Peter from Perth

Been away from here for a long time and glad I came back to it. Can't say this chapter surprised me. I figured something like this was going to happen. What I really need to know is where does this go? Travis and Ben's relationship is deep. This style of story and storytelling certainly has me.

Sorry I'm so late to this chapter. Just dealing with some stuff lately. Brilliant as always and now we hear more of the backstory. You're a damn fine writer and I am honestly waiting for more.

I'm late to this so I've binge read the lot in four days. What a ride! love you for what and how you write.

So I just binge read all three chapters. God but you're good. A fantastic insight for an Australian into the political system in America. Personally I think it's a stupid system but then ours is just as bad. We vote for people but others get elected. It's called distribution of preferences. I think the way CJ is developing is great. I'm seeing a young man who initially sees in terms of black and white, starting to see there is no black and white, but a whole heap of shades of grey. I can't wait to see how he grows and develops. The way you write about their trips on the motorcycles and in Defiant makes me want to go to America and look around. Owen's reluctance to be the centre of attention whilst doing something so great is beautiful. Keep at it Carlos. I'm along for the ride.

Another great chapter. I'm somewhat uncomfortable as this situation can go several ways. Travis's domineering ways over Ben may not end well. Whichever way it goes I'm in this till the end. Keep at it lad. As I said earlier, you spin a good yarn.

Fantastic story as always Carlos. Love the way your boy handled the situation, with intent and determination and the fact that his first priority is to the service and safety of others. Not saying he goes out of his way to get into trouble although this story seems to have started out that way. I've made my feelings about the gun issue known and I stand with Owen, but being an Ozzie that's pretty much most of us. Look forward to the next instalment.

That's a great piece and i can see a few arguments coming about guns. It was a foul act that affected the world and was decried in many places. Signs of support for the gay community was shown all over including my home city of Perth, Western Australia, where the local council lit up their council chamber building with the Pride colours. From a personal perspective, I can't figure how someone could hate themselves so much that they would cause so much pain and damage to end their life. Just insane. I like how the groups came together to support each other with no consideration of right or wrong, just the need to be together. I'm looking forward to reading more.

Wow! An extremely powerful chapter. Two men. Damaged. Hurting. Trying to figure things out. Trying to figure out their love whilst dealing with their pain. Dissonance it is. I wonder if it can resolve into harmony?

Another great chapter Carlos. So long since I started reading this story and it has grown so brilliantly. Being an older guy I know the drama of "coming out", and hope and live for the day when we don't have to. When people are just accepted as people, irrespective of their race, gender, sexuality, religion or political affiliation. As a Western Australian we are currently having issues with a former sporting great who is a Christian Minister of a very right wing and vocal church, bullying gays and crying about the church being bullied. It's a pity she doesn't acknowledge the bullying her church has been involved in for over two thousand years. Please keep writing, as reading what you write gives me hope that one day acceptance and inclusion will be the norm rather than the exception.

Didn't mean to puncture you bloke. Sorry. What you wrote hurt, but I needed the hurt to make me focus on healing. An Australian rap singer wrote, Yeah, it ain't good to be bullet proof cause in the end that bullet will be good for you. In your writing you showed me the truth in those words. And more so the truth I had to face. I'm grateful to you. You did in one chapter what psychologists haven't managed to do in nearly 30 years. So, Thank You. XOXO.

Got to say I hate this chapter. And I've got to explain that statement. Travis did to his abuser what I wanted, and to some degree still do, to do to my abuser. It's taken me three reads to read and take in each word. The first couple of times there were sentences and paragraphs that I just glanced over. I couldn't deal with it. Mac, don't apologise for writing so well. Years ago an English teacher told a class I was in, "A story should make you cry, shout and scream, and if it doesn't then it has failed to tell it's story honestly." Keep telling your story honestly. I know from what I and several other people I know have experienced, that what you have written happens, no matter how much we try to ignore and dismiss it. We all want our lives and the lives of our friends and loved ones to be all happy happy joy joy, but the reality is it's rarely the case. We have troubles, joys, love and laughter, grief and agony. You've just written what happens. Keep doing that. Love you and what you write.

