pickuptoy

But I don't want to get close to finishing! I want more, more, more, more!!!!!!!! That is a reason I am a big fan of Mark Arbour's stories. He keeps them going and going. Years of his writings, and generations of his characters'

Love it. I think Josh will be alright too. I know the hurt of losing a friend when they move away when that age. It is going be even harder when it is a best friend and someone you have feeling for. But he is young and will bounce back. Hopefully he will find someone to replace that void real soon. Gary, I haven't looked ahead at your other stories to see if you are tying any of them into this one. But hope you have or that you will either do that so we can keep up with these guys, or think about it for the future,

Another great chapter. Glad the closing has moved up since there are so few chapters left. I have a feeling that Yolonda is closer to Bodie and his mom than just a regular friend. I was thinking aunt or close relative somehow or another. But may be just best friends or something like that. I think Nate is going to fit in just right there.

I think everyone else has pointed out what I was thinking. Excellent Chapter Gary! I can't wait to read all your other work too.

Another Great Chapter. They all are. I think it is just fate that Bodie was at the mall and maybe them meeting the first time up at M & K's new house. I think they need each other. Maybe Mira can learn a little from what Nate's parents are doing in selling their business so they can spend more time with their kids and Nate in particular as some of each of the boy's past are more known to those of concern. I am sure there will be some sharing between her and M & K.

I am beginning to believe! God Writer!

I think everything is going to be fine now. Gary, you did a very good job of making it that way. They have a long way to go. But it's going to be fine. Great Chapter! Great Story!

Great Chapter. Kendall needs to think about going back to school and becoming a psychiatrist, he is good with everyone. I believe Nate when he says he ran into the door sill. But the church group makes me hate Mark as much as if he had hit Nate. I think in the end everything will be fine for Nate. Not so sure about how the marriage between his parents will work out though. Mark may see he was wrong from the beginning. But if they continue going to that church they are fools.

Another great chapter Gary. Love your story

Who would not love this chapter? Seems everything is unfolding perfectly for the guys. I was at a bar about 14 - 15 years ago and setting next the father of a friend of mine. My friend's mom had left his dad for another woman 5 or 6 years before that moment. Everyone in my small town knew about it too. My friend's dad had done meet another woman and remarried. But that day he had had a number of beers and I think he had been into some Jack Daniel's too. After a little small talk, he was pissed at some guy that worked with his current wife. He thought that the guy had been hitting on her. The guy had been out of the country for a few weeks and when he returned, he had hugged his wife. He said, "I lost one wife to another woman. I did not know how to fight for her, but damned if I lose another one to a man. I know how to fight against another man". Ended up after I quizzed him for a while the guy had hugged all the women that worked with him. I pointed that out to my friend's dad. I told him I didn't think he was hitting on his wife. He was just generally glad to see all the women of the office and had missed them. I actually knew the man he was talking about and knew he wasn't that type of person, and I ended up getting through to the guy that it was innocent. He said his wife had told him that too, and she had told him it had never happened before. So, he guessed we were right. I think a lot of both men and women really don't know how to handle losing a GF, BF or spouse to someone of the same sex and it is an enigma to them. That may be some of the reaction from Candy. As time passes and she gets to see more and more of M & K's relationship, she may handle it a lot better. In fact she might not be as bothered by it as she would have if Kendall had been another woman. I have had my doubts about her and really hated her at first. But maybe she isn't really as bad as I first thought. I hope that is the case, but only time in the story will tell.

If I was Kendall I would just tell her he would see if he could get another $20,000 for her from her dad for her not to have an abortion and rattle his phone # off to her. And that we would email her supposedly fiancée and explain to him how she had tried to trap her first choice as a husband to marry her. And that he might want to take care that she doesn't try to trap him like that. She has a lot to lose, but even after she does sign the papers the guys are having written up. She will end up messing up big time some other way. She might try to entrap the wrong guy later that might hurt her, or maybe worse. Some people never learn.

Damn, Damn, Damn, I had never thought about how old these guys parents were. Adding up Carson's years, in two years he will be 55. So that mean at the moment he is 11 years younger than I am. Damn, Damn, Damn, I am old. Loved this chapter, love this story. Gary your talents have really impressed me. I am begging to believe the title some of the others have labeled you. "God of a Writer"

Loved it! Enough said above that I don't have to add to it. Thanks Gary!

I loved the house. You described it in a way that would make anyone want to buy it. I look forward to the guys moving in and making it their own. Great Job Gary!

I loved this chapter. I had already assumed that she would ask for money when she realized that they knew everything. As soon as she said, $50,000 my thought was, she needs to think she has won and to offer her $10 - 20K. I knew she didn't want it to get back to her dad or to this Lionel or whatever his name is. I also think with Michael blowing up with the counter offer really did seal the deal with her. She was getting some money and thought she had caused a big rift between M & K. I was surprised that she wanted no contact at all for her written in the paperwork though. Thanks Gary. I can't wait to read more of this excellent story.

Great Chapter. I think all the comments above have covered most everything. I do think Michael is right in not charging Lanny. I think Lanny may become a big asset to them later. Might become a good friend too.

Wow! The bluff gone bad was kind of funny, but I did feel for Kendall there for a while. But it all turned out great. I had the feeling all along that it was Candy and Lanny that did that to Michael's truck from the beginning. Or that Candy had put him up to it. I am sure she knew where Kendall lived. But I wasn't expecting the real reason that Lanny did it. Well I guess Colleen and Big Mike are going to get their wish about a grand kid from Michael. I just hope Candy goes thru with the baby and maybe in the end turn it over to Michael and Kendall. But I guess we will just have to see. I guess we can call this a cliffhanger!!!!

Me too!

Love the story. Love the character's you have created. I know by now you probably have written Jeremy's story. But I still hope that the guy that is taking over Michael's old apt is brought more into the story and finding someone too. Colleen and Big Mike adding the same amount to the young couple's house fund is perfect. And I think the Dooley's will understand and be proud of the additional help to the boys. Thanks, Gary, for your story. I look forward to reading more of it and all your other stories as well. Mike

If you improve any more, a few years from now they will be covering some of your works in literature classes everywhere. LOL!!! I am impressed!!

That dinner went very well. I think if Carson can get thru this cancer ordeal and survive for a few years. Kendall will see that his dad has completely changed for the best. It is just a pity that a parent or parents can be an asshole or abusive either physically or mentally to a child. Some people that become parents never had a good role model for them to learn from. But then again, some had perfect role models, but just became rotten parents or assholes anyway. Just like some perfect parents end up raising kids that end up being rotten assholes or a menace to society. Would be great if we lived in a perfect world.

That was a GREAT trip home for Kendall. I really do think the old man is ready to show his changed side. His gay partner is the one that is owed the thanks for him to accept Kendall and Michael's relationship. If it hadn't been for him this could have turned out a disaster. Very well written story. Thanks Headstall!

Well, I believe the shit is about to hit the fan. I figure he was standing there listening to the entire conversation. But with Michael, and I think his mom will now back him up too, everything will work out in the end.

Lorne and Arron both might be a good match for Chet. I know the guys don't want to be matchmakers, but hell someone needs to be. Great story.

Another great chapter!