Parker Owens

Thanks, Lisa, for your thoughtful, thorough and encouraging reviews. Dr. O'Shea is professionally in a tough place. I bet her heart is breaking, but she knows she needs to bite her tongue and let Andy fill the silences with his own feelings, his own conclusions and his own descriptions. She is forcing Andy to face the demons and talk them out of his life. Andy trusting Zander - and Zander being careful and yet tender with Andy - made a very deep statement of mutual love and faith in my thinking. Monica having to do the sex talk with Andy must have been very hard to do - at least as hard as one might find it with one's own children. Thanks for the quick tutorial on current country music; clearly Zander needs an update, or to get over his own preconceptions. But Andy's reflection is just another instance of how his understanding of normal life doesn't completely match with the reality of living with the Stevensons. Thank you for reading A to Z, and I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I did writing it.

There is hurt in the air, and David seems to be trying to dispel it as quickly as it gathers. But the hurt Gary inflicted will take time to heal. And then...what is David really going to do about Twoey? Twoey's eyes could completely unravel any plan David makes. David should take some of Ginny's advice: if he's going to let Twoey go, he'd better stop kissing him and to talking to him suggestively before bed. Betcha anything David can't do that, though...I couldn't anyhow. Thanks for a great chapter!

Kitchen Metre Brown the meat, garlic beat, pepper grind, onion slice, Wash my hands, open cans, oops! Forgot, carrots dice. Meat reserve, lost my nerve; oh don't cry, onions fry. Add all in, simmer, grin; pasta boil, end of toil. Metre Made An anapest is rarely best, an iamb is much nicer. A trochee? Mustn't use it, lest you need your dactyl slicer. I get de-spondee in my car (it's not a catalexis), my amphibrach sounds like catarrh, it gives one catalepsis. I've spent the day and mos

I will look for more from you; this is a wonderful piece of writing

I grinned when you addressed Andy directly in your review. In this chapter, he seems to be particularly vivid, especially real to me. Zander and Andy are clearly attached to one another, and it was fun writing about their developing love and interplay. Wonder what Monica thought she interrupted? I liked the new middle name, too. Thanks for your kind review, and for your thoughtful reading.

Yes, Andy is making progress trusting and in speaking the truth about himself. And he still remembers the farm as a place where had been happy. As you say, a great tribute. Thanks for reading with Andy, and for your review.

The boys have come to understand that the other is the most important person in their lives right now. How wonderful for Andy to have such a person. The interplay between Zander and Andy is both fun to watch and hard to write - one wants to include everything sometimes, and the reader can easily find it tedious. I'm glad this chapter gave you that snapshot while still retaining your interest. Thanks for your thoughtful reading and reviewing.

Andy must still have good thoughts about the old man - he remembers some of his time there happily. Name changes don't always make the news, but this one was important. I am so glad you liked this chapter. Thanks for reading and for your review!

Thanks for your thoughts and insights. Yes, it's official, Andrew Eustace Stevenson. It just seemed right. That Andy could trust Zander with swimming was a milestone; that he trusted Zander with Uncle Ray was huge; that he could allow himself to let go physically with Zander was almost as big. No teen likes being interrupted by a parent at such a moment, I suppose. Thanks so much for reading with Andy!

I am so glad you liked this chapter. The best hope is that Judge Harrison hears nothing back from Carlsberg, so that Andy can continue growing into himself. That he could trust Zander with the truth about Uncle Ray was surely an enormous step forward. Thanks for reading so far into the story!

Thanks for your thoughtful review. Slowly, subtly, Andy is getting more sure of himself. His confidence is growing, and his sharing the truth about Uncle Ray with Zander shows this. And getting bolder about showing physical love with Zander is another facet, too. He is really fortunate to have been welcomed by such a great family.

Happy Birthday, Riley! Beg your pardon if I'm bolder, You're looking quite beguile-y, And I'm pleased that you are older. Happy Birthday, and Many Happy Returns! - Parker

Thanks for writing a simple, happy and crash hot chapter.

Loved your emphasis on the Christmas sermon. CJ and Owen certainly seem to be on a delicious kind of collision course. Happy Christmas for everyone! Everyone seems to be having so much fun! Can't wait to take a trip down under.

Twoey and David love each other, but differently. It that lies as it is, the David will go through his therapy, and then probably find his way to another, perhaps more palatable girlfriend. Twoey will spend time healing. He will possibly deepen his friendship with David (if David allows it), and then slide into Matty and Erik's arms and beds. Or David will realize a truth different to the one he has decided on. i sense a heartbreak coming on. More very soon, please?

No, I think not. I'd be dead in a day because I'd forget some safety procedure...

Emi, James: Take my hug and let it be here a sign of care for thee.

Mom let us take her car into school early on Monday for your swim lesson. You were probably more nervous than I was, but not by much. The idea that something about getting in the pool with me might make you want to run and hide was pretty unsettling. And I’d seen you run. Kaz could beat any of us at a distance run, but I swear you’d win any sprint. And then, what would happen if I pissed you off trying to teach you swimming? If I did something to ruin what you felt for me? So I was kind of sca

This a wonderful, charming story. I found it very affecting. You bring Axel and Blake, two near-broken and unhappy men, together and let them find happiness. How marvelously you do this. Thank you for this story.

A happy birthday wish from a grateful reader. Oh may you ever write good stuff, and may it never be enough; may all your birthdays so fine as all your lovely prose divine.

Thanks for letting us inside Clayton's mind. This is an informative chapter, and it really must be nice to have friends at a local pub who know you and look out for you. Barry must be a local saint. Thanks for sharing this story.

Well, I sure liked this, as a terrific start. I wish I'd ever gotten that lucky. Looking forward to seeing what develops.

This text exudes richness and substance. The poem is like a wonderfully complex red wine, with shades and nuances and tastes that will change with reading and re reading. It is an awesome thing you have written, Doctor.

This is such a fun story you seem to have waiting for us. As you have done in the past, you nailed the dialogue perfectly. Honestly, you could give us all lessons. Jackson seems a little full of himself, but then many, many seniors who are biggish fish in smallish ponds come off that way. Thanks so much for this story. More please?

Hey, Sarah - glad you're here.