Fantastic as always. So much laughter. On my part. My boyfriend can beat up your boyfriend. had me clawed by my cat because I laughed so loud. Thanks for such a great chapter.

Thanks Carlos for another fantastic chapter. And I agree. It's nice to be able to finally get to page two of the comments. The Capt's snap at the jerk at the memorial was very controlled. I was expecting him to be physical in some way, even if it was to shirt front the guy. In Australia tomorrow, April 25th, we observe Anzac day with dawn vigils and services in memory of those that made the ultimate sacrifice in war. I assure you that no disrespect by any person to any person is tolerated by any person. The Australian political attitude is very similar to you Americans, in that there are those who get involved, those who watch and those that don't give a shit. I've been reading another story on here that involved skiing in Colorado and I so want to get over there and look at the place. In every season. The trip for the Squadron will undoubtedly have it's issues and ramifications and I for one am looking forward to it. Keep it coming bloke. You spin a damn fine yarn.

“Oh, wow! That’s great news. Congratulations! How did this happen?” Had me pissing myself. So Gay! I loved it. Thank you for another fantastic chapter. The boys are growing in style and number.

I stumbled upon this story two days ago and have just finished this chapter. What a roller coaster ride. You tell a story brilliantly and with all the anger and aggravation you showed early you have now come to an important tender point. Like others have said, I'm not sure this is going to end well but I'm sure the following chapters are going to tell a great story. Keep it going.

Thank you. The boys are growing and developing into great people and I wish more people in this world could see what you write and learn that there are many ways to deal with situations. In my home state we are facing state elections and some of the political manoeuvres are leaving many people scratching their heads. There are times I wish I was in the USA and then there are times I'm glad I'm in Australia. Keep up this great story and I will continue to follow.

I'm glad that CJ finally figured out his feelings for Owen. I expect that those two boys will develop.

Boys will be boys! Even us Aussie's. What a brilliant chapter. I loved the way the Sergeant was manipulated and I suspect there will be more manipulation to come. It does sadden me though, that no matter how much talk I hear of your "Right to free speech" that there's always someone wanting to control how freely you speak. I wrote a piece for myself some years ago titled "Rights and obligations" and it covered, amongst other things, that every right, when exercised, comes with obligations. Keep it up Carlos. I love it.

CJ's reaction. Gold. Absolute Gold. I agree with his walking out and so do other people. But what's with the Sarge? Things are gonna happen there. Thanks for continuing the story. It gets better as it grows.

Gotta love the rapport between the boys. You've written this so well that it"s hard to see the lines between each of the characters. I can see so many threads to this story that I'm eager for the next instalment. Thanks.

Well bugger me with the rough end of a pineapple, You tell one hell of a story. Short. Sweet. To the point. I was worried there for a moment it was going to mirror parts of my life, and it did. But I like your version better.

Well Bill, you have certainly developed this story really well. Adam's abilities are proving to be well used and I'm glad to see he's doing research on each request and not just jumping in assuming what he's being told is the complete truth. I like how you've brought the boys and the families together for the celebrations. Keep it going. I'm looking forward to more.

I'm so envious. Of CJ, Harley, his Grandparents and CJ's Dads. Incredible story and definitely what CJ needed. I know the thing about dropping the bike. At least I didn't drop mine till I had my Licence and had been riding a while. Got overconfident on a corner and down we went. I learnt my lesson. Thanks Carlos. You've delivered another fantastic chapter.

So far this has the basis for a great story. It does bug me though that we so often start these stories with such acts of barbarism. I'm looking forward to the future of this story.

What sort of attitude you want? Pensive, chillaxing, smoking or not, laughing?