FanLit

I agree that there is an internal struggle of some type going on with Nicholas; we can say “hurt people, hurt people” or “you always hurt the ones you love”. While I sympathize with his internal struggle and credit it with his actions, I can’t excuse it….hurting Richard is like kicking a puppy, lol.

Methinks “he doth protest too much”. He’s likely gay himself and either hates, is afraid, or ashamed of it and is projecting that hatred onto others Self hate is the worst hate.

I was amused at Richard’s penchant for neutralizing toxic graffiti, and was proud he left the comment about Nicholas and Stu alone….trust his personal growth to be witnessed and twisted as though he was the spiteful one. Vicky was right to punch you in the face, period, Darren, because you are a homophobe and general shit stain on life. “Never be mean in anything; never be false; never be cruel. Avoid those three vices, Trot, and I can always be hopeful of you.” Nicholas reveled in these vices to Richard….Karma’s a bitch. Nicholas was being reckless and got caught….if it wasn’t bathroom markings putting him on front street, it would have been something or someone else. If he thinks Richard did it, what is he going to do or say to him? What is he going to do now that he’s outed? I don’t think he’ll handle it well, like the self harm ideation route. Richard’s life is turning around, with his happy modern family and solid friendship with Harriet, while Nicholas’ life continues to spiral; Richard was ready to come out with Nicholas at the beginning of the school year, if the bathroom comment is attributed to him, will he come out to refute it?

I have also clocked he may be of the idle rich persuasion, with little to no parental attention. As he’s a young person I’m reluctant to write him off-he’s exploring his sexuality, (as is his right) with the knowledge that his same sex attraction might not be well received by his likely conservative minded parents….it is the how of it all that is troubling. Was his friendship with Richard ever genuine, or was it one sided, with Richard always the dumping ground for his loneliness?

Richard realizes the Nicholas detox is needed when he bumps into him with his new “friends” and “boyfriend” and gets no recognition of any kind….the Nicholas disease has spread so far it’s reverted a previously out boy to mitigate his behavior (I’d say poor Stu, but he’s lived an out life and knows the freedom of it, then again, abandoning principles for someone you like is not unheard of)….I’ve never thought the Lucky Charms elf attractive, so I don’t get what Richard, Carrie and Stu see, unless it’s the urge to tend to someone who might help them find gold at the end of the rainbow (his pot would be fool’s gold, anyway)….maybe he has a nice personality. 🤷‍♀️ Harriet and Vicky shine in this chapter, yes, Vicky is still a hot mess but she’s doing all this for her brother; this cause proves she can focus her attentions properly when motivated, and Richard needs to let his passions out….did he carry a tune when he was singing at the band’s rehearsal? 🙂

This is my favorite chapter of the story so far, LOL!! “So, for the first time in my life, I interrupt him. “I can’t talk right now,” I hear myself saying. “Sorry, I’ve got to go.” Then I hang up.” This is my favorite part of the chapter, LOL!!! The “Nicholas plan” is excellent, I’m glad Harriet roped Vicky into it. Everyone was waiting for Richard to crack up, everyone except Nicholas. Oh, Nicholas….you never miss the water until the well runs dry. I suspected Vicky punched Darren because of Richard, she’s still high strung as fuck but that can be vey effective when properly directed, lol; how stupid is Darren to have kissed a girl and then talk shit about her brother?!?! He’s lucky she didn’t knee him in the family jewels (his are probably small, anyway, lol) Richard should submit the self portrait to class, his teacher will finally see the pathos she’s been looking for from him. Richard’s life has now been divided into two parts- life with Nicholas and life after Nicholas….the quality of his life will markedly improve in the after phase. This doesn’t mean Nicholas is a lost cause, he is just utterly hopeless where he is now; he has a lot to atone for with Richard if he hopes to have him back in his life, and I don’t see that happening anytime soon…. I think Nicholas is going through his own crisis but he’s acting out instead of keeping it in.

Oh, this was a heck of a chapter. The Slattery's knowing makes it real, and everyone knows it's serious. I'm glad there was acceptance here, too. Roman's reaction....well, it brought a tear, lol. “I’m not replacing Taylan. No one can. The same as forgetting him - no one can.”- and not that he ever tried but it's good that it was said to the other person who loved Taylan as much as Mitch. That's it in a nutshell, isn't it? You love, you lose, you grieve....and life goes on. Two great loves don't have to be the same. Very unexpected, this pairing @Andr0gene, but it works. Quite the turnaround with Jay....I thought he was irredeemable; there's a lot of love and forgiveness in this family.

