Parker Owens

Happy Birthday, SacredLove, may you be blessed by saints above. May you have greetings by the score, and many days forevermore. Happy Birthday! - Parker Owens

You share Andy's anxiety completely. Zander's family is terrific - like Zander himself. I agree that it's hard to believe that family would be so unsupportive, but heaven knows it happens far too often. But not this time. Greg was behaving like a petulant child caught out at something - and it was something a little more serious than a minor scrape. Being able to actually talk with Fr. Brewer was important to Andy. He's exploring his own feeling about his past, and on his own, too. And yes, he did finish the shoveling! Thanks again for your reviews, and for reading along in Andy's journal.

This was a fun chapter to think about, if only because we see Andy exploring what it's like to be almost normal. Actually meeting new people and even making friends of them - look what he has learned from Kaz and Zander. But it was uphill in lots of ways; not just in sprinting, but in doing things that he has to think hard about - making friends, going to a party, rethinking the way he looks at himself...all uphill going. Thanks for your kind review, and for reading Andy's story.

Greg's actions were petulant and inexcusable. His sex life is his own business, but he can't hurt others along the way. But he did. Zander seemed to weather coming out to his grands (farfar and mormor?) and sibs about as well as anyone could expect. Nobody crashed; no moose on the highway. But plenty still to be anxious about. Thanks for your review, and for continuing to read Andy's journal.

Zander and Andy are indeed great kids, which is why I couldn't help writing about them. Zander's family showed their connection to him - his grands and sibs, though in varying degrees surprised, came around and will support him. Zander and Andy have much to be anxious about, still, but at least that won't be part of it.

This is a great chapter. Wonderful to see David actually calm himself down and look at Chuck. and he actually makes a friend of Chuck. Wonder if that will make Twoey jealous? Sam kissed David?! What is Sam really telling David with that? Can't wait to see what Sam wants to put on David's computer. Afraid it will push Mother and Pastor to do something really, really nasty. Don't want them to try any nuclear options. Meanwhile, is Erik making the move on Twoey? Will we get a look inside Chuck's head (who must be in something like 7th heaven just now). Oh, all these questions, and there are so, so many more. Really, I agree with Carlos. I need a chapter a day - if not two - to answer all these.

Thank you for the hugs in your review. Zander could have used them on the bus. Zander got outed by the action of a petulant kid. His family turned out to be supportive in varying degrees, but none of them hostile. There are many accepting, inclusive congregations out there, but so few of the make the news. It really shouldn't be news, should it? Anyway, Fr. Brewer said it right...everyone should be loved, no exceptions. Thank you for your review, and for continuing to read in Andy's journal.

Greg acted selfishly, petulantly and unfairly. Zander handled this reasonably well, although several reviewers faulted him for not calling Andy first. The coach joins the ranks of an increasing number of accepting, affirming individuals who work with athletes. He knows what a good kid Zander is, which is what matters. Andy got more on family and history with Monica, which is good. I am so very glad you enjoyed this chapter. Thank you for reading along in the journal.

I actually wrote the first draft of this chapter in September...or was it August? I forget now...but long before snow was in the air, anyway! This week's crazy weather just coincidentally played right into the story. Nonna is a character I loved from the moment she emerged on the page. I've known several of her...and what fun you connected her to Olympia Dukakis in one of my favorite movies. Unfortunately, I doubt anyone will be a good enough teen driver to suit Monica. However, she and Andy managed all right.

Coach Simpson is affirming Zander and standing with him as he should. Not every gay kid is so lucky, but there are more and more coaches like that. Monica and Andy are growing into their relationship with one another, and this was an opportunity to see that happening. Poor woman - she thought she was all done teaching kids to drive, and then... Thanks for your review and commentary - and of course, many thanks for reading Andy's journal.

I am so happy you liked this chapter. It wasn't easy to figure out how all these events occurred, only that they needed to happen. The grandfather is grudgingly supportive; Nonna much more so. Thank you so much for your review, and for reading along with Andy's journal.

On reflection, I think your criticism of Zander's actions may be valid. He might have called Andy or his parents first, which certainly would have put Andy's mind at ease. On the other hand, Zander was possibly rattled or unsettled enough to start calling his grands and sibs right away, forgetting about his parents and boyfriend's reactions to the news posed by Greg Earwin's post. You are also right in that the chapter was left without hearing from Andy again. Guilty as charged. The follow up to this chapter (ch. 53) continues as the 'part 2', if you like. Yes, Nonna is a character, and one I loved from the moment she appeared in my head. She made me laugh, too. Thanks so much for your perceptive review and for your comments. I value these so much. Most especially, thank you for reading Andy's journal.

