skinnydragon

Thank you, Parker! Alex thanks you too--hehe. Sorry if the last few chapters gave you insomnia.

Yikes! What a terrible end to the high school gang! Even though David wasn't "on site" to witness the troubles, it still must have affected him deeply. Gary's suggestion (below) that it helps explain his insecurities seems right on. I didn't like the Brady thing either. I didn't even like it for Brady! With a family like that, he should run, not walk, to the nearest exit! Anyway, even though they are fighting to keep things together--and it was nice for Mike too come around after he got home and was so short-tempered--I can feel the cracks getting wider in their relationship. And that doesn't even include Rain in the mix. A good chapter which exposes all this sometimes contradictory stuff. Real life is very often filled with contradictory little details. Well done!

luxy convinced me, so I'll replace the line: His eyes jumped between the two of us when he opened the door. He knew. with: He knew. His eyes jumped between the two of us when he opened the door. Donny knew.

The last chapter was a very strong ending to this thoroughly enjoyable story, Ron! And I think 'strength' also applies to Dorian. He grew in strength and determination as the story progressed. He was helped by amazing friends and, of course, by Wes. But he also had the internal strength to become what he has become. So, thanks for that. And thanks for sharing this great story with us!

Thanks to all who have reviewed and messaged me over the last two chapters of Twoey! I don't know if it's sadness or relief I feel with the journey that has taken more than a year coming to a close. Just two more chapters to go! I do have a question for those interested in responding. In chapter 120, Twoey and David were at David's house, about to embark on the 'apology tour' after David changed. I wrote: ... We walked over to his house where he changed into fresh clothes, even underwear, while letting me watch. Tommy wasn’t there, but he left him a note. “Maybe we’ll find him at the Nelson’s or he could have crashed at a friend’s house – Maybe Mark’s.” That made a frightening thought bubble up, which I quickly suppressed. His eyes jumped between the two of us when he opened the door. He knew. “Um, Hey. Maybe we should go up to my room?” He was a cute kid and I did remember him from the lake. He shut his bedroom door, and then David and I sat on his bed. Donny took his computer chair. I wrote a few different segues to go between the two colored sections you see above. I didn't like any of them and thought they weakened the power of the first green line. The more I looked at the lines on my screen, in the jarring collision of those two scenes, the more I preferred it as it stood. It provided a moment of unease, of unsure footing for the reader. I thought the chapter was better left without that segue. But I have received messages thinking it was an oversight or error. I still like it better the way it stands, but should I add a line or two between the sections to demonstrate that we have changed scenes? I'd like to hear some opinions.

Life is better than death, I believe, if only because it is less boring, and because it has fresh peaches in it. Alice Walker *** You simply cannot believe what it was like to wake up in the arms of the dream I never thought would come true. To be finally connected to my other half completed me in a way I never knew possible. I didn’t want to move a muscle, to disturb this perfection. I didn’t even mind the blond hair in my face or the urge to get up and pee. I needed us to

Thank you so much, sweetlion! I appreciate the way you interpreted Gary and his appraisal of the 'scared boy' he was falling for. Also for detecting the irony of class conflict and what we expect will be the ultimate conclusion. btw Gary's bday is fast approaching!

Your wringing words draw on the fabric of lost love itself. They twist and weave and wrench and leave us in the throes of anguish. Unfortunately, too well done. If you had been a little clumsy, it would have distracted the reader. Very excellent work, as usual, Parker!

Nice, Luiz! Everyone needs an Aunt Mary!

won't you write a song for me Such powerful emotions in that one simple request, tim. It jolted me. The poem was a beautifully phrased request. Nice work!

That was a nice turn of events. Naturally, Dorian had gained stature after the march and arrest. I think I mentioned in my last review that he was getting more press than hiss father. So now we see some of the ramifications of that. As Stephen mentioned, the Grandfather might become just the ally he needed inside the family. I'm going to be sorry to see this end, Ron. It's been a lot of fun!!

Thanks, jess! Boy, did she EVER spring into action. But what she did the rest of the day, and even at the party, was just as important. She literally gave him away! She gave Twoey his Christmas present, wrapped in a bow.

Thank You, Magic! You make an excellent point, and it was something I had to keep in mind for every chapter. Sometimes it wasn't easy, but if you're going to really understand 18 Weeks, you've got to understand that little fact first and foremost. We only see the world through (mostly) 15-year-old David's eyes.

Thanks, Ron. That's a good image for the chapter. No pun intended--well, a little pun intended.

Thanks, spikey. Well, she was the only character to talk to him at the correct moment and suss out what he intended to do. Her nature, no doubt inherited from her mother, also was a factor--plus she's smart--plus she loves him--plus her brother went through stuff too--plus a lot of things sort of lined up. But we shouldn't take anything away from David's Fruit Fly, that's for sure.

Thanks, mg! Thanks for the kind words, too. Although, I can think of one or two or 56,782 'greater' stories than "18 Weeks." I like the idea of 18 Geriatric Weeks. I'll save that for when I'm one too, then I'll be able to get in the characters' heads better.

Thanks, CG! It's hard to imagine what David would have done after deciding against suicide. But I'm sure it wouldn't have been to go to Twoey's party. And you're right, he has a long road ahead.

Thanks, jt! She definitely came through for them. And they are together. Just a few little snags ahead.

Thanks, lux! Yes, Alex came through--Hey she didn't get her own section of the story for nothing. Aaaand, sorry to say, but we won't hear any David thoughts in the next chapter either.

Thanks, Tim! Yep, sometimes "pushy" is good.

Trials are difficult on all involved. It sounds like they opted for a non-jury trial, which says something in itself. The defense is going for a technical victory, or at least trying to mitigate the outcome. They clearly believed a jury would feel the emotions and convict. Bryce came around pretty quickly too, but the coach should have explained, if not to the team, then to a spokesman (like Bryce or the captain) who would explain to the team. He's going to be risking a divided team. Not good coaching. Another revealing chapter, Hunter.

Now that was jolting tim, and reverberated off a few strings in my past. The lines were clear and telling. I'm glad you guys are working on it--that's really the most important thing! All my love!

A long awaited chapter--and I agree with redwood, he'll be out soon and it'll be fascinating to watch how his "parents" and roommate react. But I think we have to get through some nude posing first--OMG

A resonant chapter, CG! I really think Bobby is reaching a breaking point with Zane. I also understand why he doesn't want to be forced or 'blackmailed' into breaking with his friend. That type of seismic shift has to come from within you. And so, Linda accepting the prom invite with no strings attached will have more influence on him than would saying 'only if you drop your friend.' It's always rewarding to gain more insight into a character, and so the first section of the chapter was especially gratifying to read. Good work, my friend!

Thanks, AC! I appreciate your comparison of the two chapters. They were two steps in Toph's journey, the second impossible without the first. Despite the regressive jolt at the end of May, his newly named 'boyfriend,' now protector, has materialized to have his back.