Parker Owens

You are really good about making connections; perhaps you teach English Lit? This chapter was fun and difficult to write at the same time. So may activities for Zander and Andy to try, but skating seemed like, fun. It was. Funny how even a homeless kid, stashed away in a closet can feel busy, busy busy at times. Wonder how Zander feels. Swimming season can be grueling, I think. Exams are coming up. They'll be terribly busy then, Many thanks for your perceptive review!

You hit is squarely: teens can be very shortsighted. Zander and Kaz are used to big gatherings where people circulate, wander, and interact all night. Andy definitely isn't, and he hardly knows how to handle that idea. That, and he isn't sure who beyond Kaz, Terry and Zander might be friendly. Well, he discovered Kaz's sisters are friendly enough. It's good Andy chose not to hit the road again in the cold winter. But what happens in the new year? The new year happens Monday. Thanks so much for reading the story to this point, and for your thoughtful review.

My mind wandered idly during the warmdown laps at the end of swim practice. As I moved almost languidly through the water, a problem nagged at my brain. How to get nearer to you? After having you so close before Christmas, just seeing you around town or in school didn't seem anything like enough. I'd almost come out to you then before Christmas, huddled together on the bed, watching a movie. But later I was glad I had chickened out. Lena and you had kissed at the party, I knew it. I'd seen you

Oh. I get the surprise - Twoey already has a clue Danny's gone, but David is the one who is completely undone. And boy, is he undone. Not unhinged, not unglued, but the ties the bind him to the world of his own control and his picture of normality are unknotted. or at least some of them. David loses more of the control that values so much; loses more of the veil of what cloaks his life in regularity. Now he has to deal with it all. No, he isn't safe at all. And he hasn't even begun to be able to face the external demons that will come looking for him (we can think of several at this point). Loved this chapter for the honesty David couldn't avoid: he loves Twoey. Loved this chapter for Twoey's sufficient recovery that he is beginning to think about what he can do for David. Loved that the two of them know they are bound together somehow.

Thank you so much for your lengthy and thoughtful review. Eric is discovering farm work. It has its satisfactions and rewards, as well as its day to day drudgery. It is very hard work. For Eric, it is a chance to feel rewarded and praised for the hard work he puts in - something his brute of a father never let him experience. He's gaining experience, and maybe a little confidence and plenty of muscle. He also gets to eat more often than he has been on the road. The problem of the real Andersons is always looming on the horizon. As for telling Eustace what really happened at Toby's place, that seemed unlikely. Yes, Eustace was speaking unjustly, but Eric has learned by bitter experience never to tell adults anything. It hurts to do so. Better to just shut up and take it. It's what his father taught him to do. The problem of washing and brushing up wasn't important until Eric had to be in contact with someone every day. Eric probably uses Eustace's bathroom in the house whenever he can, and the field margins or the woods when he can't. Ugh. I really appreciate your taking then time to read the story and to write your thoughtful reviews.

Poor Andy was stuck reading books from the church library for fun, when he wasn't shoveling snow or something. Christmas Eve was good, but the rest of the week, well...at least he got something good done with the snow blower. And he got to run into Zander again, so that wasn't all bad...thanks for reviewing and for reading this far,

Andy may be improving as a writer because he has so much time on his hands. Heaven help us if his life ever gets busy. Thanks for catching the state line metaphor. Poor Andy is awkward, and will learn being social only slowly. If he hangs with K and T and Z long enough, maybe he'll get comfortable enough in his own skin to fit in. The new year begins on Monday. Thank you so much for reading and for your kind review.

Sorry to have disappointed you at Midnight, but Andy did have an epiphany of sorts, as you say. And his awkwardness will only slowly be unlearned, I think. The new year begins on Monday. Thanks for taking the then time to read and review!

And to Andy, too, perhaps. But Andy showed up later...Zander had been there for a while already, and there's plenty of sociability going on. Hard to know what was up before Andy arrived. As you say, it's not Zander's best moment. Thanks so much for your excellent thoughts and for reading through this chapter.

