Anton_Cloche

Thank you Bill for another great chapter of CHNG. TJ seems to be getting used to Josh quite easily. I'm sure he senses the innate goodness and caring of his new grandpa. Hope you're doing well. Keeping all good thoughts and wishes for you. Stay safe, Socially Distant and wearing a mask. Best regards Tony

4 years (or so) since Jim launched the food truck, rescued Donnie, Denny & Jake, and helped Paul & Andre reach their goals, most of the boys are moving on. Donnie seems to be staying on for a while until new staff is found and Jake has at least another year of school. Looking to the future, Donnie and Denny find two new 'lost' boys - Johnny and Thomas (Tom) looking for food or anything, and finding a meal and a future with Jim's Food Truck. Angels in saving those who are lost, help create other angels. If only in real life. More good chapters to come? Please? .

Another great, fact based and believable chapter. Jim and his team (even though still boys they're a great team), continue to show how adept they are. Checking out the competition, setting out goals and reaching them. Not only will the boys get their education completed, they'll no doubt go on to success. Great job Jim, your parents can be proud of all their boys.

Not all angels have wings, especially if they're working amongst us. Sometimes people refer to someone as being 'heaven sent' because of the good works they do or the help they give to others without being asked. IMHO, Jim fits the description of being 'heaven sent' to work among us, saving body and soul, helping others to find their right path. Donnie, Denny, Paul, Andre and now Jake benefit from being given a helping hand from Jim. Angels among us!

Shocking! We know it was an accidental electrocution but Kevin 'slipping' Maude the cat back into her bed in his sister's room? He must have dried her off, and brushed her so her fur wasn't spiky. But the evidence is still on his laptop.

So Jason's banana hammock is smuggling more than a few budgies? Is Joanna just thinking about bangers and eggplant for a meal? Naughty bits for a Saturday.

I sense some straightforward questions are about to come from a very precocious Sam.

This chapter reinforces that the love Jim shared with the thrown away boys, first by feeding them, then hiring them to work with him in the food truck business, is now being returned and shared again. The old saying (proverb): "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; show him how to catch fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” is still true today. A helping hand up, not just a hand out (of food), although both are especially important!

Actually it depends on your definition of 'wood'. There is a growing variety of wooden (bamboo fibre) plates, bowls, cups, cutlery and more, that are sturdy, food friendly, compostible , and microwave safe. From companies like https://www.bambuhome.com Even lunch (bento) boxes.

Okay, either you're trying to drive readers bonkers, or editors, or both. There's a little something called continuity. If a character is driving a red car in one scene, you don't have them, getting out of a black car moments later. Before the lunch meeting, Grayson says to TJ, "...it appears one of his (Baron's) own sons is gay and he's trying to show him that he embraces it". (present tense) When they meet for lunch, Baron introduces his wife Zala, and his son John. Baron says John worries (present tense) about his brother, Zala. (same name as wife?). Then Baron says, "Zala was (past tense) gay and he committed suicide". There's no mention of a third brother. That herbal mushroom tea must be affecting you. I know this story has more twists and turns than a colonoscopy wand, but come on.

Good story. Looking forward to coming chapters. * "At the going down of the sun, we will remember them" (Tribute to the fallen, Vets and their families. On 11th hr, 11th day, 11th month, but also on country-specific days like ANZAC). Unfortunately in 2020 we remember the 1 Million + who've perished, so far, during the C19 pandemic.

Let's hope Jim succeeds along with helping others, instead of becoming someone whose only way to 'win' is through greed and by gaming the system.

Only knew 2 people to use 'Gad About', Montgomery J. Burns , and my late great UK Uncle Art.

Thank you Bill for yet another wonderful chapter. Starting with the 'original' Josh, we've been looking at the inner workings of the family, it's highs and lows, it's many challenges and a few poignant losses. I look forward to TJ being welcomed into the fullness of the extended family. Keep up the great writing. Stay Safe, 6 ft / 2m ( 1 tree house ladder?) apart, & oh yes, #WearTheMask. Tony

Thank you CLJobe for your reply (quote not working): "Just between you and me, yes I've thought about Book 2, but I need time. So I have a few stories to post, that are a little lighter in content". The NYC portion is particular poignant for me, having lived there briefly in the late 90's. I too remember, "...a lot of boys working the streets, looking for money to be able to buy something to eat". Boys with "pleading eyes", that, "... looking into his eyes, you could tell he was hungry, I never saw pleading eyes like he had". Before going to New York I had never seen those boys, those eyes, those looks before. Or I didn't want to see them. (Now I see those eyes in too many places!). And when I started to give money, I realized I couldn't have enough to help, despite getting back "A beautiful smile, and a "thanks mister". And for me some of those 'boys' were Toby to me. (I won't call them "street boys", as "some people" say that as if they're below being noticed). I eagerly look forward to your next story. Tony

