Parker Owens

Thanks for your comments and encouragement, Mike. I really appreciate it. The Stevensons are certainly united in their desire to send Ms. Chandler packing, certainly. All four of them. Notice how big a crowd there was at the lunch table on Tuesday? That's support for you. Andy will write about what happens in court on Friday...I am very glad you liked this chapter (I liked writing it, too - especially the 'I prefer the term "boyfriend," ' line). Thanks for continuing to read Andy's story.

Thanks for your detailed and insightful review. The moment Andy publicly claims Zander as his own stands out as one of the high points in this story, if you ask me. And definitely, don't mess with Terry. Ms. Chandler is a bully, and a blowhard who is used to getting her way. The vast majority of CPS personnel are caring, compassionate individuals, often overworked and underpaid. Unfortunately, a small number of bigots and persons with other agendas to pursue remain. Some, unfortunately, find themselves in charge. Sift through the news, and we find them. Mercifully, not many. Monica began the relevancy challenge you spoke of, but Garrett cut her off. I expect he wants to nail Ms. Chandler in a courtroom, where it will stick. She may know this, which is why she tried bullying and bluster. She clearly doesn't know the Stevensons at all. Garrett is as confident as you are of putting Ms. Chandler in her place in law, but Andy is clearly rattled. Maybe that was the point. Thanks a ton for all of your remarks, and for reading this much more of Andy's journal.

I am glad you liked this chapter. Andy stood up to Bruce; Stefan would never have done that. What a change! Ms. Chandler has clearly run into more trouble than she thought she would. Again, the contrast with Stefan could not be clearer - Stefan would have cringed to Ms. Chandler, then would have taken a beating from Dad. But the urge to run remains, though he has not acted on it. Thanks for your review and for continuing to read Andy's journal.

Family Services (what a doublespeak here) certainly threw Andy a sinker, slider, knuckler and curve all in one nasty pitch. He was at least as surprised as you were. Andy hasn't run from it, yet, though. He knows he is loved right where he is, even though the whole experience left him decidedly anxious. Thanks for your review, and hope you'll continue reading Andy's story.

I regret to say there are far too many "bigoted yahoos" (quoting an earlier reviewer) who are functionaries in our county and municipal governments. Every now and then, one of them surfaces. It's only when one of us makes a stink about it that it ever makes the news. Doubt this instance will make headlines, but Garrett certainly isn't going to quietly accept Ms. Chandler's demands, either. I'm glad you felt some of Andy's anxiety, and that you thought the chapter was a good one. More importantly, I thank you for continuing to read Andy's story.

Andy was probably as scared as he's ever been, but it shows how far he's come that he would stand in the way of danger for Zander. Ms. Chandler was something else again. But you're right of course - less than a year before, Andy (then Stefan) would have meekly submitted to anything she demanded. Not anymore. He resisted his urge to run, but that doesn't mean it hasn't occurred to him, or that it won't again. Thank you very much for your insight. Yes, the fire may anneal, if it doesn't destroy him first. Glad you continue to read Andy's story.

Andy was even more surprised than you were, if that's any consolation. And what a pity CPS (or FPS, as Andy's county calls it) is a threat at all. I'm glad you thought this a good chapter - thanks so much for your remarks and your continuing to read the story.

Andy was certainly tougher in this instance than he has been before. He did not run or cringe, though he flinched inwardly. Garrett was exactly who we all hoped he would be. He can be a tough lawyer if necessary. The law is such that Garrett cannot be both his guardian and his lawyer simultaneously, which is why he must have a second one. This is not uncommon in many states. Running may not be an option for Andy, but it unquestionably occurred to him, and probably will again. Harassment at school Andy might have handled. This was a complete and unhappy surprise. Terry defused the cafeteria situation particularly well, no? We will hear more from Andy about what happens in court on Friday...thanks for your penetrating review, and for reading in Andy's journal.

I suspect Garrett was just as rattled as Andy, but put on his best lawyer's front. As for Ms. Chandler, I can only agree with your excellent comments. You say much that is true. The sad part is that our layers of municipal government are sometime populated with bigoted yahoos. They even get their hands on some levers of power. We've seen this here and there in the news. Doubt this will make the headlines, but such things do happen, and yahoos get away with outrages perpetrated on the legally unprepared. Don't expect Garrett falls into that latter category. Thanks for your excellent and informative review, and for continuing to read Andy's story.