Even though there is more transparency with homosexuality, depending on your locale or family, acceptance isn’t a guarantee; Richard is actually very lucky his sister and father accept and support him, I don’t know how Richard’s mother will react. Nicholas is a case of self involved confusion….maybe he doesn’t know exactly whom or what he wants but there is no excuse for his cruelty to his best friend- he needs to be clear to him that they are not a couple, but Nicholas wants to have his cake and eat it, too; granted, Richard is making it easy, as his obtuse pining has him clinging to every crumb of attention from Nicholas when he should be getting the whole cake. “…it takes me a while before I realise I’m painting a face. The eyes are bloodshot, the mouth is a gaping abyss, the neck tendons are straining. The face is surrounded by smaller mouths, all open and screaming too, with jagged teeth. It’s a boy screaming, but it’s not until sunrise that I understand whose face I’ve painted. It’s a self-portrait. I’m the one screaming. It’s me..” A lot has happened in Richard’s life to scream about lately, I hope his self portrait is the emotional breakthrough he needs to be more assertive going forward. On a separate note, I like Richard’s burgeoning friendship with Harriet and righteous crusade aside, Vicky is a harridan who needs a chill pill or two….between her behavior and Richard’s, lay the perfect child, lol.

In more ways than one.

Harriet is the breath of parental air Augustus (lol) has needed in his life since his mother’s passing….her joy at seeing her grandbaby safe and in the flesh, was palpable; I like that she loves Rob and August equally, (even if Rob is not acting worthy of it) as they are all she has of her daughter, it’s understandable. I’ve noticed that every time I referenced that Ms. Harriet may share more with August than blood, you’ve deftly avoided it, lol….will you avoid it now with her britches and shared looks with Dorothea? 🤨 Little does August know that he will have a relative who understands his romantic feelings; it won’t be a passel of relatives like Fletcher has, but it will be a salve (and surprise, lol) to August’s soul to have support from blood kin of his own…. I wonder how Maureen would have received August’s love for Fletcher? Harriet is a spitfire, (no wonder she and Albert clashed) she gives me young vibes, and Ms. Dorothea is a presence of elegance and calm; I’m glad they are both welcoming of Runyan, he needs new family members, as well, and chosen family can often provide a stronger bond than a sanguine connection. I am also a fan of green tea-almost all tea actually, it’s my favorite beverage. I’m trying not to think that something nefarious has happened to Willy James, but you aren’t making it easy, Mr. Author. The paperwork August has to sign has some unexpected surprises….methinks he’s going to be a lot more prosperous than he expects….maybe on par, or closer to his father? I hope you feel better soon, Gary. Thank you for publishing this chapter early. What is in the paperwork August’s grandmother has deeded to him? Where is Willy James? Will Harriet be asking or confessing to her grandson about romantic connections? Find out in the next installment of “Roping the Moon” 📿 🌕

It redeemed Danny for me a little, weird as that may be….there’s definitely story possibilities with him.

I’m glad for Drew and Connor’s happy ending, grateful for Danny’s strange view of justice and loyalty…. I hope it doesn’t come back to haunt our new couple. Leaving Drew to Connor shows that there is some scrap of humanity in him, I wonder if he still works for Rossi. I hope Prosky buys it before trial…. I don’t know why I judge him harder than Danny but I do. This was a satisfying ending, thank you for sharing.

Damn skippy about Lyssa, and did you really mention Kage?!?! THROUPLE THROUPLE THROUPLE

Was it? @kbois likes gimpy girls. Meg can talk to Lyssa.

You and your propensity for injuring/maiming teenage girls, SMH.

Incredible plot twists with Connor thinking Drew was the killer AND that Prosky is a dirty cop. WOW. I obviously want a happy ending for Drew and Connor but life doesn’t always work out that way….even if they get their happy ending, it will be through hard lessons of blood and betrayal (Prosky must be exposed). Very much looking forward to the final act.

Life was obviously not easy for him and he doesn’t know how to live in a healthy way….that he wants to kill Drew rather than let him live without him is obsessively nihilistic.

Or turn on? Danny is literally keeping Drew and is intense in his attention and devotion…,like Carmen relayed from her own experiences, intensity is not safety; Danny’s love is controlling-look at how he’s stifling Drew’s desire to paint and share. Connor clearly worships Drew as is, and is a fellow artist beneath being a beat cop, both things Drew already appreciates. (the artistry, not the cop part, lol) Drew likes, not loves, Danny….his gut is giving him signs he’s ignoring , this date with Connor is a subconscious reaction to Danny’s possessive ways. Connor and Danny may have met up in their respective lines of work, Drew accepting Connor’s date guarantees a showdown on the personal front, as well. Connor’s interest is Drew’s reminder that there is more to life than amazing sex from mysterious men; it just might save his life.

