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!

Fascinating discussion as always! I'll get to the comments on the chapter some time soon, but there are a few things I'd like to talk about. Joey - He remains a fascinating case for me. I hope I gave enough clues for his drug use in earlier chapters that it was no shock here. A surprise that it has taken over his life, sure. It is his coping mechanism for the incredible amount of pressure he's been under his whole life. You might remember the bag of pot Joey had when he invited Billy over to his house. In fact, Joey may have been the one who put the idea in Brett's head that pot might help his ADHD. Joey's actions in previous chapters certainly crossed the line, and Billy isn't quite ready to forgive him yet. But Billy has become mature enough to have a civil conversation even with somebody who he has issues with. That was what I was trying to accomplish with their conversation. Before, Billy would have ripped Joey apart in the hallway before they made it to the cafeteria. Billy didn't forgive him, but he did come to understand Joey a little better because he was willing to put aside his anger. Billy - Sure, Billy could have told the truth - in fact, I would argue that this was his best chance and he blew it. Billy has never, ever, handled pressure well. He either blows up or retreats. Jack and Jenny know this, and used Billy's weakness to suck him further into their web of lies. And Jack made it look like Billy knew about Jack's announcement before they came into the room. But now Billy looks just as sleazy as Jack and Jenny. He could have said no. Instead, he took the bribe. He's sinking into the swamp and becoming the very thing he's been fighting against. This isn't the first time Billy has had information and been too much of a coward to reveal it. Poor Dustin almost got killed because of Billy's cowardice. Does Brett know Jack's his father? Does Joey know? It certainly seems that way. The question is, does Brett know that Billy knows? His reaction to Jack's announcement didn't sound very enthusiastic. Billy walks in, Brett looks hopeful. Billy craps himself instead of revealing the truth. Jack makes his announcement. Brett is like, "Oh, well that's nice." One character we've never actually met is Joey's mom. Joey never talks about her, only how his father is a jerk to him. If Joey does know the secret, is she the reason he's not telling, or is it the fear of his father that keeps him quiet? Jack is basically an older Brett without the redeeming qualities. They share their perfectionist streak. Brett tends to judge himself by impossible standards, flipping out at bowling, quitting piano over a couple of missed notes in a five minute song he was playing by memory, but he is very forgiving of other people's faults. Jack's perfectionism is directed outward, especially toward the son who is not like him. Just some thoughts.

Latest chapter, Liars' Club, is hot off the presses and online! An unexpected glimpse into one character's motivations, and is Billy turning to the dark side? We'll find out!

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.

I almost forgot to tease you with an out-of-context quote from the next chapter, "Liars' Club!" “Billy, I think something’s wrong…” Brett said. Why must I be so cruel to you?

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.