jkwsquirrel

Thanks! After writing WAR it was nice to get out of Billy's head! I enjoyed playing with the formula a little bit, like having Dustin and Nate hook up right off the bat, instead of waiting like Billy and Brett did. Hope you enjoy it!

It was fun to play with a different perspective on Billy. I'm glad you enjoyed it! As for Aiden, he was a bit of a pain in the butt, but he got it together once he got away from Mr. Hartley's manipulation, and Tyler was good for him. I'm glad you liked Tyler! At least someone did! I do enjoy a conflicted character! There was no conflict with Mr. Hartley, though! Everything about him was about manipulation and mind-fuckery, preying on vulnerable boys to get what he wanted. He screwed up Dustin so badly, and Dustin was beginning to show signs of following in his destructive footsteps until he realized Hartley had used him just like everyone else had, even worse because he'd trusted Hartley so much. It'll take a whole other book to put him back together. (So now you have to read Dustin's World! ha ha ha!!!!) I had intended for this to wrap up WAR, but then the Covid came and all work and no play made Jeff write another story! Seriously though, you've got to check out Dustin's World now! It might be my best (and darkest) work!

Yeah, the best Aiden could hope for with Mr. Hartley was a stalemate. All we know from String is that it won't end well for Jeremy, and Danny's dad will have to clean up the mess.

I'm afraid I don't get the reference. Alas!

Curve balls gallore in this one. I thought about writing something vengeful for Aiden to do, but he's just as guilty as Tyler is. They're more embarrassed they got suckered thanmad at each other.

What I found intriguing when writing this is the idea that everyone is the hero of their own story. I thought of Hartley as an Iago or Palpatine type character, always stirring the pot, but staying out of the fray, being the Chessmaster. But the idea that Dustin and Aiden are willing to do terrible things, but think they're doing what's right because of that manipulation... that really intrigued me.

I don't think Aiden cared all that much what Brett said about Billy at this point. His mind, manipulated by Mr. Hartley, is made up.

It was fun to play with the diner scene from the other side!

What we're seeing here is the undoing of all the work Dustin had put into recovery. Old habits die hard.

Mr. Hartley knows what he's doing, choosing two of the most vulnerable boys to manipulate.

Brett's a pretty good guy. This is kind of the first look at his perspective on his relationship with Billy. I'd go with Tyden over Aidler. Aidler sounds too much like Adolf Hitler! lol

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!

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!