Robert Rex

Ben deserves everything coming to him and more! He's really a character who deserves the hate everyone's giving him. And you're right, Oschner is a world-leader in vision issues, so Barry's in the right spot. Now, if he'll just wake up, and confirm everything's ok.... THANK YOU for sticking with the story. Your support means a lot, and I appreciate you! (And, enjoying how the storyline is moving with CJ on "Spring"!)

Defiance, you get the gold star--getting caught up on all this has been a challenge, and I appreciate you more than I can say for your endurance and commitment to the story! Lots of healing to be done here: Ben probably has the toughest road ahead; Barry still has challenges; and, the emotional toll on Dave/friends/bar patrons is not insignificant. We're at least making progress with Clayton, since he's now decided "it's time" to do his secret's reveal. For a plotter/planner, that's progress. So yeah, the secret's on its way out ... just hang on, and know it's coming. Again, THANK YOU for the support on this story. Know you've made a difference with me!

Skinny, you're absolutely right--Benoit was scum, and the widespread collateral damage he's inflicted will last for a long time...you wanna get me that number of your NYC guy? Barry's just one example of that damage, as well as the emotional toll on Dave and friends, as well as the incredibly tough road ahead for poor Ben. Promise I'll try to get the update on Clayton's secret out soon--but you gotta admit, Clayton moves slowly and deliberately, but at least he's decided to MOVE. Progress, right? THANK YOU for always reading along, and your comments--they mean a LOT!

Refugium, with an imagination like yours, I need you as a beta reader--I'm not nearly that complex. But we could always combine all those plot lines! How's this as a potential secret? Clayton's mad ex-wife, a Walton heir, is locked away with Clayton's control of the fortune allowing him to finance and build a secret Mars base and earth launch site as his part of an Illuminati plot to control our adjacent planet's mineral wealth. LOL! Seriously, it's just taking a while for Clayton to decide it's time to move forward--but at least he's moving! And I really didn't mean to be a tease, but he's making progress. I did a LOT of research on Ryan's prosthetics, and met with the people responsible for fitment as well as people using them--and I'm truly honored you found those descriptions realistic and convincingly portrayed. THANK YOU! And THANKS for reading along and commenting--it really means a lot!

Tim, I really didn't mean to set it up as a cliff hanger! But, as deliberately as Clayton moves, it's major progress for him to even decide it's time to 'fess up'. And you're right--Barry's got some challenges ahead, and the worry is obviously doing a number on Dave and friends. But, everyone's hopeful, and attitude helps! THANK YOU for reading along, and keeping me posted on how I'm doing--I appreciate you!

Sorry to make ya wait, Onim--my editor was out of town, and unavailable, even though the chapter was done last week! No doubt about it, Barry's got a tough road ahead of him, but Dave and friends will make a real difference. As for Clayton's secret, it's on it's way out--but at least he's decided it's time to let it out! THANK YOU for your continued support--I appreciate you!

Glad the routine (minus panic attack) is resuming! Still amazed at how closely Nolan has bonded with a cousin he didn't know he had even two weeks ago. Interesting chapter...moving the story along well. Good job!

The 4th of July party was well underway. Despite the insanity of the attempted bar robbery last night, and my near kidnapping, a thin veneer of normalcy prevailed. Ryan—my hero/savior/lover—stayed over last night. We really didn’t talk much, just huddled together in bed. Surprisingly, we both slept in. I’d already picked up everything needed to cook burgers at the outdoor kitchen on “the porch”, as Ryan calls the screened building by the dock. It’s got a big refrigerator/freezer there, alo

Gee, THANK YOU for the comments, and for getting into the story so much you were visualizing it all! Lemme see if I can help with some of that: 1) For the bar's layout, think of a landscape-mode piece of paper (say 11" x 8.5"). The entrance door is basically centered along the "north" 11" length of the paper; the bar inside mimics that length, with the "long" side of the bar running parallel to the north wall. The short side of the bar, and the opening beside it faces "east". There are tables between the bar and the stage on the eastern wall. And the pool table is in the northeast corner of the layout. Does that help? (If not, lemme know, and I'll diagram it out by email to you.) 2) Everyone was told to head to the stage--Barry and Benoit wanted to get 'em all away, so patrons on the long side of the bar would have moved. Since the tables were along the eastern wall next to the stage, those patrons didn't move--and didn't have to since they weren't a threat to Benoit. It's the distance away from Benoit that's making the difference here, not just the fact they're on stage. Same with the folks who were at the tables/pool table; far enough away that they're not perceived to be a threat. 3) The third person style was a risk I took in writing the chapter--sorry you found it jarring! It's such a pivotal moment, telling it in first person from just one characters point of view would have missed some of the detail, as well as the drama. I'm at least glad that the action of the chapter came through for you. 4) You're correct--Tesla WAS misspelled, but it really IS a car. I put that in to simply highlight "ludicrous speed", which really is a setting in the car's systems. (And yes, the misspelling has been fixed). 4) The impact on Ryan will be spelled out in the next, and future, chapters. The location of the bullet will be in the next chapter as well. The phones were in the trash can after Jenay had collected 'em by the back door; we can safely assume everyone got 'em after the police arrived. Since Rex was the Realtor who'd sold the bar to Barry (in "Landfall"), he knew where the light switches were, how to lock the bar without keys, etc. 5) Benoit was definitely out of it, and the tattoo as an ID never entered his mind. (A police buddy says, "The tattoos make body identification easier!") Although it's not spelled out, certain the tape from Benoit's ankles had been cut away. And sorry the point of view didn't clearly identify that Dave wanted to scream--but didn't. Whew--hope that helped! If that didn't do it, shoot me an email covering anything I've missed. And, again, THANK YOU for liking the tale and involving yourself in it to this level--it's great, and I love it!

