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Knew it was coming, but still heartbroken.

My heart breaks for Pat and all that he endured before finding Ian. I can’t imagine his thoughts and feelings now, but my hope is, with maturity and perspective, he’ll realize that those awful years developed a level of deep compassion, empathy, and understanding that most don’t have. Very moving chapter.

This series of five books is one of the best things I have read on GA. Thank you so much for such a satisfying journey. I think Dustin is my biggest disappointment. His quasi-rejection of Billy’s friendship at the end, coupled with his almost Faustian bargain with the evil Mr. Hartley, shows that his bitterness and psychological scars run deep. While understandable, I fear his emotional damage will always hold him back.

I’m late to yet another literary party. I’ve had this story bookmarked on Nifty for a long time after another author recommended it. When I found it on here today, I was relieved as the GA formatting is easier to read on an iPad. This story is engrossingly charming and so well executed. You’re a talented storyteller who has absolutely captivated me with these lovable characters as they grow up and fall in love with each other. I’m so glad I finally started reading.

I read this story several years ago, and just found it again. Now I remember why I liked it so much. What an amazing set up for a gay boy’s fantasy!

Such a great and sobering story. Loved it! This serves as an important reminder that it usually takes two to wreck a relationship. I started out despising Eric, and ended up at least understanding his motivations. After all, affairs rarely happen in a vacuum. I’m glad that Brian apparently woke up in time to reorder his priorities to be available for Timothy - who seems totally hot and sweet, by the way. It’s a shame that it took a bitter breakup to learn hard lessons, but life is often messy. How ironic that Eric’s confrontation made Brian’s new relationship possible.

Carlos, really enjoyed the chapter. Thank you for including the detour to Pulse. That massacre still haunts. Though it’s painful to remember, we can’t afford to forget. I loved spending time with Harley again. Though he’s still his hyper-loquacious self, it seems that life experience and age are beginning to mellow him just a bit. Then again, Kim might be a factor. Breaded, deep-fried pickles stuffed with a hot dog? I can’t...even... Oddly enough, the disparate flavors aren’t entirely incompatible. I suppose it could work, maybe with an icy Bitburger.

Afghanistan. That made my blood run cold. I hope that’s not foreshadowing. Enjoyed the chapter, Carlos. I loved Father Chance’s commentary on what it actually means to be a Christian!

He was, though his young Rebel co-star, Sal Mineo, is more my type. I loved Giant, as well. I’d just like to point out that I saw it on it’s re-release MANY years after its premiere. <cough, cough> 😜

I just realized that “Cal” was probably perceived as Drake’s sister’s nickname. I meant the Cal in East of Eden. (Too many strained James Dean references.). ;-)

I’m so pulling for Drake and sausage boy! Cal’s perceptive, loving support has won me over. Drake’s mental fast forward to a breakup was like a gut punch. I hope he wakes up in time. (See, I’m resisting the temptation to read ahead.) It’s hard to avoid the temptation to just binge read this, but I want to make it last. It’s that good.

Just another reason why you couldn’t drag us kicking out of California...especially out of the Bay Area. Even with the region’s challenges, we’re admittedly spoiled, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. 😎

Wow, the merde has truly hit the ventilator. I think that understanding the triggers of bigotry is important, as it’s essential to any hope of rehabilitation. Of course there is no justification, but examining motivations may help in Preston’s case This chapter struck a deep nerve. I admit that I identify with Drake’ s fears, especially given his Richard trauma - even though it may not be fair to Jett. (Too obscure?) Having experienced something similar - and with a negative outcome - there is a deep, helpless fear of “not being enough” and of hoping that the other shoe won’t drop. In my experience, it dropped. I’m not saying that sausage boy’s Kinsey scale status should doom him and Drake. Intellectually, I understand the spectrum and hold no negative feelings or even reservations about anyone’s sexuality (except in the case of imposed celibacy - like Catholic priests and Mormon missionaries). 😈 I digress. Fears aren’t always rational but, when they’ve been reinforced by negative life experience, they’re tough to overcome. Jimmy is key to helping Drake surmount his obstacles. He’s loving, patient, and seems like he can be trusted. This will be a tough journey for both. Very impactful chapter, Gary.

