Parker Owens

It was good to write a chapter in which Andy and Eustace could ignore the barriers that existed between them during the summer. Andy's anxiety was always a lens that colored their relationship back then. Zander's vulnerability may have been unexpected, but it was good for the boys to talk it out. Thank you for your very kind remarks. Hope you like the remaining chapters in Andy's journal.

Don't blame CJ for getting touchy about Owen, but that just shows how much his emotions and thoughts about Owen are in conflict. Agree with Tim that CJ is being clueless about Owen's feelings at best, cruel at worst. Brett and Cesar have managed to talk more evenly with CJ about things since Chicago, and I agree with Tim it's time to do it again. CJ having Chipper as a blood brother will be good for CJ - a brother closer than Thiago or Harley, even. Someone he can trust for plain unvarnished truth.

Your comment put a smile on my face. Thank you! Hope you continue to enjoy the remainder of Andy's journal.

I'm so glad it worked for you. This and chapter 58 clearly go together, but were too long for one installment, I think. Andy must be a writer - he can't sleep unless he gets everything out in the journal first! Thanks for your reaction.

Entry for March 19, Sunday, continued…. Zander and I watched the grey police sedan back out of the driveway. Monica and Garrett sat in the back; they would see Allan off at the airport, and then drive with Ambrose back to the Whitley farm. I think they had a lot they wanted to talk about. I thought it would be fun driving with Zander to Eustace's. He had the license and was a pretty good driver. We'd be on our own, and would have some time alone together. But once we got onto the interstate h

Matt and Parker together at Disney World! Wonder if anything quite like that pair has ever hit Orlando. Perhaps they'll give a new meaning to 'magic kingdom."

I feel for Toph on New Year's Eve. That Steve was drunk is not a great explanation, and I doubt Toph will go for it when the clear light of dawn hits. He was actually falling for Steve, too. Will he see this as catastrophic betrayal, or will he be able to find a path to forgiveness? Looking forward to the resolution of that question. Toph clearly hasn't forgiven his family or Gary, either, so he may have real trouble with Steve. Not a good way to start the year...Wonderful chapter, SD!

Welcome to GA, Mark. You have hit on a great reading and writing community. Glad you are here.

Agree with Tim in that I want more, like seconds and thirds on crawfish boil...so good for Clayton that he is recognizing what he feels for Ryan is something bigger and better than mere dating...all that news Clayton gathered must be good for something later...waiting for you to put some of these pieces together...like how about in the next hour or so?

Once he played the field, but now Clayton is a different story altogether. That pretty much sums it up. You describe so beautifully Ryan's attraction and his growing attachment to Clayton, along with his frustrating ardor. Very artfully written. What a pity I wasn't invited for dinner, too!

This is both painful and hopeful at the same time, something that can be very tough to pull off. You've done it beautifully here, Tim. Tait's hurt and despair is his own burden. Philip can't carry it for him, not really. You make it so crystal clear that Philip hurts with him, though, and that he'll do whatever he can to help make the burden lighter or easier to manage. This is what makes me hopeful. We should all be so fortunate as to have friends like Philip in our lives. Thank you for this story, and for this chapter.

It's okay to get a little verklempt from time to time. This was one of those times. It happened to me as I re-edited the chapter, too. Thanks very much for reading and responding.

So glad you enjoyed this chapter. Evil Uncle Ray has been stewing in jail, and Ambrose's circumstantial evidence, plus Andy's journal could put him away for a very long time, indeed. There were new questions raised, too, but for now Andy has much information to digest. Thanks so much for you reactions, and for continuing to read Andy's journal.

Andy now has people who care about him and love him. We don't get to see everything that happens outside of Andy's vision - Ms. Chandler at FPS is surely going to die a very quiet, swift political death unless she can reverse her fortunes in court (seems very unlikely). Judge Harrison's reprimand and note to the county commission should see to that, though Andy wouldn't see it or even hear of it until well after the fact. I am glad you will retain a dog-eared copy of this story; I have a few such books in my collection that I can't resist visiting with like old friends from time to time. If I have introduced you to one such, then I am very happy indeed.

Yeah, it was, wasn't it? It felt really good to write this. Thanks for you comment, and for reading.

