skinnydragon

Well Carl, you managed a (sort of) happy ending out of a story that didn't look like it could have one. It was a very nicely told tale. Other than some unbelievable homophobes (but it was the 50's) most of the characters were really interesting! Thanks for sharing this!

Well, I don't know about there not being anything to fear anymore, but it was a good chapter for Devin. He got to see people supporting him. Vincente coming to the practice, the team being behind him, Bryce not abandoning him and the encouraging words from Luke. It'll give Devin something to fall back on if he has a little setback. We all need that support.

I vote for the obvious choice: Emi. (I hope you didn't think I was gonna say Trump)

If you don't know where you are going any road can take you there Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll *** Twoey stood in front of me, but I was facing his back. Come closer, he told me, although I could hear no voice. I did, and my erection rode into his butt-crack. It’s how I realized we were naked. Startled, I pushed him away, then turned. Soon our bodies were touching again, this time he was pressing into my rear. It’s when I heard his voice. The voice I used to hear when

Simply stupendous and seriously silly!! Two oxymorons, I know, but apt. And you have gaffed us; both spearing and fleecing us of our seriousness.

Thanks You, TH! Your nice words about this chapter has made MY day!!

Thanks, Dayne! Funny, "The Last Straw" was my original name for this chapter. Your description of the cycle in an abusive relationship is scarily accurate. I hope you're a psychologist and not a former victim. Although you painted Indy's situation pretty well too. Your analysis of Ginny, while it doesn't exonerate her, does portray a most likely scenario. Erik never did anything in front of her (before the weekend) and she couldn't see what was going on in school (although she works there). There is also the fact she has a book about to be released and a tour only days ahead. But I think even she'd agree that should have sensed something wrong, somewhere.

Thanks, Hunter! My! You did let your hair down there! Wooo!! Twoey and David HAVE to be drawn together now, right? Just don't tell Donny.

Thanks, jess! As I recall, the only times Tommy didn't like someone was when he thought they were hitting on his brother. There are actually a few dramatic moments coming before the party, so you won't have to wait. Now, we just have to wonder what will happen when Twoey gets a name placed on the mystery boy, suddenly in David's life. Remember how he was with Alex at the hospital? And she was a girl!

Thanks, spikey! We only knew Gary from what David painted. If we start reading between the lines of what we've seen of his actions, he might be a little more street smart than we originally guessed. And he runs errands for Mel's father, whom he once referred to as possibly putting a bullet in his head if he ever got Mel pregnant. So, Gary isn't someone you want to cross. His Uncle and future Father-in-Law give him a powerful pair of allies. I agree, lux did a great job of analysis. Now, about Ginny, no it wasn't her finest hour. Somehow Erik never set off a warning bell. She either wasn't paying close attention or he was slicker than he's shown lately. Oh well. Shit happens. Tomorrow (David time) you get to see Donny and Twoey alone with David (not at the same time--whew!). Maybe one of the teams will get some ammunition.

Thanks, CG! Yes, lux wrote quite a little psychological analysis there. I think he summarized what we know about David and Twoey pretty well. Let's hope the pull of the attraction between those two boys overcomes their hangups. That is, if you're on Team Twoey. Anyway, David and Twoey have a nice talk tomorrow (David time).

Thanks, Parker! Yes, it's been a while since we heard from Twoey in any depth. Your wish is my command! The next chapter has a long conversation between Twoey and David. We'll get a little more insight into Twoey. But, I won't slight the Team Donny gang. I think Saturday's shopping spectacle may have ignited Donny a bit.

Thanks, lux! That's quite a lot of analysis you did there. But, of course, it's not all from this chapter. 112 probably firmed up some of these things for us. In a way, Twoey and David complement each other. David compartmentalizes and Twoey is all emotion. David has emotion too, but it's all bottled up. So Team Twoey does have some hope. Twoey is already suspicious of the unnamed boy. That could become interesting.

Thanks Tim, Haha--you're right, he seems to be gone and Gary's team will probably make sure he doesn't attempt a comeback.

You're tough Val! I have complete faith in you. xxoo

I loved the poems, Parker my friend! I particularly liked the rhyme scheme, with its cyclical nature. The cycle so befits Heat Wave, which conjures up a dome of corn sweat over the Midwest states. But wait! That's a high pressure dome, an anticyclone!! Can one have an anti-cyclical rhyme scheme?! Parker, you're hurting my brain! I'll go back to enjoying your poetry for what it says, not how it says.

I had somehow missed the previous postings, MrM! But I've found your tale and am now caught up. And it is a very interesting tale, indeed! I'll be waiting for updates with anticipation! Thanks for this story!

A good chapter, Hunter, because Bryce is beginning to see what Devin's concerns were and Devin could see the attack wasn't Bryce's fault. It was also good seeing the college taking things seriously. A little bonus for Devin, in all of this, is seeing Vincente with different eyes. And the reverse is probably true too. I guess one problem remaining about the attack is the fact the perps might realize what a threat Devin could be to them. And that would make Devin extremely unsafe.

Thanks so much for the kind words, AC. It was difficult to write that painting's description. It needed to be relatively brief, but with enough detail so the reader could visualize the emotions of the boys, whom we had previously met. Of course, we knew the back story, but the TALON crew didn't. I won't comment about Gary's names.

Thanks, CG! Yes, I think you hit on it, with "emotional growth." That seems to be the foremost advance, even though a lot was going on in the chapter. The grief too, while unfortunate, will give him another emotion to deal with. One he seems to have never dealt with before.

Thanks, tim! Isn't he though? In so many ways, too. He's still a touch stand-offish but has certainly gained a lot of self-confidence. The love's nice also

Thanks, jess! Yes, Luke seems to be taking on a father role with Toph. And speaking of families, You've hit on what could be very important. Charles is the only family member to see Toph in his New Glory. That could make him an important 'ambassador' for his skittish brother.

Thank You, Parker! Toph is surely making great headway. Of course, we only have his POV ...hehe I don't think he's quite finished yet, but this is certainly not the boy we met in chapter one!

Thanks, jt! That "dark funk" you referred to certainly kept him away from deep feelings. I'm not sure it's completely gone yet, but he does seem to be appreciating the love (not to mention the sex).

Thanks, Graeme! Toph is certainly warming and becoming more human, but I think the naïveté you refer to has very much to do with his inability to connect well. His insight is improving, but it still seems he's awkward in personal relationships.