jkwsquirrel

He's the hero of another story!

I think you'll like it! Enjoy!

Thanks Noah! I can't tell you how much I enjoyed your comments. It's been fun reliving the story along with you. I enjoyed your take on the characters. When I wrote it at the time, I really did think I was done. But I have managed to milk a few more stories out of it! It was nice to come back around to the park again to finish it where it started. In the first chapter, Billy was reminiscing about aging out of the kids' areas. Now he's aged out of the baseball fields, and in a way, out of the whole town. You're right about Dustin, as he did drift away from Billy as the story went on. Guess where you'll find out what's going on with him? That's right! Dustin's World and Aiden's War! (Shameless plug, I know.) Anyway, I'm glad you've enjoyed the story!

For me, it's the comments because they provide the best opportunity for engagement with my readers. "I liked this because..." or "I hate you because you hurt Dustin..." My personal favorite was "I don't usually like this type of story but I couldn't stop reading..." That kind of personal connection is why I choose this site. I'd trade a hundred views for a good comment, and I do my best to reply.

And now you know why the coin collection was so important!

Yes indeed, great moment for Paula as she has come to realize what's really important in her life isn't her standing in the community, but the love of her son - Opposite of where Dr. Reilly's head is. And how about Brett? Younger Brett would have had a complete meltdown over being slapped in front of everyone like that. "Brat Reilly" is no more!

Yes indeed, corny but accurate! I draw a lot of inspiration from music when I write. Sometimes song lyrics or titles become chapter titles ("Going Down Swinging," "Hero of the Day," "The Kids Aren't Alright"). I get sucked into a good song in a similar way as you describe relating to the story.

Incomplete... just like Billy without him.

I was hoping that Billy's autism would be understood just as you described your reaction, he's a perfectly "normal" boy whose brain works differently, and that's how I view autism. Socially awkward and physically awkward, the brain working slightly faster than the body, the mouth saying things immediately regrettable, the ability to see patterns where others don't, and that stubborn unwillingness to change, yet still longing to be like everybody else. "How do I fit in?" seems to be every teenager's deepest desire. As for Paula, you're right. How often has Brett said Billy is just like his mother?

Billy still has some growing up to do, for sure.

Good old Bishop makes his first appearance! (to get the reference you have to read Aiden's War. Mwah hahahahahahahaaa!)

Billy is his own worst enemy sometimes.

Not Billy's proudest moment, is it?

Brett's quest to discover his father never really ended. But perhaps his motivation for finding him changed?

He should know better, but it's Billy. lol!

"Everyone is the hero of their own story." Check out Aiden's War for a perspective on this!

"Sometimes I wondered if my parents loved Brett more than me." Through it all, she still loves her 'other son.' Seeing him in such bad shape was just a reminder of how much she cares for him. As for David, I think he was trying to figure out his place in this new family he's become a part of. He's not trying to replace George, but he still feels a responsibility to take care of Billy. (The necklace is still there in String! It's the same one he touches during the band practice that helps to calm him down. )

I love your perspective on this chapter. This is the origin story of the scar and the knee brace that are still a part of Brett's life years later. This was kind of the peak of the three boys' friendship.

Yep, this is the famous Alliance from String.

Good bye to Brett's beard version 1.0 (2004-2005). Having Dustin chop Billy's hair and Billy shave Brett's beard shows how much they all need each other to remind them who they are. We'll see about the coin collection. As for Brett's piano playing - yes, he's very good (when he's interested in something). This is where his future career begins to take shape.

That church would definitely not be the place where one would feel comfortable confessing anything but how perfect one's life is. They have all the power and yet they feel persecuted for the slightest inconvenience. (Hey, I was ahead of my time here!)

I think many of us go through a phase where we just want to change the reflection in the mirror every once in a while. As for Dustin, I don't think he knows what he wants right now, and he never had a good example to show him how to deal with his feelings. (Aiden's War and Dustin's World deal with a lot of this internal struggle for him.)

He definitely matured into a fine young man.

The generational thing was definitely at play here (and plays out even more in String). And yet the generations are not so different. Both Paula and Billy want desperately to be accepted by their peers. They both see Billy's sexuality as something that needs to be hidden rather than embraced. Once they stop worrying about what others think of them, they'll have a much better relationship.

Billy's more perceptive than he realizes sometimes. What was on display here was as far from Christ as one could get, an insult to him. He would be spinning in his grave if he were still in it.