Anton_Cloche

What a wonderful true story! When that visit to Santa at the mall took place in 1999, those boys, then 14 and six, are now on the cusp of 40 and 32, and as @ricky said (on 5.26.2011), the 'teenager' with children of his own. Perhaps the '6 yo' as well. @ricky may well be on the way to being "great grandpa"😮. Sadly the 'Mall 🎅' is becoming a thing of the past, along with the Malls. But hopefully the lessons learned will be passed on; the best being this of Ricky's: "I firmly believe that kids should learn from their mistakes, not suffer from them. I always tried to be creative in my disciplines lest I become predictable. And it's a challenge to find the right balance, consistency and diversity. My rules remained constant and few. And we never yelled, Yell today, yell forever. Whispering makes them lean in, quiet down so they can hear you plainly. That makes them calm down a bit too. Otherwise a would quietly tell them to go in their room until they calmed down and could talk about it without anger. And when they hit their teens, sometimes that meant they were restricted to the house and I went to MY room until I calmed down before we talked. Dealing with things when you're angry can make you say things you wish you hadn't. So I didn't. And honesty was key, always". Words to remember, and live by. With Christmas 2025 just past, and numerous challenges literally laying only days away, my wish for everyone is a Safe, Peaceful, Healthy and Happy New Year. With respect, understanding, empathy, and helping hands, most especially for the millions of children in need. 🙏 🫂

Bill, don't worry about nodding off while multi-tasking, especially when you weren't feeling your best. When brought to your attention you fixed it promptly.* Mac, Devin and family continue to amaze us, not only in terms of morphing when needed to "save the day", but also for the empathy they continue to show. This continues to be a terrific story, one that will surely touch reader's hearts. I hope you had a good Christmas Day with loved ones. I also want to wish you a Healthy, Peaceful and Happy New Year in 2026. Please do keep writing, as you do it so well. Stay Well and Take Care. Best regards, 🤗 * (Much better than someone who nods off in important meetings, funerals etc., can't admit mistakes, and throws others under a big, beautiful bus rather than apologize). Ps: With the baseball playing cards yet again part of the story, and considering how Mac and Dev were helped by Atsa in finding the original storage box, would it be possible to have Pops bring some good news from the Navaho hataalii that he figured a way to help Atsa change into a "good skinwalker" and live? Just asking 🤞

Dah, Dah, DAAH 😵? PUHLEEZE 🙏 @Jeff Burton, don't leave us hanging off this cliff (like Cruise in MI but with no resin left in his waist bag). Give us something hopeful as the night before Christmas Eve looms LARGE 🙏. Give JOSH (and us) a Christmas Miracle. Book II, can be all about Walter (Mitty?), putting the pieces in the puzzle and making it fit together. But this: “We recreate the moments leading up to the crash,” Walter said. “Same conditions. Same vehicles. Same sensory inputs.” Walter didn’t hesitate. “Because if we’re doing a reenactment that close to a classified ignition point,” he said calmly, dialing, “the chase vehicle should probably be bulletproof.” (or fully autonomous GM vehicles, or WayMo, and NO JOSH INSIDE !) And put Josh in an airbag, bubble-wrapped and FIREPROOF track suit ! OR just use the 3 full-size simulators (cockpit AND vehicles), Spook Central has at GWB Center Labs. !! Let Dr. Leah Morgan and Rodney's team put Josh back together again. Better, Faster, Stronger. Let Team Kincaid - Greg, Dan, Claire, James and Adam - find a way to safely put ALL 3 pieces of Josh back together in a cohesive 16 year old boy; a new son for the Kincaid family, and not like... We've been good all year 🎅 ...

Or waiting for the final touchdown and stuffing one through the uprights for the point after conversion. (More than one person has said that football goal posts resemble someone lying on their back with their legs spread wide in the air). 😲 In other team related news Joel, after joining the Warhawks baseball team ("please welcome our newest player, wearing number ZEEROH, Joel Benton"), Joel adds a few new shirts to his closet (mild to "in your face"), ones , reminders of Tempton:

Beware the wolf's 'knot'. They're known for getting stuck when engorged and climaxing (as any animal / 'Canid' owner can attest, having to separate two animals). Ow.

