craftingmom

I'm adding this note in here because for some reason it keeps telling me the chapter note is too long, but it's under 500 characters so I don't know what the problem is: This chapter is also now twice as long as it originally was since I got inspired last night to add Matt's POV of the rescue. The first half of this chapter would probably be its own chapter, adding in another day of waiting for the conclusion--which I thought might be a little mean for those of you who have waited so patiently

If I keep you in suspense, maybe you'll come back for more, hehe! Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!

Wow, thanks! I'm so glad you think so! Thanks so much for reviewing, as always! (oh, and I discovered how to do all the cool emoticons! It was driving me nuts how you all were getting them in there! Finally found a list)

Yes, at least even in his panic Matt had the forethought to call the cops rather than just run over by himself--that could have been ugly all in itself. I'm glad you enjoyed it! Hope you like the last two! Thanks again for reviewing!

Thank you! That is very sweet of you to say! I very much appreciate you taking the time to let me know what you think!

Yeah, that's what I thought too. Outright killing him was too easy for him. Glad you liked it!. Thanks for reviewing!

Thank you! I did think about just shooting him in the head, but it seemed too easy for him. I'm so glad you have enjoyed the story. I have really enjoyed your reviews. Thanks!

Sorry for putting you through the wringer, well sorta anyway! Glad you liked it.

You're welcome (long time coming, I know...)Thanks for reviewing!

So glad you liked it. (I would post more, but GA guidelines only allow me to post one chapter a day--but at least it lets me post everyday.) Thanks so much for reviewing!

hehe, well, don't get up too early. Kids are off from school tomorrow so I get to sleep in (no 8am posting tomorrow), maybe closer to ten. So glad you liked it!

Chapter 15 Matt stared at the phone in his hand in disbelief. What the hell? Was that really Avery's father? Matt's heart pounded in his ears as he slowly processed what he'd heard. Had the man actually hit Avery? Avery had sounded terrified in the seconds before the call disconnected. He had to get over there. As he dressed quickly and raced down the steps, Erin appeared from her room. "Where are you going?" she asked sleepily. "I think something's going on at Avery's house," he

OMG! That's so ! Can't stop laughing! Love when he come up on a person and stops to wave, then jumps right back in!

Fortunately, it's not a long wait for more!

Thanks so much!!

Hehe, love the ideas for Carl and William! And I know cliffies can be mean O:), but at least you won't have to wait long for the rest!

Well, that would definitely be an interesting twist with Carl accidentally killing William.

Hehe, it is very interesting to read all the wondering about what's going to happen. Hey, maybe it's just a neighbor borrowing milk! hehe.

Yes, it is very sad to know that this story is not that far-fetched. The story you related about the 'camp' is just chilling. I am glad this story has you wanting more; hopefully, that means I'm doing something right, right? hehe Thanks again so much for your help and insight (especially with the phone call!)!

Hey there!Thanks so much for your review and comments--so much to think about. And just as a note, this story actually has gone through a beta read of sorts as it was posted previously on another site with reviewers offering comments, from which I did tweak it already. And this story was actually already read by several GA members who requested me to email it to them after the comment in the Nov. CSR interview, several of whom suggested that I should post it as they thought others might like it. So, I guess, since it had been read and commented on several times already, I really didn't consider bothering anyone else to beta read it--especially my betas, as I have them engaged in the neko sequel that should come out next week (just the last couple chapters left to write and have beta'd, yay!) That being said, thanks to drpaladin6 and Robert Rex's comments, I think I'm okay with the whole EMS call thing as it is, especially since the 'law enforcement' reviewer (drpaladin6) feels it is plausible and handled perfectly. It's obvious from the variety of comments that even with a specific beta reader or even two that there will always be something that strikes someone differently or thinks a character should have done something another way. For example, the turtleneck--a turtleneck in winter, to me, really isn't that crazy. And it's unlikely at this point that anyone would think that much about what Avery's wearing since he's been like that for years. Avery has already established himself as a person who wears baggy clothes, hoodies, always in long sleeves and long pants, even in the summer. He's always been 'that emo kid' who buries himself in clothes. So, no, for Avery, I don't think it would seem weird to the other characters that he'd wear turtlenecks for a week or so, even if it warmed up some--it's a story, it's winter, the weather is cold, everyone's wearing winter clothes, turtleneck doesn't seem that out there. I think the hardest part many have with this story is the fact that Avery is hurting and they want so badly for it to stop, to save him. And I guess the most realistic part of all this is that it's hard to imagine why an abuse victim continues to 'allow' themselves to be abused. I know we want to say 'why the hell hasn't he told anyone?' or 'why hasn't anyone done anything yet?' but the horrible truth is that it just happens-- it slips through, victims learn to just get by, they prefer to hide it for fear or shame, etc, they hide it well, and it's not necessarily logical. Most people prefer not to get involved. Even those who may have a suspicion are not likely to act immediately and accuse a parent of abusing their child without some sort of evidence (especially if the child themselves are denying it) and accumulating evidence takes time. The concept behind this story is to show (by a little exaggeration, yes) that abuse is going to happen under our noses. No matter how much someone might be loved it doesn't mean the signs will all click into place right away, if ever (ie. a child hiding abuse by say an uncle from their loving parents for years). So, for the purpose of this story, I think it actually is plausible enough (frustrating maybe) that Matt (or anyone else) hasn't read the signs yet even if he loves him so much, or that Avery hasn't found the strength yet to confide in Matt after only a couple weeks. Yes, given enough time, Avery would probably tell Matt or Matt would figure it out, but it would probably, realistically, be later in their relationship...not after just a couple weeks. And there I go rambling, sorry! You've given me a lot to consider as always, certainly thinking through character motives and such, and I greatly appreciate everyone's insight and comments here at GA. Thanks again for reviewing as always! Hope you enjoy the rest.

Chapter 14 Man, Matt had looked good, Avery sighed as he curled up in the chair in the living room staring into space as he remembered meeting up with Matt at the coffee shop earlier today. Matt had beat him there and ordered a couple hot chocolates and brownies. Matt was already sitting on the loveseat by the fireplace, their drinks on the coffee table in front of him. Matt patted the seat next to him and Avery easily settled next to him. When Matt grinned down at him with those adoring

Glad you are enjoying the story, and yes, they are starting to question it. It has only been two weeks since the shopping trip--and one of those was spent at Degasio's--so while Erin and Matt haven't figured it out yet, they are getting there. Avery is hiding it well, he's done it for years. It's not like they are going to look right at him and know he's being abused--even if they've thought it, Avery has the excuses ready. Thanks for reading and reviewing.

Again, thank you very much for your help. I never really expected the phone call to cause such concern (probably should have just left it out like I'd originally planned!) And thank you for relaying your story about your older friend still suffering abuse. A friend of mine was abused for years too (before I knew her) by her father and she never reported it either--for fear of punishment, shame, etc. I appreciate you taking time to review. Thank you.