Parker Owens

And so ends a truly wonderful love story. I cannot help but say that I am sad to see it end, but delighted to see Toph happy and established in his own right, with Gary at his side. And good for Toph's father for overcoming the constraints of frosted wife and Euphoric life. Thank you for sharing this story with all of us; it has been a wonderful, gentle, yet completely absorbing tale.

You have a fair point. Revenge might be one reaction, one that's certainly a reasonable possibility. The predator might have raged. I also think it possible that the video upload may have done something to his psyche. You are right that being raped, drugged and humiliated would be perfect reasons for revenge; and for flight, if one felt sufficiently powerless, rudderless and broken. It is the degree of brokenness that might be telling. Anyhow, that's what might be true in this case. But I think your thoughts very provoking. For if the predator had felt at all in control, perhaps there might have been blood on the floor. However, I doubt that was our predator's style, anyway. Thank you for this review and for your really valuable thoughts!

What a lovely treat to have the flu...best go out and get a virus, then.

You make an excellent point - our predator is escaped, but not free. His constraints aren't physical, but surely he is bound in some way. Looking over his shoulder for Ted will be difficult enough. Thanks so much for your kind remarks and response!

The predator turned prey has a chance to consider and reflect. Not everyone gots this chance, or this stark an opportunity. And of those that do, many ignore what their inner voices tell them. I am glad you thought this believable. I really appreciate your supportive words. Where will we find him next? That's coming....

That magnificent theme in the first movement never fails to stir my heart. Thank you!

The guilt must have weight heavily, terribly and dreadfully hard on Delia's shoulders for years. And I am glad you and I agree about the best gift she could have given Andy. Hope you got a piece of cake at the reception!

Thank you for your comment, and yes, I admit I was trying to heighten the tension a bit. The wedding news got out, and it could hardly pass in Blackburn without come idiot commenting, ranting or protesting. But the best was saved for last, no? Many, many thanks!

Andy is as you suggested: a changed person from cowering, whipped, hurt boy, to able and increasingly confident young man. Mrs K is in a quandary...this is something she was utterly unprepared for. But I can also imagine her being quite firm with her parish priest when she made up her mind. And who knows, maybe Kaz was similarly adamant with his mother. But she would have questions, yes. Indeed, I'm sure Mrs K would want to quiz both Andy and Zander together, as she knows Zander a great deal better. You are right in that this chapter shows off Andy's maturity rather well, along with the very real love people bear both boys. Many thanks for your perceptive remarks and thoughts!

Zander might have been silly to be insecure, but it is possible to see his point of view. Good thing Andy was ready to set things right quite definitively. Love your comment about Zander needing the marriage, and you could be right in this moment. What is clear is that the boys need each other. And yes, it's nice to see Andy's good deeds coming home to roost! Thanks a million for your review!

No Eustace will never let that point rest, you can count on that. Your point about Allan and Andy's grandmother is well taken. I did not choose to tell their story - perhaps a great failing on my part - but I think they did I fact try to contact Andy, but were turned away by Gunnar, who had absolute final authority over any kind of visits or contact. You make a compelling case for a rewrite...thank you!

It's a sweet solution, and it is Andy's solution...and it's a solution that knits him to Zander for as long as he can see into the future. Now the persistence of Ambrose Whitley pays off. It must have been a very frustrating few months for him! Many thanks for your comments and thoughts. I find them very stimulating....

Ms. Chandler clearly expected this to be easy. She clearly met her match. And Andy did some very smart, quick thinking! Thanks for your remarks on this part of the thrill ride.

Thank you... !

In hindsight, Garrett was probably insensitive and chowder headed to mention the appeal right away. Perhaps Garrett is so confident of victory on appeal that he can't imagine anyone being worried about it. Perhaps cluelessness can be genetic, as you say. But so then might Zander's more endearing traits be inheritable. That's a point in Garrett's favor, maybe. Many thanks for this insightful review and commentary.

So many times this could have slipped into courtroom drama. As it happens, Ms. Chandler's outrageous behavior gets the cold condemnation it deserves. Judge Harrison just began the last chapter on her career, I think. The track tryout was a nice counterpoint to all the lawyering and emotion, though. Many, many thanks for taking the time to review these chapters! It makes me so glad to know you liked them enough to do this!

So glad this one was a favorite. Greg was indeed blind to the consequences and effects of his actions. Sadly, I have met quite a few people who can't see beyond their own points of view or their own self justifications. Greg won't have many friends left in swimming, not for a while, and not in that state...thanks also for the commentary on Andy's questions for Father Brewer. He seems to be trying to piece together a new way of seeing his life, certainly.

You are so very good to leave a review. Thank you! This chapter showed how Andy is becoming more himself, more of a person outside of his relationship to Zander. That he managed to out sprint Kaz a few times was a terrific bonus. I wonder if Andy got choked up later on, too...he hadn't used the m-word himself in a long, long while.

As a child, I mixed up Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky (now I'm just plain mixed up) - but here is a short choral piece I sang in my younger days, which I enjoyed very much, and still do.

I did not mean this as a chilling Halloween tale, but Ted sure seems like a darkly drawn character, doesn't he? Ted's role is hazy, and the predator is rightly skittish about hanging around to demand answers or clarification. You are completely right about what happened to the predator: it is something that might have happened to his own prey, though he gives us no recollection that he ever employed restraints. You're right, too, that the predator escaped with a life unbroken by chemical dependency. That he can feel the beginnings of remorse must be an indication that his soul is not completely desiccated. Thank you for reading this chapter, and I am sorry to have contributed to your queasiness - though this was not as rough as the previous chapter. I am glad you have remained with this tale.

Zac just showed us why he's a great kid; just showed Kenny to be a complete moron; just made my day. Thanks for this terrific chapter.

I get where Owen is coming from. Brett made a good point, but at least they need to be sensitive to Owen's feelings. Hopefully, things will work out. I loved the interplay between the Dads and Cesar's parents; thought you nailed that wonderfully. Hope Owen can stand the change of continents! Great chapter!

I can't like your hurt, but I admire your writing for its honesty, its searing clarity and simplicity. Writing about the pain can make it hurt less, but I grieve for your wounds, my brother. I offer you hugs, and kudos for your powerful writing.

The rush of conscience and the conviction of the soul can be a devastating experience. In our predator's case, it seems to have swept in on him in the squalid aftermath of the party. Yes, he is definitely scared of Ted, and with good reason. Hard to face both Ted and his newly active conscience. Many thanks for your perceptive comments and thoughts.

Yes, there is someone actually worse than our predator; a bigger fish, a larger carnivore. But now that our particular predator is out of his cage, he is faced with the awful familiarity of his existence, and the terrifying thought of facing Ted. No wonder he flees. Thank you so much for your wonderful support and for reading this tale.