Parker Owens

Thank your for your really kind review, Tim. The sex scenes were very hard for me to write. How would Andy have said it? I drafted and re-drafted and then did them all over again until I sent them to the editor. For Andy and Zander, for Andy's first time for love, it had to be right. And you're right again that for Andy, love can move him more than fear. Thanks for reading Andy's journal. Strangely, his account of Monday morning comes out on Tuesday...

Thank you for reading this chapter of Andy's story. It went through a lot of rewriting, as I found it hard to portray the sex scene without going over the top or taking Andy out of his character. If that was successful, then it worked out all right. Thank you for your kind review.

This was another big change for Andy, but he was ready for it, finally - because he chose it. And he chose it because it was with Zander - changing bad memories for good ones. Oddly, school Monday will actually be posted Tuesday...Thanks so much for reading this chapter, and for your kind review.

Andy exploring the boundaries of what he feels - and the love he wants to express - was so very good to write about. And he was ready for this, finally. Thanks for continuing to read Andy's story, and for your review.

I am deeply moved by this poem. I touches my own difficult memories of sitting at bedsides, listening to labored breathing, and waiting. And your words sound in echoes in my head: will I know? Did those I loved (and love still) know? One think I do know - they, too, sought the beauty, sought to grasp it and sense it and taste it while they could. And you put that into words so very, very beautifully. Thank you, Tim.

Monday March 13 – continued There was a noise and suddenly I jerked awake. I had been dozing over my book. I listened. Voices, downstairs. Zander was home! I scrambled off the bed and tumbled down the stairs, my feet thundering on the carpeted steps. I hesitated in the kitchen doorway just long enough to locate Zander, standing next to the kitchen table. He was turned toward me, a smile forming on his lips. I flew across the room, practically launching myself at him. And then I had him, my ar

I'm glad you thought them good. I got attacked by a fit of melancholy the night I wrote them. Definitely in a minor key.

I just couldn't help playing with technical terms; they're often far too serious for themselves. As parts of their couplets, they seemed like far more playful creatures, as if Wagner had gone to see Gilbert and Sullivan.

A really solid chapter, and you leave us with the title question still hanging. Too bad for us. Hope Ben is as clear on Clayton's message as he thinks he is. Do we really have to wait another week for another chapter?

Thanks for reading this chapter. I appreciate what you have said about character development; Andy and Zander and Garrett and Monica get a little deeper here. Not sure if Andy is seeking solace - meaning is probably more like it - and maybe beginning to look for some answers. It isn't clear that he found them, but at least Fr. Brewer took Andy seriously. Too many things happen of FB these days; Greg certainly behaved petulantly. I'm glad you thought Andy was cute; waiting must have been very difficult. Thanks very much for your review.

As always, thank you, Tim for your review. I appreciate your honesty. You say it far better than I can - gay people are everywhere so stop being surprised about it. Andy is finding his own way, asking his own questions. I fear I annoyed you in the process, which I regret. Thanks for reading Andy's story.

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.