Hmm, thanks @Krista and 'wildthing' for this 'stuffing' chapter ... something to fill the void before Thanksgiving? It was a nice treat, with something for everyone. Between cafeteria antics (every school has an unapproved version of their team 'fight' song), to traitor unveiling, to teenage lust and more. Joel's hormones have leapt into overdrive, in a very short span. First he and Davin, and now he's lusting after his Agriscience teacher Braden (who is sending out 'signals' of his own that are 🐻ly subtle, towards Joel, who 🦦 be more careful. What's going to happen when Braden gets to the 'Animal Husbandry' section of the class, which is always 'hands on'? Speaking of people's awareness, how does Celia have not clue about Davin's sexual inclination? Ahh, quiet rural living. NOT !

"More of Greg" 🤞. "Josh probably going to need a hospital (again)" due to previous surgical repairs being damaged 😥 by hospital murderer 🤬 Mr. Gray. Excuse me while I step onto ... We now know (or evidence points to) "Mister Gray" is responsible for killing Josh's parents (Rachel Carrington and Garrett Lindsey, "She's practically married to Lindsey ... Seventeen years. Just without the paperwork." - Chapter 5 - Cerberus) in the 'accidental' crash of their Cadillac on the VA backroad and the not so sudden fire (set to burn all evidence, including bullets in their heads, and the unconcious Josh in back seat), and then murdered their CIA co-worker and friend Julian Parks (who helped keep their son Josh's existence hidden from CIA), in the hospital, just before Josh's "Don't forget me" 'Shadow' beat up Gray's accomplice Harley: “Everyone waited as Gray spoke. “This is Eleven Three Chimera, reporting for final go and disposition. Last outstanding on site.” "Yes! We received dispatch November third for Op Two Four, Eleven Three Chimera. We have three dispositions (murders) completed and one pending. And I need permission to continue!” “Look, lady, I don’t know what the hell this is,” he said, voice rising, “but I am about to put a bullet into the last loose end, and then I’ll call back with final disposition—like I’ve been doing this entire time". The abilty of Josh's "Shadow" to communicate with "apparently unconscious Josh" on the cot; to take over, save his life and get Josh to safety (for Greg's HRT team in a helicopter to retrieve him), is less to do with AI or Alien technology and more to do with CIA's use of *Sigmund Freud's construct of the human brain (and psyche) being of 3 parts, (ID, EGO and SUPEREGO) each affecting the brain (AND the body) to react in certain circumstances. * The ID, EGO, and SUPEREGO are three components of the human personality proposed by Sigmund Freud. The ID is the unconscious, instinctual part, while the EGO is the rational, realistic 'daily reality' part that mediates between the ID's 'instinctual actions' and reality. The SUPEREGO represents internalized morality and ideals, acting as a conscience to suppress ID's impulses. ID 👿 Basic Instincts, Reactive EGO 🤔 Conscious, Reality SUPEREGO 😇 Morals, Virtues In effect, the "Super Soldier" is freeing the ID to use 'Basic Instinct', to act agressively and independent when needed. (Like Josh having no 'conscious' awareness of what happened). The SUPEREGO or 'Morality' part of the brain allows the person (Josh) to be aware of what happened and rationalize it. (Ghost Ed) step off ...

Elenor needs a vacay, or perhaps a LTC placement in a very quiet, secluded tropical location, like Gitmo. Thanks for this chapter Jeff. Although another chapter or two, (before the moldy green Jello, pineapple & cottage cheese 'salad" hits the turkey day table), would be welcomed and greatly appreciated, I hope YOU are doing well.

Way to go Joel AND Roy. Thanks @Krista and for Joel letting us in on his plans for college includes waiting to see what Davin is going to choose.

Does AR-15 fit in a violin case? Definately not members of the musicians union or band. (BTW & ICYMI, A world-renowned marksman and respected hunter said: "A skilled and true hunter can safely and humanely bring down 'game' with a single shot, preserving the animal to feed many. The so-called "hunters" that need to rely on semi or fully automatic weapons don't qualify, and shouldn't carry, weapons not intended for civilians."). 🍷'Pops speaking to one of the servers. "Bring us three bottles of your finest Cabernet Sauvignon and fifteen wine glasses for these two tables..." 'The servers ... returned ... carrying a silver wine bucket attached to a stand with a bottle of wine on ice'. 😳 Even in Colorado the "Finest Cabernet Sauvignon" served chilled or "on ice" is déclassé. The ideal temperature to serve Cabernet Sauvignon is between 15-18°C (59-64°F). 🍷 À votre santé. Ps. Correction applied to hunter's quote