Gary, thanks for the review--and sorry for the delay in responding! The bullet's location will be revealed in the next chapter (tomorrow)...and you're like all of us--Glad Benoit is gone. After the tension of the night, the nervous energy--and relief--of everyone came out. And, tomorrow's chapter will give an update on Barry. THANK YOU for hanging with the story--and your support!

Aw, Pzetts...I'm honored that you've found Joe and Rex's story worthy of re-reading! They're great characters, and I'm thrilled that you're enjoying them--both their chemistry and their love. THANK YOU! You made my day!

Nicely done chapter--efficiently filling us in on the history while at the same time giving us plenty of details about our characters to involve us in their lives and making us care for them. The wedding is definitely gonna be the event to watch, when all the folks come together! Good job!

Galen and Josh are heartbreaking--so close to having real love, and yet...its just not the time for it, I guess. As for the cliffhanger, and Galen's disappearance, we haven't heard from Roger lately.... Good job---and the next chapter to fix the cliffhanger will be out tomorrow, right? (Grin)

You absolutely nailed the rapid-fire group dynamics and conversation with this chapter--and it was absolutely perfect, and funny as hell! Baker was superb in his self-absorbed world, wondering "if I'm not good enough for you to check out". (He reminds me of a friend who's totally incapable of doing his own internal dialogue--he's got to speak it all to cut through his mind's clutter in order to have the dialogue be real and sink in.) A GREAT job, looking forward to more!

Looking forward to more--and watching the connection with "the cute blonde boy". You're off to a good start here!

Nice chapter, with Casey taking an appropriate big brother role to help Lane with the birds and bees understanding. Rodney is coming along nicely, too. Now about the other brother "stuck on stupid", ...well, suspect there's either gonna be a thaw or an explosion there. Really liked the easy way you advanced the story line here!

Really enjoying your writing style, and the way you worked Aiden into both a spot at the firehouse and a second meeting with Logan was well done. And, Logan may be a jerk, but at least he didn't try to take advantage of a drunk Aiden. Bonus points for him. Good job--can't wait for the next chapter!

Nice that Liam and Henry have started a friendship. I'm not certain Henry will find out about what's been going on with Nolan, unless Nolan chooses to tell him himself. Good job on some of the "back fill" of the story. More, more!

Luke's anger and disappointment are well placed--but things are changing, since our hero actually feels remorse! Quite different from the totally spoiled guy before. Well done chapter, solid dialogue, and the plot line is moving along nicely. You "done good".

Zach is a mess--and unworthy of the "boyfriend" title. I'm actually hoping there's someone at the wedding that can work instead, but we'll see. Fine job here setting up the plotline for future developments, and filling us in on the interium time between first meeting the characters and current day. They're a diverse bunch, and interesting. Looking forward to more, as told in your usual efficient style.

The double date went well, but gonna be interesting to see how the other half brother approaches dealing with Casey. He DOES owe him not one, but two favors now--once for the ignored blowjob, the other for dealing/covering for him while drunk. And the new character--sounds like trouble! More, More!

Thanks, Carlos! That means a lot coming from you! I really wanted to make sure that came through as moving without being sappy. I've seen it happen, and there's generally few dry eyes in the house when it does. I appreciate your comments--and your support!

The next chapter should be out on Friday--off schedule, but don't want to make you wait too long in your "delicate" condition! I generally recommend skipping the meds and applying whiskey until those anxiety feeling go away. LOL I appreciate your reading/commenting--and your constant support!

Benoit's definitely gonna get what's coming to him--and Ben's situation is precarious, but more details are ahead in the next chapter. Glad you liked this one, Skinny--THANK YOU for reading along and commenting. And thanks for not asking about the bullet.

Aw, Mike...I'm sorry to have scared ya--but you do understand from the "fly on the wall" perspective, Barry's body WAS lifeless-looking! Plenty more details in the next chapter--maybe a Friday release. Glad you liked the chapter, buddy--I appreciate your comments and support!