Thanks for your simple words of encouragement. I appreciate them coming from a gifted writer such as yourself. This was not Chapter Z, not yet, but there were quite a few loose ends tied up, or markers laid down (pick your metaphor). Hope you enjoy what's coming next.

I will consider myself hugged. (insert blush here) Many questions got laid to rest here, and Andy will have to deal with them, eventually. Andy ironically has several rival claims on him. Thanks for your very kind and generous words; I am glad you liked this chapter, as I felt very good in writing it, too. Thanks for reading Andy's journal, and hope you continue to enjoy it.

I am so very pleased you like this story, and enjoyed this chapter, especially. It was a fun section to write. Thanks for your encouragement, and I hope you enjoy the remainder of Andy's journal.

No - Andy isn't alone. In fact, it appears there could potentially be a number of people trying to claim him. Thanks for continuing to read Andy's journal - and for your lovely "wow." That's very encouraging.

I am glad you felt the same insistent tug on your consciousness from this story as I had in writing it. Nice to be able to share. This chapter certainly tied up many loose ends, and may let Andy finally feel more secure about many things. Thanks for your encouraging words, and for taking time out to read Andy's journal some more.

Okay, I am officially and completely grossed out by Pastor Ugh and David's mother. David's plan to blackmail the pair will get them off his case (probably, though the pair's own nuclear retaliation cannot be ruled out), but in any case the descending silence may not restore parental relations in the household for the better. I really feel for David's father; he loves his sons, one of whom is going through a tough time grasping his own identity; probably loves his wife (despite her infatuation with fundamentalism) and appears to be a supportive and kind person. Can't imagine he knows much joy in getting silence and stonewall treatment from David or his wife. Doubt he'll put up with it for long, which could be a real wild card David isn't counting on. Sam is a great ally for David, true. Twoey is probably worried out of his mind, and Ginny is possibly annoyed. Not good. Matty is getting less and less attractive; Chuck needs friends and acceptance, not an abrupt introduction to gay sex ed., at least if Chuck's thoughts are any indicator. This marvelous chapter is a splendid thought-generator! Any chance we might get another chapter in about 24...minutes?

I am so very glad you like this chapter. Lots of questions got answered, true. You may yet get your wish to see an Andy-Eustace reunion Your generous encouragement continues to inspire - thanks for reading and for your reflections.

I would like to thank you for continuing to read Andy's journal, and for the magic words every author loves to see in a review ..."looking forward to more." Thanks also for the words "our Andy." Glad you have enjoyed the story enough to take him into your heart, too.

Sometimes, it is so, so hard to write a response to a review knowing that there are things one absolutely mustn't say. I am glad Ambrose gained some redemption for you in this chapter. He really is a good guy. His colleagues in Carlsberg were distracted, perhaps - or fooled by what appeared to be a lead that went nowhere for too long. By the time they refocused, they had a new suspect in custody (Ray) and Andy had wandered off into the mountains and complete obscurity. The principal in Carlsberg was a total jackass - you have him pinned perfectly. Not only was he wilfully blind, but he continued to feel the need to justify himself long after the fact of Andy's disappearance and suspected (by Carlsberg police, anyhow) death. Some people simply can't admit that their thinking might be faulty. Unlike Ambrose, who single-mindedly searched for the truth and discovered something quite different to his original suspicions. About James F. Ackerman, Stefan-Eric-Andy never knew JFA well enough to divine his social connections; very likely JFA was simply a well known and respected athlete who hid his darkness well. This happens far more frequently in schools than any teacher or administrator would care to admit. You have said so many kind and generous things in your multiple reviews that I cannot thank you enough. I am profoundly grateful you have stuck with the story, and I appreciate your many insights. Thanks for being such a good reader of Andy's journal.

The principal at Carlsberg will probably never face prosecution for his wilful blindness; probably will take early retirement. Perhaps we can hope he simply fades into complete irrelevancy as the world goes on to ignore him - something that would probably gall the man every day of his remaining existence. Uncle Allan's appearance opens some new windows on Andy's world, but that hasn't really sunk in yet with Andy. I am very happy you enjoyed this chapter, and I thank you for your insights. And thanks again for reading Andy's journal.