raven1

Since I didn't comment after the first read on two chapters in a row, I was probably binging the story. I did love this chapter and feel that some progress has been made with Hank. I feel that Dad returning will benefit both Hank and Chase. Hank will have a very important person, Charles, to provide additional and desperately needed support.

I have to say I find the my reading this time of these comments to be amusingly ironic, since you were stripping this past week. Wallpaper of course.

I check for my comments from the first read, and found I didn't make a comment for this chapter. I remember it well, so I must have been binge reading, too tire or lost in space. Best bet is the last excuse. This started with an 8 beer hangover and an overly active imagination creating the perfect pity party for Chase. He was strong enough to recognize where that could lead and got himself to work. Dawson came to Chase's rescue again to end the dark party. The best thing was the arrival of Dad. I love this chapter because of the love and healing the family has had. It is a celebration of what a family should be and why they are important to Chase. From the stories they told about growing up in the home with their mother's love and support, it is very evident why Chase is making such a rapid recovery, in spite of a few stumbles. It seems that Dad is back in full force and will be able to support Chase and Cindy. This is another lovely chapter.

Reading the story this second time, many of my basic understandings have changed since the first read. I no longer feel my comment on this chapter are correct. Starting with Chase, I realise that I had assumed him to be much more damaged by his depression than was the case. Chase is not the demanding drama queen that uses his illness to focus others on him. Hank is not the self sacrificing individual I put on a pedestal the first read. Dr Chorney didn't give Chase a miracle cure for depression. Instead, he build on the progress that had been made and help Chase develop the skills and attitude he needed to lead him back into a normal existence. I was in awe of Chase as he finally stood up to Hank and made Hank pay attention. I was a bit upset that Chase at the end started to revert to childish accusations. However, it might just be what Hank need in order to reinforce to Hank how deeply Chase loves him and has been hurt also. This time I did read @Marty's comments. He has made excellent points on the story and reader's reactions to the story. I agree with him 100%. This is how I have felt much of the time while reading this story and remembering many of the comments that upset me the first time I read the story. As for what happens at the cabin, that is entirely up to Kevin and Hank. I have a feeling that it will be much more like Marty's last suggestion and continue the parallel behaviors I have seen between Hank and Chase in past chapters, including the kiss. This is really a great chapter and I hope it will lead to progress. Of course I'm still waiting for Chase to rally support for Hank. He still seems to have only Kevin actively helping him. This is one of my favorite chapters so far.

Beer, whiskey and soda combos, and a new favorite introduced by our German friend, Patisse and coke.

Tamales, hot chocolate and Arroz con Leche for me. It's so hard to find great tamales in Thailand. I can get most of the stuff to make it, but don't have the skills or recipe. I do agree, Drew's mom would win the competition. Of course if she did enter the competition, Drew wouldn't have any food incentives over us. (Of course we all know we will never get the incentives anyway.)

I'll blame it on Aod. He had a few of our friends over for drinks. That didn't end until way after midnight. At least I was still reading and posting instead of getting sloshed. 😜

Again, I do stand by what I said in the comments for this chapter. I admire the courage it took to write this chapter, as well as the writing and especially the dialogue. It is extremely difficult to write a character that readers can bond and accept when we don't know what his is thinking except thru hearsay and assumptions which are often of minimal value. I have no problem with Chase or Hank. Dawson and Kevin are also excellent characters. What a lot of the readers failed to consider is that neither Chase or Hank are emotionally ready to talk. The time is just not right. Another thing that seems to be missed by most comments are that both Chase and Hank are mirrors for each other. To clarify, what happened at the storage building and again in the park were substantially the same with the roles of Hank and Chase switched. Both men reverted to immature defences and gained nothing as a result. Also, Chase's survivor's guilt is balanced by Hank's abandonment issues. Neither can talk until both have dealt with their own issues. Chase is ahead in this race. I hope he can be patient and wait for Hank to get the support Hank needs to deal with his issues. My hope is that Chase does for Hank what Hank has already done for Chase. Chase should call all their friends and ask them to reconnect with Hank, and provide Hank with support he needs to deal with his problems. Chase knows what Hank's problem is and should get busy doing what he can to help Hank. He also needs to follow the doctor's advice to limit contact for a while. Again if anyone thinks that Hank is being unfair, they should read the comments and see some very unfair judgements made based on assumptions and a little information about Hank that most readers don't seem to understand. Both Kevin and Dawson are caught in the middle and there is no reason for readers to judge them differently. I do love this story, and realise some of the issues I had before were about the unfair and unkind comments made about Hank. This is a really well written chapter!

Not going to feed your pervy mind Clo! As for the flooding, it was very inconvenient, but at least not too dangerous for those of us in the immediate neighborhood.❤️

Sorry Clo, but stubble tickles too much. I much prefer skin to skin contact when the face is involved.The carpet is fine and I would never want that removed.