Even when you sense what's looming, it's still sad when Jeff leaves at sunrise. Thankfully Clair is there to take Jeff's hand and lead him to his next life. The differences Jeff made in the lives of others all began with saving Toby. The 'real' world needs more Jeff's. One would hope that with the 1,000's of Billionaires out there, (never thought that would happen), you'd think a few would tithe 10% to help. (is 'this C-19 world' real, or are we all just living a nightmare we can't wake from?). Will miss Jeff. Can we hope for (even a brief 5 chapter?) The Boy By The Lake - Book II, starting with Dr. Toby, Ron and extended family gathering at the lake in Italy to put Jeff together with Clair (and a few 'thought bubbles' from Jeff looking 'down' to comment)? Come on CL you've already sketched this out, right?

Hopefully CLJobe has a 'The Boy by The Lake - Book II' - Dr Madison, Ron & Family story planned, or at very least a couple of Epilogues, that take us to a point 'Many Years Later', where we get to see Aria married, and Dante taking over his Nonno's business. Truth be told, even though everything ends, I'll miss this story and these people. How about it CLJobe?

*Be careful AquariusGuy.* This is a GREAT chapter. IMHO, a massive renovation of a 'named' NYC Tower, bought from its former notable owners and renamed 'Manhattan Towers' then converting it into the Matthew Shepard Tower as a refuge and 'no cost' home for at risk and homeless LGBTQI children / teens, & associated with The Trevor Project is a dream many would support. Unfortunately not all dreams come true. Now you're adding a (possible) real estate 'baron' into story? * Be Careful*. When making what could be deemed by 'officials' as 'political content'. Else you might receive: Keep RIGHTing this story.

Good chapter! Didn't see Alex as 'inside man' but explanation makes sense. Great to know you're going to release next few chapters back-to-back. So you're back to school. Hope it's virtual vs real, as #s for C-19 retransmission /casual spread are growing exponentially in the 18-30 cohort for all the usual reasons. With background (and still contacts) in med/ID, don't believe there will be 'proven viable' Vac until early spring at best. As for taking 'early' version before Halloween or Thanksgiving ? Not a good bet. Might if big guy does, LIVE on reality TV. (but wait another 6 weeks and see what develops). Stay Safe, Distant and #WearTheDamnMask. T

Lock down, social distancing, #wearTheDamnMask, isolation (self preservation?) continues in the Northern Hemisphere, where, for everyone above the 49th (or below the 23rd) the greatest Covid-19 danger lies between*. Now, where did I leave the darn keys to get out of Cabin Fever? * based on documented, real Scientific and medical Facts *

Not to be a romantic, but some people might say that Claire is looking down on, and watching over both Jeff and Toby. That she somehow had a hand in making this happen. Or its pure coincidence. Either way, it's a good thing. As for Toby's (sad excuse for) 'parents', I'd guarantee they'll argue over everything of Toby's, because "we paid for that". Just wait til they learn about the Trust Fund. As my little nephew would say "they pooped a cow"

Interesting start to this story. Mikedup is only partly correct, "this happens more often than we would admit". Before Covid-19 there were an estimated 2 Million homeless, hungry, scared and desperate 10 - 19 year old children on the street each year! (according to official U.S. government statistics). Of which at least 250,000 may be LGBTQ kicked out of 'home'. Since Covid-19, with virtually no safety net, no shelters, no restaurant dumpsters to eat from, few people working in buildings ergo no one for desperate teens to beg money from, the picture is bleak. The numbers of desperate youth (and other people) who see no way out is exploding. Sorry to darken anyone's mood. If you see someone who looks like they need help, ask them gently "do you need help, OR Can I help you"? If you are able to, please do so. Depending on where you live, winter is coming. And for the sake of everyone who is, or could be on the edge, please VOTE. Thank You.

I think if Will 'accidentally' food poisons Sascha just enough to have him runnin for outhouse, that'll take care of Sascha the shit disturber. (puns? What puns?)

What? You couldn't throw in the accidental discovery of a Covid-19 cure? Although I must say ending with Nels sitting adoringly next to his Dad Alan, well that works for me. We could all use a little 'happily ever after' these days. Who knows, maybe a mini-happy update 5 years on is hiding in cast off chapter outlines? Thank you.

I seem to have misplaced 'Uncle' Alan's email, phone # and address in Clarion. Would you refresh my memory?