Headstall

Chase learned how much danger he'd been in with this creep. He had told him no, and was, is essence, being assaulted. I've met guys like this, persistent and like they are on a mission. Sometimes you have to play it carefully, and that's hard to do when you're drunk. I agree it was important for Chase to go back to Endings. As far as Hank, why was he there? Thanks, my friend.

I've been reading each chapter before I reply, and this one had me feeling all kinds of ways. I have a soft spot for moms. Hank took on the role of protector at a young age, believing what he needed to at the time. Lilah thought she was protecting her son and to some extent, his father, but it had real repercussions in Hank's life. Now they can heal... Lilah and her son. Good on Chase for being able to keep Hank on track. Thanks, buddy!

Yes, they really do. This one was so hopeful for them to have a friendship, and so sad that Hank kept that from Chase. I understand it, though. Hank has been a mess, and while he tried to repair the damage, he lost sight of how much Chase needed to hear he was finally believed. Men. We're idiots sometimes. Thanks, Patrick. Cheers! Gary

This was a big development in their situation. It would seem Hank not only has regret, he is experiencing some guilt too. You make a good point their relationship was never equal, though it was no one's fault. Sometimes we outgrow a person... we outgrow love too, once it changes. I would worry for Hank, though, for his state of mind. The main thing is that Chase is being treated fairly and he has his friends back. Glad you found this one cheerful. We need more of that. Thanks, buddy.

Amazing? , Patrick! Happy you liked it. Unrequited love is something that happens to a lot of us, especially when we are younger. I certainly know how it feels. I really got into the Amarok Motel, and I can picture it perfectly to this very day. Three cheers for Dawson and Brent, and the courage Dawson showed. Cheers! G

@krydon Welcome to the Paddock! It's kind of crazy in here. you're welcome to be crazy too.

Read, reviewed, liked, and recommended.

Another installment of a very different and very fun series of adventures. Wildly inventive stuff.

What chaos, and what fun. Sexy too. Barnaby is quite the cool and collected character. Great job on the prompt, Chris! Cheers! G.

Expecto Patronum! ... I see some dementors in here.

Thanks, Patrick! It takes a lot of guts to do what Dawson is doing. I guess it's easier when you're young, to uproot yourself from all you know and take a chance like this one. Yeah, once again, Chase works through his loss in a mature way, thanks to good old dad... and Stacey, as you say. That independence you mention has been hard fought. It was so encouraging that Chase reached out to Stacey, admitting he needs his friends. Cheers! G

Some of the chapter is sad, but I agree it is a positive chapter. Chase is showing how he logically works through challenges, slowly realizing he wasn't fair with Hank over not proposing while Christine was alive. I hope readers could feel her presence in this and the previous chapter. She sounds like an incredible person, a phenomenal mother. Chase has reached a new level at dealing with trauma. It has been a long time coming, but he is trusting himself, and relying on himself too. Thanks, my friend. Fingers crossed for Dawson. Cheers! G

I'm pleased you see Hank is not so terrible. It's clear he has some issues... some bitterness, anger at Chase, and anger at his mother for some reason. The fact is, Christine's death screwed him up too, though he didn't show it at first. Chase needed him. Thanks, Patrick!

Silly goose.

Spikey! Stop perving out!

Using my big ol' wand to cast spells.

Silly goose.

Guilty as charged.

I use a Drewbuster 2000. It's short and hard to control, but it gives a good spike.

Quiet in here.

Playing Quiddich at the moment.

The topic is 'choosing a story to read', and I gave you my reasons for choosing. AI was a small part of that answer, and I do not consider myself a Luddite. I do however question what we are doing with regards to THIS new encroachment on the arts... and people's livelihoods.

As far as views, if a story has ten chapters and a hundred views, I take that into account. It tells me readers aren't connecting, and I'll read chapter comments to see if that is in fact correct. I don't see 'views' as worthless, personally. As far as 'old stuff', I see no difference in when a story was written. A good story is a good story. I've read a crap ton of the older works, especially before I began writing, and they were incredibly inspirational to me when I did start writing, not to mention often thoroughly entertaining. I feel I owe those older works something. To dismiss them seems an injustice to ourselves and to them. We have plenty of tools here to help us decide what to spend our time on, and each one is valid. Just saying.

I did not mean reputation in the context you name. I guess I should have used another word to avoid confusion. You can glean a lot from people's comments in the forums about an author or story, or in the stories themselves, and whatever topic an author might post on. Like in things like Ask an Author, and the features @Cia does monthly. These include interviews with the author, and elicits comments from readers, and those stir my interest in a story, like what it said about it. It tells me who is current, who is widely respected, or who is up and coming and intriguing. That is what I meant by reputation, not the 'site reputation #". As far as promoted authors, I believe that is decided by a team who pays attention to writing quality and follows an author's path to see whether he or she warrants a designation. Valid source of information IMO, but not the be all and end all... just another tool. Cheers!

I knew it! Methinks he did protest too much. Love rules... lust without it is fleeting... but fun. Guns, bombs, and car crashes? Sounds like he might have some anger issues.