Anton_Cloche

Xander seems to be fitting in and adjusting to his new family and they to him. Hopefully when Dr Danny gets the test results back for Xander, all will be okay. The magic that Josh originally instilled in The Castaway Hotel continues to make it a special place. Thanks Bill for another wonderful chapter in yet another 'Book'. May you continue to bring us believable characters and good stories for years to come. In the meantime, Stay Safe, Socially Distanced (one 6-foot rope ladder OR the twins putting their arms out and 'helicoptering' without touching each other), and don't forget, #WearTheMask. Tony

Thank you for another very good chapter, letting us see how Bobby and Pete are starting to fit together. I know you (and other GA writers) are only 'compensated' by the comments you receive. I hope everyone who reads your stories would at least give you a thumbs up, or better yet a comment no matter how brief. One suggestion if I may. This story has me thinking about all the 'Bobby's' out on the street, especially during Covid-19, Fall coming, kids missing meals or worse. IF readers can find time to help out even a little, in any way, every little bit can help a 'Bobby' somewhere. (hate I have to add this, but no 'flames', please).

Let's see, how can I best say what I think about this chapter? Oh yes, ARRRRGGHHH!

Iowa 'trips' (two identical and 3rd fraternal)? Or maybe it's Rocket J. Squirrel, Bullwinkle and Martin the Geico gecko. OR, TJ fell asleep and is imagining these visitors from his 'Coma life'. Get Pamela to open the shower door.

A sad and all too frequent story. And it's worse if 'parents' are right-wing believers in conversion therapy. Is this tale part of a series of 'short stories' (like Billy), or longer? Either way, I'll gladly read it. Tony

Such feelings being exposed. But can Grey and Lucas go forward together if Rafe is in the picture? I'm getting a little verklempt.

Good start with 'Billy', and there's no harm in someone holding out an 'open hand & open heart' to someone who may be in need. Lord knows we could all use someone like Mark these days. As for your comment, "I'm an old man, in years not in mind", I'm remember my late Mom saying (usually on her birthday), "You're only as old as you feel". I also recall a version of that line used in an episode of Mom's favourite TV show 'Golden Girls'. One lady was complaining about getting older and another (the 'cougar' Blanche) used that line, but added "That's why I sit next to the pool boy... so I can 'feel' young." Looking forward to more 'Billy'. Tony

But we loose Twistan and Dame, Nicky and the buff corn-fed Iowa farm boys? We get back CC? Most importantly, (based on my family experience) people recovering from lengthy Coma often have a recollection of what was going on in their brains, (what they thought was reality), that is different from the 'real' world. My cousin was frustrated being told by (well intentioned doctors) to forget her "coma life memories" and just get caught up. Thankfully, she wrote down her 'Coma life'. What I'm getting at is, if TJ writes down or otherwise recalls what he thought transpired, it MAY shed some light on his 'real' life. Waiting (with baited breathe) for TJ-3. And yes, I'm missing his brudder calling him TJ2. Tony

Okaay, this story goes from strange to stranger to "na na na na, na na na na", paging Rod Sirling, Fox Mulder, Dr. Xavier, What's next? I'll just wait here by the cliff while lemmings go racing by.

Thank You for this wonderful gift. Home Away From Home concluded as I thought it might, and despite a few tears, both in sadness (for Nick and Billy) and in happiness for many 'family' events, Home became a refuge. Stay Safe. Good Health. Peace and happiness. Tony Ps. Now it's time to enjoy reading it a second time.

Some authors write stories that just come to a sudden end. Others add an epilogue to wrap things up. And then there are those few who take us on a journey with them. They create a story like a tapestry maker weaves. They start with main characters then they add new people like a weaver adds threads of different colors and shades. Making a stronger more vibrant fabric. Binding things together. Making the whole thing more than just the sum of its parts. CL has done this with Home Away From Home. We've been welcomed into a family and into a home. And now, as time goes on, we are transitioning towards a closure. One that feels natural, and while we may not welcome it, we know it's time. While readers might (do) want more, maybe a HAFH Book II, Carlo and Puppy's children (and extended family) have grown and (twenty plus) years have gone by. CL, I look forward to the next chapter (or a few), and I thank you for this well written book, knowing that like a Home Away from Home, I can always come back and revisit it / read it again. Thank You. Tony

Not the first time the military buried the wrong remains. Sometimes it can be helped We'll know soon enough, but why the need for ALL the First Responders?

