FanLit

A-MEN.

Congratulations on your turn to healthy self preservation and sobriety.

The situation of Hank’s family begets no winners. It is a parent’s responsibility to protect their children, from danger as well as things they may be too young to understand. Lilah (beautiful name and lovely spelling) was doing her job as a wife and mother....initially thinking she was helping her whole family, coming to the realization that there was a bigger problem than she was aware of. The one thing she could control was the safety of her son’s world, which is what she was trying to do, even as her marriage fell apart. Hank’s father had his reasons for dating Lilah, the most obvious appears to be some type of emotional (unsuccessful) conflict resolution; No matter how much he loved Will, it appears he made the choice to be without him romantically; This could have been Will’s decision or conflict but it appears to be more Hank’s dad’s, given how Will treated Lilah. This wound up involving him in a romance he never really stood a chance of being fully committed to; Pregnacy exacerbated the situation, no matter how much he loved his son, as he felt compelled to “do the right thing” and marry the mother of his child. Maybe at the time of Lilah’s pregnancy he realized he couldn’t be in a heterosexual relationship and then was trapped by the pregnancy; Maybe he was thrilled to be a father but didn’t want to be a husband; There are so many different scenarios that could have been playing in Hank’s dad’s head (did I miss his name?) but none of them would have made him happy....even being true to himself. This conflict, coupled with his predisposition to anesthetize his problems with alcohol guaranteed his alcoholic future. He wasn’t fair to Lilah or Hank but his pain was such that he was only focused on himself, even though he created this problem. (to me his functionality referred to his employment status, not his stature as a spouse or parent). Lilah had no choice in the actions she took but so successful was her enabling that any break in his parent’s relationship would have been a shock to Hank. ”Sorrows....” was a kind introduction to this chapter- I haven’t even touched on the interaction between Hank and Chase throughout this because the details of Hank’s family life was so much to digest. I do wonder if the situation were reversed and his father was the cheater, would he have been as protective of his Mom? This was a good chapter Gary, even though it was deeply sad.

Nan passed, but her spirit coming to avenge her babies would be so her, lol.

I was thinking at the beginning of this chapter how I missed Nan; Funny she was brought up. *Sigh* I truly wish this didn’t happen to Levi but this is an unfortunate reality for people who experience head injuries. It’s going to be a roller coaster of a ride for the Waters family, with deeper loops and turns than usual; Seems just the right time for some “Sage” advice. I’m also wondering if there will be any clarity on how Jonathan is Blu’s son if he was never intimate with his mother? There was some speculation about Blu’s dad but it was never confirmed. Thanks for the update, stay safe.

I like how you portrayed Chase’s physical progress through this. He didn’t emotionally eat and gain a ton of weight; He didn’t pine away to depressed emaciation; Instead, the chrysalis of his emotional maturity shone through in his literal being: “You look good, Chase.” The man darted a glance his way while they waited for the traffic light to change....” ....“You look heavier, though. In a good way,” he added with a tilted grin. “You look older… I noticed that the last couple of times I saw you. “Older, huh?” Chase returned the grin. “Well, you’ve filled out, and I guess that’s made you look more… mature.” “Thanks, I think.” “It’s a compliment.” From “Girls’ Night”: “....I heard what Stacy said when you arrived, and she’s right. You have gotten hotter.” Chase laughed. “Okay, guys, enough with trying to make me feel good, but Hank and I are finished, and we both know it.” Trey shook his head emphatically. “No, no. I’m serious. You carry yourself different. It’s the first thing I noticed when you walked out here.” “My boyfriend’s right, Chase. You always seemed, like, younger than the rest of us, but, baby, I see all man now.” One could say he was at caterpillar level maturity before....now, he’s a butterfly. 🦋

MmmHmm. 😉 I know a Headstall story usually has a happy ending and the great love these two shared (share?) has been well established. You’ve done a good job of showing this can go either way but again, this is a Headstall story so....

We aren’t islands and while I’m not always about tit for tat, Chase had to put on his big boy underwear without Hank, it just seems unfair to me that he should expect Chase to be there for him now (even though Chase will be if he asks). Why not Stacy or members of the chew crew? They are “friends” too, no?

I think Julio is the only reason Hank believed nothing happened that night between Chase and kissy face. He lost faith in Chase and was working on getting it back but irrefutable proof is the only thing he’ll trust right now.

