skinnydragon

Oh, wow! Wes!! That literally changes everything! I wonder if his mom had anything to do with it, or maybe Sydney, or maybe Wes did some serious rethinking. Whichever, it will affect Dorian and probably the impact of the march, when Avery's brownshirts show up to bash the gay boys. (I so hope Darlene had the presence of mind to tip-off the national press, so they can witness Avery's homophobic campus in action.) A great tension-building chapter, Ron!

What potions have I drunk of Siren tears, Distill'd from lymbecks foul as hell within, Applying fears to hopes, and hopes to fears, Still losing when I saw myself to win! What wretched errors hath my heart committed, Whilst it hath thought itself so blessed never! How have mine eyes out of their spheres been fitted In the distraction of this madding fever! O benefit of ill! now I find true That better is by evil still made better; And ruin'd love, when it is built anew, Grows fairer

Thanks, Parker! You pretty much spelled out what we're looking at. Probably the only disappeared adult who could help him is Twoey's mom. Twoey and Tommy are the only ones who seem to read past David's masterful disguise, which even has the adults fooled. Could they help? Could they even move fast enough? David's spiral seems to be accelerating.

Thanks, Def! Tommy can read his brother. But as you noted, he doesn't know what to do to help. He's only 13. On top of that he has visions of Barbara dancing in his brain. David is in trouble. He's going to explode. The only question is, after said explosion, will he be able to climb out? Will others come to his aid? Or will he be in a worse place? I'll tread carefully.

Thanks, Parker! Yes. It seems David's pile of angst is growing exponentially. We know there will be consequences, and the head pains should be a warning. Of course, David is a master at keeping a false outward appearance, and so no one will see it coming, least of all the adults (who almost are) in his life.

Thanks, Def! Yes, the story is a little disturbing through he next few chapters, but as you've noted, David is falling apart.

Well, I didn't get online until evening, so I followed the rules.

OMG! Thank you for that, AC!

OMG -- she should have done what Anna Russell did and change careers. But at least Anna had a voice! https://youtu.be/eN5dAQLYYrs

Thanks, jess! Write a parallel story?! If you think this Dragon will EVER write another 122 chapter story, you have to be raiding Sam's stash! Well, only six chapters to go. I think Donny and Twoey will make a cute couple, don't you?

Thanks, CG! Yes, there's no hiding David's deteriorating mental state anymore, no matter how much we've tried to rationalize it in the past. And once we've admitted it, everything he does is really quite predictable, as you have pointed out. He certainly does need saving.

Thank You, Hunter! You and luxy have done a superb job of outlining David's state. You've also added important insight into small town thinking and the relative freedom their kids have to grow up without the smothering of the 'soccer-mom' mentality found in more affluent or suburban areas. Now, how much do I have to worry about your "enduring question?" Will I be facing sharpened pitchforks from both you AND Glitty???

Thanks, spikey! You're certainly correct. It's not the typical TV family of suburbia. (Notwithstanding the Martins of Zack and Cody--but that wasn't suburbia.) What we have is a single (surviving) parent with a possible family crisis involving his daughter and a typical moody teenage son, who always seems to end up on his feet.

Thank you, lux! That was an excellent analysis. I hope the other reviewers read it carefully. Just one little error. "We have a few more days to see how David structures his interactions..." Um, actually, we don't. It happens tomorrow (David time).

Thanks, jt! David may be smart, but he's too far gone right now for the smartness to do anything but aggravate his situation. I think he went left when he saw PPF and Mamma doing it on his bed and the repressed memories of his abuse began to emerge. I'm not sure Ginny realizes what's really going on in David's head right now. He is a master of presenting a public face.

Thanks, Lisa! I guess Sam's mom is a little TOO laid back. Maybe she shares his fondness of smoking plants? Anyway, Sam was smart enough to tell the person who is NOT EVER laid back ...hehe. Ginny does tell Keating, but it doesn't have the desired impact.

Thanks, Lisa! Yes, the dreams and flashbacks are beginning to coalesce. He's still a little way from putting it all together, but that time is rapidly approaching. As you'll soon read, Twoey does tell his mom!

A good chapter, Hunter! Devin asked himself important questions. I enjoyed how his thinking pattern developed from the beginning to the end of the chapter. He seems to be gaining important insight, though still troubled by a failure to prioritize what's most important from what's least. Anyway, he has Vincente, who seems to know about that priority suff & all. Are we certain V. doesn't have a thing for D?

Well done, tim. Like two sides of a coin, we have both sides of the love. Very well expressed and interestingly placed. Quite a pair!

Delicious, Comsie! Billy is getting into awkward territory again. But, of course! Somehow, in the back of my mind, I think Mondays might be related to Stevie, with Brandon afraid of what Billie might think, hence the secret-secret. But that's just a guess. Spikey had some interesting comments. He always does. The only thing I would take issue with is his suggestion everyone communicate. He always says that about my character, David, too. Only David is worse. All I have to say about that is he must have lost his gay-teen-boy manual over the years. But I have mine. And it says right here, on page 13, "Never tell anyone your inner feelings, least of all adults or friends. Animals are acceptable." OK, now back to waiting for chapter 19!

A beautiful chapter, Jwolf! Corbin seemed a little deeper (in the good way) here, growing up? idk--we'll need to see more. Pete was a bit disappointing. But then, Pete is a bit disappointing in every chapter he's in. You do such a good job in portraying this complex set or relationships--both the personal ones and the political ones. Really excellent writing. I get eager every time I see another chapter has been posted!

Perfect clarity would profit the intellect but damage the will Blaise Pascal *** Tommy He looked as green as peas and Christmas wreaths. My brother did not seem to have slept much either. I thought I had heard someone puking in the middle of the night. Now I knew it wasn’t a dream, it was him. I wondered if maybe he was coming down with something. It was Christmas Day, my favorite day of the year! Dad was in a rare mood, telling jokes which had us all laughing around the b

Thanks, jess! This little cluster of chapters will be frustrating. He's about to crash. Things aren't going to make any sense to rational people. Let's hope David will survive. It's not a given.

Thanks, spikey! And also for your comments in the forum. You might be on to something about David's perception of events. It seems strange that the decorating party lasted from morning to 6PM and David reported NO adult conversation. Eight hours with no talking? Our boy is not stupid, he's in trouble.

Thanks, CG! The wreck is very near. At this point, Twoey deserves better. If/When David recognizes that little fact might be an indication he's on the road to recovery. But I think time is running out.