You’re so welcome! That’s right...it IS Canada. I don’t generally picture Canadians being that idiotic. I’m probably still idealizing our northern neighbor (since Nov. 2016). My husband and I have seriously considered Vancouver, BC, even though we live in a very blue San Francisco Bay Area. Proves there are morons everywhere.

Honestly, the first thing that popped into my head: stone kitchen floors are brutal on the lower back and knees. No wonder these people act like they have sticks up their butts. Seriously though, Preston has more than met his match in sausage boy. Yay! What a douchebag. The idiot’s most self-damning line: “I believe what I believe, and you’re not going to change that.“ How much do you want to bet he voted for and still supports... Drake’s and sausage boy’s dynamic grows ever more intriguing. You’re driving us all nuts wondering what could constitute this “insurmountable thing”. I hope it’s not literally… his “thing”! 🤪 Very clever writing and plot tension.

You go, sausage boy! (There... I didn’t refer to him as Jimmy Dean.) Preston, who embodies every snarky, bigoted asshole I’ve ever known, doesn’t seem to know what hit him. 😂 It struck me how much easier it is for a third-party to put one’s homophobic family in its place because they’re absolutely immune from the carefully crafted emotional blackmail and manipulation. They’ve no psychological buttons that can be pushed. No matter how strong we are, problem biological family always seem to be able to get under our skin - which I hate. Drake is lucky to have this guy in his corner; I have a feeling he’ll soon come to that realization himself. Terrific chapter, Gary! Damn this was fun. 😁

Late to the story party again, but I like to wait until they’re finished. I’m inpatient with patience. This is a great premise and an excellent start. I’m hooked. Love it.

I love this chapter, and thought the title was graphically appropriate! 😀

This is so cool and so welcomed! Thank you for all your hard work.

That almost felt like time travel in warp drive, but I love this story and you’re right: we needed to get to Hayden. I’m so jealous that Vic got to see Bette in Hello Dolly! I’ve always adored Bernadette and she’s brilliant in live performance, but Midler’s shoes were apparently impossible to fill in that role. Yes, that’s my takeaway from this chapter (that, and yummy Tony). What can I say? I’m a Broadway geek, and really love that element in your stories. I did see Carol Channing in the original, however. Amazing! (I was a VERY young kid, BTW.) ;-)

I agree, of course, but sometimes quick, hot sex meets a need and gets you through. You remember that great song, “If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with”.

I enjoyed this chapter, which also Illustrates some powerful life lessons. One of the wisest things my mother taught me growing up was that confident people who truly had money didn’t discuss it, but wannabes could almost talk about nothing else. Damien’s (I have to believe the name choice was intentional) dissing of Ajax was even worse than his projection of alleged financial superiority. Don’t walk; RUN, Christina!

I avoided this story for a long time because the synopsis and beginning paragraphs cut too close. Given that I’ve read and loved all of your other stories, I should have known better. I’m glad I finally manned up (OK...I peeked ahead to be safe) and read it. I’m also relieved Amazon delivers tissues in bulk! A painful but engrossing read; once I began I couldn’t close my iPad. I adored the characters (except, of course, for the psycho bitches and knuckle draggers) and the way you portrayed true friendships and the healing power of love. It was refreshing, really, to read a story with real heartbreak and drama when it’s so easy to succumb to the escapist allure of the literary equivalent of rainbow-colored ponies and magic dust. (Or am I confusing that with magic mushrooms? Nah...I was conscious and a very young kid during the 60s... Never mind.) I can hardly wait for your next story! PS...I’ve replenished my Kleenex supply.

Totally agree. One of my favorites as well!

I loved this story! As you have written several of my favorite works on GA, I expected it to be good and I wasn’t disappointed. Since I’m impatient, I waited until the story was complete to binge read it. The brothers’ reconciliation and Devin’s embrace of Kevin’s and Cameron’s relationship allowed for a very strong and satisfying conclusion. Although it does leave open a number of questions and potential future plot lines, I have mixed feelings about a sequel. While I would love to read more about these characters, sometimes the readers’ hopes and imaginations are enough to tie up the loose ends. That’s a long winded way of saying, “if you write a sequel, I hope that Kevin and Cameron are still happily together”!