Hmm, I think @empath's "The End (That is to say, The Beginning)", is much less a conclusion and more of what the French refer to as "une brève pause ou un intermède" (a brief pause or interlude), between this story, and picking up where Face Value left us with the E & E twins watching over Harry in his ICU hospital bed, (and waiting for the 💡 to turn on in his mother Angelica's head? ). Indeed I dreampt this: 05:15 After a very fitful night and little sleep, Elisha stirred and in doing so his feet barely touched Small Fry Speed who left out a loud pitiful yelp of pain. Loud enough that Elisha's Mom came running in expecting he was in distress. What she found was Elisha with tears running down his face, while carefully holding Small Fry Speed in the blanket. "Mom, he's barely breathing, and he's shaking. We have to get him to a pet hospital, NOW! He can't die from being kicked by Dad, not after he saved me"! Ruth said: "Quickly get dressed while I warm up the car. We won't wait for your father". While Elisha quickly dressed, next door, Marcus saw the lights suddenly come on. Pulling on track pants and a hoodie, he woke Joshua saying: "Something's happening next door. I'm going to go see if they need help". By the time they got over to Elisha's house, he was in the car with Small Fry Speed in his lap. Ruth told them they were trying to find a 24-hour Vet clinic. Marcus used his cellphone and found one just 10 minutes away. He called to let them know they were coming as he and Joshua led the way in their car. Next up ... Small Fry speeds to emergency Vet to save his life, (rewarding him for saving Elisha). Joshua covers the costs as he and Marcus put off their intended move. They also get emergency visits for Elisha; first a follow up for potential neck & throat damage from hanging attempt at suicide and second, an appointment with Dr. Fenton for psychiatric evaluation of Elisha and a long-term recovery plan. Will Elisha's plan to health require treatment in Chicago? (At hospital where Harry is? Out-Patient at Liberty Academy medical clinic? Segue to Face Value?) What was in coffee last night?

Sadly, "the middle ground ... where common sense prevails" these days, (of tyrants, despots, dictators, De facto kings, anti-intellectuals, paleoconservatism et al ?), is likely to be found astride a chasm. Like those and crevasses where mastadons have been found.

Is it a fiery chariot, o're " ... the rocket's red glare" as it soars upwards in air, to 💥 up the proverbial ... Horns of dilemma ?

Appears that Theo "don't know jack" 😅 pun intended. Theo may find the symbols carved in stone, and their meaning will be the rune of him. (two for two?). 🙄

The phrase '... a mountain (Theo?) into a mole hill" (Jack?) Going to need a hole lot of conVince-ing. Or some major shape-shifting to find a common (copacetic) position. Or Theo falls into a glacier-fed lake and experiences MAJOR shrinkage. 🐁 ÷ 🐺 = ? Recent South Park has shown us any size difference can be overcome. 🤯

Interesting chapter Lee, with family dynamics changing, (Luca's parents wanting to welcome Darren to their family); doing proper and 'legal' Due Diligence to ensure Darren's extended family, on both his father and mother's sides, can't or won't take him in. That also means no one fighting for money in their Estate that is rightfully Darrens. Darren expressed his concern over money when taking to Luca about ice hockey lessons: "... I hope I’ll have access to enough of my parents money so I don’t have to rely on your parents for anything other than transportation.” ... But I don’t really know what they had.” “There’ll be life insurance, won’t there?” “I guess. But like I said, I don’t know how much yet.” “You’ll find out soon, I’m sure.” This will work in Darren's favor in settling his parent's estate. If properly insured both would have likely named each other as benificiary for life insurance, defaulting to Darren (In Trust) as sole survivor. In AZ, TX and most States, death as a result of a traffic incident (accident), the 'At Fault' driver(s) insurance comes into play. If a 'commercial' vehicle is at fault, the payouts can be substantial, not just for the death, but also for 'Pain and Suffering', loss of future income (especially for children and other dependents) and often 'punitive damages' (commercial vehicles 'at fault'). and then there's the family home (if owned). Hopefully, 🤞 🙏, once the shock of Darren's parents tragic death slowly fades, Darren will see that they had planned for his future. Returning to his former home to gather up his belongings, and sort through other items, there will be crushing reminders of his parents; Luca's parents will ask for his input on funeral clothes for his Mom and Dad 😭, but he has a support net to catch him when he stumbles. And his parents as new guardian angels will watch over him. 💓💓

But does it come down to being a maroon Warhawk 'traitor' or black and blue from being nearly beaten to death when someone (Joel's traitorus older brother Westley?) leaks information that Joel is gay and some former Tempton 🐯 teammates beat the hell out of Joel?

