tesao

What kind of monstrous adoptive parent separates twin brothers?! (I guess I answered my own question.) Dylandouche and Sebashat need to feel the crushing weight of justice, y’all. Rape, assault with a controlled substance, possession, possession with intent to distribute, false imprisonment...they’re in it deep.

This reminds me of the words from an old Monty Python sketch: “fear and surprise, surprise and fear...” I agree with TJ - what’s with all the omissions and secrets, already? No wonder he has mental health issues. At some point, I’m hoping for heavy karmic retribution for phony face and cheater boy.

They kissed! Yay!!! And yes, you are a nefarious author of malevolence with your perniciously incessant cliffhangers. 😏

This chapter made my allergies flare up something terrible. In fact, of all the authors on this forum, you make my pollen reaction worse than anyone. 😉 I loved this story, and Noah is my favorite of all of your characters. I also think my allergic reaction was so intense because I hate to see this end. You’ve outdone yourself with this beautiful, empowering tale. Your portrayal of a young autistic boy who surmounts his challenges with the loving support of his family and friends is insightful, unique and deeply touching. ❤️

Guard your heart, Tristan!

The only thing missing was a bow and ribbon wrapped around JC. Well, I can dream for TJ. 😈 So, Sebastian is an even bigger AH than we knew. Not surprised. Given how much he got around, it’s a very good thing TJ never gave it up for him. Enjoyed the chapter; really looking forward to what’s on the other side of the cliff.

The old “walk in the woods but stay close because of fallen branches“ line. What a great set up! 😈

Wow, a BFF that buys her gay BFF sex toys for Christmas. How cool is that! That was a great scene.

Wow, what a little psychopath Sebastian turned out to be! Cold, calculating, manipulative charm; blackmail; sexual harassment and assault; possibly conspiracy to commit sexual harassment and assault; no regard for feelings; no empathy; no conscience; no sense of moral compass or ethics...(hmmmm...that all sounds painfully familiar these days). I digress. TJ did a terrific thing to attempt to atone for his mistakes, which were very human and understandable under the circumstances and given TJ‘s recent emotional trauma. He still has some relationship repair to do, and I hope he gets counseling. Even if his dad had not died, dating Sebastian would have eventually been sufficient to trigger a mental health crisis. I agree with @Daddydavek; the hospital may have dodged a bullet by not hiring Sebastian‘s dad for that important position. Extreme behavior like Sebastian’s doesn’t usually develop in a vacuum. Terrific chapter!

I’m shocked that Tristan would eat hummus and tzatziki on the same day of the big party; they’re both full of raw garlic! 😱

Tristan’s conversation with Nick was so sensitive, insightful, and perceptive. Really well done! I can tell it came from your own pain, and I’m truly sorry.

Maybe there’s something wrong with me, as in going through a second adolescence, but I’m really enjoying this story - even though I’m WAY beyond the target audience age. This is very entertaining, it’s subversively funny, I get all the references, and listen to the same music (love Billie Eilish and idolize her talented brother). I’m so glad I found this, albeit a bit late.

I’ve been following thIs story faithfully on your site and have loved it from the beginning, frustrating though the characters (such as Jack’s carbon-based maternal unit) may be. 😉 I agree with the other readers‘ assessments of Jeff and Jimmy as boyfriend material; they’re flaky, fickle, illogically jealous, and terribly disloyal to Jack. While Jeff is hopeless as a boyfriend, I don’t think much of Jimmy as a best friend, either. Aside from the abandonment and assault while hiding behind the closet door, a true best friend would not be hitting on Jeff, let alone in front of Jack. That’s insensitive, at best. I’m hoping that Jack grows a pair, engages in some introspection (which I remember is difficult for teens), and puts both Jeff and Jimmy in their places. Jack needs new, higher quality people in his life.

I’m loving this story, but a plot detail has me confused. How can Beau and Lucas still be dating when Beau and family relocated to Ohio after his dad’s death, while Lucas (and the douchy ex) live in Maryland? Did I miss something?

That was an amazing first chapter. I’m totally hooked! Grey’s awkward PR marriage of friendly convenience is certainly explained by his suppressed sexual orientation. And his mother! Don’t get me started. PS...Grey’s pic doesn’t appear, but if he’s half as hot as Lucas...Damn!

