jkwsquirrel

Thanks Spikey! I've appreciated your thoughts very much throughout the story. You've helped my writing a lot. Things did take an unexpected turn. I think as Billy begins to conquer his fear and accepts himself he's seeing that much of his fears were unfounded. I'm glad the cabin scene resonated with you. I experienced a similar situation with my own father. You surpass the old man physically, but God he's still the most intimidating man in your life. And then one day he's gone, but his shadow is still there.

Even I'm not that cruel! This is the happy ending jumping point for folks who want to hop off the ol' WAR train. Don't worry, I'll dig up plenty of drama for Commencement. Billy has to conquer his fears, Brett has to find his father, Dustin has to put his life back together. It'll be an adventure. Billy's hero's journey will take him to some unexpected places. Thank you for your wonderful support! I've enjoyed your thoughts throughout the story!

Thank you, glennish! Bland... Like a room painted the color of an eggshell... lol! I think you may be right about Jack. He's no dummy. Neither is his son. As for the next book, we're looking at senior year. Thanks for your support, my friend!

Thanks dude! I can't make that promise though.

Around November or so. When I have a firm date I'll post it in the forum! Thanks for reading!

It was still dark in the room when Brett grabbed me and woke me up as he mumbled incoherently in his sleep. He had told me that his medication had been causing him to have nightmares, but this was the first time that he’d woken me up in the middle of the night. I moved further away from him, hoping that he’d drift into deeper sleep but then suddenly he called out. “No… Don’t… Dustin… Don’t do it! I’m sorry! I’m sorry… I’m…” “Dude are you okay?” I asked.

It's hard to believe I've only been a member here since June of last year. Seems like a lot longer, and I believe it's because everybody's been so nice and helpful. It's truly an honor to be able to contribute in some small way to the continued success of the site. The well of great writing is very deep, and there's a little something for everyone. I'm a "Comicality Guy," having lurked in the shadows and enjoyed his style of writing for eons. To have the privilege of sharing a little digital space with one of my inspirations is amazing. I guess it's the great fear of the writer to pour your heart, soul, time, and effort into a story and have someone come along and say, "that sucked." It's like someone telling you your kid is ugly. No one does that here. It's very encouraging. It makes you want to be better at what you do. So thanks for letting me tag along and helping me grow, and for the community that has supported so many for so long.

Indeed!

Thank would have been quite the bomb, but at this point Billy wasn't thinking about anything but saving his own ass. Even if Jack found out about the incident, he would just turn it around to use against Billy. I think Jack is a bit desperate himself. A respected member of the community doesn't usually make a habit of threatening teenagers. He waited until he was alone with Billy to strike. He can't really do all of the things he said he would do to Billy. Jack doesn't want his secret out anymore than Billy does.

Yep! You've got it!

While I couldn't say it explicitly, since Billy would not have been a witness to the conversation, I think it's implied that there was a conversation between Jen and Jack. What that conversation looked like is open to interpretation. But Jack knew exactly how to go after Billy.

Thanks dude! Totally agree!

Jen does seem more afraid of Jack than anything else. He's quite the manipulator.

Thanks Benji! Your analysis is spot on, my friend!

Glad I can help! lol

Billy's never had an adult threaten him the way Jack did before. It really scared him. Who knows what he was planning to do with the dirt he dug up? He never got a chance to even think about how he would use it before he got scared off. "Billy the Coward" wasn't going to suddenly grow a spine when all of the odds were against him at this point in his life. I'm going somewhere with it though! Basically, Paula got all of the anger and rage that was pent up in Billy after the Jack incident.

Uh... You're welcome!

Thanks glennish! I think Billy was too scared to be his usual smart ass self at that point, though the thought did cross my mind too.

Thanks DQ! "unexpectedly vicious and vindictive..." I've known a few folks like that!

We'll have to be careful around you! lol I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter!

Now there's an angle I hadn't thought of! lol

David, who Billy lovingly refers to as the "vanilla douche" is the man who Billy thinks is having an affair with his mom. He appeared briefly chapter three, asking Paula to come to a dinner being held for Pastor Carl, without George. Billy took and instant disliking to him when David called him "Willy." I've left it ambiguous whether or not they really are having an affair.

For some reason, my mom didn’t want me to go to church with her on Sunday. It couldn’t be because I’d humiliated Joey the last time I’d gone, was it? Anyway, the simple fact that she didn’t want me to go encouraged me all the more to go, of course. I even went to Sunday school for once and had a good time. Hell, I was even respectful and asked thoughtful questions of the teacher. It was kind of nice. I felt invincible. I was on top of the world. I had a smirk on my face that I j

Thanks dude! I appreciate the love!

I really enjoyed the conversation about Billy, Joey, and Brett! There are a lot of ways the future could go, but I think it will be very clear after Fallout how it will play out. Yes, Brett was a late arrival, but it's been about eight years since he moved to the outskirts of nowhere. Joey was very much Billy's friend when they were little. Don't let his revised view of things distract you. Joey grew more distant as they got older, as he began trying to fit in with a cooler crowd. He would do anything to fit in. It became his quest to lose his virginity, not because he wanted love but because he wanted the badge. B&B had sex because it was the next step in their relationship. Joey couldn't care less about a relationship. Why buy the cow if the milk is free? Joey's grown on me as a character in Retaliation. He reminds me of a little kid who puts on his dad's clothes and tries to be like him, but looks ridiculous because everything is huge on him. He can't be what people expect him to be, so he rebelled. But then he got in too deep. Then Billy nuked him. If this were Joey's story, Billy would be the villain.