ReaderPaul

@centexhairysub -- you are absolutely right. @JamesSavik has a really good story in "In the Shadow of the Dragon." It has more than just the military aspect to the story -- it has the kids working together; it has the adults planning ahead to keep the kids safe; it has the distress of the ones trying to solve the problem; it has the complicated family relationship of one of the less featured character, and a lot more. One of my favorite characters is Jacobs -- and I don't want to say more about him at this time so I don't give a spoiler of part of the story for those who have not yet read it. @Myr, these Deep Dives are a wonderful service for us, the readers. Thank you again.

Some amazing authors in that list.

Excellent, James.

I read the story, and it is a very good one.

This is a serious story, and well worth reading. A teen guy discovers that an effigy of him has been hung in the front yard. As more and more information becomes available, he also discovers courage he did not know he had. At the same time he realizes facts about life and courage that he needs to know. He also discovers the need to form real friendships, instead of mere acquaintances. An excellent story.

Mark Twain (pen name of Samuel Langhorne Clemens) said something similar about monarchy -- "We hold these truths to be self-evident -- that all monarchs are usurpers and descendants of usurpers; for the reason that no throne was ever set up in this world by the will, freely exercised, of the only body possessing the legitimate right to set it up -- the numerical mass of the nation." Twain said this in -- Letter to Sylvester Baxter of Boston Herald, 1889. The Doors/Doorways series are excellent tales, @Geron Kees. I am reading "Never a Door Lost" again for the firth or sixth time.

Love this, @JamesSavik. Reminds me of a few people I've met.

I have been reading this on and off all day, Craig, but on my phone. It takes so much longer on my phone to comment than on my home computer. I have over the years been friends with a number of persons who work at various charitable agencies. There are some who try to go from place to place "skimming" help, and others who truly need help and use it to improve themselves and others. The first of these are the "Carls" of the world or sometimes, the female equivalents. This is a touching story. I am reminded of a boy who grew up in my community whose mother killed his father, then herself. Fortunately, relatives of the father and friends immediately stepped in to help and the boy is now a man of respected care in the area. His mother had been in and out of psychiatric help over the years, and he seems to have his late father's caring attitude instead of his mother's mental problems. But he was quite scarred by the experiences. I look forward to reading the rest of your stories. Thank you for giving me the suggested reading order for them.

I liked this chapter as well. John/Christian hit the proverbial jackpot with Phillip and Emily.

I have read several stories by Ronyx, and enjoyed them. Have not (yet) read this one, though.

Although a bit worrisome at first, the chapter ended on a very happy note. And I love seeing the comments by @Summerabbacat, @Marty, and @raven1 on this chapter. They always have comments well worth reading.

This is just one more example of how comprehensive and caring sexual education is needed. Thankfully, Phillip did not wimp out, but gave John "the talk." When my dad told me about sex, he took me out to the barn and (in a very embarrassed fashion) gave me a clinically accurate but sketchy description of sex, making it sound less interesting than putting a dried corn cob in the corn sheller and turning the hand crank to get the dried corn kernels off of the cob. He did not touch on nocturnal emissions, why guys get erections, emotions involved, or anything but the bare details of intercourse and an unknowing warning about masturbation. Unlike John, I was a "late bloomer" sexually. My penis and testicles grew well, but I did not have my first ejaculation until about age 14½ one day while masturbating in the barn. As you pointed out by example in this chapter, kids tend to sometimes worry more than is necessary because they don't have complete information and/or understanding of what is happening around them. Good chapter.

Great first chapter. I like what has come thus far.

Dictionary dot com says "calumniate" is a real word, doing what you said.

Excellent, @JamesSavik. Please keep up these great series of shorts.

I've been frog hunting and toad hunting. Differing varieties have different smells.

I like!

Something I missed in reading this story years ago -- A person CAN read in their dreams. I have read several times in my dreams -- stuff I had previously read while awake, and stuff I have NEVER read when awake which I wish I could remember and write down while awake.

I agree, @Ron. Many customers would be like me -- just avoid Wendy's completely.

Wow, glad to see this chapter!

My son makes a great meatloaf. And meatloaf as a safe word does sound unusual.

What @Myr said about chapter views. I often re-read chapters I especially like, or chapters where I might wish to gain more clarity of what the author is saying. On certain stories by @Geron Kees I might, over a period of two or three years, read that chapter or section of a chapter eight or ten times. Same way with other good writers such as @JamesSavik or more. That would drive up the chapter views on that chapter, and the same way on other favorite authors such as @Backwoods Boy, @AC Benus, and others. GA is fortunate to have may wonderful authors.

@chris191070 and @hankster, you make a great writing team. This is one of the best yet.

@JamesSavik -- interesting video.

Not that scenario, but I have seen the same concept in action....