skinnydragon

Well, yeah, everyone is saying nicey-nice. And this isn't to take anything away from the warmth of the chapter, which you conveyed with your usual aplomb. And well, yeah, everyone is focused on the 'bad' neighbor, who will no doubt rear her ugly head soon. But no one seems to take the other sin seriously enough. Peter's mother, for whatever reason, poisoned the mind of Michael against his father. No matter how much Peter reassures his son, the scorpion's venom will remain in him. Just saying someone will listen in on conversations in the future is NOT ENOUGH. The only solution I can see that will attempt to repair the near irreparable damage she has already wreaked, is to cut her off from Michael completely--no exceptions--until she explains to Michael that SHE was wrong and that SHE made a mistake. Anything less will simply invite more damage in the future. End of rant. --I feel like spikey.

Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler. - Albert Einstein *** Randy I woke up as confused as I was when I fell asleep. What the hell happened with David last night? I mean, after all the talk and plans about Twoey’s problem relationship, he completely opened up to me about actually falling in love with Twoey. There was no other way I could interpret it. Then he made out with me! Not that I’m complaining – he’s been my wet-dream since I first met him. I

A great portrayal, Cole! Even if it ended here, Terry's realization was enough for a promising future. For that, we have to thank Gillette (and Cole).

What a great idea and even better realization, Tim! Whether this was a stand-alone or chapter 1, it was thoroughly enjoyable.

The crisis is over for the moment. A nice chapter where we see a different side to Mike. David should take very careful notes, but something tells me he's not. With a partner as burdened as Mike, love--no matter how much--will not be enough. You need insight and compassion. As committed to David as Mike seems, there is also a line. I think David needs to steer well clear of it and never cross it.

Thanks Brian! Yes, it was such an obviously strange thing to say. The fact he never questioned it points to something he had no control over. The fact he's considering it now, points to some kind of seismic event inside David.

Thanks Dirk! Ginny really doesn't see what Erik is doing in school, or anywhere away from her house. To her, he seems like a great boyfriend and her son is finally happy. Another thing (and the reader doesn't know this yet) is that she's very distracted. A book is coming out and a book tour is being planned.)

Thanks Def! Yes, David went a lot further with Randy than I expected -- and I wrote the damn thing! The next few days will see David torturing himself and "trying to order everything," as you said. You know he's like a dog with a bone right now.

Thanks geoff! And thanks for the interesting perspective. Randy as a lover. Hmmm. Do you think David is ready for that yet? -- I'll bet Randy is

Thanks mitchelll ! OMG! That would require 100 additional chapters! ~~~ the dragon shudders ~~~

Thanks Dayne! Hehe -- I think you're right.

Thanks jess! Evidence is piling up, for sure. I think his levees are being breached. Enter Donny, stage left. David, being David, will begin (as I am sure you can guess) a period of intense introspection. Alex is smart. Randy is smart. Now let's hope they're wise.

Thanks for stopping by polo!

Thanks Parker! Alex's mom -- sheesh! You're very perceptive, my friend. The next few days will see David mmmm... let's just say, not where he's ever been before.

Thanks spikey! I don't think too much of the story is out, especially since the State took over and moved everything to Albany. But you would think there would be some rumors afloat. I'm sure the crazies of the church wouldn't say anything to the sinners of Daleville, but there were a few other people involved, including some students. Maybe the teacher-angle was never revealed. I think Randy is what David needs right now (besides a professional) because he is pretty brutally honest, is gay and knows the players in this little drama. The only worry is -- is it too late?

Thanks CG! We've met Donny a couple times before. The first was back in Chapter 14 when Twoey met him in the park by the lake, the same day Biggy was stalking the girls. He was behind a couple of trees he called his reflecting spot. I posted a picture of it, way back then, in my Twoey gallery. Then he popped up, down there, in a couple more chapters. The last time we met him was just yesterday (David time) when not-gay David spent a lot of time describing how revealing Donny's Speedo was and what a great body he had.

Thanks lux! Randy was pretty brutally honest with David and it seems to have done some good. I see the dust flying off old furniture in his brain.

From dawn to evening, a lovely flowering, Parker!

The reality of truth is that there is none. - sort of said by Jean Baudrillard; previously implied (independently) by Lewis Carroll and Plato *** Today was probably the most difficult day of my life. You would think having been bashed by baseball bats would qualify, but that only hurt my body. Today made me question the truth of who I was. It made me question why I was. It even made me question what I was. And it all began while I was still asleep, when I didn’t even know where I

A great chapter, CG! I liked the comparison between the two relationships. They reflect radically different stages of the participants. And gosh -- even Finn and LEE? Also, a lot of the chapter was light and really humorous in a perverse sort of way (hehe). Ben exploring Finn's problem was one, with a light touch, which turned what could have been a downer into a great scene. But the opening-the-box scene was precious. And it began with the best line in the whole chapter: "Uncle Mikkel's package contained all the secrets of being a happy gay couple." I had to stop and recover from laughing after that line before I could continue. Thanks for this!

What a beautiful review, AC! Thank you so very much for your encouraging words. You'll never know how much they mean to me. We have four months to go! What will Toph be like after this renaissance emerging from his canvass?

Thank you Brian! I'm so happy the message made it past my attempts to write! This may be the turning point we've sort of been waiting for. Let's pray it goes beyond a 'vacation high.'

These are complex characters you've created, mitchelll! Add to that, you placed them in a complex and mysterious environment, For me, the safest thing is to not draw too many conclusions, but to enjoy the ride. And it is an enjoyable and interesting ride. Thanks for this story!

Thank you ToH! I'm so happy you pointed it out, that Toph was observing a younger version. Lux, in his review, mentioned the parallel between Toph and the young boy, whose parents are driving a wedge between him and his family. The wedding IS a likely place for a showdown, if there is one.

Thanks for your kind words Def! Poor Gary comes under a lot of criticism on this page It seems like he is really helping Toph grow and make those strides you mentioned. As their relationship deepens, let's hope he continues to affect Toph in such a positive manner.