Parker Owens

And here I am, channeling Louis Armstrong's 'My Rosetta.'

Like the easy connection between Dorian and Felix in this chapter. I'm really enjoying watching them grow into something special, perhaps. Well done, Jack.

Thanks for the review. I think Stefan doesn't really have a lot of trust in adults just now. Not surprising that he found the detective to be a threatening individual, even though, with time, that same detective might have found out the truth. The principal might have been a homophobe, or willfully blind, or simply a prude who doesn't want to deal with kids whose dal lives don't fit his preconceived mold. As a teacher, I met a few of these people, most unfortunately.

Thanks for the review and thoughtful response, Val. And while the detective was callous, he might also have been calculating for a response. Agree it wasn't a very good move on his part. Fortunately, the greatest majority of detectives aren't like that. But sometimes, small-city departments can get overwhelmed. And they did, given the er, explosive, events that happened afterwards. And yes, it's good that Stefan's Dad appears to be dead.

Yes, Daddy appears to be dead. Stefan now has to figure out what to do next.

Thank you for the review! Yes, I agree he isn't really free at all, but the chains are very different. And trust isn't going to be easy.

Thanks for a perceptive and helpful review. I agree with you that most schools teachers and officials wouldn't let Stefan's evasiveness go unchallenged. This is a perfect storm, of course, and it's fiction. But there are true stories of things like this: scars that aren't seen, bruises successfully hidden, and bullying passed over as horseplay. I agree also that if Stefan had been released to his uncle, there would have been cousellors involved. That never happened, as he got questioned first, and while they may not have suspected Stefan directly, Stefan certainly felt as if they did. For that, he could be forgiven. Glad you are looking forward to the next chapter.

I love the progression in this trio. Joy really got to me; the heart dances at it. Letting go sets off all my interior music. Awesome addition to your growing body of work.

I won't add emoticons. That I don't need them to express how I feel about these poems shows how perfectly you draw out the beautiful and hopeful and the love in your words. Your simple, deft wordcraft makes fools of us who have to write prose. Lucky Michael. Lucky you.

Poor Stefan is caught. Trust means overcoming shame and humiliation - admitting the truth. Trust means believing that the adult in front of him won't hurt him. Not good odds there, either. So, it's a walk in the dark, for now.

Poor Stefan is caught. Trust means overcoming shame and humiliation - admitting the truth. Trust means believing that the adult in front of him won't hurt him. Not good odds there, either. So, it's a walk in the dark, for now.

Thank you for the review! I'm glad it was believable, though, because the story is quite incredible. That is, until you hear the stories of real people who've been their own private hells...

Thank you for the review! I'm glad it was believable, though, because the story is quite incredible. That is, until you hear the stories of real people who've been their own private hells...

Thank you for the review, Tim. Stefan's invisibility is the only defense he has against the world. But for now, at least, he's free. Dad can't get at him any more, at least not physically.

May 25 – Late Big question for today: why is that whenever you think things are going better, they’re actually getting ready to blow up in your face? The last two days, I was on a high. I escaped the basement, got a little food, a little rest, and I had a survival plan that could last for a whole day. Fast forward to tonight. I’m homeless, hungry, wanted by the police, and trying to disappear. At least I’m still here, pen in hand, scribbling away. So what happened since I

The romance and the way Ryan and Sim just seem to click comes right through in your writing. Everyone should be so lucky as to have as good an experience as this. When Sim got on his soapbox, I cheered; this is something so many people need to hear. This is excellent, incredible, and so hot I had to put my computer in the fridge. Thank you.

So Twoey does some introspection. This is good. Perhaps he'll develop some idea of how he wants to live life, and how he wants to be in relation to all the guys who have come into his life. Because like it or not, they'll all make demands on him - and sooner or later, he'll have to deal with that. David's situation is much harder. He's being manipulated; his friends are making demands on him that he's hardly aware of, and which conflict with where his own heart leads. No surprise that he boils over; many of us would. Wonder if Twoey would have a similar reaction if he were in a similar kind of spot. Have to wonder about Matty and Erik - what's their angle and motivation? Altogether, a great chapter which might bind things together later. Thank you. Will await more with held breath. One thousand one, one thousand two....

Caught up on "I Will Wait For You," Mumford and Sons.

Very lovely. Your writing is evocative and engaging. Thank you. I, too, remember Mark Spitz, and understand exactly what you wrote about.

Some good stuff in this chapter. Agree with drpaladin that the wreck on the highway isn't necessarily in this chapter, but I can see the possible smoke rising up ahead. There is enough material in this chapter to make a multi-car pileup happen. Depends on how it plays out, though. Think Rashid is doing the right thing, by the way. Thanks for this one!

Awesome chapter. The emotions and forces tugging and torqueing each of these four ultimately likeable and complex characters comes through in the dialogue and action here. And of course, the setup for a climactic forthcoming day is perfect. This chapter is one of the best in this story. Thank you for sharing it!

A very hard chapter to write, too. Light is coming, though slowly. Stefan is alive enough to write, after all.

I want to thank you for this impassioned and thoughtful review. Stefan is confused and tired and hurt and unable to put everything together. And recovery is what has always done. I'm not sure that Stefan is stupid so much as stunned. But this time he can write, and indict his father, who is unquestionably evil and demented. Not sure he wants Dad to come home, but it's what he's always done. Rational? No. Stephan will look for a way to survive, in any case.

Survival instinct can make people do tremendous things. But it's not surprising Stefan slept for twelve hours afterwards. He just can't think fast enough right now to get moving...

Thank you for reading this, and staying with it through the storm. At least we know Stefan survived long enough to tell us what happened.