Parker Owens

Thank you for reviewing. It is a hard story to read. But Stefan is an engaging character, and it's hard not to read his diary.

Right now, poor Eric's world narrows right down to the need for food. wild strawberries are past, and he never learned how to look for other things less familiar. Some people keep gardens, but Eric learned they also keep dogs. In some ways, Eric is fortunate that he does not see or know about the search for the good Samaritan that must have ensued. It would have made him twice as watchful, twice as untrusting.

Eric is really a good kid, with good instincts. He's been away from the hell his father put him through for almost three weeks, now, and maybe it's beginning to show. Hard to realize that the life he leads now is better than that. Eric's musing about his mom finally helps us see the dawning of a new perspective - one that might begin to balance what he's always been told about himself. But that could take a long time to develop.

How wonderfully evocative this chapter is. I can see the places, hear the voices, and be in Mark's shoes throughout. Beautifully written and crafted. Can't wait for more.

What's amazing is that Eric's instinct was to help - to do something, even though he could have done nothing. Fear could have kept him motionless. But he couldn't hang around for the rescue squad to find him. No, I think Eric/Stefan will need a dose of something good before he will trust anyone again. That, or he will have to be forced into it.

Happy Birthday, Random. 45 is an excellent number. Us composites have to stick together - Parker (48)

This really got to me. It's a lovely piece. Like Fantasyboy, I read it through twice. It's a gem. Thank you for writing it. Please tell me you will write more like this. Please.

Had to take antacid tablets and heart medication to get through this chapter! And the loss of Jacob is a body blow. Great chapter.

June 18 I felt the need to get out of Marshall quickly, but it’s not so easy to get away from people when you’re hungry. You just don’t feel like moving very fast. I stumbled my way out of Marshall as soon as the librarians kicked me out at closing time. It didn’t matter that it was still drizzling, and I didn’t really care which way I went, as long as it was out of town. I didn’t make it very far before I just felt too depressed and tired and hungry to go further. I remember staying in the

Hang on, Cannd. Eric is still with us. And you're right that Eric appears to have a gift for attracting the Colins of this world, though the Maggies have begun to find him, too. The Ozzie guy is an enigma: is he an abuser, or a misunderstood do-gooder? In small towns, there are people like that who sometimes polarize by doing what they think is right. Some good has happened to Eric, but he has farther to walk.

drpaladin said it all for me. I am in awe of how you tied the story together so well. So very, very, well done. Thank you.

Thank you for a chapter showing CJ enveloped in the love of the Abello family. How wonderful it is that he can experience this, for it opens the mind and heart far more than anyone can say. It stands in stark contrast with the meeting with Lourdes. His conversation with her seemed a little rehearsed: did CJ go over what he was going to say in his mind? Save it up over months of increasingly clear, bright anger? Possibly he'll make an excellent lawyer one day. And how will Lourdes react? Undoubtedly, she won't take it lying down. Another note of caution arises from the repeated idea that it's not good to piss CJ off. What kind of effects on growing relationships and interactions will that attitude have on CJ and everyone else around him? I suppose that's what the other seasons are for... Great chapter!

Have read several chapters so far, and like this one the best. Quite a lot of tension built so beautifully and evocatively. Thank you for this chapter...

I thoroughly enjoyed this chapter that continues to unfold David and Twoey before us. Also nice to meet the mysterious Lanni more fully. Hats off to David for being philosophical about Twoey asking her to the dance. And kudos to Twoey for sensing that David would be the better one to be with her. I do hope David finds someone he can actually talk to; either a counselor, or even just a trusted friend. The great tragedy for David is that he is so self contained that he becomes blind just when he needs to be able to see clearly.

If Eric knew how, he'd shake the dust of the place off his feet. You're right again that library snacks won't cut it, either. Remember bring read to? I have very find recollections of my grandmother on the front porch on a summer's day reading to me. Kinda inspired me there, I guess.

Thanks for this chapter, too. Finally Morgan has something to see besides his own pain and difficulty. And this is just the early going isn't it? Can Morgan and Beck hit it off?

My heart is breaking to read this. And Morgan must be killing himself with every breath he takes. I weep for him; for Danny, and for everyone who has lost the love of their lives.

You hardly need more kudos from a newbie like me. But here they are. This is a fantastic prologue. I'm hooked, and you will no doubt reel me and everyone else in at your leisure. Thanks!

Wow. I'm so glad that you follow this story. It's a compelling subject. Eric keeps raising questions as he goes along...thanks so much for reviewing this chapter. It's hard to tell what he ought to do next.

Tim - this is an expressive and insistent description of depression. The image of a tunnel, a chute from which one can't escape, is perfect. I love how the meter drives you unstoppably into the experience. Thank you for this insight and this poem.

Nice to see Robbie begin to thaw, even in the depths of a Canadian winter. Nice trip to Timmy's, too. Like the new characters, Fran especially. Wonder where that's going to go? And agree with Columbus Guy, and hope that Tom is okay.

This is an awesome chapter. Bowing and groveling emoticon here. Beautifully told, and perfectly measured. The mother can't see past her own conception of her son, and can't get past the need for the approval of her own siblings. Too bad for her. And really, too bad for the rest of that family, that will be torn over it for a long time to come. Now it will be up to the cousins to help Reece find an extended family. And most importantly, Dave.

June 14 This morning, I got out of the church before anyone spotted me. At least the First Presbyterians had hot water, even if there wasn’t any food. I was hungry enough this morning that my stomach hurt. I cleaned up a little, but I didn’t wash my clothes – I was too afraid of people walking around, spotting me or my drying shirt and pants. That would have been embarrassing. Bad dreams again – Uncle Ray dreams, Dad dreams - dreams that left me wide awake with a racing heart and eyes staring

It's still mid June, so gardens aren't really full yet. Might find young lettuce, strawberries, stuff like that. Peas, if they got planted early. No apples or cherries yet. And of course, Eric never learned about woods survival anyhow...one can survive on little or nothing for a few days, but it turns one into a zombie, pretty much. Agree that this is Eric's biggest problem.

Oh, how wonderful! We finally get an internal description of what happens inside the unflappable Miles. And why would he have reason to be nervous? None whatever, but that first introduction is enough to make cowards of us all. Really, really nice to see Ian as the strong one this time. Thanks for this, and hope Ian and Miles let us see a little more of their lives one day.