jkwsquirrel

Love can turn into hate so easily.

I love my bowling alley, but it does take a lot of money and work to keep them open.

I don't think there was an "if" about it. She knew she was wrong, but she doesn't feel sorry for what she said at all, only that Jake heard her.

Perhaps!

My streak of creating terrible parent characters continues!

At least no one threw up this time.

I awoke the next morning barely able to move. The combination of sunburn and spending all day on the boat had drained every bit of energy from my body. I hoped I would feel better in time for the first day of school the next day. I swung my feet out of bed and pulled myself upright. I tugged on a pair of sweatpants and went to the bathroom. Then I found Dad lying on the couch with a bag of ice on his head. “Buddy,” Dad said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Let’s just stay quiet for a

Glad to do it! It's been fun. Perhaps... He's living his happy ever after with Nate! Dustin was more of a sex addict than anything else. He has a strong dislike for drug abusers. Don't think he'd want to get himself wrapped up in that, and Nate kicked the habit long ago.

I think you're thinking on Amanda, Dustin's sister. Different person, I assure you.

Yes, I'm sure the story happened exactly as John Lennon told it. lol!

There's always more than one side to the story, that's for sure!

Oh yes, Bob's definitely in the running for Father of the Year! Not his finest hour by any means. It might be that he doesn't understand Jake. Jake would have been more excited by tickets to a jazz festival or something like that. He would have rather his dad be at the dress rehearsal and spend the day together in his dad's apartment than go on a trip anywhere.

You're very kind! I love you too!

It's the music Jake's grandparents liked! lol This kid was born ten days before 9/11. He doesn't even know what 9/11 was, while Brett was obsessed for months about it. Has there been a scene in this story where Jake's hand hasn't been attached to his cell phone? He was going through withdrawal running those laps for Mr. Reilly. New generation, my friend!

"He's more alcohol now than man... Twisted and evil..." Not really, but Bob's definitely taken to drowning his sorrows. Not to Frank Smith levels, but definitely not a healthy outlet. Jake gave us a lot of information about his dad's bad choices in this chapter in his accusations. I picture Amber as less than ten years older than Jake, hence Jake's mentioning his dad "banging some chick from my class." Apparently, another of Bob's coping mechanisms has been seeking out sexual comfort from any girl who gives him the time of day. It's toxic, sure. And Jake is absorbing it all.

Not only does he realize their flaws, he's actively looking for replacements. Even the scene at the very beginning when he sees Danny's parents in the hot tub, it's not just a turn on for him. It's evidence of a couple in a healthy relationship that Jake hasn't experienced in years. He doesn't know how to handle the emotional, so he focuses on the physical aspects of the scene. He's especially growing attached to Mr. Reilly. Danny chafes at Mr. Reilly's disciplinary tactics, Jake absorbs it all like a sponge.

You've never had a thrown-together-at-the-last-minute oh-that's-right-it's-your-birthday party before? They're the best! You can just feel the love and neglect all mixed together in one big pile of Meh. I wouldn't say Bob doesn't love Jake. He's just... Well... Oh come on! Who hasn't passed out at their kid's thrown-together-at-the-last-minute birthday party before? Huh? 😭

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, the entire football team was sitting together in the front bleachers. Whether they’d been force

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!