MacGreg

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it, Def. I like hearing your feedback. Travis is carrying a lot on his shoulders and inside his head and his heart. It's been a tough road. But not all is lost - not completely. Cheers - Mac

Hi dughlas, thanks for your comments. There is definite futilely to the journey, but there is a horizon at the end; whether good or bad, at least it's reached. Cheers -Mac

Parker, thank you for this thoughtful review. I'm glad that the words and the metaphor I described reached you so deeply. Shared experiences can bring people together - but they can also push people apart. Thanks for reading and commenting.

Thanks for the comment, Larry. I appreciate your thoughts on it, and yes, I did open a door a crack. You were invited in, so don't feel bad. ;-)

In my head again, Gary...? You pulled everything out perfectly. Wish I could give you a positive twist on it all, but I can't really. Thanks for your in-depth review, it means a lot.

Sorry you're not feeling well, Val. Thanks for taking a moment to comment. If there is a little bit of Travis in this, I suppose that's because there's a little bit of Travis in me. Anyway, feel better soon.

Thanks Lisa, the road is a metaphor for the relationship. But even more so, the vehicle they're traveling in together like a prison they can only look out the windows of, watching opportunities pass by...

Thanks, tim. Sometimes the vicious circles keep us hostage for a while. Glad for your feedback. I do stalk the Live Poets forum from time to time... ;-)

You wear your feelings on your sleeve here, my friend, but it's relatable to so many. Love IS worth the risk, despite the hesitations and the possibilities for disappointment. I have to remind myself of that, too. An awful lot of people here feel great things for you, and that's pretty priceless.

Hey Larry, thanks for the review. It's probably good that you read through it twice; there is quite a lot of information packed into it. Sounds like you did catch an additional point or two. We've sensed from the beginning that Curtis' and Travis' relationship is strained, and Curtis' reminders to Travis to "get the stud" to Glenwood is telling. Thanks for continuing to tune into this story, I appreciate it! Cheers - Mac

Intermittently, I catch glimpses of the mile markers on the road, Reflective signs that denote the distance To a destination still unknown. We've passed many such signs along the way, You and I, Pressing our foreheads to the glass, peering out into the darkness, Looking for common ground across this expanse of uninhabitable land. But there is no soft spot to rest our heads, No safe haven to heal our hearts, And the journey has become futile and full of vicious circles. I've grown t

A landing place for poetry and various short ramblings.

No review... just this:

Thanks, Jeffrey! I wasn't sure how this interlude would be perceived, so I'm really glad to hear that you liked it. And that you like Travis. Cheers - Mac

Hey Lisa, glad you like this interlude. As I said to Val, I was a little hesitant to post it, but Travis wanted to be heard, so here it is... Ozzy's son, lol, you crack me up... :-) Cheers - Mac

tim, I did think about you reading this and wasn't sure how it would be perceived. I hope it wasn't too trigger-filled. I value your readership and friendship. Cheers to you - Mac

Hey droughtquake, thanks for your comments, as always. You're right that the cracks in the mask have deepened. Travis tries his best to keep things together; it's been a rocky road for him, but Ben brought something fresh and new that lifted his pain for a moment. And I'm glad you caught the mention of Travis wanting to keep the horrors of Boston a secret from his sister. Cheers - Mac

Hey Graeme, thanks for sharing your thoughts. Travis has resilience, and he's doing his best to keep his shit together. Ben's presence lifted some of his pain, and it's a new feeling for him and one that he doesn't want to completely let go of yet. And I'm glad you caught his tenderness and protection of Katy - he'd rather she stay pissed at him than ever know the truth. Cheers - Mac

Hi Val, I'm glad you liked this interlude. I wasn't sure if I was going to post it; I wasn't certain how much it would detract from the flow of the story. Good to know it's been perceived well. Glad Travis surprised you at the end. He pretty much surprised himself, too. :-) Cheers - Mac

Travis Jack Osbourne can be a feisty trick. He never likes to be fucked without pretending to put up a good fight first. I figure it makes him feel better about himself afterwards - knowing that he resisted the temptation for as long as he could and only succumbed to it once he was left with no other option. Despite the dramatic objections, once his ass is stretched open, Jack inevitably turns into a sobbing baby, begging for more. His actions are predictable. So are his demands; I alw

Favorite line: "A soft breeze fluttered the recycled, subtly-striped curtains from his old place, and the caress of it on his face felt like an approving touch from Harlan." So much is stated in this one line! Bringing the old into the new, respecting the memory of Harlan, feeling loved and ready to move on, adding the final touches to the office space that he and Jared will share together, the start of a fresh, new life, like the breeze coming through the window. Very touching sentiments. I loved this chapter in so many ways, Gary. Although I will admit that I often cringe at happy endings, this story deserved nothing less. You brought these characters to life with superb skill, and their shared story of love and loss and finding love again is nothing short of beautiful. Thank you for the gift of your writing, my friend. Cheers - Mac

"No longer are there handholds to save me." I immediately thought of human hands to hold... A very thoughtful, albeit sad, poem, tim. I hope putting the words down has helped heal some of the emotion portrayed within the lines.

Glad you liked this chapter, Graeme. Now that Ben has had no choice but to step away from Travis, he can be introspective about what happened and who he's become as a result. The armor is breaking... Cheers - Mac

I love your reference to the armor, Graeme. Both Ben's armor and Travis' armor are heavy and the cracks are growing larger. At this point, Ben wants to shed the weight of his, but Travis - maybe not so much. Thanks for your valuable insights.

There are definitely obstacles to overcome between these two if they hope for anything more. Time is running out, and they both feel the pressure and the sadness of it. I appreciate your contribution to the discussion, Graeme. Cheers - Mac