We’re only teasing you. 😏

I think our public role as readers is to both comment on the story, plot, and character development, as well as to encourage writers. While I don’t disagree with your observations, I believe they’re best left to private messaging with the author.

Wait...what? This was like unstopping an open bottle of chilled bubbly with thirsty anticipation - only to find it ...empty. Now I can hardly wait for a new bottle! 😉

You have a very deep creative well and a talent for drawing us in. This should be fun!

Great chapter! By the way, tonight I discovered that chopping shallots also makes one tear up. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. I have such mixed emotions; I will miss this story terribly but I also love the developing conclusion. Of all of your amazing characters, I think I love Noah the most (including my pianist crush on David). You also always seem to dredge up musical memories; I haven’t thought of A Jubilant Song since we performed it in college sometime during the Pleistocene age. Please take good care of yourself as the COVID-19 news out of Texas is alarming. We were doing relatively well in the Bay Area, until people became complacent.

How satisfying to see the old crone get hers! While the world has its “Karens” (entitled, racist white women who harass or even call the cops on African-Americans for no damn reason), we don’t yet have a name for their homophobic equivalents. I suggest we call them “Altheas” from now on. I mean, it’s already a name only a mother could love, and she could be jivin’ her too (to paraphrase a BB King classic). While it’s a shame that too often one only gets as much justice as one can afford, it’s heartening to see David and Charlie use their influence and means for good - even if David is sneaky enough to give his attorney gray hair. 😉 Excellent chapter that summarily dispensed with an ugly injustice so the adorable Noah and Billy - and others like them - can thrive.

Yeah, well this is one angry, belligerent, pissed off reader. That rule smacks of arbitrary disability discrimination at first blush - at least as to disparate impact.（Aren’t only autistic or special needs students in the Bridges program, and is it being singled out?) Besides, a mentor is only a guide; he doesn’t have authority, power, or influence over the student, so it’s not the same as the case between a professor and a student. I can imagine the old crone who came up with that rule. Not only that, their relationship preexisted the distribution and notification of the rule, so there may be an argument for discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, as well. Charlie and David need to bring in an aggressive attorney from Manhattan to make a huge stink. I’d like to know what the university would argue to be the rational basis for that rule. Protecting “poor, impressionable autistic kids” from vulnerable situations? Yeah, stinks of discrimination. If they’re in the university, they’re already highly functioning so that argument goes down in flames. OK, I’ll calm down. 😡 I love the relationship Noah and Billy have, and it must be allowed to flourish and grow without interference or roadblocks from arbitrary old bureaucratic prudes. I guess maybe I haven’t calmed down yet. Great chapter! Grrrrrrr.

I loved this chapter.

Oh wow! Feeling a bit emotional. Beautiful chapter. I love that Billy sees Noah as a complete and very special guy. Devin is a fool, for which I’m extremely glad. Noah’s reaction to the size of Billy’s willy was comical. Something tells me that David and Charlie are singularly well-equipped to give Noah appropriate guidance. 😏 Might be less awkward with David. Noah and Billy are wise to be careful and get to know one another first, but sometimes the heart wants what it wants. The waiting will make it sweeter. I’m loving this!

Yay, another great chapter! I’m not known as a constant smiler - especially this week - but this chapter kept a smile on my face the entire time - it was so sweetly funny. My husband even wanted to know what I was reading that had me so amused. I love that Noah has matured enough to not only emotionally support and mentor Carlos, but that he’s learned the difference between playing around with a friend and making love. I was upset when you sent Sky away to Valencia, but if Billy could become Noah’s new love interest (I hope, I hope), he’s a lucky boy. For a romantic musical geek like me, a talented long-haired singer doesn’t get much better (except for a sexy, long-haired pianist). I hope I’m not getting ahead of myself because I’m already on board the Billy train. I realize I could find myself derailed 😢 as you do tend to pull surprises. An opera singer would be an interesting choice and a potential challenge for Noah. I used to work with professional opera singers as their accompanist and, while I loved and understood them, they’re a different breed. Noah’s easy, loving personality is a good counterpoint for an opera singer. It also occurred to me that if Billy becomes more to Noah, he will be someone who reminds him of a combination of Charlie and David, which is not unusual. It’s a surprise, but a nice one, that Billy happens to be a typical. That he seems to appreciate Noah for who he is makes it even sweeter. I’m SO happy you’re continuing the full story. It’s a gem that has me hooked.