Poor Andy - and the Stevensons - were just as surprised as you. This is worse than the crap he was used to at school in Carlsberg, and what he expected in school that day. Sorry about the cliffhanger, but I respectfully decline the 'gifted writer' tag, which is reserved for demigods like yourself. Andy writes about what happened on Friday...many thanks for your review, and for continuing to keep faith with Andy.

I apologize for leaving you at the cliff edge. Andy got just as blindsided as you did. He expected harassment in school, but not this. At least Garrett did his lawyer's best to keep Andy safe. But now he has to go to court...thanks for your review, and for continuing to read Andy's journal.

Yeah. Shit. Felix had to have ratted Dorian out, had to have been the mole, had to have been playing him like a dime-store fiddle. And that's got to hurt.

Entry for Monday, March 13, Continued… We woke up this morning still spooned together when the alarm went off, an explosion of harsh sound, far too soon. Zander silenced the alarm, and we cuddled, still very, very, naked for a few moments. “If we don’t get going now, we’re gonna piss Coach off,” murmured Zander into my ear. He rolled out of bed, with a resignation born from years of early swim practices. “Come back!” I whined, missing the contact, the warmth, the loveliness. But there w

Yes, truly a love scene. Andy knows he loves Zander, and finally has the confidence to express it physically. He has much to be confident about, truly. As you say, Andy is replacing his terrible past with something quite wonderful. Zander, and his family. The coming Monday at school is still a source of apprehension, though. The Monday school experience will be reported on Tuesday...thank you for your insightful comments and for your continuing to read A to Z.

There are mysteries accumulating - like what is really up with Luke and his mother? And what is happening with Jackson's friends? If Jackson were really all that popular, somebody would have been at his window by now. And what is Luke's angle with Jackson? Just a friendly kid, or is he hoping to take on some of Jackson's bad-boy image to make himself a more popular guy? Can't wait for the next chapter! This one was great.

Well David got his dance, and he was pretty much angelic for being a Pirate and taking a devil girl out. Really, his mother sold out to stupidity far too early in life. Instead of trying to form her kid in some other image, she should be talking things out with him to help him figure himself out. I'm thinking what David really needs is a big slice of Twoey time, and a dose of his uncanny eyes. Just saying. And maybe that could happen really, really soon? Like in a couple of minutes? Can't a guy wish?

Andy would not have put on a Speedo for anyone but Zander. Love and trust have overcome fear, at least for this moment. Here was a moment Andy could (and did) emerge more into who he wants to be. Zander helps him do that. The steam was very hard to write - many drafts - but still in Andy's character. Hope your shower was cold enough. Thanks very much for your kind review and for reading along in Andy's journal.

Andy and Zander have grown together. As each of the Stevenson parents observed, these boys have fallen hard for each other. It has been fun to see it. Thanks for leaving a comment, and for continuing to read A to Z.

The two chapters together work well, but they seemed too long to post all at once. Andy had been waiting - not so patiently - for Zander to come home. He wasn't going to wait a second to get him back. Good thing the coach already knew; that and Zander's presence was all he needed. The boys love each other, and Andy wanted to show it, physically, finally. Again, the two of them give each other what they need. But you're right - mom is somewhere near! Thank you so much for an encouraging review, and for continuing to read Andy's story.

Deftly described and narrated. Smooth dialogue. I really like the ongoing relationship with CJ and Owen; they seem to click and you've drawn them well as a pair. Liked the part with the rugged player. Many thanks for this chapter.

Thanks for sharing this poem. It's a wonderful way to remember days that passed too soon.

The most important thing here is that Andy chose to show his love in this way - it was essentially his decision. This is a big step forward. Monday morning at school actually gets written about on Tuesday...Thanks so much for your kind review, and for reading more of Andy's journal.

I appreciate your positive reaction. I really worked a long time over Andy and Zander finally making love. That Andy made the decision to initiate it was hugely important, I think. Thanks for staying with Andy's story and reading with him.

No, not a sex chapter, though sex happens in it. Andy finally decided to make love to Zander, and the most important thing about it was that it was his own choice. Zander spent some time with his parents after Andy went up, so they may have had some brief discussion about his phone calls out of Andy's hearing. And we will have to wait to see what happens in school (Monday morning will be reported on Tuesday...)Thanks for your kind review, and for continuing to read A to Z.

"The present pushed his terrible past back..." This phrase hits it exactly. Andy and Zander have been together for a month or so; they've been friends for longer - but they've really begun to tune into each other. Andy's making love illustrates that, as well as how very much his life has changed. Thanks so much for your kind review, and for continuing to stay with Andy's journal.