Yes. Anxiety. What will happen on Monday morning for swimming lessons? What will Track sign ups and practice be like? Very likely that Kaz will be there to lean on, but it could still be difficult. And yes, what happens at school is another source of anxiety. But first, Zander has to get home.

Greg's actions are those of a young man who is having trouble facing up to the trouble he may have caused. His response was essentially petulant. Zander acted in a sense of self-preservation, too, but also to spare his relatives the pain of being surprised by the news. I agree that he might have called Andy and his parents first. That he chose not to probably illustrates how surprised and rattled he was. Thanks for the perceptive insights, and most of all, thank you for reading Andy's journal.

Thanks so very much for such a thoughtful and insightful review. Some responses: para. 1 - Amen, amen, amen! There are inclusive and welcoming denominations and congregations out there. Lots of them. They just never make the news. para. 2 - Zander's coach is one of the increasing numbers of mentors, teachers and advocates who understand their students need support and affirmation more than to be molded into images of themselves or their icons. para. 3 - sometimes students don't think about what will happen as a result of their actions. Greg clearly hasn't been doing that. Zander is a product of his family. We know him to be a wonderful boy, so it's not surprising his sibs and family are that way, too. para 4 - Monica and Andy are growing into their relationship with each other. Good that he feels confident enough to call her 'mom' and good that she feels happy he did so. As you say, Andy is slowly becoming more complete. Thanks again for this.

Thanks for the encouraging words. I really appreciate your reading this story. And it is a good story to see - we got a good look at what Andy still thinks about - what he's willing to put his neck out for to ask. As for Zander, he is part of a good, caring family - just shows where he comes from. And yes, Andy did finish the church sidewalk.

Zander is fortunate in many respects. First, he has Andy. Second, his coach is (like an increasing number of coaches) fair and understanding, at least as far as Zander's orientation goes. Third, Zander is part of a family that largely supports one another - they don't appear to be a quarrelsome bunch. Andy's conversation with the minister shows a lot about how far Andy has come. He won't tell the whole story, but he'll at least allude to it. We've all seen how Andy is growing, and it is wonderful to see. Thanks so much for your remarks and for keeping faith with Andy.

March 13 I don't know how to write about the last two days. Zander came home, and that’s fantastic. But a lot happened before and after that, and it's hard to decide what to write about first, because, right now, I am angry and scared and fidgety, and I can't sleep, all because of something that happened to Zander, and he had no control over it. I guess I'll start with the snow. I set the alarm for very early Sunday morning. Ordinarily, I would sleep in, but I knew I'd have to shovel out the

You've had a rough ride over fifty one chapters. Sorry about that. I'm glad you liked Valentine's Day; it was one of the great parts of this story to write. It's slow going, but life is like that - while I could have skipped parts of the journal, Andy's growth and emergence is exactly what I wanted to portray. I'm glad all these characters have grown on you. They have certainly inhabited me for a while. Your final question is music to my ears. Next chapter is tomorrow - I try to post twice a week. Thanks so much for your review and for your kindness in commenting. I especially thank you for reading Andy's journal.

"Without being maudlin." That is a very nice compliment, and I am very grateful. Andy has managed to survive with his secrets intact, while at the same time getting closer to Zander. What a Christmas. He has had a very rough ride, so it is good to see that he could reconnect with Zander so easily, as well as with Kaz and Terry. Thank you for your very kind words, and for continuing to read so far into Andy's story.

Excellent and succinct, as titled. I really liked this. Great how you made the transition to the final pair.

And what a perfect review! Thank you for your thoughtful response. Don't know what gave me a fit of the melancholies...

I would have expected David's mom to snoop, but the Pastor, too? That does not bode well, and is seriously icky, IMHO. If I had been present to David, I'd have argued that not all 'church people' are untrustworthy with teens, but in the case of Enos Johnson's church, their creepiness quotient went way up. Surely David's mother could think of a better way - should have thought of a better way to discuss spirituality with him than shoving a teen bible study down his throat sideways. Another barely discussed invasion is Erik's clear invasion of the relationship between David and Twoey. David recognizes the incursion, but he hasn't. Eve begun to meditate on what that might wan, or what he might want to do about it. Will jealousy hit the fan and splat all over their lives? Just wondering...needless to say, I want more, and soon.

Thank you very much for such a warm reply. I think you are right that the structure helps elicit thoughts so that can be considered and sorted. Today, I think that these must somehow speak to fears I sense intuitively. And thank you for your hugs, however wet, which I can always use.

You said it perfectly. D minor, with modulation only to another minor key. I wonder if I was channelling broody Beethoven or unhappy Schumann. Actually, I was riding a bus as I composed these, so either would have been a challenge. Thanks for your review, and for the musical metaphor.