ReaderPaul

Divorce can be hellacious for kids and fathers. Even though most states are supposed to consider rights of both parents -- the reality is females get more rights in child custody than men in most cases. I think Caleb was not trying to be malicious. But he is wondering what's going on.

HMMMM. Great pun, @P. E. Knapp In one of his short stories, Isaac Asimov pointed out that sexual activities would become much more complicated it low-G environments, and zero-G environments. Our bodies are used to reactions stemming from one-G or near one-G gravitational forces. Another author (I wish I could remember who) said that in zero-G, sexual intercourse might be best performed in a large netting-type "bed," with three connecting ropes for stability so the participants don't float around bumping into things, and so they do not "uncouple/come apart" from the thrusting action, perhaps strapped together with gentle flexible stretchy restraints. Makes for interesting contemplation.

Good chapter, @P. E. Knapp. I think there are interesting times ahead.

@quokka -- Looking forward to the next chapter. When will it appear?

Humor and more in this chapter. Marc and Camile and Roman are having fun with this relationship. Marc and Tom and Rachel having fun and profit mining. Very much indeed to like and love with this chapter.

I have greatly enjoying this story and look forward to reading the epilogue tomorrow.

Fascinating. I have only read a few stories where diving is featured. The amount of understandable detail in this story is better than any other I have read. Did you write diving manuals at one time? Sounds like Quinn has matured a lot in several years.

Good chapter @Mancunian and @raven1. When I got my copy of "Cant Stop the Music", featuring The Village People, I had a DVD player with both stop motion and the ability to zoom in to any section of the view. I had fun zooming in on the shower scenes and finding the members of several guys in the shower scenes and examining them larger and in stop motion at the same time. Harry possibly needs a push to talk to Charlie and Michael. Michael seems more likely to stay long term, but Charlie might if Brad were to move in, as was suggested above.

I have some chuckles with this chapter. I wonder if Fran will get involved investigating Christopher further? I look forward to seeing Marc introducing the twins to Janek and Rory, as well as the parents.

An excellent story with much happening. I'm glad Janice and Missy were able to come to the party also.

Intriguing beginning. I have known some persons with various types of compensation for being short. One person memorized over 600 yearbook pictures of kids in his high school so he could call them by name and help incline them toward friendship to him. Another became a quiet brainiac who would quietly help persons with their understanding of schoolwork, with the understanding that they would help protect him if necessary. I have know a few others who became belligerent and ended up driving away many who could have been good friends. I look forward to seeing the interactions of the persons introduced thus far in the narrative.

Interesting start. Wanting to read more.

Ah, so the ego of the Australian Prime Minister was greatly bruised by not being able to break the news theirself. Typical of a politician, so he takes it out on Susan Henderson. I wonder if the visitors from our neighboring star system expected that?

Several authors I like and admire in these lists.

I liked this chapter on several levels: Max and the others defending Liam; the supervisor defending Liam; Harry being so caring toward Michael and Charlie; the goodness and joy of having Janice and Harry as neighbors; Brad and Charlie getting to be together in a casual setting. Lots to care about in a positive way in this chapter.

@Anton_Cloche -- does ASA mean Armed Security Agant?

I had a hunch someone would share things best not shared. But as Benjamin Franklin said in Poor Richard's Almanack -- "Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead." Brett and Hugh and Joyce and Susan are in for interesting times ahead.

Animals in my neighborhood are used to fireworks. That does not mean they or I like them being set off in my subdivision. One neighbor is willing to set them off anywhere except in front of HIS house. Our subdivision is not in the city limits of the nearest town, which regulates the time when fireworks can be set off and who can set them off. Good chapter.

Good chapter. Thanks, @Mancunian.

A story different than most I read, it is worth reading. After Logan ends up overboard, he is eventually rescued by Eric, a somewhat mysterious man who seems quite capable. It takes some time for Logan to figure out more about enigmatic Eric and also the somewhat enigmatic Amanda. Some pieces of the puzzle of these two enigmas take time to tickle the senses to gel with more understanding. The story progresses pragmatically in a pleasingly playful way at intervals which make the reading a pleasure. Starting with the dolphins as Eric spots Logan, more and more events eventually illuminate items we need to know for the enjoyment of the story. "Whales" has more than one meaning in the story, (not including were-whales, since there is no direct supernatural in this tale).. I recommend this.

Another relevant point -- at this time, I predict that the ridiculous body modesty has mostly been eliminated. Every body has parts; and pretty much the same ones. There may be variations of size, shape, and colorations, but other than that, mostly similar. I am also guessing birth control is much easier to access and use than in our present world.

Okay, the first time you mention her in this chapter it was Camila, then Camile. Which is it? If Chris doesn't realize he has been stupid, he is even more stupid than initially thought.

Most US states have some type of "Right turn on red after full stop" law. This means, after bringing your vehicle to a full stop and checking whether oncoming traffic safely allows for a turning right on red, you may make the turn -- UNLESS there is a sign at that intersection saying "NO RIGHT TURN ON RED" or a variation of that wording. Some restaurants allow patrons to remain if it is not very busy -- because a restaurant that seems busy usually attracts more customers. A few recently, however have put up signs saying words to the effect of "You may remain ONLY 30 minutes while consuming your meal. No Loitering." Wording varies, but some places have that wording to keep homeless persons from staying inside and taking room from paying customers.

I am somewhere in-between on this. If the happy ending is reasonable, I usually prefer the happy ending. On the other hand sometimes life does not have a set of happy endings. Often there is a mixture of happy, sad, and so-so endings to the subplots of life. Sometimes the is an ending which seems sad, but has the possibility of hope for a revised version of happy at some time in the future, if the plot were eventually to be continued. However, as another said, you are the author. If your beta reader does not have a good way of coming up with a happy ending that you like, do it the way you originally plotted the story.

The indeed is a lot happening in this chapter. So much good stuff. I look forward to seeing how the Christmas program goes over. I also agree about the lack of grammar skills and being able to organize a story. I was educated in the 1950s and 1960s and we were taught much about grammar and of being clear in our writing. @Anton_Cloche is correct about lower standards for grammar and writing these days. When a local high school needed to teach grammar to students, they had only one teacher out of six English teachers who had grammar classes in college when being trained. She was older than all the other English teachers at the school, and taught grammar and other English classes for two years, until she retired.