Drew: And so concludes Days Like This, a well written, thoughtful , engaging, and thoroughly believable story. As a freelance editor ( writer / journalist) , I'm always hungry for something new to read, even more so during this ongoing pandemic. After the first month of lock down , even online streaming, (NetFlix etc) became boring. But Days Like This, was a breath of fresh air. Yes, there were a few parts that seemed slow to develop, and some that made me go back to read again, (that's not a knock against you, but more my 'editor's eye', looking for errors that weren't there. It's an 'occupational' thing. Some editors refer to it as an itch). Thank you for your Afterword. IMHO more writers should use them. Some feel it let's too many people learn the writer's thought processes (like learning a magician's secrets). I disagree. In your Afterword you write: "Though I have started to write several novels in the past, I've never been able to finish... and I'd get 'moralised' (I'm certain you meant 'demoralized'). Don't be. And I'm glad you've found a home for your writing at GA. For your unpublished works, take a fresh look at them and see if they can be tweaked. Or publish and ask for reader feedback/suggestions. I look forward to reading more of your works. In the meantime, Stay Safe, Socially Distant (adults should do like little kids and 'helicopter', putting your arms out and spin around without touching whoever next to you), and oh yes, #WearTheDamnMask. Tony

I recall a saying (at sporting events), "You can't know the players without a program". I think we need another reminder from author/guide of who's who and how they're related. Perhaps at the start of the next chapter (or when he knows the chapter's going to be confusing?). As for how TJ got his memory back (with Dame re-enacting events), there's a psychological concept that says in accidents the memory leaps into a safe place to protect itself. Kind of like when people say their soul (temporily) left their body.

Been there, done that, two surgeries, both torn rotator cuffs with tendon split & torn (one length way). Tramocet is one nasty Rx narc that can have harsh side effects so watch out. Nearly killed me. Docs put me on closely monitored reduced dose Oxy and Perc (separately in rotation to avoid allergic reaction). What really helped with pain both pre and post surgery and with physio was a Cryo-Cuff (R). Looks like 1 gal Igloo water cooler with neoprene sleeve and tubes. Fill cooler with ice and water. Manual or battery-pack pump circulates ice-cold water around shoulder and biceps. I suppose you could fill it with your favorite drink, just not with narcs, or you risk 'dirt nap'. Good luck.

Wow! I have to pay more attention to the evening news anchors, especially the hotties! Not only are there some VERY HOT men reading us the news, and there's no doubt some hot bodies behind those desks, that challenge Greyson.

Bloody 'ell. You've killed off HM Elizabeth II, Charles & Camilla? William is King and Harry ditched Meghan which means Archie's now 8? Brilliant. Wots next? ;-

Another great and educational chapter Bill. I remember how Josh's trips with his boys (especially in the first two books of TCH) focused on both fun and education aspects. This was like a trip down memory lane. I'm looking forward to coming chapters. (and hope you don't run out of stories to tell for years to come). Tony

According to the Army Military Burials Commission, approximately 38% of the coffins buried at Arlington (and other military cemetaries) are "vacante" or empty other than weights used to approximate a body. So Tristan Sr being alive is possible, but wouldn't 'little man Tristan' 'know' that and tell his Brudder T2? Unless Tristan Sr knows how to block his thoughts from being read So the Carousel. Things just keep spinning around.

Thank you for this good story. The 60's Draft ripped apart the lives of so many. Your interpretation of this conflict (the unnamed Vietnam war) and how it affected Arik, Ethan, Eddy, Earl (and family) is touching. I'm looking forward to more of The Farm at Maple Hollow.

The last two paragraphs sounded like an epilogue. Although I'm not ready to see HAFH end quite yet, are you planning on wrapping up soon, or are there still a few monkey wrenches (things that go boom?) to throw in?

Covid-19 has me searching for stories I missed reading or overlooked the first time it was posted. Something to help pass the time, but ideally some comfort in difficult times. In finding and reading Apple of her Eye (a year late), I realized it's never too late to read a well-written, thoughtful and engaging book. This 'coming of age' story is one I'd recommend to everyone! Thank you for this bit of comfort food, for the brain, the heart, and the soul. Now I'm going to search for your other stories, to see what else I've missed. Thank you. Tony

That's a terrible thing to call Emily. Or BHO really stands for Black Hole Organization ? Maybe Emily had a secret liason with the 'Grey Men' from Area 51 and explains the telepathy with Teej/T2, his late father, Tristan and the twins? Firing Jack wasn't necessarily the best idea. Perhaps Jack and Emily had a tryst of the own. Something rotten for sure, but TJ's rush for justice (?), could cost him his relationship with Beau and Grayson.

Yes please, continue the story. Maybe after senior year of school in Buenos Aires there's a chance for university or college back with Noah? Or did your own (forced?) repatriation trap you? Good story so far... but it really cries out for continuation, even if it's more novella than novel.

Ahh. Life at home. Things going pretty well for everyone. Except for not being able to finding a cook/housekeeper. (With a large U.S. military base, you think there would be spouses looking for jobs). Grandparents Tony and Rita due shortly, what could go wrong? Indeed.