Surely @Connectwriter has enough material (perhaps edited out of this story 😳 ?) to create a continuation in the form of Book II - Peter and Marty Married Life with Children? A companion story about Jeremy? Or (heavens forbid) the "one more / last chapter" contains a brief Epilogue set in a near future, say 10 years later, tying up all the loose ends. 🤞 let's 🙏 @Connectwriter has a grand, long term plan for more (but no pressure. Okay, some pressure 🤞🤞🤞)

A wonderful chapter @Connectwriter, that leaps forward to Peter's trip to Milan and his first "big" fashion event. But it is also more than a little bit of "out of the frying pan and into the fire" (or "Vom Regen in die Traufe" as Max might say in German.) Luck plays a part in Peter helping translate a little from English to German for the model standing beside him, Max Schroeder. We soon learn that Max, who is straight and married, has a young daughter, Sabine, who is partially deaf with health issues similar to Peter. We learn that Max's primary reason to model is to afford medical help for Sabine's partial deafness. Peter and Max seem to be developing a friendship based on their shared issues: modelling of course as well as Peter and Sabine's hearing circumstances. Hopefully Max will look out for, and protect Peter if necessary. 🤞

Peter's conversation with his Pop seemed to be Peter looking for answers about whether his and Marty's relationship and upcoming marriage (in MA) will result in them being equals or not. He knows Pops is the "heart of the home" but with issues (health and other) that make him dependant on Dad. (Yeah it's a little confusing, and no clear GPS ot road map).

Coop (and Drew) find themselves adding another property to the ever-expanding portfolio. Not saying Cooper is a "Real Estate Tycoon", but he's more than well on his way, and all of it stemming from a seemingly never ending quest for privacy. A "bolthole" to hide away from the intrusions of life. Intrusions that seem to follow him everywhere, and largely from whenever he helps those in need. Perhaps he should have been a writer 🙄, (or even worse an editor 😳)? For now, Coop and Drew seem to have found a new life on Norfolk Island. Hopefully a bit of calm in a sea that's constantly churning. Family had booked a holiday let to come and visit our boys. What could possibly go wrong or get complicated? Hmm. Thanks for this chapter Preston / Q @quokka

Learning more about Jeremy in these last two chapters, and seeing how deep his connection is to Pete and Marty (and vice versa), will I'm sure become more important as this story continues. Indeed, Marty (and Pete) gathering friends to spend time with Jer during the initial days following Jer's girlfriend dumping him, to bolster his spirits and help keep him from being depressed, is in fact an integral part of 'Peer Counseling'. It's wei more important than people realize. (ooh the pun 😳 was there, just waiting to be used 😀.) Thank you for this wonderful @Connectwriter.

310 Carter chapters and counting since 2010. 😳. Talk about longevity. Not quite up to the top 3 published: The Bible; Shakespeare and Agatha Christie, so your still have some 🎯 @Topher Lydon.

Liam should have told Aiden and Mark (his Solucitor) how Donna was acting from the start. She as Bullying Liam, and Bullying is exactly how this story started when Liam tried (wrongly) to stop his first bully / tormentor. Also Donna needs reporting and being dismissed and possibly brought up on charges of bullying and be incarcerated; for not doing her job properly as required to complete the good work Aiden and Nurton Cross did to ease Liam back in society. For Liam to further his education and go to university. Perhaps even become a social worker. Instead she could 'accidentally' fall in front of a 'tube' (subway) train. As for Ed, Liam needs to get Aiden's address to forward letters to Ed. Perhaps once Liam lets Aiden and Mark know about Donna setting him up to fail, Liam will get both a proper 2 bedroom flat he can share with Rd while attending university. One hopeless incident should not ruin Liam's life at barely 19. This is fixable @Drew Payne. You just need to redirect. This story is well written but a little tweaking is needed. 🤞