Headstall

Great introduction, GeeTwo! Welcome to GA, and good luck with your creative rebirth. Cheers! Gary

'sup.

Thank you, neilglen! Yes, this is a turning point in the story, and hopefully we can leave all the angst regarding Albert behind. Fingers crossed. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts, and I hope you continue to enjoy this little tale. Cheers... Gary....

Yeah, maybe so. It can be frustrating to post a story. You get what you get, and you never know who you will reach... or if a story will be liked enough to comment on or recommend. All I can do is just keep plugging away. Thanks for the support, Patrick.

Lol. I think this shows us what an opportunistic man Albert is. He has no one he trusts, so he leaves no stone unturned. He believes he is smarted than everyone else, but we know he is not. It is clear he is never satisfied, and dreams of more and more riches. It's a good lesson for August, and an example of what not to be. Thanks, buddy.

Thanks, buddy, and no worries. I appreciate you fitting the story in (hope all went well with the dental surgeon). Happy Holidays to you and hubby.

It was nice to see August be surrounded by loving people, wasn't it? Maybe he lost his place in a world he knew, but he has found another, better one. Willy James is one of those characters who worms his way into people's hearts without having to work at it. In my mind, his parents are more concerned about impressing their preacher than their son's well being. That happens when you put your god fearing reputation first. Religion has led people by the nose for many centuries. Don't get me started. Anyway, he has friends who care about him, and a good man who loves him. Fingers crossed that Runyan plays it smart. Thank you my dear friend. I appreciate you and your support so much. Cheers!

That sucks. Hope it goes well.

No f'ing way, Nurse Ratched!

This... is true.

Exactly. The Crawleys care about their son's happiness and well being. They saw how tough it was on Fletcher to accept who he was and how it was made harder by being in love with August. They saw the effect it had on Lorraine's brother, and Roland's best friend, so understood it was a inner fight that couldn't be won. I think they are incredibly relieved that Fletcher and August came together. Is Albert proud of August? I don't think you're wrong to consider it. He's starting to see himself in August, that try that he has, and yes, that double eagle might just be more than a coin. As you say, it says something. Still, the man is pretty much a monster, and August is fortunate to get away from him. I have to wonder if his gran knew this was the only way she could get(rescue) August away from his brute of a father. Lorraine is being a mother, but she's also a smart woman. She knows what is needed to start a new life. They will be thanking her for sure. Yeah, you've got the right read on Willy James. I'm sure they all worry for him for good reason. He's a townie, inexperienced about living and traveling by himself. Fingers crossed he gets away from his situation. Thanks, buddy, for all your support.

Um... no.

I need one of those ramps to drive my tractor up on so I have more room to work. I have a scrape and a bruise on my arm from the mower deck. Don't know if they would make much difference though.

It probably does count for something, leaving the place he has memories of his mother, but he hasn't been happy in that house in many years. It may be bittersweet, but there has to be incredible relief to overshadow that. Albert is a dangerous man who thinks his youngest son is soft. You're right that what you quoted shows Albert in a nutshell. He's a taker who lacks empathy, someone you can turn your back on. Maureen must have been special indeed. I'm so glad you picked up on the bit about the handwriting. I don't think you're wrong about 'hesitation'. I would even go so far as to say he might even be reevaluating his opinion of August. There was some grudging respect there... and the double eagle has to mean something. I won't humanize him, but maybe he is realizing he took August for granted, and might have misjudged him. I doubt he would admit that, but he has to see there is a strength to August that rob doesn't have. Virginia? Is he nervous about having a replacement in the house? I think it's a fair question to ask. Yeah... five kicks from a rank bull... Albert had some grudging respect for Fletcher too. At any rate, he got exactly what he wanted, and now the pressure is completely off. He was played perfectly. More about August's name later. Oh, and good question about daughters being treated differently by Albert. I have no doubt that would be the case for Albert. I think he sees women as possessions, their job to prop up a man. Death to the patriarchy. Thanks, my dear friend. Hope you are enjoying the ride.

Hey, Patrick! Thank you for thinking this was an amazing chapter. I needed to hear that. Last week had the lowest engagement from readers so far, so it concerns me readers are losing interest. Guess I need to work harder. We've reached a turning point in the story after some real life angst for the boys. Will Willy James and Runyan get away safely? Only time will tell what is in store for them. I did really enjoy showcasing the difference in the two families. August has not had an easy life despite his father being affluent, but I thought it was interesting to see Fletcher has been sad for the last couple of years, enough so his family worried about him. it had to be tough growing up gay back then with no support groups or such that we have today. Anyway, thanks for the support, as always. Cheers!

Changed my three mower blades. Laying on concrete, holding one end of the blade with one hand and trying to loosen each one with a socket wrench in the other... well... it makes me feel old. Not as strong as I used to be, but, I got it done.

Happy Birthday, Brother B!

I really wanted that contrast, Kris. In every way, August is reminded of who his father is, and what other families can be like. Of course, not all families are like the Crawleys... Willy James seems to have gotten a less than ideal one who does not accept him. Albert is a brutal man. he sees compassion as a weakness, and saw worth in Fletcher only because he stood up against Roland. His outlook is skewed, and yes, despite his influence, August is not one iota like him, and never will be. Um... I don't know what you mean. No cliffs? No bandits? I assure you the journey will be uneventful and boring. You can trust me. He he. Thanks, buddy.

Thank you, Albert. I liked the wagon cover scene a lot. It was a chance for me to slow everything down and solidify for August that he is part of a new family. August knows how to play his father now. He knows he will never be like him, but I wonder if that begrudging respect Albert showed him, even comparing himself to August in how he was always someone who tried, had any impact on August. And could August be wrong... did Albert remember his birthday, but sees making a fuss as a weakness? It could well be he thinks only the toughest kind of love is acceptable. I've seen that in my own experience. Just food for thought. And yes, they have taken that firm step forward into the future, and they are happy. Cheers, my friend.

Great point, Cane. I'm sure the Crawleys will pay attention to what the Cooleys are doing more than they ever have. I enjoyed showing the sharp contrast between the families, though it is kind of sad for August to see just how uncaring his father is compared to Roland. I think he was a little confused about that double eagle from Albert, though. Maybe Albert loves him in his own way. Cheers, my friend.

Yes, they are. They've weathered that storm of finding themselves and each other, beat the odds stacked against them, and are heading towards their future. It was a rewarding chapter to write as we see the stark differences between the Cooleys and the Crawleys. Thanks, my friend.

Chapter 10 is now posted.

Godspeed Dawn was hours away—near three of them—when August crept quiet as he could down the stairs, careful of the squeaks on a couple of the steps. He had no wish to talk to anyone afore leaving this house for good, and he surely wanted no more wailing from Yolanda what got him feeling bad, but it wasn’t to be when he heard his father’s voice coming from the lantern glow of his office. “Not planning on saying goodbye?” August stepped over to the doorway, trying his

Sigh. I thought we were on here to have fun. Fine. You win... there has never been nor ever will be flirting between you.

Cause we watch in it in real time. Plus, it gets your goat to bring attention to your 'ship'.