Parker Owens

Honestly, this was a fun chapter. Poor Josiah, completely out of his depth and experience. Prayer twisted into a twisted kind of cosmic strong arm tactic - ugh. Hope the kid gets a wake up call when he goes to a non- bible college. David doesn't see this, of course. All he sees is a threat. Matty all over David again...if Matty gets his way, both David and Twoey will be heartbroken as a result. David's heart is much too fragile to play the way Marty wants. Lots of different directions for the story to take, and plenty of time for imagination! Thank you!

So many unanswered questions, and I can't answer them! Yes, the best news is that Mr Stevenson convinced the judge to let their family keep Andy as a 'foundling' under the law. Thanks for the vote of confidence, and for continuing to read A to Z.

Thank you for your reviews, and for bringing up those nagging questions. I suspect you will have to contain your curiosity a while longer. Sorry about that. Andy's got Zander for now, and that makes all the difference.

You pick up the same thing Spikey did below...Monica is parenting Zander or his older sibs again, and Andy is far too different a boy to get the same results. Monica is clearly going to lose a lot of sleep over what happened, wondering how she could have missed the obvious: Andy is not Zander. Andy fooled her - he can hold it together, and seem like a mature, self contained young man, but he hides his fear and insecurity so well. Of course they all need to give each other time, but the question is, do they have it? But at least Zander loves Andy, which may be the most important thing right now. Thanks for your kind words and for your reviews.

Thanks for your vote of confidence. As it happens, Andy must now begin doing something he's never had to do - live together with people who want to care for him. This is not necessarily going to be easy for anyone in the Stevenson household, Andy included. Many thanks for your review, and for your continued reading.

You are in luck. No quick ending here. Right now, Andy will have to get used to living with a real family, one that seems to have love at its center. That's a big, big change. Thanks for continuing to read Andy's journal, and for your reviews.

Thank you for your review and for reading so far. The story has more to unfold; Andy has more that must be resolved, and more pages left in his journal. For now, Andy will have to get used to something entirely alien to his experience - a whole and loving family. No quick wrap up on that. Thanks also for your patience as I continue trying to get caught up.

Someone finally got to hear Andy's story, and Andy didn't have to run. Though he got the urge to go, Zander stood and held him fast - and nobody disagreed. The story will continue its path as Andy learns to live very differently to his previous experience. The good news is that you'll have to contain your curiosity for a little longer. . Thank you for reading this story, and for your patience as I attempt to get caught up!

This is indeed just a beginning of a whole different kind of life for Andy. Much of it will be wholly alien to his experience. I am glad you are looking me forward to this, because, no, the story does not end in the next chapter, or even the one after that. There are lots of layers to peel back. Many thanks for your reading, still more for your patience.

Boy, do I love reading your reviews. So Monica needs to step off? I'll bet she knows it, too. She's raised four kids, but never an Andy, and she's in completely new territory, now. Part of this is the abrupt change in the relationship - parent of friend to actual guardian/stepparent in a single day. She will probably lose a lot of sleep over just the issues you raise. But Andy probably doesn't doubt that Zander will still love and care for him, and maybe that will help him trust Monica, too. And maybe he'll find the nurturing he needs. Thanks for your review, and for your patience as I catch up.

You make me present in your insistent meter and imagery. I can't look away. Awesome.

Well, happy new year to everyone. This is a lovely gift for the new year. Thank you. Cesar's talk with CJ was excellent, direct and what every kid, gay or straight, needs to hear.

I am weeping with deep happiness for you as I write this. The beauty of your words, and the depth of their meaning swept over me. What a wonderful way to read into the new year. Thank you, thank you.

February 13 If the weekend was a roller coaster, the past two days have been a whirl. It has been incredibly busy so far, and the week isn’t over yet. Not by a long shot. We had to scramble out of bed Monday morning and hurry to meet Kaz, who was surprised and happy to see both of us for running. Zander was in a surprisingly good mood for someone who had swum in a big meet less than forty eight hours earlier. We walked the familiar road from the house to the high school in the starry darkness

Thank you for your kindness in reading and reviewing this chapter. There are many antiques in the various state legal codes- laws long out of date, based on a pioneer era set of rules and expectations. I confess to having fabricated such a statue - the 'foundling statute' Garrett Stevenson referred to. I do know such anachronisms exist in our system, so I am glad it was plausible.

A beautiful prayer. A heartfelt, soul-stirring cry. I, too hope CG reads this one day, and knows the depth of your empathy, love and support.

I am not a lawyer, still less a legal expert. My research (such as it was) told me that our US states have many, many laws still in force which are somewhat antiquated. In this story, I fabricated such an outdated law - the 'foundling statute' Garrett Stevenson referred to. I do know that such antiques of the legal code existed, products of a pioneer age when children were found abandoned, wandering on their own, or left on doorsteps in the night. That Mr. Stevenson knew where to look in the code for that statute, and what it could be bent into meaning, is a testament to his legal prowess and flexibility. I am glad you found all this plausible. As long as judge Harrison bought it, that's what matters to Andy right now. Thanks for reading and reviewing - and for your patience as I catch up!

Thank you so much for your review and for reading Andy's story. I really enjoyed writing these chapters, even though they were hard to hone into the right shape. I really appreciate your reading, and your patience as I try to catch up after a long absence.

I am so glad you stood my Andy and read his story. You have been very kind to do so. Now he has told his story, and now Monica and Garrett realize how much more Zander has in Andy than just a first boyfriend. Monica was right to apologize and explain her feelings - it was a morning for telling, wasn't it? More is to come. Thanks for being patient as I return from a vacation.

I am delighted you are happy with Andy's outcome. It looks good from this angle, but remember that Andy will be wary even now. The tale is not yet finished; there is more. Does that make it better? Thanks for your reviews and for being patient as I return from a long absence.

I am happy you got what you were looking for. It certainly was what I had in mind at the beginning. Like most things, this took time to develop. If it makes you feel better, there are more chapters to come. It's not over just yet. Thanks for your review, and for your patience as I catch up after a long absence.

I am so glad you brought up the idea of survivor. Andy is exactly that - a survivor and a hero. But I doubt he would recognize that in himself. In his own midst way, he'd just shrug at the idea. To him, Zander is his hero - so many of the things he'd like to be, but doesn't see in himself. Now, just maybe, a better way of looking at li may be at hand. Thank you for reading and for your patience as I try to catch up on envies after a long absence.

Thank you so much for the thumbs up. I am glad you liked this chapter; these chapters in the mid forties were tough to write, though really quite a joy to think about. I hope some of that came through. I really appreciate your reviewing, and your patience as I try to catch up after a long absence.

Garrett Stevenson is a good man, bound by his duty to the law. He just has to fit the situation to the right law.This is no courtroom drama, though. For once Andy is in a safe place with people he ought to be able to trust. Thanks for your review, and for your patience as I catch up.

The Stevensons must suspect they are in for a bracing ride. But you are right, in that a lawyer is very handy in such a situation. Even more so when that lawyer is a good man like Garrett Stevenson appears to be. Notice he spent Andy's retelling of his story listening first. Thanks. For your review, and for your patience as I try to catch up!