Robert Rex

It's all a standard mission: Standard security escort of fellow Marines from our base to Kandishar. Nothing special. All loaded up, on the road. Maybe 3 or 4 klicks out from our destination and all I remember is Sammy, my driver yelling, “Hold on!”. A fireball engulfs the front of our Humvee, flames surrounding the glass in soundless fury, reaching for the guys in the back, then total blackness. * * * * Parked at the front of the bar, it's a nice-looking place. Almost like a little Acad

Back to playing catch up again! Three chapters at once--a lot of good writing to process. I'm most struck by how well you conveyed the intense emotions/depression/-fear within Josh's email. The loneliness he's experiencing was overwhelmingly conveyed...and it's something every person who's been closeted can feel. I'll be interested in how he responds back to Nate's email--I suspect there'll be a phone conversation in the not-too-distant future. The unplanned completion of the house, the budding relationsh between Nate and Bodie, the hot sex between Nate's uncles (previous chapters) were all icing on the cake. Loving the way you're moving the story, great job!

Been away, and just now able to catch up on the last few chapters. What a mess! There's a "big picture play" Jackie's got going--we just haven't seen it yet. In the meantime, she's worthy of every bit of hatred we throw at her. Youve done a great job in portraying both the totally evil character of Jackie, as well as the solid friendship between Brent and Trey. Even better, in this chapter you've beautifully conveyed the strength of Mark and Trey's relationship while concretely showing the terror of separation by war. Great Job! More! More!

Thanks everyone for the great birthday wishes! And yes, it was a good birthday. First a lazy Sunday morning, then writing after lunch, then tending bar last night. Upon learning it was my birthday, all the bar regulars proceeded to try to buy me drinks and have a drunk bartender serving them (or as a humor target). Thankfully, I managed to avoid alcohol poisoning, and I'm doing fine today with no hangover. As for an update on the writing, it's coming along slowly, but coming along. My laptop crashed, so I had to re-create the first few chapters of the new story I'm working on. I'm doing it on a borrowed iPad with wireless keyboard, so it's working – – but slowly. It's definitely not like using the word processor. I'm hoping to get a few chapters ahead, and will start posting the new story here perhaps as early as next week. There's been a bunch of other stuff going on that has kept me away from here – – but with the crash of my laptop, the only access I have to the site is by my phone, which is not optimal for leaving comments or participating in the chat forum. I have ordered the new laptop though and hope that will be in quickly. I've also had some health issues which have been, uh, interesting! But, I'll be back with a vengeance shortly! Thanks again for all the kind words and well wishes! It's a real honor for me to be a part of such a great community--and I thank you for being such a vibrant part of the "best and brightest" of GA!

Damn, damn, DAMN!! I'm a sucker for a happy ending--and you hit all the right notes in this chapter's love song! I've grown to love these characters--and a sequel story with them could be a good thing. You've told an intriguing story here, with your usual superb direct style, involving characters, and finely-crafted storytelling skills...THANK YOU!

What a gorgeous, touching chapter....you've made us all care for/be protective of/fall in love with Eddie! Not at all mushy, but powerful enough I sniffled all the way through--and can't blame it on my sinus infection, I'm taking too many drugs for that. Our heroes will be just fine, but Eddie is "special"--he's the guy who's added an bonus interest to a nicely structured story. What a great story, and what a craftsman's job you've done on it!

What a great chapter--comedy, hope, and loose ends happily tied in place. Another fine job!

Been away, and playing catch up again--what a tough chapter! Even more surprising than just the raw emotion, Nate is handling himself with remarkable dignity and astounding stamina! Even after the emotional roller coaster he's been on, he shows himself as a true survivor, and a young mankind in touch with his feelings. You handled a tough topic with your usual aplomb--good job, buddy!

CJ had every reason to be pissed...and he knows it. And now the dads understand it--and I'm confident it'll get fixed--but it's a great learning moment for all of em! Another fine chapter, covering lots of territory in your typically astoundingly concise style. Loving where you've taken this so far, and looking forward to more!

Love it when the pieces come together! Now if Bryan will notify the cops so he's got reinforcements..... cant wait for the next chapter(s)! Another good job!

