Krista

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.

Almost like he couldn't help himself. FAFO slapped him right in the face too. Too bad people like that are hard learners... Also, you make some interesting points. Trace and Celia do know what goes on at Colt's little camping trips. Or at least some of it. They're not blind to things and they not only allowed Joel to go, they insisted. So, one has to think, if things went completely south that they 'couldn't' blame a lot of that on Joel, Colt, or the Twins, kind of have to look inward on that decision and swallow the words as a parent. I would think anyway.

Sounds plausible.

Sometimes young people have a bit too much, "foolish bravery," running through their bodies. Was it a bad idea for him to go? Not necessarily, really. Joel reluctantly showed some bravery and it kind of backfired on him, but at least it was there. Sometimes we have to see the little things when things go poorly, and count them as something... But yes, one 'could' say he did the 'one thing' he set out 'not' to do.

Here's hoping that the boy has some chill. If not for Joel, for his own health.

We'll be back to the regular scheduled posting now, so Friday, if not Saturday, since as far as I know the Wildthing still needs to edit the next part. This chapter was originally tacked on to the massive chapter before it. We decided to cut it, Wildthing pitched the idea that I 'could' post this chapter Monday. I got impatient, knew I was going to have a stressful day today and decided to post it Sunday. So.... I will behave now and not break from that posting schedule anymore. At least until I am forgiven for jumping the gun a bit. I do have to make the attempt to keep my favorite beta reader/editor happy, if not he might not put up with me. I think I may be a bit of a... I don't want to say bother... but yeah, a bother. In the most loving way possible, I'm assuming, because he's stuck with me since 2007ish. And, I hope you noticed that I answered the easy question first and that I rambled far more than required to answer the question asked of me. If there was any a time for me to dodge myself right out of this comment, it is now.

Lol! Glad to be of service.

Colt led me around the garage to a dark charcoal gray extended cab truck, smaller than Trace’s, but still just as shiny and new looking. There he stopped to slide on a pair of sunglasses. I heard the doors to the truck unlock so I opened the passenger side as he walked around. Climbing inside, I heard him clear his voice. “Get in the back, I’m picking up my girlfriend,” he ordered, and I glanced in his direction before I slid back out of the seat. “Sorry,” I offered as I opened the sma

I do like my job, I like it more than Mondays.

It is very human for people to think they can fight against the inevitable too though. It is very human for us to think we can hold back the tide, even though we know that we can't. Thinking we can and realizing we can't is a lost battle that everyone has felt to some degree. and Maybe "Learned to Lie," could be in his past. Maybe. And Maybe is my new favorite word.... y'all are likely going to grow very tired of reading it. I will not grow tired of using it though, fair warning.

I applaud your poetry in this comment. Well done, well done, well effing done.