ReaderPaul

Oh, this reminded me of my own wedding. Fortunately we had friends who helped us plan things; we weren't ones for a lot of falderal. (Look it up on dictionary dot com if necessary.) The fussing Betty and Gabriella are doing reminds me of some of our friends.... Good going with the humor in this chapter and the previous one.

James, I'm very glad you continued this story. Thank you.

Sounds like it's time for Amir to ask Devon and Colin for advice on proposing? I hope, R. Eric, that you give us a glimpse of the Wentworth Manor staff when Betty and Gabriella tell them multiple weddings are coming on the same day!

Good end to this story, @R. Eric although I have to admit I will miss it. Looking forward to the others you already have going, and maybe, Cinderfella 3?

Geron, so far this is my favorite of the Charmed stories. I just recently read the entire series in order, and want to lobby for seeing more of Marty's sister, Parker. She is a fascinating character. Also, this story takes place in New York. Part of your stories "The Odd, Onward Door" and "Never A Door Lost" take place in New York. By chance, do Derry and Cally go to the same school as Jesse, Marty, Nick, Brian, and David? Or had you thought of that possibility? Please keep up the great writing!

Very glad to see this chapter. If it would work better for you, R. Eric, to do two to four chapters of a story at one time, go for it! we will adapt. I am still lobbying for another chapter of your story, "The Luckiest Man in the World." Great story. (But actually, I am enjoying ALL of your stories.) Please continue the great writing!

@quokka -- I remember when you posted this story originally. It seems to me you have added bits here and there, and also added more dialogue, That makes the story more interesting and fun to read.

What Mike said to Chet about his childhood reminded me of the following from an author friend about kids: “High school…kids: They are sweet, caring, cruel, fearful, boastful, insecure, sexual, down to earth beings all wrapped into one package often. Most of them have more sense and compassion than many adults give them credit for. It’s true that they need guidance and boundaries because their brains aren’t completely formed. However, after meeting the parents of some of the worst of the lot, I have seen that the kids are doing a better job of raising themselves than I could have imagined!” ~ The author known as David Lee This story, @R. Eric, is really a good one. Thank you for returning to the story. Chet is a great kid.

@Timothy M. as a reader, the quickest way I have found to access a particular Author's stories, is to go to the Authors tab, then select "All Authors" (unless I know a particular Authors is a Classic or Signature or Promising Author) and click the appropriate listing. Then I remember that the Authors are listed in Alphanumeric order, and try to guess where the particular Author is in the 66 or so pages of Author names. Works well for me. If the Author has posted in the last few 8 or so postings, you can just click on the Author's name in the stories listing and shortcut from there. Tim, I agree with you on the following: "Would it be possible to have both number of story / chapter comments and number of story reviews shown ? It's not urgent of course, and sorry if I missed an earlier topic on this." Chapter comments do seem to count as reviews for numeric tabulation of a story. That is mildly confusing to me. @Myr Is there a way of separating actual Reviews and chapter comments I'm missing?

“Heroes have a rough time because they stand up when they ought not to, they speak when they ought not to; they always have to go that extra mile.” ~ George Foreman

Well Done, @Cynus. I want to see the next chapter!

Yes! Some of us are actively lobbying for The Luckiest Man in the World! Very good chapter, R. Eric. But I wouldn't trust Manny and Wynona as far as I could throw them. I also think that Eric should hire a private eye to see if Manny is actually wearing that locator bracelet.

Another good chapter, R. Eric. I hope Amy is one who will be also at the wedding.

I appreciate the thoughtful way @Comicality approached this. When I first started finding erotic stories on the Internet, I just wanted a lot of explicit sexual action. After some of that, I decided a liked a plot leading up to sexual activity better. I still enjoy a well-written scene of sex or two or ten, but in most cases a plot building up to it is helpful. Good points have also been brought up by @Myr and @BlindAmbition and @BHopper2 and @Timothy M. which especially resonated with me. It can be too easy for a story to devolve into a sex fest instead of a plot after a certain point. If the rest of the story is going to be mostly about sex, they might as well cut the story short and say, "And they screwed happily ever after" (or whatever sexual acts the author is promoting).

By the way, R. Eric, great chapter. Thanks.

Keep in mind that Ringo Starr is the stage name of Richard Starkey, and that Paul's full name is James Paul McCartney, so we might have to watch for a James and Richard....

“A wise man changes his mind; a fool never does.” ~ Spanish proverb.

You hit the proverbial nail on the proverbial head. I have offended people by accident when we have differing life experiences, and therefore use words differently. The "Oh? Why?" question is one I have used myself. Another technique, used by a sociology professor where I went to college, is to just stare at people with a blank look as if inviting them to explain themselves. That only works when the person spewing stuff has at least a small amount of sense. I grew up in an area where there were only whites and Native Americans and one Asian. The Asian boy was badly treated by some, even though he was a great guy. My parents never talked badly of other races, and I am glad of that. I was able to become friends later with some persons of other races and cultures at a later date.

The advantage of a fictional place is obvious-- no one can go there and see how the author warped the geography. A fictionalized place is more tricky. Someone might figure it out. Authors should also do their geography homework. One author not on this site invented a fictional city, then put it in a fictional location. Oops! There was a town of that name right where the city was supposed to be. However, there is a big difference when comparing a real town of 2,000 with a fictional city of 200,000 people. Several years ago, an author wrote a fictional romance featuring the area of the Midwest where I live. While she got some of the main street names right, many other details were messed up. I agree with others who say words to the effect of, "Either know a real town/village/city, or research, research, research!"

This story reminded me of the sometimes non-understanding a teen may have. At the same time, there was interesting interaction with the main character's father, younger brother, and best friend. Kevin feels alienated from nearly everyone close to him, or feels unable to understand and communicate with them. At first, Kevin's father seems remote and not interested in Kevin's life. Kevin's younger brother, Bobby, helps Kevin see something quite different. Kevin's best friend helps nurture the writing talent Kevin has. And Kevin's dad possibly has the biggest secret of all. These elements keep changing, with Bobby being the main spark toward understanding initially, as events spiral toward a major surprise and revelation.

Ah, I remember James H. Schmitz, and Damon Knight, and Andre Norton's space travel and time travel books, and Anne McCaffrey, and Larry Niven, and ... and... and...

I have learned to face my fears when needed. but I don't like it, especially dentists! That is worse than the rest put together, because they have sharp instruments they put in your mouth!

Everyone has differing fears and anxieties. I have a fear of dentists and a fear of small culverts. (I nearly drowned in one at age 4.) I have a fear of driving on icy roads after having an accident years ago where I totaled my car by sliding into a culvert and then a wrecker hit my car. I agree. I only drive on icy roads in an emergency, and avoid small culverts when I can. I prepare as best I can (but still am very nervous at dentists). Sometimes we have to look for ways to go around or face our fears. It does not always get easier.

Another good chapter, R. Eric.

True, but more details have to be filled in to make a 90 minute to 2 and a half hour movie.... LOL. That can come later. I have confidence you will fill in the details we need as the story demands it.