skinnydragon

Thanks Graeme! Yes, what DID Austin get out of the meeting? He couldn't have merely needed a hookup. Could the resolution of whatever they were have been enough of a draw? It doesn't seem convincing. Hmmm. I agree that Toph is moving pretty quickly in the emotional maturity department. CG mentions Oscar may be the father image Toph had always been missing. A distinct possibility.

Hey jt! You're right about Merle. Maybe Toph will think of asking him, if he ever decides he wants to know.

I can't understand what your problem is spikey! He TOOK the kiss. This was no cliffie. But I think you're right that Gary needs to answer a lot of questions. I agree with you it isn't likely Steve was paid to break up. I mean, she expected them for the Xmas dinner and was upset they didn't show.

Hey Rex! For sure, Toph does a lot of that 'introspection' thing. As for the emotional isolation, Toph might have already turned the page in his mind. But he realized he didn't do it right and took a Mulligan? Hehe ...that's what it looks like. Thanks for your thoughts and comments!

Hey jay, thanks for the comments! Yep, we'll find out where the $$ came from. Toph is on it now. He may be slow, but he's thorough ...haha. It is about damn time ...I told you he was slow!

Curtis is surely distracted and Casey is a the center of it, I'm pretty sure. But I don't think it's only worry Casey will say something. There has to be a bit more to cause so much angst. It's good to see Rodney acting as a 'normal' brother, ball-busting, kidding and expressing his feelings to Casey. It's also good to see Shade moving past his (obviously) difficult memories. He also can't stay angry with Casey. Nice chapter Ron. Thanks for sharing!

A lovely chapter, Tim. The uninhibited kiss and the snooty neighbor was really well described. Maybe she'll go back under her rock. Pieces all seem to be coming together and Patrick is beginning to ask a few probing questions about his kin. I think the connection with Fiona will be most rewarding for him and can't wait to read about it!

Thanks for the review and great comments, CG! I think you are correct about Twoey and Erik. We can only hope Twoey is strong enough to assert himself. I don't think he so easily gave up on David, but simply faced what he saw as the facts. In fairness to him, he doesn't understand the special problem in David's background, so he is taking it at face value that David must be straight. But they can't break the connection, can they? As I noted in my reply to Carl's review, Tommy views Twoey as making his brother unhappy. Alex makes his brother happy (he thinks) - end of story for Tommy. It's a no-brainer. Alex's older brother being gay may give her the insight needed to actually help David. She probably just needs to get herself under control first ...hehe.

Thanks Def! Gary and David need that connection. We've seen without it, each is miserable. There may well indeed be problems ahead for Twoey and Erik. Twoey is getting more smitten by the day, so he may not see the web until it is too late. I know! Can David and Twoey EVER not have that special thing?

Thank You Spikey for your observations and comments! There are a couple factors at work here, I think. First, we're dealing primarily with boys ...high school aged boys. That subset of the human race is naturally inclined to be reticent, unlike their female counterparts. That subset is also one which has learned to never probe. It is a dangerous thing to do. There is the addition of special circumstances. One example would be Gary. He cannot betray a sterner set of rules. Sam cannot betray his sources. David doesn't betray anything to even himself. All this causes what appears to be the non-communication issue. But they DO all communicate. The usual, non-threatening everyday stuff.

Thank you for the fine comments, Carl! Tommy may have a few different motives. We know he never trusted Twoey very much and blamed him for David's unhappiness. He sees Alex as making his brother happy. That is major for him. ...he, himself, might even have a minor crush You are spot on and agree with Matty about any relationship with Erik. Maybe Twoey will soften Erik, and maybe Erik will sweep Twoey into his web. We'll watch.

Thank you Parker! Everyone seems happy with David and Alex. Of course, it has only been one day. And since she wasn't there on Turkey (or Fish) Day, it hasn't even technically been one day. We'll watch with great interest. Like David and Twoey watching each other. Meanwhile, Chuck marches on!

Thank You n! Something tells me you've read too many chapters in just a few days ...hehe. Thanks for the encouragement.

Thanks Def! What Grampa's cohort is really up to will be revealed shortly. David apparently had connections he was unaware of. Of course he's unaware of so much. David, thinking too much? You're right, he needs a tranquil period. Alex and tranquil seem strange written together, no?