This chapter tells us a lot of background for the Kasimierski family, about the sociable nature of Kaz and Terry and Zander, too. If they were friends, Zander's withdrawl would surely have been noticeable in the spring. Glad you understood the left turn, too. Thank you for reading and for your kind review.

More is coming Monday. Andy is staying out for now, which is a big step for him. And what does that say for the new year ahead of him? Thanks so much for taking the time to read and review.

Thanks you for this review. Andy has been living in constant shadow of the storm that looms on the horizon. That he chose not to bolt for the road is important, but so is the knowledge that personal attachment is holding him in place. He's never had any of that to worry about before. I appreciate your continued reading and remarks.

That would be a better resolution than going on a diet! But at least he's decided to stay put for now. Andy gets the itch to run under pressure, undeniably. Of course, there might be pursuit from Kaz's sister...Thanks so much for reading and reviewing. Next chapter is Monday!

What lousy timing for that girl to plant a kiss on Zander. But at least Andy is staying put for now. The cold can be a big convincer to stay in a warm place and out of the weather. Thanks for reading and staying with the story to this point. Next chapter is up on Monday! Thank you for reviewing!

But the new year has begun. Andy may have learned that it's important to turn back and retrace one's steps once in a while. But it was a shame to see him so disappointed. Thank you for reading this chapter and for continuing to stay with the story. Thanks especially for your review.

Entry for January 2, continued… No snow had fallen since the day before, so I didn’t have any urgent jobs to do. I don’t know what I’m going to do when it snows during school – do I get up extra early to shovel out, or can the Abbotts and Mrs. M. wait until after? I killed time by walking around town, by sitting for a very long time in the downtown diner, nursing a hot chocolate purchased with the last of my change, and by going into any store that looked open. Many were closed for New Year’s

Thank you so very much for reading Eric's story. For once, Eric seems to have found a person who appears to be safe, at least for now. And for the moment, there is a dry, warm place to sleep. Maybe it will be good not to have it walk all day. Anything would be better than getting stuck with Roger the Green Hat. Thank you for reviewing what you read; it makes a huge difference to me.

David must be really, really, jammed up and aswirl. His friend Nels, someone his trusts, tells him to get out of the Kathy relationship; Kathy does exactly the wrong thing - but something that David himself might have gone with not too long ago. He's now got to deal with having got himself into this mess, and wondering why it is he can't deal with what everyone else he knows seems to want. On the other hand, the scene with his father was so very encouraging, so very heartwarming. At first, it seemed like it might be another emotional catastrophe, but you wrote that so that my heart had to make a right-angle turn. Well done. Thanks for another marvelous chapter. Of course, I want more, like...Now.

Story after bitter story. How does anyone trust anyone anymore? I don't trust Sheherezhade any more than I trust Oberon...heaven knows how Tristan is supposed to be wise enough to figure it out. He's only a phoenix, after all. What a pity there is no escape for any of them now.

And with the chorus all as one, I add my voice to all the fun, A birthday wish, and all good cheer, that you will have a splendid year. Happy Birthday.

Heartbeat going a mile a minute...great story! Loved the ending, Sweetbreads? Santa likes sweetbreads?

Excellent. I love this! The end was particularly wonderful.

Crappy from our point of view, but maybe better than what he experienced with his brutal father. I never figured out what books he read from the church library - doubt anyone realized they were missing, though. Parties have not been kind to Andy. It's a big deal that he's willing to go with Zander's encouragement; it says a lot about how maybe he's willing to trust Zander. Thanks so much for continuing to read the story and for leaving a review!

Sad by you and me, but maybe better and safer than back in Carlsberg. And no way would he have felt good about fixing the snow blower back on the other side of the mountains. As for Kaz's party, Zander is a powerfully good reason to overcome his fears, but nothing can overcome his awkwardness. New Years actually comes on Friday this year! Thanks for your review, and for reading!

Good news. Andy's getting up enough courage to consider going. Good news #2, Zander's encouragement is enough to push Andy to go. Maybe. Of course, it will be crowded open house,most that could be tough on Andy, too. Thanks for reading though Andy's vacation and into your own holidays. Next chapter is Friday. Thank you so much for your review!