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This reminds me of the philosophy behind the great Crosby, Stills, and Nash hit: “If you can’t be with the one you love..., love the one you’re with”. Sometimes, torrid recreational sex helps one heal wounds from deep pain and heartache. At least it’s an effective distraction. Losing David hurt Charlie deeply, and sexy Eric may have been just the right medicine. Not only that, it made for a very entertaining chapter. Then again, I may be biased: I married a hot Asian boy. ;-) But Frankie?! Damn, that town is WAY too small.

Please - no need to be sorry! They’re both great, though I admit I prefer the Nocturne in Db major personally. Thanks for the clarification, though, as your description of certain passages of the Nocturne didn’t quite match with the D flat! ;-) Now it makes more sense. I hope you don’t mind if I exercise reader’s license (is that a thing?) and continue imagining sweet, sexy, sensitive David playing my favorite Nocturne instead. ;-) Still, an amazing chapter.

Stunning. Outrageously romantic. Even though we already know Charlie doesn’t end up with David <tears>, this is still beautiful. I can imagine that the sensitive musician probably goes off to Juilliard or some other fabulous music school for away, and the separation of college ends their romance. Still, every steppingstone relationship makes one better (or wiser after learning lessons from the mistakes - like Charlie’s closet romp with jockboy).

Geoff, I have to agree with you about the chapter; it felt very special - almost as though I were experiencing the scene myself. Beautifully done. That you artfully incorporated one of my favorite Chopin Nocturnes made it even more magical for me. Perhaps because I’m a pianist (and endured some of those piano competitions growing up) and know that piece so well, I could hear it in my head as David played. You inspired me to pause reading while I stopped to listen to my favorite Rubinstein recording of that deeply emotional masterpiece. Sublime. Great musical choice. Excellent chapter.

Fabulous chapter! Even though it was hard to write, or maybe because it was hard, you handled it so well. Such sweet irony that the bastard’s murder attempt united his family and paid for his gay son‘s wedding. Mary’s refusal to accept the body was the ultimate insult, and so deserved. I’m loving the new relationship between Hayden and Vic (that scene was hot)! Here’s to hoping that develops into something as deep and enduring as Ian and Cam’s relationship.

I’m with Sam. I love this story and would love to see it continue.

I first read this story when you originally published it, and just returned to read it again. I think I enjoyed it even more the second time around. I loved the characters and how they came together to form their own family of choice. Having spent time on the Big Island, the locations were also nostalgic and beautiful. OMG...Inca Kola! What a flashback. I used to drink that stuff when I lived in Ecuador, and traveled in Peru. Though I was never fond of it, the fluorescent yellow color was intriguing.

Tough chapter to get through, but necessary to the story and to understanding the despair and pain Ness has endured.

This is a really cool story, with a very intriguing set up. I’m so looking forward to this. And Brady deserves that and more. Something tells me, though, that he knows it.

I’ll second that!!

Legal.

Neither, but it’s the first phrase that popped into my head when I thought of Anna. I guess I just naturally swear in Portuguese. Brazilian Portuguese contains some uniquely horrific (delicious) curse phrases, their impact doesn’t quite translate into English. Could be all the time I spent in South America, especially Brazil, living and studying… and partying. No, not that kind... ;-/ E você? Brasileiro? Português?

Exactly because he’s grabby. I mean....eewwwwwwww. And I agree about Mr. P.

It’s incomprehensible that two loving parents who produced Ian also spawned that “puta danada”. I agree that a horrible labor, loss of custody, public shame, lifelong financial destitution, and then a prison cell with Will’s mother would make me feel better. Too bad Anna’s crimes against humanity can’t land her there. As long as we’re fantasizing, Trump could be placed in their cell block. Would serve all 3 right.

Perfect! Jared proved himself to be a good guy, Sam grew a pair, and the rash is gone.

Oh oh. Bad idea, Sammy! This is a fun story and I’m hooked.

I was waiting for something; things just seemed to be going just too smoothly. But the dreaded ex? To me, an ex is like a rash: one needs to be rid of it as soon as possible and then prevent it from coming back. Let’s just hope it doesn’t create an itch that needs to be scratched. (I think I’m done with that simile.)

Wow! They certainly wasted no time. Then again, if I judged them for moving to a home run so fast, I would be a colossal hypocrite. ;-)

Cool! Sam’s best friend’s inopportune candor forced them to cut through the pretense. ¡Gracias a Dios! Por fin. Actually, you ended the chapter at a perfect place; always keep them wanting more. Then again, I can say that because the next chapter is already published.

Gawd... this is like a tango in which everyone is afraid to touch - well, except for the rather forward Jared. I’m rooting for Brian - even though I might personally have more fun (at least temporarily) with Jared.

Such a charming fantasy! Even though this isn’t usually my genre of choice (fantasy, creatures from other dimensions), I’m really enjoying this story. A sweet romantic story transcends the limitations of reality.

Fabulous chapter. Loved it!

Absolutely. Very moving chapter.

Matt dissed Les Miz?!?! Really? Grrrrrr. And then they decide to give Parker’s mother their negative HIV tests for Christmas? That has to be a first. Personally, I’ve always hated intrusive, impertinent questions from straight people about my sex life, no matter how “well-intentioned”. I mean, let’s flip the script. We wouldn’t dream of asking them similar questions - in no small part because we likely don’t care to think about it! My favorite? Who is the woman and who is the man? After one such question, I finally blurted out, “that’s as stupid as asking which chopstick is the spoon”. (Thanks, Ellen, for that line.) I still love this story, even if their cultural maturity left something to be desired in this chapter. Their closing lines are proof of that.

Tears. No words.