I'll definitely check to see if I can import them. ❤️

I hope you get a laugh from this, Gary. When I read this: I suddenly thought of Dirty Pool and how Kelly would have a solution for this! Trust is the most important possession to have and the hardest to get back when it is lost. I hope that Chase realizes it is on him to rebuild Hank's trust with actions and not just words. He has a very herculean task before him. Hank appears as if he has moved on. He hasn't, and Kevin is definitely unfairly caught in the middle. He is a very nice guy who feels a close affinity to Hank and is at the very least providing support for Hank that other friends have withheld not wanting to take sides. Hank does not have the same support for all the baggage he personally had, plus what Chase added. There is no Cindy, Dr. Chanrey or the newest support of Chase's father. Kevin has at least helped Hank to not feel alone and abandoned. Their common experience of being betrayed has created a bond. Once again, Chase choses to run away rather than face the challenge of facing up to Hank when given the opportunity. I do understand why, but also understand both Kevin and Hank's feelings and behaviors. This is a very difficult situation for very good men trying their best, but failing miserably. No fault for anything, just regret for all. You do write with great skill these difficult situations with powerful emotional impact. Awesome chapter!

Thanks Albert! Great recipe, I will need to find substitutes for the pepper listed as they are not available in Thailand. I am sure I can do that with all the multitude of different chili peppers here. I also need to figure out what kind of tomatoes. The difference is water content is important to something like mole sauce. I am very relieved that I won't have to sell my soul now!

I said many things in my first comment that are no longer what I believe. First is that there is not a codependent relationship between either Hank or Chase. Further, Chase is trying hard to heal from the survivors guilt he feels and has such a negative impact on his family. What struck me was what Hank did. He left Rex in the house for Chase. At least subconsciously if not planned, he knew that Rex would want to go to the park and exactly where Rex would go. His sitting on the bench seemed a deliberate invitation to have Chase approach him and maybe talk. Of course, Chase feels too guilty to do that. Hank probably once again feels Chase has rejected him as Hank did when Chase sent him home before. Missed communications are only compounding a bad problem. Dawson seems a nice guy. I wonder what Hank would think about Chase refusing to accept Dawson's invitation? Of course, what will Chase feel if Hank finds a friend to do things with. It's a two way street that will definitely cause problems if either Hank or Chase start to associate with other men. Not very hopeful for reuniting the two. It's the one piece of advice from Dr. Chorney I don't think was very good. I don't think Chase could handle Hank doing the same thing to him that Chase did to Hank. I pity whoever gets caught in the middle.

OMG! I didn't know she has a whiskey named after her! I am sooo impressed!

@kbois's impersonation of Statler and Waldorf. Speaking of which discussions here remind me of this quote from the two muppet critics. Statler: The internet is a completely different culture isn't it. Waldorf: You said it. Everything here is immediately followed by sarcastic comments and nasty responses." Statler: Yup, we're finally where we belong.

Hey Spike! Nice @drpaladin shirt! Where did you find that?

Just to update you, I have read two more chapters of Endings. I definitely have a different take on some of the things so far. Not a great many, but some are fundamental. I am looking forward to upcoming chapters.

Hi Drewbear! You can have him. He'd be perfect except for the very scratch chin. Maybe you can send him to Spike for some artistic hair removal. 😄

And you definitely deserve it also. You have worked so hard for others both before and in the aftermath of Ian. Thanks for sharing your vacation stories! I hope your bosses appreciate all you are doing to help the people in the community.

It was very sad. One crazy father killed his wife, kid and himself along with 28 others, mostly kindergarten aged children. It is way beyond sad!

I'd love to dance in the middle between these two!😉

I'll have to check the Thai schedule and actually watch Netflix for the first time in a very long time. I so want to know how to make mole sauce! It is a key sauce for many of the foods I want to learn how to make. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Again, my comments were good with what has happened so far. What impressed me most in this chapter is that Hank is still in love with Chase and trying to help Chase. Hank's call to friends and family are evidence of a very deep love. That Chase has managed to hurt Hank so very much is also a sign of Hank's love. Dr. Chorney has also helped Chase to realise this. Stacy is also a good friend and Cindy a great sister. Chase has forgiven himself, but still has trouble understanding how he is sabotaging his own efforts to regain Hank's trust and love. He didn't realize he had rejected Hank when Chase sent him home. With the current lack of communication between the two it is not surprising that Hank would misinterpret this as just another rejection to add to the baggage he is carrying from the separation of his parents. Again a very well written and emotional chapter, I just wish there was more hope that both these men would be able to find a way to reconnect their trust and love.

Although I still feel good about my comments made the first time I read this story, I have to admit that I have a different perspective of Chase. My first impression of Chase was that he had suffered from depression for a long time, and had not benefited from Dr. Chorney's help, because he did not follow the doctor's advice closely. I am now convinced he made a lot of progress and had one simple failure. It is too bad that he could not control his panic attack at the most critical time of his relationship. That marriage is a trigger does make sense to me, but still difficult to accept emotionally. Hank is still the person I associate with very closely. Hank is stubborn in his desire to end the loving relationship, but I see that as a form of self protection from the tremendous hurt he had by seeing Chase cheat on him after all Hank had sacrificed for Chase and his family. It may only have been a kiss with a stranger, but OMG was the timing horrendously bad. Chase will have an impossibly uphill road to regain the trust and love of Hank. Chase does need to heed the doctor's advice and try to re-establish trust and friendship first. I am not sure about this advice, however. . That sounds a bit like game playing and a deadly behavior in any loving relationship.