I'm with Parker on this...makes me wanna grab em all and shake some sense into em! And even more terrifying, the total sense of hopelessness and impending doom you conveyed from Wyatt in just a few sentences was both well done--and heartbreaking. Another fine chapter!

Nicely done chapter! In addition to detailing the anti- bullying event, it served as a nice summary of CJ's DC time. And, think his dads have reason to wonder about CJ's political future--he handles himself on public with uncommon ease. A fine addition to the story line--you keep us hungry for more!

Yes! (Fist pump in air) Eddie has dropped enough hints, Bryan will start to thing, and put the clues together! But when? You've created a "reverse" cliffhanger ! Good writing here!

You captured both the excitement and overwhelming emotion of seeing the ultrasound. Truly a defining moment on the guys' relationship! And Candy displayed a surprisingly vulnerable side...just hoping it lasts! As giddy as they were when they got home from dinner, just exactly how much champagne DID they have? (Grin) A truly enjoyable chapter--good job!

Seemingly, Wyatt made a little progress with Eddie, at the least raising some questions about his mom...and the last comment, "tell Bryant I love him" will sink in, I hope. Carol is certifiable. And gonna be interesting to see her reaction when this plot is uncovered--assuming Wyatt survives. A great job in portraying both the horror of the circumstances and the humanity of Eddie. Great job!

Good on you for including The Trevor Project in here, since the chapter focuses on CJ and his friends--especially since the suicide statistics are so high in that group. And it's really good to see CJ building solid relationships with his class members. Fun to watch him come into his own with his peers. Loving the way you're keeping the story line flowing...good job, as usual!

Wonderfully evil (and well done!) chapter you've concocted! Eddie is the key on all of this--so far his child-like mind has allowed him to fall for mom's lies/manipulations, but there'll come a breakthrough moment that will make him realize what's really going on. (I suspect it'll be a traumatized Brian's conversation with him that's the trigger--just like Valkyrie suggested.) Can't wait for the next chapter!

Phillip, get ready for fun! Astoundingly good writing, friendly people, and great writer's resources are all here like you wouldn't believe! You're gonna love it here!

GRRRR! Mom is a real piece of work! Good job on this chapter--and hungry for the next one!

Nicely done story--really enjoying the characters and the storyline...gonna be fun to see where you take us on this! Looking forward to the next chapter!

Solid writing here ...enjoying how you're developing the characters, and the use of the flashback on this chapter was well done, showing Kate 's insecurity, Josh's ambivalence/possible emotional involvement with Nathan, and Nathan's inability to deal with Josh directly. More, more!

Damn fine storyline, interesting and believeable characters, and a comfortable writing style all combine to make this an interesting tale! I'm loving how you're developing each character--I can "hear" their conversations/watch them in action. What a great example of solid writing skills...more, more!

Playing catch-up again...4 chapters, and lots going on, capped by this moving, yet unsappy chapter. When it's right , it's right, and it's great to see everything converge for our heroes! Lanny's happiness gets a plug, too...now, if only the coworker can find the right guy. You've skillfully packed a the happy emotions in this chapter-- great job! Now, here's what I'd love to see in the next chapter (being released tomorrow, right? Lol) ....

Loving CJ's development; all the usual scrapes and scuffs (and unusual ones, too!) along with the group of men making the extended family have combined to make a responsible teenager. You've painted a nice portrait of him. I'm loving the new friends, too...but also hoping CJ gives a little more attention to his little brother in Florida. Life for that kid, I suspect, isn't good at a lot of levels...and CJ could be the support he needs. Really enjoying the storyline and the way you've developed a natural rhythm to the tale. Of course, it leaves us hungry for more of your skillful wordsmanship. (Yeah, that means were ready for the next chapter already!) Good job, buddy!

The last few chapters have certainly been intense! You've done a fine job of conveying the uncertainty and fear that's running rampant. I can only see one outcome at this point, and it's not good: MD convinces Eddie that boyfriend's a threat and has him killed. Police then arrest Eddie, and he's taken away to jail – – thus saving the family fortune from the perpetual care they would have to pay for to protect Eddie. I'm hoping, like Reader suggested above, that Wyatt can reach Eddie and the truth comes out. Another finely crafted story....and the next chapter will be here...when? (Grin)