jkwsquirrel

I agree. Joey is every bad thing that everyone has said about him. His life, while tough, isn't nearly as horrible as Dustin's. Yes, his father is a manipulative, pompous, and emotionally abusive scum bag, but he's not exactly Frank Smith. Joey gets a lecture for making his father look bad. Dustin gets beaten if he swings at a bad pitch. And yet, Dustin worked his behind off to get better while Joey retreated to substance abuse and taking out his frustrations on others. But at least know we know why he's such a dick. The drugs are a symptom of a bigger issue.

Billy has never been good in pressure situations. Jen and Jack knew exactly how to play Billy: Complement him on how smart he is, call his bluff, and force him to make a life-changing decision very quickly under pressure. These aren't kids Billy is dealing with. They're pros, and they've had much more practice than Billy in manipulation. Billy can talk a good game, but he's always been easily manipulated. I disagree - I think this was the best opportunity he was going to get. Now that window has closed. I wouldn't go that far. Billy didn't accept Joey's apology. He only ate lunch with him because he sees Joey's resemblance to Brett. Maybe he's hoping that Joey will come to resemble his brother in his attitude and heart as well. Life hasn't punished Joey for his sins quite yet.

What's the story description for this book? "Billy must conquer his fears or risk losing everyone he loves" or something like that? Yes he does. He's sinking further into the mud with them. How will he escape? I killed off the one good parent in the story. That's what I was going for here. I think you're in the same boat as Billy. I wanted to call it The Empire Strikes Back but that title was already taken! That's certainly the case in WAR land!

It's hard to register differences of opinion on the internet and gauge the feelings of the sender and recipient. It was a good conversation. I appreciated it because it helped me to see that I couldn't just let Billy forgive Joey easily for everything he did. Billy doesn't move very much in regards to Joey in this chapter, he just proves that he's able to have an adult conversation with his enemy without acting like a jerk, and he's able to do that because he sees some resemblance of Brett in Joey.

Wouldn't it have been nice to know what Joey and Brett were talking about before Billy walked back into that room? Might have been interesting.

Yes he is!

Fear has always been Billy's weakness. He had the golden opportunity to tell Brett everything, and he blew it. I think he'll regret it.

I think Billy is still a bit naïve when he deals with adults he's respected in the past. Jack and Jen are using their knowledge of Billy to manipulate him. Desperate people do desperate things.

It does seem that way, but what keeps him from telling the truth himself? Fear of his father? Love for his mother? A little of both?

Thanks DQ! This was Billy's best chance to tell the truth. Instead, he crapped himself. He may regret it later.

I've been calling you Wesley all this time! Why didn't someone tell me?!? lol Thanks for the comment! Going to be exciting to see where we end up!

I agree!

It was about noon when Brett opened his eyes again. “Billy?” he called. “Yeah, I’m here,” I said. I cast aside the newspaper I’d bought at the gift shop while Brett was asleep and knelt at his side. “Billy, I think something’s wrong…” “Are you sick or something? Do you feel okay?” I asked urgently. “No… I… I think I broke my leg…” Brett said with a sly smile. “Smart ass,” I laughed.

Think about 2,500 miles east, to the University of Pittsburgh! Oakland is the name of one of Pittsburgh's neighborhoods.

In gorgeous Monroeville! I've been in that hospital. Visiting, not for myself.

Yep. Here's a birthday refresher since it is a long story: Billy - December 19, 1986, Brett - March 15, 1987, Dustin - April 1, 1987. One I never revealed: Joey - March 27, 1987 (That's right, Joey was the make-up baby.) I keep a master list of dates on my computer to keep everything straight in my head. Every event in the story is tied to a real date. (Dustin's suicide attempt? Saturday April 5, 2003. Billy and Brett's first time? June 8, 2002. And so forth...)

That sounds like too much work. I'll just invest in some of that luggage with wheels. lol

Interesting. Eventually all of us will have nothing because we all have something about us that someone else doesn't like.

I believe we fall under the category of 'it's not my sin, therefore it's the worst.' Most people aren't gay, so it's easier to think worse of us because it's not a 'sin' they have to worry about. Obviously we should just try not being gay. Jesus addressed this with murder. Most people aren't murderers, so they feel superior to those who are. "I've never murdered anyone, therefore I'm a good person." Jesus turned that around and said, "if you even hate your brother you're as bad as a murderer." So feeling morally superior because your sin isn't 'as bad' as someone else is out, because Jesus himself tells you to get over yourself. At least that's how I interpret it. And where can I get one of these rent-boys to carry my luggage?

Billy does have his blond moments!

We'll find out!

He has a couple of weeks before then. Brett's accident would have been on February 26, 2005. His birthday isn't for two more weeks and a couple days on Tuesday the 15th of March. So he'll at least be home. He'll be in a cast and stuck in bed, but home.

Thanks Dahawk! Our little Billy is growing up! David was able to give a perspective that George couldn't have. I hope you haven't had to have too much experience with Presbyterian hospital, or as it's known today, UPMC Presbyterian in beautiful Oakland.

"Little surprises around every corner but nothing dangerous!"

Well it is called War, after all!