Parker Owens

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.

You are very kind to write so encouragingly; and I am sorry that Andy's story has tugged hard on your heartstrings. I am delighted that you have stuck with Andy through his very eventful year, and I thank you for reading his tale.

Mike - I am very glad you enjoyed meeting Andy. I thought a tale such as his deserved a real fleshing out of his growth and development. So often stories of this kind pass over a character's development with economical "time passes" paragraphs. Sometimes that works, sometimes not. For Andy, it didn't seem to. I know that many have found the initial chapters to be too dark and unhappy to be able to continue. I am grateful to you that you chose to persevere through the horror that is unfortunately all too real for many kids. And I thank you for your kind and encouraging words.

Wow. Better than breakfast beer - that's high praise, I think. I am very happy you thought this chapter was worth waiting for. Xleroc raised many interesting questions, and I wish I could answer them all here. Alas, I mustn't. I think you might be right about your 'nitpick.' If I ever get the time to do an overhaul and re-edit, this one of the things I'll look at. I smile to think you have grown fond of Andy. All the A to Z characters have become deeply embedded in my brain, and I find they inhabit my thinking. Thank you for your response to this chapter, and I am delighted you enjoyed it. More importantly, I am glad you have taken the time to read Andy's journal.

You are right in that this chapter is bittersweet; and perhaps more complex than the fairy tale it appears to be on the surface. Andy is surely blown away by being discovered, and then to learn of all the discoveries Ambrose has made in consequence of his investigations. Ambrose's commentary clearly aims the finger of blame for Andy's mother's death toward Gunnar; circumstantial evidence, plus Andy's journal, points to Ray as Gunnar's killer. There is a lot of poetic (or karmic?) justice in this chapter, isn't there? It was fun thinking about it all. To Eric, Ambrose was a hazard, a potential danger. This would color what he recalled and wrote about himin the summer. Now something else is revealed to an Eric now called Andy - a tenacious investigator who wanted to know the truth. That Monica and Garrett were ready to interpose themselves between danger and Andy speaks volumes about how much they love the new boy in their lives. Thanks so much for your very generous and thoughtful reflections. Of course, I am very glad you have followed Andy's story.

I cannot promise sparkling. However, I am glad you thought this chapter was moving and fulfilling. Andy must have had his emotional insides wrenched in a bunch of different directions - roller coasters will be a breeze for him after this. And yes, there is love for him now, love he can believe in. Thanks so much for your very kind reviews, and for your encouragement. Most importantly, thank you for taking the time to read Andy's journal.

Well Andy is certainly sprinting forward, whatever he might do on the track team. Thank you so much for your kind review, and for reading Andy's story.

Certainly the circumstantial evidence Ambrose mentioned, plus Andy's journal points very strongly toward Ray as Gunnar Ericsson's killer. I am very glad you have enjoyed Andy's story - I find the characters have gotten deeply embedded in my psyche. And thank you for your many kind and thoughtful reviews, too.

Thank you so much for your patience while I shoveled out yesterday! I am also glad you liked this relevatory chapter. As to your questions...some will have to remain out there, hanging...(sorry ) But... 1. Circumstantial evidence in the journal, together with what Ambrose told Andy points pretty clearly at Uncle Ray as Gunnar Ericsson's killer. 2. Can't say anything about this one. 3. James Fucking Ackerman got found out for planting flashbangs and smoke bombs in school - at least, that's what Ambrose suggests. His punishment is not mentioned, but will probably mean something pretty nasty. 4. This is not something Andy really knows. Allan will have to prove his relationship to Andy, which can take a little time.

Entry for March 19, Sunday, continued…. I couldn't believe it. I was staring into the face of Ambrose Whitley. I was stunned. If I'd kept my wits, I would have sprinted for the barn, gone on through the llama enclosure and headed for the woods. Instead, I just stood there, motionless. How had Ambrose tracked me down? What mistake had I made? I had been so close to real happiness – and now he'd found me. "Excuse me," I heard Garrett say, "but who are you, and what do you want?" He was ready

You feel hurt, you write hurt. I totally agree with Tim, poets write what is deeply felt. But know that I feel a desire to support you, and hope you are healing, too. Hugs and thanks for sharing.

And now I am hanging off the cliff, by a thread. Hanging. OM(f)G indeed. What just happened? That David is not answering his phone is incredibly worrisome. What did he see, or what did they do? You had a perfectly splendid chapter going, all ready to hand it to the social studies teacher on a platter, all sorts of good things happening with Twoey, and then...I can't wait for more, and the sooner the better. Like, right now would be good.

