, Carlos!

And yet, you have very accurately captured the essence of a small mill town. Great job!

Close family who live their lives together provide support, people to talk with, common shared experiences. Small towns where the central source of employment is also a common experience. For many, it is a comfort. But for some of us, it is smothering! I love the people of my birthplace - I just cannot live that existence!

Is Kyle finally seeing Matias in a different way? Is the shiny veneer starting to peel away? Luck has been with them so far, but will it continue?

Very well done! This makes me think of Bill Maher's segment on his show: I can't prove it - I just know it's true! Starts with a mysterious encounter and ends with one.

He definitely has learned a lot for being 20! Just wait another 10-20 years! The journey of life has surprises at all ages!

As the author, you know the characters better than I do - however (notice how that denotes a possibility of an alternative viewpoint?) - Matias doesn't appear to be that naive - maybe more hopeful that nothing will happen or his judgment is clouded because of his pain...

I definitely am mostly not like I was in my twenties - I was much more uptight than I am now! However, the passion to help others and to be a dad are both still there - hope it never fades!

But would that draw the same interest? I don't disagree, but the drama keeps us reading and commenting, lol!

Puppy is really showing maturity is some ways, yet allows drink to lead him into bad decisions. I said he was an alcoholic - and I stand by that - alcohol is poison to him. I hope it doesn't lead to wrong behavior with Joey, though I have a strong feeling it will. He is honest to a point when sober - weak as all when drunk!

I thank you for writing this story, if is even just for me, lol! I was born two years after the war was over and grew up hearing stories of growing up in the first half of the century - and I experienced the latter half! You have rekindled so many memories for me and I truly appreciate it.

What was Matias thinking? Did he know what Sonny would do to Kyle? Will Kyle come to his senses about Matias?

Unfortunately, Steven is acting like a bullish brother who has been caught in a most uncomfortable position. This is not the same type of violence as in abuse, at least in my view. Steven is also rather immature and confused emotionally. He's not trying to keep Puppy in a subservient position. That said...I hope nothing more happens with them getting sloshed! That will only confuse him more! Or, perhaps, he will get it out of his system and realize that Puppy is right - there is no "us". Of course, with Puppy being emotionally charged - and horny too - let's hope he can still say no... I don't want to see Hunter do himself in...he does have good points and has been through a lot of trauma in his life. I want to see him get help and get on with a more positive life. But then again, it's not my story...

And the reality of war hits home...along with everyone's theory as to what happened.

Is it really incest if Puppy and Steven get together? They are not blood relatives...I'll leave that to the legal scholars. However, it sure makes for an interesting plot twist. These young relationships seem doomed because of age and maturity...

A lovely, quick read - but with fascinating characters and plot.

And Cindy's back! Puppy has some things to resolve for sure! Another great - if short - chapter!

It depends on the methods of anger management used in treatment...not all methods teach bottling up....If management is tied with therapy to deal with the source of anger, there can be real improvement. One must find the triggers and learn different coping skills.

So, we know Hunter's problems and have heard his promises...but, the problem here is Puppy: He is an alcoholic! And he doesn't realize that problem! His self-perception is still through the eyes of inferiority. Anxiety seems to disappear when he drinks, but the problems still remain. Puppy needs counseling too! Lots of it! So much of this can still be ascribed to youth for sure, but the problems will not be resolved without serious therapy.

And now, you're talking about the time of my parents - my father enlisted in the Army - my mother worked for a while in a Westinghouse factory before she got sick and then took a job in a small drugstore in the hometown. So many of the stories I heard as a child are echoed in these stories. Thank you for writing this one!

I re-read this story (I had forgotten some of the details, so it was great to read it once again!). I still have a problem with Richard's behavior towards Richie, but I understand his needing to organize his family after his ex's death. Too bad he didn't have any "sensitivity training" before acting like an ogre! What he did is still considered child abuse and he could well have been charged for it. However, it appears that things are improving. This is a great story of one teen's dealing with grief!

We don't know how Richard and Richie got along prior to Richard's leaving. One can surmise that things were not great, but we don't know for sure. CPS should definitely be called if for no other reason than to investigate and protect Richie and keep an eye on the rest of the children.