Krista

I read somewhere that the average person is packing around the emotional/mental burden of carrying around at least thirteen secrets. Of course it is a social study and there is a lot of variables that goes into those. But yes, it was an honest answer from Davin when he could have scoffed or shrugged himself out from under that question and Joel wouldn't have blinked, but he didn't.

Aww. I love how you explained her here.

Him saying, "I can wear them wrinkled," as a mother would have wrecked me.

It is tough for people to accept help, especially when they know that is comes with expenses. It is difficult 'not' to feel like you owe them. He's also looking around and not seeing his worth to the place either, it's easy to see that everyone there has tasks to do and he has none. Human nature, and all that. And, as lovely as this comment is, I feel it is full of traps for me that's making me feel twitchy. I'm already feeling like I'm talking too much on the topic of some of these plot and character theories that y'all are floating around in these comments. You have listed quite a few here and I'm just going to run away from them and try not to let them feed my developing complex. It is a learning experience for me, as in all my years of writing I've only ever done three projects ahead of posting. Sometimes I was as far along as my readers with the writing, so I could feel more in my depth with my responses, because I also didn't know where the story was headed. Now that I do, this... this is smacking me in the face a bit.

Seeing established relationships playing out in front of you, even if Joel wasn't stand-offish, it takes a very outgoing person to infiltrate such bonded groups and make the attempt to assert yourself into it. At least, that's where my thoughts went after reading your comment. it is an interesting dynamic the three of them have, it took years to build up. I'm not sure that it is all that interesting in the writing I've done though, we'll see if y'all agree or not. And yes, eight years and having a self-inflicted "good reason," to be that way with people is going to be a habit he's going to have to break and it isn't going to break easy, no one breaks habits easy...

That is a very possible and realistic reaction for someone to make. Sleeping is a very intimate thing for people to do, you're trusting the person next to you not to do anything and you're shutting yourself down. Sleeping doesn't "feel" vulnerable to most us anymore, safe in our own homes, beds, where we have the upper hand. Joel doesn't have any of that, and Davin doesn't know Joel either. Not saying it is the best reaction for someone, but it is a realistic and plausible one. We'll see where Davin falls with that, possibly.

The pace of the writing does pick up a little bit after this chapter. I mean, it's finally nightfall after all. *whistles* And yes, Trace and Celia keep showing him they can be supportive. Seeing something in action has to sink in still for some people, especially those still reeling from something and the pain is all still fresh. In due time may fit well.

Yeah, there is a definite dynamic that Joel is missing out on with the three of them. They are so solidly with one another as friends, he has to feel all that out, I'm thinking. If he wants to, that is. Right now to me, I picture three puppies playing out in the front yard oblivious to anyone else and you're firmly on the outside of that. Not saying they're puppies. 😮

Thank you! I was severely concerned that the writing could become too heavy-handed with Joel's character and the fallout from Chapter One. I'm still concerned, mind you, but we're Seven chapters into this, so I'm hoping it doesn't get too, too, too heavy. Some people are turned off by lingering heaviness, I'm aware of that. It can disrupt pacing and make the writing feel a bit stagnated. And yeah, I say behind closed doors poor Joel is the dominating topic for discussions, for different reasons. I don't know how I'd feel living in a home after something happened and knowing that the whispered I may hear are about me... especially if it is something that's going to drive conversations longer than a few days.

After being led down the stairs and down the guest bedroom hallway, she held open a paned glass door that I hadn’t noticed the day before. Lacey grabbed my wrist, excited to show me her horse. Stepping outside, I saw that we had to walk along the porch a short distance to a set of stairs that led to a gravel walkway lined with young trees. Celia’s unintentional ruining of the surprise of him no longer showed on Lacey’s face or the set of her shoulders. Glancing over my shoulder Celia smiled as s

Thank you!

The only safe thing I can say is... Trace made him a promise. So.... there is a promise there, hopefully it is kept.

It is hard to watch someone struggling with self-acceptance vs. bravery vs. your own doubts. I get that with Joel's father, and a little with Joel as well. I was a little worried with the writing of Celia, for reasons. I've been pleasantly surprised with how most of you have commented on her character. I like all the bouncing theories. I hope some of them will be settled, however they settle. I know how a lot of them go, so I'm dodging the hell out of talking too much about any character right now. I'm glad you have liked the pacing so far. Splitting these massive chapters into two different parts in the early writing was a step I thought I needed to take, but also knew could cause some growing pains for the story itself. Pacing is important. I'm not going to say it is perfect in the beginning. I think Chapter 3 originally maybe should have stayed as the massive chapter that it was... but I also think it didn't hinder the pacing too much either. If it did, y'all have been gracious and not said as much anyway. Ugh.. it is only Monday. Silly little notions of me being good this go and keeping to a schedule.

I think the Kepler twins might be a wee bit concerned about there being another mouth to feed... err in their case, to compete for the last Taco with. As much as we've seen of them, I think it is safe to say they take their stomachs very seriously. The good ol' days where teenage metabolism being in high gear... may they pick up better eating habits before all that goes to hell in a hand basket. Still dodging Colt talk like a bullet.

Lot's of dynamics coming up that I am so interested in y'all getting to see... and maybe moving the story beyond the first 48 - 72 hours. 😮 Still a lot of interesting theories jumping around about how Colt and Joel are going to interact with all this newness forced onto both of them. Sighs... yeah I'll have to be good and not post the next chapter early...

Joel does seem like he would be a gain. You do wonder after the immediate anger/hate/disgust fades with his mother if she would feel the weight of what Joel brought to their household, or if those thoughts would stay in stone with her. I think one would have to be blind to see that the dynamic of Cody and Joel would be the most noticeable. Wes's endless supply of free shorts has ended though... I think the chapters I've reread the most are the next three chapters. Lots of dynamics happen now that the dust has settled.

That is my biggest fear as a parent. For a kind to challenge me that way. "Did you ever love me?" would wreck the absolute hell out of me...

Behind what? 😮

Can't remember the specifics for his... I'm thinking it is Corey wanting to go somewhere and them having some reservations because of his arm?

I think the only person Lee was ever afraid of was Cora... for obvious reasons. She could have wrecked him down to his soul, I'm thinking. I think she's always had that power over him.

I'll take your word for it, as I have no idea who Amber is. lol. Jenny's friend I'm thinking. I think there's three girls who are friends in this story, and three guys - Andy, Keith, Jenny I remember bits an pieces about (not their names, you supplied them), but after naming them some of my memory came back. I'm beginning to think I'm one forgetful side-trip to senility not remembering this story...lol. I know it is an older story and I have no idea what happens chapter to chapter. I do remember the overall story and the larger plot points and some things that have happened and interesting dynamics. Specifics are lost on me though.

Andy was the name of the character in original story that I shifted from to write this one. Totally different character though. Keith and Andy... I just remember bits and pieces of them. They get up to shenanigans often if I'm remembering correctly. Friend group dynamics are my favorite kind of writing.

Hurdle?!??!? What Hurdle? 😮

Yeah, they're good friends. I know I tend to make similar characters... I even think some of them have the same names. Me and names... I can't sometimes. And I'm still confused by my lacking memory with this story. I don't want to read up, I'd much rather start from chapter one myself; for a break and fun reading. And yeah, I do remember moving Jenny on from CJ rather early.

Oh.. this is the chapter that Jenny punches Cj, I'm thinking. I don't know. I think? And yeah, that whole dynamic: Clinton/CJ/Corey... sigh.. C names, I know annoyed some people.