“The fact Barnswallow is your heritage means just as much to me because it will make you happy to be in the place your ma loved so—not to mention being far away from your pa—and that will be worth anything we might face. It’s a place where we’ll build ourhistory, you hearing me?” This is the verbal kick in the pants August needed to hear from his man to let him know come hell or high water, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, they are in this together. It is understandable why August needed the talking to- he’s not used to being valued or thinking his legacy is important….Ms. Maureen matters to Fletcher likely because she was a very nice lady, but mainly because she’s August’s mother. I don’t see Ms. Harriet dangling the freedom and opportunity of Barnswallow without it being at least minimally kept up….Albert’s isolation of his children from their mother’s people makes them think financial wealth is possible only through him. The childhood memories bumping into Mr. Wardell brought forth was a nice glimpse into Maureen as a child….seems the Falkner’s were a liked and respected family, and that Maureen was always kind, it makes her connection to Albert all the more mystifying. I appreciate the “mentions of violence” warning at the beginning of the chapter and I know the taking of a life is no small thing but when it’s kill or be killed….seems to me, Runyan was just helping Regis and Darnell take out some extra rotten trash. It was another fine morning, indeed, with that couple breathing freer air….only thing to make it finer is catching up with Willy James, to ease his fine specimen of a man and his friends’ worry. Where is Willy James? What revelations await August reuniting with his grandmother in the big yellow house? Is it next Monday, yet? ☺️ Find out in the next installment of “Roping the Moon” 📿🌕 🍻

I am three years and nine months removed from this and mine was my 79 year old mother dealing with Parkinson's and dementia laden delusions the last 14 months of her life, but the experience is seared into the marrow of my bones....like a lactating mom's breasts leak when they hear a baby cry, so do my eyes when I hear of caretakers of the elderly, especially family caretakers; we are not appreciated as much as we should be. Though I know the release of this story does something for you, I thank you for sending it out for us. I wish you Every. Single. Moment. you can get to treat yourself and have a break. You rock, Superwoman, I see that "S" on your chest.

"Miles’ eyes widened. I knew from a prior conversation we’d had about his uncle that he had had it drilled into him that he addressed his elders with ‘sir, ma’am, Mister, or Missus’. " I so loved seeing this; the same was drilled into me by my parents, and I have also instilled the same in my child....I practice this with strangers, as well as people of authority, like my bosses, even if they are peers or younger; I do not use first names ever with elders but will do so with strangers or management if they say it's okay-that used to be with a formal "you can call me....", now, it's people referring to me by my first name, although I have NOT granted that permission....I find it personally offensive but once you're using my first name, I'ma damned sure use yours; I don't know if this falls under manners or chivalry but it's decidedly lacking nowadays, like personal space, lol. Our multimillionaire is settling in to his new normal rather nicely-his relationship with Troy going from strength to strength, as well as with Meg, Mr. Erik and the permanent staff of the ranch, and being introduced to the social landscape via high school. The option to pick your own colors for your living space is so special if the given the opportunity, just another way to make Miles feel more at home. This chapter started with "For those of you who wanted a more feel-good chapter. Here you go." I'd say I shudder to consider what's next but I don't, 'cause I trust the steerer of this ship's ride will be good, regardless. See ya Wednesday, lol. 👋

It seems acts of service is Runyan’s love language, as well as his diversion from worry (when he’s hurting, help someone else out).

⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ This is what I was trying to say when I said Runyan is impressive, LOL!!

“He soon discovered morning loving was especially good loving.” The BEST part of waking up, not Folgers in your cup, LOL!! Regis and Darnell’s path could easily have been August and Fletcher’s had August not been wily enough to hoodwink Albert….the fugitive duo put me in the mind of how motive makes all the difference for a crime, it may not excuse it, but if the penalty for stealing a loaf of bread is getting your hand chopped off, should the father stealing to feed his family get the same punishment as the thief who steals for stealing’s sake? Fletcher’s quickness to forgive and forget sped up August’s own path to understanding….it’s just a lucky thing Fletcher was only grazed with the shot; seems like one who has a gun and has no clue how to use it is more dangerous than a trained marksman, lol. Should things not work out with Regis’ grandfather, at least they also have the option of Barnswallow, (as long as they can get there safely). As generous as A&F have been with providing a safe haven, I worry about how many people know of where they are going; they could do no less for ones the same as they are, (it has to be reassuring on some level to all five young men to know they are not as singular as they thought they were). Speaking of safe haven…. Runyan was damned impressive, tracking August and Fletcher (the compass!!-an obvious prized possession and how very well he uses it) allowed him to rescue them from that shitshow robbery attempt by Regis and Darnell, his command of the situation, as well as his plan for confusing R&D’s path so the demon uncle can’t easily find them leaves no doubt that Willy James will be in good hands (if he’s been able to manage on his own so far)….even with the rampant worry Runyan has for his man, he’s still willing to guide the fugitives to a more secure escape; I will also breathe a sigh of relief when Willy James and Runyan are safely reunited. Was Willy James able to safely escape? Will Regis’ grandfather accept his grandson and his lover? How much longer before destination: Barnswallow? Find out in next week’s installment of “Roping the Moon” 📿🌕 🍻

“Now, every step felt like retracing his way back to where he belonged” "Definitely," Mark grinned, his heart bursting with a happiness he hadn't felt in a lifetime.” Just a couple of lines that touched me in this HEA. Both family’s and the town’s ready acceptance made me smile deeply; this is still not the reality for many in their families and communities…. I love the beautiful bow you wrapped this up in.