jkwsquirrel

We knew there were good reasons why Jake's parents got divorced. When two battleships get along side each other and blast away there's going to be a lot of damage. Even though he doesn't realize it, Jake absorbs it all. Sometimes it comes out in the way he talks to his parents. The sexting scene... Yeah, Jake's not going to turn down anything Danny offers. If Danny jumped off a bridge at this point Jake would be right there beside him. Jake's solo was definitely meant to be Ringo's singing part in Yellow Submarine, played on the trombone. Jake seems to have developed an appreciation for the Beatles, even if his "grandparents" used to like them. It's not just his parents he's absorbing from.

Yeah, Bob's kind of a bum in this chapter. lol

Before I get to the comments, I just want to say thanks for all the kind thoughts and comments on the story. It's really lifted my spirit this week, as I was beginning to lose hope after being stuck inside for weeks now. Writing has always been an outlet for me to process things, and this has been a great chance to do something fun with our time. So, since it's Easter, I did throw a few Easter Eggs in this one! Of course the biggest one is the blond guy, but there are a couple others, but there's also the play on the title. There's one in the introduction at the beginning of the chapter, too. I wanted this chapter to be a contrast of father figures, particularly Jake's dad and Mr. Reilly. Mr. Reilly has provided the structure, discipline, and stability that Jake is desperate for. Mr. Reilly said the words Jake has longed to hear from his father when they hugged. "I'm proud of you, Jake." The only time Bob touched Jake in this chapter was to grab him by the shirt to yell at him for being ungrateful for the effort Bob had put in to that day. And of course, Mr. Reilly and Billy... er, his husband... walk off hand in hand and Jake wants to be part of that family, while the closest Jake's parents get to each other is to toss Jake back and forth to each other. And who knows what's going through Danny's head? I think the key to what he's thinking with the sexting is in his line, "I didn't say it, I texted it." It's not real to him, but what does Jake think of it all?

“Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the Mon Valley High School Marching Band under the direction of Mr. Brett Reilly. Field commander Miss Lydia Crowse. Auxiliary assistant Mrs. Sarah Thompson….” Every name mentioned in our announcer’s introduction received a cheer from the much larger than expected crowd. I couldn’t believe so many people had shown up for our “dress rehearsal!” To my surprise, much of the audience were the members of the football team. Whether they’d been forced to come or

Yep. This was more of Danny trying to find himself and being uncomfortable with where his exploration had led him, so he retreats to the "safe" relationship with a girl. Jake pleaded with him to let him come over that weekend, but Danny was too busy to realize his friend needed him, or he realized it but was too afraid to act. Don't know if Danny realizes he's being a user, but he is definitely being self centered. We'll see about that ending. I have some ideas, but we'll see where the story takes us!

I get the feeling you think that's what Mr. Taylor's conversation with his father was about in chapter two. I was thinking that conversation was about hiring Mr. Reilly. After all, young "Mr. Reilly" didn't just embarrass old man Taylor, he almost brought down the whole school administration and had them all ready to destroy each other. Old farts like Old Man Taylor aren't likely to forget a smart assed punk kid calling them a dumbass telling them they're "full of sh*t."

You nailed it! The bookends of this chapter reveal a lot about the boys' relationship. Jake has loosened up enough to be playful with Danny, in a situation that he found very awkward in the first chapter. Danny's definitely trying to figure out who he is and where his boundaries are, but Jake isn't just a passenger on the ride and his feelings aren't going to be ignored.

We'll explore this in the chapters ahead. Jake needs somebody in his life to look up to. 😆 When you write from the perspective of a teenager, I guess that's how it goes!

Yep. It's not going unnoticed either.

Couple things I've enjoyed about Mr. Reilly. One, is Danny's growing disdain for him. Being called out during marching practice, being moved to last chair, being forced to run laps... And the fact that Mr. Reilly picked his best friend to be the golden child. Jealous much? Haven't we all had a teacher who just irritated us no matter what they did? Two, the growing relationship between Jake and Mr. Reilly has been fun to watch develop. The moment that hurt Jake the most was when Mr. Reilly said he was disappointed in him. (The only time Mr. Reilly ever called him Jake.) I think Brett channeled George Roberts for a moment there. Jake's own father tends to indulge him. Mr. Reilly challenges and pushes Jake.

I tend to think that our sexuality is more fluid than fixed, and at different times in our lives, especially in our teens, our hormones present us with all kinds of options to express our sexuality. We might lean more one way than another, but all options are on the table. Just my opinion. As for Brett, err... Mr. Reilly... He was definitely the right person to catch the boys' texting each other. Making them suffer together to learn their lesson? Classic Brett Reilly.

Thanks! Just one of the many things I love bout writing in this age range, so many emotions, so little time.

Don't be too hard on Danny! He's trying to figure out who he is just like Jake. And even when Jake lashes out at him, he still comes back. He's pretty loyal, at least!

Thanks! I love the back and forth between these guys. So much tension that could snap at any time!

I'm starting to "get" Danny. He so afraid of his perfectly normal feelings. Even straight boys can find themselves attracted to their male friends. Hormones are goofy at that age. He said he likes playing with fire in chapter one. He finds Jake attractive, and he's wrestling with what to do with those feelings, and every time he goes too far he finds himself a girlfriend.

We had a week off after band camp. Danny and I texted a little bit, but neither one of us called the other or suggested getting together. Usually, one of us would be suggesting that we get together at one of our houses. I just spent a lot of time practicing my trombone, memorizing my music. No matter what I was doing, my thoughts always returned to that moment I’d said “go for it.” Did I regret it? Not really. It felt good at the time. But there was definitely something different between Danny a

Thanks! Let's see where it takes us!

I think it might!

This means a lot to me. Everything starts with the characters for me, and then we put them in whatever situation and see what happens. Jake clicked for me when I got into his parents' divorce. He's afraid of being abandoned. Once that clicked everything else followed. To be honest, I haven't quite "clicked" with Danny yet. I'm not sure what he wants. I don't think he knows either. As for the scene, I appreciate the complements!

Mr. Reilly has a tough job. These kids have been barely going through the motions of being a band for years. They have to learn how to be a band, and unlearn what they've already learned. That's why he was so keen on picking Jake as his first captain. He only had one year of stink on him.

Definitely a possibility. He was vice president of the old Alliance, after all! If he did, I don't think he thought it would go as far as it did. The laws are in place for a good reason. The primary custodial parent should know where their child is going to be and with whom. But it can be abused as well. Jake's almost fifteen. He's not exactly a child anymore.

It'd be a very distant sequel. I want anybody to be able to enjoy this story, even if they never read WAR. Not sure how much of Mr. Reilly we'll even see after this. It is nice to see that he became a competent and fully functional adult though.

My high school band was like this. Lots of blisters because I never had a good pair of sneakers.

Well, Jake's already seen Billy in picture form. And how often do students meet their teachers' spouses? Still, maybe we'll spot a blond guy in the crowd at a football game?

Why am I not surprised you made your best friend cry? lol And it's "Mr. Reilly" now.