jkwsquirrel

Everything's so hidden and mysterious... lol. The way I see it, we are years too early for any weddings, both chronologically and historically, but the boys are of an age where they would have been at the front lines of the coming battles that led to the Obergefell decision in 2015. By then B&B would be in their late 20's. After all, Jack did say he saw great potential in Billy, and Billy said that he would fight whoever he had to fight to be able to make Brett his husband someday. My grandest vision for what Billy would become would be someone who would fight for marriage equality.

As much as the story is about the relationship between the boys, I think the heart of WAR is the relationships between fathers and sons. One of the most amazing conversations I ever had was with my dad's best friend many years after my dad died. He told me, "Your dad always wished he understood you better." My dad was a great man, brilliant in the way George is. He could fix anything and was so brilliant, and yet he wanted to learn more about me, understand what I was about and how he could relate to me. Knowing that my dad thought about me as someone worth having a conversation with another dad about made me appreciate him in a deeper way.

Thanks Benji! I'm just remembering Joey being absolutely terrified of his father finding out he'd been in a fight with Billy at school, and the strange scene of Joey crying in the bathroom at the church. While I don't see Jack as being physically abusive, he is certainly intimidating. I can only imagine what terrible things he threatened to do to Joey, having been humiliated by his son's foolish actions. The outdoor sex was my favorite love scene in the story so far. I think the scene at the very end, with Brett sneaking into Billy's bed shows that the truce between Billy and his mom is doomed, but it was cute. I'm sure George enjoyed the chance to be alone with Brett during their first fishing trip. Thanks for the encouragement you've given throughout the story!

Well, a happy turn of events! I have to give my boys some happiness in their lives!

Thanks Shadow dude! I agree. I don't think Brett ever truly believed his mom. You're right about Billy as well. He always expects the worst. Killing George would have just been cruel at this point, but I think we all know what has to happen, as difficult as it is. Billy gaining confidence is so refreshing. It's been a long journey for him, but he finally has some peace. I know a skip ahead to senior year is a bit of a jump, but it's the logical place to wrap things up. The jump isn't that big of a stretch. We're in April of 2003, the jump will take us to December 2004. That's kind of why everything has settled into a stalemate at the moment, so that the big moments will happen in the story to avoid Billy having to talk about it after the fact. Anyway, thank you for the way you have supported me! I've greatly appreciated your thoughts!

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.

Whew! And it's done! The longest chapter yet.

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!