Parker Owens

You saw something new in Andy in this very easygoing and almost 'normal' chapter. Normality is a big, new departure for Andy. And so is becoming a part of the family as he learns more about the family history how far it extends beyond Blackburn. I don't know just how relaxed Andy was in driving - it must have been very anxious for him at the start - but he seemed to grow into it. As you put it so rightly, his insecurities have lost some of their power. And I, too, loved Puppilull's words as especially appropriate to Andy at this point - he is beginning to feel safe in giving in to longing. And he has been longing for so very much. I thank you for your remarkably kind and encouraging reviews, and for continuing to read Andy's story. I deeply appreciate it.

I have tried (not always successfully) to reply to the readers who review anything I post. If they've gone to the trouble to say something (and I've received 99.44% positive reviews), then like Carlos, I feel I owe them that much. Because I have never posted anywhere but in the friendly confines of GA, I can't say that I've received emails from any other source. I guess I like it here too much to bother with anyplace else.

"Safe to give into longing." What a lovely phrase for Andy, and Zander, too. Andy is certainly feeling more a part of the Stevenson family after his talk with Garrett. Zander has made Andy feel increasingly safe and comfortable, too. But remembering can always hurt and make one pull back, too. Thanks so much for your encouraging remarks and for your continued reading of Andy's story.

Sorry about making you worry. The departures here were more subtle ones. Zander leaving for swim finals was the most obvious. Andy getting a learner's permit - becoming a sort of Official Normal Teenager - was a big departure. And his becoming more firmly a Stevenson - not just Zander's Andy, but Andy himself in relation to the constellation of Stevensons - well these are departures from Andy's 'normal' life as he knew it. Again, sorry my deep metaphor misled you. Many thanks for your reviews, encouragement and support.

Zander departs for his state invitational championships. But Andy's departure is a little different; his new foster father takes him for a milestone driver's permit application. This is totally new to him: a parent willing to teach him something - a different sort of departure, if you like. No cruel cliffhanger here, just a day in the life of a teenager. Almost normal, in its way. And maybe that's a departure from Andy's drama, too. Sorry to have alarmed you. Thanks for your remarks and reading Andy's story. I really appreciate your encouragement and support.

So it appears. Zander is away, and Andy misses him terribly. But won't Zander be surprised when Andy can get behind the wheel on his return! Thanks for your comment and for your continued reading and support.

Um, yes. Toys. But how normal this all is. Unthinkable for Andy a year ago, or even a month ago. The family talk only plants Andy more firmly into the Stevenson constellation. I am so very glad you felt this calm, simple stuff to be a good contrast to the drama that has preceded it. I really appreciate your take on these chapters, and thanks for your support. I really appreciated it.

Yeah, that's exactly how it wanted it to feel. I've had to listen - to be in Zander's place - and it is sometimes very hard not to react. Poor Zander got a little ambushed; but he recovered well. And yes, it is wonderful to be able to write about Andy growing into himself. Thanks, Tim for your encouragement and support. Thanks for reading!

What a perfect story for a snowy day. I love the slow, unstoppable mutual attraction and their mutual realization of what it must mean. Beautifully done.

March 10 This morning, I woke before the alarm went off. Zander had tipped over onto his stomach during the night, and I had gone with him. I lay partly sprawled over his warm back. I raised my head to look at the clock. Ugh. Five minutes to go before alarm would scream to get us moving. And we would have to get moving. I lay down again, my ear just below Zander's shoulder blade. I listened to the slow, steady thump-thump of his heart. I would miss this for the next two nights. It seemed lik

You tell your story here in quatrains golden; and to you in verse I'm now beholden. You write so eloquently and irresistibly. I so admire your work here. I have tried sonnets long ago, and threw my hands up in frustration. Thank you Tim!

I think SD is right in that I want to know more about Ethan and Roger now. I am also very scared for Galen. What did he do in his distress that he wishes he'd never done? Found another man to break everyone's heart? Something worse? The worst of all this impending train wreck is that we kind of knew it was coming. Somewhee along the line, Galen lost the ability to make choices about who he wanted, and how his life would work out. Now it seems too late to avoid a tragedy. But what a great tragedy you are writing, Val. Needless to say, I want more!

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.