Loose ends. I received a call from Niles. After our last meeting, I had expected to never hear from him again. Either he has not given up or has slipped me into his friend zone. In either case, I am always delighted to hear from him. I do like Niles and he usually has interesting news. In spite of my permission for him to give Nico and Austin my number, he has not. “It’s your choice, Toph. I thought I’d give you a month or so to think it through. Last night I did receive a message from Austin

I wonder how Alex's mother knew there would be trouble at the bus stop after school? And she mentioned truants. Was Belle somehow out of school that day? Of course, pretty soon Alex will get that bit of bad news from Devin. I wonder how the poor kid will cope? OK. You've got us curious about a few things now Hunter. I guess we'll need to wait for the next chapter ...hehe.

Poetry operates by hints and dark suggestions. It is full of secrets and hidden formulae, like a witches brew. - Anthony Hecht *** Tommy Here I was, worried that my brother was gay! Not really worried like it would make a difference to me. I wouldn't love him any less, but he didn't seem too happy and never really had a girlfriend. I could tell Kathy was just sort of thrown at him and David wasn't into her at all. But suddenly, he pulls the Ace of Hearts out of the deck! Beau

I certainly haven't posted many stories, so I suppose one shouldn't extrapolate too much from my comments. I'll only comment on 18 Weeks. This story has been basically written for over a year, although I've rewritten each chapter a million times. I'm sure all writers do. My point being, I haven't changed much substance in response to reviews, i.e. branched into a new and unknown direction. I have however modified how certain characters accomplish what I wanted them to, as a direct result of some insightful reviewers. I thoroughly enjoy each review and take it seriously. After all, reviewers are reading my story! Some simply express they love the story, and others disagree with a character. But it's all important to me. Some get into specifics. One or two, in particular with 18 Weeks, search the chapter in great detail and report on what confuses them, etc. I treasure those reviews too, even if they show frustration with me, the writer. I learn a lot.

I agree with Dayne. Adam should move on. Just ignore Kevin and find someone else. Of course, that won't happen. I didn't say it's what he was gonna do, just what he should do. Kevin is playing around with Adam's head a little, no matter what his motives are. It seems Patrick and Adam have reached a stable place with each other. I think it's good for Adam. Good to have someone to bounce ideas off. We still have Justine to look forward to. Does he really want Baker to take his sister? She could disclose a year's worth of Peter-ammunition for Baker to use, if he wanted ...hehe

Thanks Lisa! Yes, Erik's little exhibit could be taken two ways. Either the exuberance of having a car and boyfriend, or the start of expecting to be in control of Twoey. I guess we'll have to keep alert! I think one reason David might not be turned off is that he actually likes Alex. That whole story of Burch and PPF when he was younger and now can't remember does throw up some red flags. Let's hope it can get resolved, for David's sake.

This is a neat story! Richard's goal is pretty well established now. I especially like Richard's (dis)ability to slip in and out of daydreams! Thanks for sharing this!

This is really such a good story Ron! Jacob's development and metamorphosis into Bobby is really well done. Sammy/Tiffany and her confused but accepting Nana is also emerging. Of course, Jacob and Colton could never be. But Bobby and Colton? We'll see, I guess. If you were naming your chapters, this could be Colton Takes a Stand. He did, in more ways than one!

A subtly great chapter Carlos! I say 'subtly' because while, on the surface, we have the usual daily problems and further development of stuff we sort of knew about, you have set up some powerful drama yet to come. The Patrick affair is one of those, I believe. CJ's wealth, of which we were aware, has suddenly become an instrument. What could possibly be important about Thiago and the pharmacy? The new 'piece of property' they might buy. The advisory board. Just a few of the pieces you hint at. At least you have resolved a few things. Harley gets a job (probably), Brett finally becoming mobile and Chipper's prescience All told, a solid and power-packed chapter disguising itself as daily hum-drum! Thanks for this, Carlos!

Judge mom. she's great. But as Rex said, it's an open relationship they have (a rarity), and that is neat. Poor Chase. Friendship with Eli will do them both a world of good. The Joey thing is unsettling though. Finally, the Bobberson. I hope Eli's evil step-twin doesn't have anything to do with that. Just a thought lurking in the back of an always suspicious dragon's mind. Sorry, we can't help it.

Thanks jess! She probably doesn't know Liz's room is available ...hehe. Once you meet her mother, you'll see she would be more than happy to move it. Will we be able to set things right in only five more weeks? Crap! It's almost December!