jkwsquirrel

Easter Sunday came and went with all its Easter activities. Easter, like most holidays, kind of loses its appeal when you’re a teenager. Sure, you get a day off of school, but when your parents stop giving out baskets of chocolates, you kind of lose interest. I couldn’t concentrate on anything but Brett. I had to talk with him as soon as possible! I had to figure out with him just what our relationship was going to be. He was the only one I could talk to about it, and he was three hundred

Thanks Rob! Other people often see us better than we can see ourselves, especially in our formative years. We don't see the potential, the beauty, the heritage that we possess within ourselves. Sometimes we only see the negative, the things about ourselves that no one else sees, and we need those voices in our lives telling us there is more to us than the negative thoughts and feelings, that we're worth loving. Billy is going through that process. He feels ugly, even though he's quite handsome. He feels awkward, even though he is quite charming. He even feels stupid even though he is quite intelligent. If he is willing to listen to the ones who see the good in him, there's no telling what great things he could do. But if he chooses the dark path, he could do a lot of damage to himself and others. A war indeed.

Thanks Arran! I'm overwhelmed by the wonderful response to the story, and to this chapter! I'm very glad that people are enjoying what I'm writing. George is a good guy. Remember that when things look bleak.

Billy is listening, he's just too stubborn and teenaged to admit it. Behind the "tough guy" mask he likes to wear there really is the sweet kid that others know is there. As for Brett, I simply don't know what you're talking about! Brett - drugs? Preposterous! Hey, look over there! (Jeff quietly escapes while you look away.)

The Friendly Tavern is still there! Not sure about the fate of the Rib Shack. SWPA is a great story setting. So many nooks and crannies and interesting hidden places, and the culture is about 30 years behind the times even today. Most of Billy's self-loathing and fear is generated from growing up in such an environment.

Hee hee! "hard on." Sorry, had a Brett moment there. I don't think people are being too hard on him. He is a dick sometimes, but he means well. They are growing up, but it's a painful process. Almost like a war... Hey wait a minute!

Billy's chip is boulder sized! He'll grow up eventually. I know it can be frustrating to watch him do such childish things, but it'll be worth it and help him to grow into a man.

I like to say Billy lives in a glass closet.

It was the Saturday before Easter. Things were going great during my vacation from school. Just not having to go to that hellhole was enough to make me happy. I’d been taking good care of Brett’s animals. On Good Friday, I’d spent the afternoon in Brett’s abandoned house carefully looking at some of his stuff. Nothing major. It wasn’t like I was rifling through his drawers or anything. I was just observing the various things that he left around his room. I just wanted to get a real feel

Thanks Lisa! I'd like to say that things will get better for Dustin, but... Is he the Broken Boy? Could be! Or is it Billy? Will his temper be his undoing? Lots to think about! Thanks for your wonderful review and your support!

This chapter was a turning point of sorts for Dustin. Billy can't save him. Billy's just a kid and when he had the chance to defend Dustin he blew it and Dustin got slapped. Dustin just wants someone to love him and save him from his misery. He tried to get it from Billy, and Billy slammed that door in his face. Where will he turn next? Can he ever trust anyone with his heart, or will he have to sink deeper behind the mask?

Billy having trouble acknowledging his sexuality is his standard operating procedure!

We'll see. He's certainly intrigued.

He's definitely a nasty individual. Can you imagine the abusive language Dustin must hear on a daily basis when there aren't witnesses in the house?

Families are weird, and way too complex. Some people just shouldn't have children.

I don't know what you're talking about. Brett, a stoner? No way!

I knew about the wax but never needed it. My feelings were kind of in the middle of yours and Billy's. I knew they'd be good for me in the long run, but I didn't like having them either.

Brett Reilly: Threat to All Humanity. I think he'd like that!

Time will tell!

That's teenagers for you. One minute: "I hate you so much and hope you die! Next minute: "Why are you mad at me? Was it something I said?"

Ever meet someone who is so smart they're almost stupid? That's Jen Reilly. Brett doesn't have a mom, he has a roommate.

YES!!! I'm so happy someone caught that Brett read the analog clock backwards! Sometimes you put something in the story and wonder if anyone picks up on it. Brett does himself no favors at school with his "Fuck'em all" attitude, but his teachers aren't really all that helpful either. He the kind of kid that is cast aside early on as a hopeless cause, and then the self-fulfilling prophecy follows him through his life. He's built up that attitude because he is very perceptive, and he know his teachers don't think he's going to amount to much, so he doesn't think much of them either.

Dr. Reilly's no angel either! You're right though. I am very proud that all of my characters are flawed. Perfect characters are boring! I try very hard to make sure that if a character has something go wrong in their life, it's most likely because of something they did to themselves!

The plumber's toilet is always the last to be unclogged. Dr. Reilly is one of the best psychiatrists in her field, but she's not even the best psychologist in her own house.

Could it be that the boys are fighting about a certain green-eyed monster? Dustin and Brett have a lot in common.