Geron Kees

I read somewhere once about 'the roar of the city'. There's some truth to that statement, if you happen to be standing on a sidewalk by one of the busier streets. New York is a busy place, congested with cars, and even more so with people. At street level it can be a little overwhelming, even. But twelve floors up there is more in the way of peace. The Boltfort was an air-conditioned building, now. But when it had first been built that luxury was still new, and it was some years until the plac

Thank you for that very kind comment. I actually grew up in a bilingual household, speaking English and Dutch. Believe me, when I first came here, I had my problems with American English!

Well, thank you for all that, definitely! I come from a family where fathers and sons like each other and look out for each other. It's easy for me to present that. My mom, and my grandmothers, are just the same. But in a divorce, someone has to be odd man (or woman) out! I hope you do have the fun you're expecting. I'd like to think I did my part in all this! 🙂

Well, you and I, both, are in the minority. I prefer to write a story all as one file. I also prefer a novel over a short story. But that's just me. I also need to consider what readers want. Enough have mentioned the length of some of my stuff, and that there's no place to take a rest, that I now want to at least make it easier for them to read my stories. Think of it as if I was selling flypaper. If I also told my customers they had to catch all the flies by hand and stick them to the paper themselves, would I really sell any? 🙂 I always enjoy having you along for the ride, no matter the length!

That's what I meant by 'whole' family. Not necessarily a mother and a father, but a stable family not rent asunder by divorce or conflict. I agree that it doesn't much matter who makes up the family, as long as it's a loving one.

Really? I think that's a compliment! I knew a few guys in my teens whose parents split, but it was not common where I lived, even in the 80s. The world and society have changed radically since then, though. I agree that descriptions of family members that imply second marriages or unmarried couples is on the rise still. Kids have always seemed to do much better in a whole-family environment, but even that is changing as what constitutes 'normalcy' in family design changes. It does seem that if children are born into a happy family of almost any design, and allowed to grow without the attachment of a nasty social stigma, they turn out as well-adjusted as any kids. Kids need love, acceptance, respect, and support in the dreams they may have. Who offers those particular things seems less important than that they ARE offered by someone.

Thank you, as always, for your enthusiasm! 😊

That other site has long seemed to favor my stuff as one story. This one doesn't, so much. But I may review that policy all around, and try to accommodate people by offering stories in smaller chunks. Yep, I broke this version at the same pauses the were there in the original long version. Brian? He's around.😉

Thank you! 🙂

My parents are still together after 55 years of marriage, so I have to go by the experiences of people I have known that faced this challenge. It wasn't that hard to find someone who had sailed in that boat, and I have memories of friends and their difficulties with the experience. I love the old buildings in New York, and especially those with art deco leanings. Today's buildings are mostly functional, and while some are also nice to look at, they are lacking in a certain indefinable something, not the least component of which is charm. Forest Fruit Bash has as many recipes as followers. My own granddad made his with raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, blackcurrant, and blackberries. But there are a lot of great recipes out there.

I always enjoy a visit from you, Gary. And to visit with you in your own stories. I can do both! 😀

I'd tell you, but that would spoil the next nine chapters. Thanks!

I think I cussed about as much as any teenager when I was that age. It wore off as I got older because the crowd I hung out with changed. I still use the most popular few, but only when I feel it's really appropriate. And I was raised to think it was inappropriate around women, older folks, small children, and impressionable dogs and cats. Upbringing is a bitch to get past! 🤓 Haha. First? That's mostly a matter of being in the right place at the right time. I seldom manage that here, myself!

Thanks for the look into your day, and your thinking. It's great to be able to share both, isn't it? I can imagine going through this in an unconnected, Internet-less world. Ain't pretty.

"It's just for a couple of weeks, David. Until your mom and I sort some things out." I looked down at the suitcase I carried, and nodded for the tenth time. That this was even harder on dad than it was on me seemed plain. That didn't keep me from feeling sorry for myself, nor wishing that things could be different. "I thought you liked staying with your granddad," he went on, his own nerves showing now in the slightly ragged edge to his voice. "I know he's looking forward to having you h

David Henderson's parents were splitting up, and David was off to stay for a few weeks with his favorite grandfather in the city while his mom and dad sorted out a few things. David was not happy with this abrupt change in his life, but had decided there was nothing to do but go with it. He loved visiting his grandfather, and figured he would at least spend the two-week visit having some fun. But soon a small mystery cropped up, followed by a meeting with someone new and special. And in almost no time, David's world was to change forever.

Great chapter. A step back from Chase and Hank, and some much-deserved attention on Dawson. I'm so pleased you let things work out with him and Brent (I had some unsettling doubts at their first meeting), and presented a bright future they can both work towards achieving. And, well...Dawson needed to step away from Chase so that Chase can perhaps focus on a few things, and maybe help focus Hank on a few things...a sort of chain reaction needs to take place. Love to see so many supportive dads here. Obviously, Perry never had one, or at least, never met him face-to-face!

Nice to see that you don't play favorites, anyway!

Actually, someone just used that title for a different story. You can't copyright a title. Using it for a new Ivor story would be fine! Besides, anyone under the age of forty probably never heard of Nevil Shute! So while it may be confusing to some older people to re-use that title, but that's no reason not to do it!

Is it polite to ask questions of one author about his stories in another author's comment section? Let me cite Fabershams' Righteous Rules Of Commentary Conduct, page 684, paragraph 214, line 8156, which says, to wit: Er...damn. I lost my place! Damn book mark! I should have known not to use an old Lynard Skynard concert ticket stub! Ahem. Um...well, I guess it's just easier to answer your question at this point: no. The next scheduled CB event is July 4th. I just finished something else, to be posted shortly, and have other stuff I have to catch up on before getting back to Charlie and company. But you're sweet for asking! Sorry, Ivor. If only I hadn't lost that damn bookmark!

A very satisfying conclusion to a very satisfying tale, Ivor. Yes, it had a happy ending, but there are never too many of them! Now, what can you write next to leave us smiling like this?

You're north of where I am. How are the winters there? I kind of like my woods here. It would have to be a hell of a nice place to lure me away!

Only 1.35 mil? Hey, that's not so bad. But for that price, they'd better include fencing!😃

TEN pages of comments? TEN? Holy crap! Great chapter. Having Dawson go was sad, but I hope (and feel) we have not seen the last of him. Hank seems to be miserable, and keeping to himself, and Chase is ignoring the reasons, or seeing them as different than they are. Listen to dad, son! Honestly, Chase and Hank deserve each other! I mean that in a good way, and do hope that the resolution here is a second chance for both of them. An awful lot of very likable people in this one, Gary. Any houses for sale on your street?

Aw. A sad defeat, and the dashing of hopes. But not a totally unhappy ending. Our fellow was simply unhorsed, not pierced, and is not injured badly. He will live to try again another day. And I have a feeling he will!