Krista

Speak to me when you all can openly admit to only having two seasons. Winter (9 months) and not Winter (3 months).

It could be a way of venting my traumas... if I don't get shanked by my mini-me in the process. Sometimes I feel like I'm raising her up for her just to overthrow me and there's nothing I can do about it.

One can hope his promise to Joel doesn't eclipse the relationship he has with Colt. It would be a sad time if that happened.

and I think Joel deserved a better answer for his troubles. Shame. But, did he look good?

Ouch. For some reason that hit kind of hard. "The contagious gay brother..." but it hit harder for me, when Cody is factored in. I think Joel's parents have Westley pretty figured out, unfortunately the boy doesn't seem to have a lot going on there.

Sometimes a donkey is just a donkey, that someone may call an ass. Or, there could be some other reason.

Has he officially left his school yet? *whistles* Joel showing up, wouldn't tell a lot of people anything. They may not be used to seeing him 'at that spot' in enemy territory. Some of his classmates would know him on sight, but the ones that would know something was truly messed up would be Roy, who probably frequents a lot of parties and would remember who the usual Tempton faces are coming that far out of their way. The others would be his teammates who would be like, "What the hell, we're supposed to be at practice..." but then, they'd be caught out of pocket too.

Aww. It almost sounds like a lose/lose situation for Colt, doesn't it?

Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far. I'm so nervous that the bolts will start shooting out of the walls and let all the water in and sink the boat. I'm not used to having an entire story written and prepped for posting and living with the results. I'm used to being just one chapter ahead of readers myself. So, these comments do make me rest easier.

Lovely way to tell me that I have done enough happy accident writing for the title to be heavier than me agonizing over what to tile the story in such short notice. I will take these happy accidents, because writing sometimes is all about them. Almost like a newborn fawn finding its feet after falling over its long legs. Life I feel just makes us liars. We just hope we never have to use any of them that carry a lot of impact and weight along with them. Unfortunately Joel has had to, where as Colt's lies, at least so far, hasn't been too heavy of a burden for him it seems. Probably more so his parents, who are also liars every time they agree to let him go camping, when they probably think they ought not to.

I guess other than Celia and Trace, possibly Lacey, he has been one of 'the' people to take a time invested interest in what's going on with Joel. But, it could also be like a cat playing with a mouse, right? Not wanting to leave the mouse alone after finding it. He doesn't seem cruel, his actions. But, we honestly don't know, do we? He does seem to have some protective instincts, he was the first one out of the water and ready to back down Jonny if needed. Oh look at me... coy may come easy, after all.

Fair, I'd say that's a pretty fair assessment. I do like to catch people off their toes a bit. Most usually my writing doesn't do much of that, so whenever it does... I take the wins. Even the happy accidents. and yeah, ruling out kitten murderer is very important. Coy, you say?

ooooohhhh...

Yeah, to be fair I think that's the most the boy has spoken that wasn't complaining about work to his parents. But the first depth-lite conversation he's had with Joel. Unless I'm forgetting something. They were both being a bit guarded in their answers, but there is something there that maybe hints at who Colt is and how he responds to things. Hopefully there's more, because I do enjoy all the Colt theories. Even if most of them just get a blanket Maybe in response. I have indeed cracked a rotten egg... it wasn't pleasant. It did happen quickly, before Joel could relax... if he's even capable, we've yet to see much of that. Oh goodness... for that last sentence. 😮 but yes.. possibly.

When something bright is removed, all you end up seeing is the darkness left behind. There is still hope of Cody, though. "I wish I never knew..." I really liked her choice of words there, and her reaction. I think that's the only second she showed something else. It wasn't enough, though. Not then anyway. And, I think 'assholes' with poor judgement and manners can't abide it. Unfortunately, that comes in all forms of people.

If you took the s off of Falls, that sounds like some sort of indie-rock song. "Drama at the Fall." And yes, as someone who has busted her knuckles (not by throwing punches, mind you), that is a very sensitive area to have an injury... especially broken skin as there's a lot of stretch and movement over knuckles. It sucks.

Yeah, poor Joel didn't get a real chance to enjoy himself. By the time he was feeling a bit good, there was two unwanted faces that he had to look at. Poor thing. And I think everyone knows that Jonny won't learn from this experience, but maybe Joel has shown himself to not being the pushover Jonny obviously thought he was when they were in high school together. And 'typical' sounds like a back-handed compliment. But in this day and age, it may be a breath of fresh air. and x2, I'm dodging the rest of all that up there.

You described Jonny pretty well *glances at character sheet* although, I didn't peg him for an athlete reliving his glory days... just a spoiled brat that had access to beer and so, he became 'that' person and a necessary factor whenever people wanted to have those kinds of parties. They know he's a loser, but he's a loser that can get them beer... he just kind of let it go to his head. Or maybe I am being too harsh. He after all, is an unintentional hero. Evidenced in Chapter One. And, I do think it is safe to say that Joel got a lot of unwanted attention.

They could be of the mind that they need to close ranks as well. Come up with a story that has nothing to do with the truth. Although, if that's the best they got with Westley's response... they better be working on it some. Would they kick him out of the house and then bring the opinions and gossip to their doorstep by 'telling' people the reason? If they didn't want to be the talk of gossip, it would have made more sense for them to shut Joel up, to not speak of it, to keep him cooped up and swearing not to act or say anything - or else - type of thinking. and yeah, I would like to see how the house dynamics change with his absence... and if Westley's parasitic behavior would be more of a glaring issue now... and who knows, maybe Joel does go back home and we get to learn all about it.

Yeah, I'd say if anything the only people concerned about his absence would be his coaches and some teammates.

And that weinerdog is how you describe someone's worst case scenario. My goodness. But yes, all of that could definitely happen. Maybe. And aww, that response being heavier than Colt maybe realizes.

He can be a little of both... self-absorbed, and feeling like his life has been invaded. To be fair, I think that's how most teenagers feel when you say hi to them when they're minding their own business. Again, not looking for those ages to smack my kids right in their faces.

I think, maybe.

Yeah, at least they saw first-hand that Joel can throw at least three punches. Although... it was against a bully that wasn't expecting Joel to do much of anything. So who knows, Colt might think he's capable. the rest is a big ol' maybe from me.

I am so going to feel like this trying to work my happy ass through these comments without, "hopefully," being too much of an overzealous little spoiler for y'all.