Thanks for being so kind and civil Thanks for putting up with my drivel May today be a day for your love and may everything wonderful prove. To everyone here on GA I wish a Happy Valentine's Day.

Well, there's a lot in many of the characters here to find disagreeable - Jackson's immaturity and self pity; his parents' transparent attempts to corral Jackson into something like wholesomeness; the behavior of Coach Tate and Principal Welker which seemed to make combustible situation ignite. I can sympathize with Jackson's parents while at the same time looking askance at their approaches to their son's actions. There has to be more to Jack than boredom. In any case, Jackson's parents will hardly believe protestations of innocence from their son (how many times has he actually been innocent?). The guileless Luke is still likeable - but Jackson will need something stronger than parental coercion to form a bond of friendship between the two. The fight will certainly hurt Jack's standing in school, whatever else may happen. Could he be headed for a stint of homeschooling? Thanks for an eventful chapter! And of course, I want more. Much more.

I read this on Valentines Day. Colin and Kenneth seem wonderful together. You tell their story beautifully, succinctly and very romantically. Kenneth was so sweet to draw Colin out this way. And perhaps it was a bit of a conspiracy, wasn't it? Wonderful, wonderful story.

I'm very glad you liked the idea of the rings. It was worth the extra time to get the engraving done, I guess. Marriage is Andy's solution, and it's imperfect. But perhaps it will work out, as some do. And yes, Monica walked smack into the 'boys do get married' bit...thanks for noticing! Ambrose's appearance will surely scare Andy. His pulse must be quicker than anything a drummer could manage. Thanks for your reactions and thoughts. Hope you like the chapters of Andy's journal that remain.

Andy found a solution that may not be ideal, but it's his solution. It's so important at the end of tags, he stepped up to propose it...and to propose. Zander isn't completely perfect, as Andy may have once thought. As you say, Zander is vulnerable, too, sometimes. Thanks for your reflection, and for reading this chapter of Andy's story.

Authors live for a couple of things in reviews - the phrase "More, please!" and "Holy Shit!" (or words to that effect). Thanks very much. I am glad you are enjoying the story, and I appreciate your encouragement. More importantly, I hope you enjoy the remaining chapters of Andy's journal.

Mike- I am glad you found this chapter to be exciting, and I do apologize for being exasperating from time to time. You are most kind to say you were never bored. We all knew that Andy's other-named past would catch up with him sooner or later. In the person of Ambrose Whitley, it looks like the time is now. Andy must be in full panic mode right about now. Thank you for your very kind thoughts. I surely hope you enjoy the remaining portions of Andy's journal.

This surely one of the best Valentine's Day poems written. Your beating heart my precious song... you sing of closeness, of harmony between two souls, and I want to sing that song too... I am your lover, your gift... you make us all want to give to our loves, to those who complete us. Thank you for expressing so beautifully the music and melody of love in this poem.

Ambrose sure surprised the heck out of Andy. He must feel he's back in one of his bad dreams. I am happy you liked this chapter and I hope you enjoy the remaining sections to Andy's stories.

Your words are most kind and generous, and I surely appreciate them. The great thing is that there are many much finer authors in GA than I - they inspired me in the first place. I am very glad you like what you have read so far. Andy has experienced quite a lot, hasn't he? I thank you for reading Andy's journal, and I hope enjoy it's remaining chapters.

I feel badly for Owen, like many of the others. But the parting was going to feel bad for both CJ and Owen anyhow. Perhaps CJ is right and he understands what distance will do. But his crankiness can't all be jetlag. And maybe Owen will turn up in DC in eight months (when it's Summer again) and have forgotten all about CJ. Fat chance of that - CJ appears to be an unforgettable character. So much happening in DC, it's exhausting getting caught up after a wonderful sunlit vacation. So when are you taking us on a cruise, Carlos?

Well. Thanks for calling me a 'stinker...' I think. As I said in other reviews, this seemed to be a good place to rest in what would otherwise have been a dreadfully long entry. The last thing I'd want is anyone to be bored with Andy. Andy's heart rate would probably alarm an ER right now...Ambrose picked a swell day to show up. Andy will continue this entry on Tuesday. Thank you very much for your remarks and reactions, and I hope the rest of Andy's story is enjoyable, too.

Your remarks reflect how I interpreted Monica's thinking. If the family is behind Andy and Zander, then family solidarity may help prevail against any ill winds that blow. I am very sorry to have hung you off the cliff, but I am touched to hear you say you would put up with a mega chapter anyhow. Thanks for your interesting thoughts about Ambrose's reappearance. I hope you enjoy the remaining parts of Andy's journal.