MmmHmm. All of that, ⬆️

“Whatever. And wear something nice—a button down shirt, maybe a white one with rolled up cuffs—it’ll look good with your tan… and your dark jeans, and don’t forget a belt.” Chase turned and stared at the black jeans, black belt, and white shirt he had laid out on the bed.“ This exchange tickled me. 😊 That wasn’t just a coincidence of good taste, speaks to the bond Dawson and Chase still share. 👏 The openness of their friendship is so refreshing and I like how it’s incorporated in a way that Brent harbors no jealousy about Chase....I mean, they named their dog after him!! (I’m not sure how I’d feel about an animal being named after me, maybe it’s because I’m not a huge animal person, even though I’m way more receptive to them than I was as a child) I definitely understand and am touched by the bond that can exist between people and animals. The surviving Leeman’s have individually emerged from their grief process to reunite as a family. ❤️ It was nice to see that Charles and Cindy have also made progress in their respective grief, as evidenced by their collective socializing with each other and the change in Cindy and Marshall’s relationship. Life is moving on. Hank. Hank....Hank....Hank. *SIGH* Hank is learning his own new normal and there will be bumps along that new path. I disagreed with Hank asking Chase to support him in the meeting with his mother because they weren’t friendly enough to be at that place. I grew more suspicious when Hank invited Chase up to his place aaaannnddd showed the design he made for his share of Christine’s stones....there were a lot of presumptions Hank made based on Chase’s agreeing to help him; He got bitten in the butt with Julio’s reveal-I saw it as the universe telling him to slow his roll. It is a very good thing that Hank is in therapy and it is good he made progress with his mother, I just wonder about his motives for both moves-is it for genuine healing or a way to have Chase back in his life right now? He doesn’t yet realize that if he does this for the right reasons Chase will be back in his life, even if it’s just as a friend; These moves of Hank’s tells me he definitely wants more than that with Chase. Chase can’t be a part of this process, Hank has to do it on his own. This chapter leaves me totally ambivalent about the romantic reunion between Chase and Hank; Because it happened to Dawson and Brent doesn’t mean it’ll happen with C & H. They don’t have to be the pot of gold at the end of their respective rainbows. The ultimate goal is for each to be happiest they can be, that doesn’t mean it’ll be together.

Katrena and her crew are my second favorite of Katya’s creations after Desmond and Gabriel. Blessed safety to you and everyone associated with G.A.

Uh oh. ”Vivienne” is really Doriel? If so why didn’t it kill Julian as soon as it came to his house? Very interesting....

I learned a long time ago that there really is a thin line between love and hate, that hate still indicates some level of emotional involvement. The opposite of love isn’t hate, it’s indifference.

Brava!! 👏 😊

😆 You Know Who might very well like being tied up!! Green and it’s various shades are among my favorite colors and usually denote rebirth and growth; Green is also associated with illness and envy and at the time Hank rubbed his weekend with Kevin in Chase’s face, he was deeply ill with that emotion; He saw everything regarding Chase and any other man through that putrid shade, thereafter. 🤢 He has moved on the shade spectrum to the green of balance and calm, something he lost since the night of his proposal.

Very true and if the friendship is worth it, you move past mistakes.

I concur with your view on “the gang” and how they’ve treated Chase and even Gary’s neutrality cannot sway my view. ( 😘, that’s for you, Gary) I disagree with Hank having to disclose his indiscretion(s) with Kevin (we really don’t know how long or how often things “transpired” between those two). Hank and Kevin were both free agents when what (who? 😉) went down went down...I don’t think Hank is obligated to let the chew crew know what happened. It was a rebound move and I think it helped to bring him back down to earth in regards to the high horse he saddled up to on Chase road. Chase wronged Hank but Hank also wronged Chase and it seems he is finally opening his eyes to his actions and more importantly, his reactions. If the gossip flies, let it be Kevin on a bitchfest maybe but Hank doesn’t strike me as the sort to put his business in the street like that. The circus that could come from that would derail his sloooow progress toward recognition and his own redemption and he doesn’t need that.

Brava!! 👏

I was thrilled that Dawson reached out to Chase, it shows his intent to try and keep in touch; It’s easy to do now....time will tell if they are able to maintain contact. I think they will, even if it may be infrequent with all that Dawson and Brent will be doing and Chase, too. Real life gets in the way of the best of intentions but I sense a dedication to this friendship that may stand the test of time. Chase and Hank’s conversation showed progress-they didn’t end up in an argument and Hank even apologized, which shows growth past his perspective. I was looking forward to Chase and Stacy having a nice evening together; I for one didn’t appreciate Carlos and Trey crashing the evening, especially at Hank’s behest; To me, that indicates they and all their collective friends did take sides and the side was Hank’s. Chase showed his new maturity in making amends with Carlos, I personally would’ve told him to fuck off. I might have kept some kind of contact with Trey but Carlos and the rest of them can go blow bubbles. It’s understandable that Chase missed them, (as he would, thinking they were real friends) that exile would’ve made me realize otherwise. Chase’s guilt is still present, even with the strides he’s made....I think it’s why he accepted the ostracism-he felt it was appropriate punishment. The only reason I approve of Hank trying to do damage control is because he’s the one who actually damaged Chase’s reputation with their crew; Had he listened to Chase that evening or subsequently, things wouldn’t have progressed the way they did. This was a chapter of movement but there is still a lot more miles on this trip. Hank isn’t in my bad book but he isn’t in my good book either. 🤷‍♀️

I LOVE these names❣️❣️ Giovanni especially (I wanted to name my daughter Giovanna).

What a lovely wedding. So is Theo is past spy or a current spy? That’s quite an interesting thread you wove in.

This was a distressing development but at least you put them in a best case scenario about it.

This would have been a wonderful ending. I’m curious to see where next you take them.