Will Hawkins

I was a little put out by the pacing of the first chapter, but things have taken hold now and we are moving apace/ The character development is by far not a weak point, in summary, a great job@ mister will

Because my father was an officer in the US AirForce - and before that in the Army Air Corps - we moved frequently between one southern spot to another. But I was not familiar with the 'Pas Christian' area, so I did a little Googling. Man, that area really took it in the shorts during the two largest hurricanes ever to make landfall on the North American Continent. Between wind and storm surge it is a wonder that poor little burg even exists today. My history goes much further back than the timeline of this tale. (I was born in 1932) I remember taking the train from the western New York State or the Miami area several times to Los Angeles or San Francisco, having to race by taxi across town in Chicago, St.Louis, Kansas City or New Orleans. It was a standing joke to anyone except the train passengers that a hog could travel all the way from the West Coast to the East Coast relaxing in ONE train car, but a human could not cross the Mississippi River without changing trains. I am feeling very much at home with your characterizations, OAT. I am hooked on the story and will follow it from now on. MisterWill

So much to comment on in this chapter: first, moving in and the 'help' of the parents, it seems typical, both sets have to clean the room, leaving the carpet soaking wet and bringing everything but the kitchen sink. I guess I was lucky, my first time away from home consisted of unpacking one large suitcase and a handshake from father and a kiss from mother -- I think they were glad to see me go! Next: the Greek row visitations - just the semester before I showed up there had been a loss of life. A pledge to one of the houses had been stripped nude and taken out into the country to be turned loose and find his own way back to campus. He was following a little stream through the woods, hiding from any exposure of his nakedness, fell over a falls in the dark and died on the rocks below. As a result, all the houses were forbidden from recruiting for years and, except for two which were located off campus, were closed. Hence no recruiting. Three: losing my virginity; for me, that did not happen for several years until after I graduated and moved to San Francisco. By that time I was so ready that everything went smoothly it was a wonderful experience. My boyfriend was very large, but also very experienced and gentle enough so that there was not even any pain. It was not loving, but we met, slept together, then parted, never to meet again. It was the best possible introduction to MM sex! Because I am not a drinker, I even remember everything!

Whoops -- as an International Student attending a US college, one would not be eligible to participate in a full ROTC program nor receive federal support while attending College. Only US citizens are eligible to become officers in the armed forces of the US, and because ROTC training has that as a goal, international students are barred from participation in a program beyond the first two years. However, if one becomes a citizen during the first two years of college, they may then participate in advanced ROTC during the last two years and, upon successful completion be commissioned as an officer in an armed force upon graduation.

I think I was very fortunate in my life -- I never had to 'come out' to anyone. They just recognized me for who I am. My progress in becoming gay was so gradual that people just either accepted it or ignored it. I never to the best of my recall ever hid my 'perversity'. Being who I am was just who I am, but in one sense I was fortunate, my being gay followed along with the change of attitude of the entire country. We became gay together. I am not effeminate, but neither am I overly masculine -- I am and have always been just who I am. At my current age (85), being gay or straight is just a name anyway. The only thing I miss is that I have outlived all my boyfriends and am cursed with loneliness.

I am sorry to see that something is affecting Will negatively. He became a real favorite in the previous book

Peter being confronted by bullies is not yet solved. He needed two things, one has been accomplished -- he now has someone to whom he can turn for support -- the other would be in teaching him how to fight back, Bullies are often cowards at heart and one or two good fists into their gut often takes care of the problem. A boxing lesson or three could accomplish wonders for Peter's present problem and for any similar one that he might face in the future. True, fighting does not solve anything -- except possibly with a bully who is likely to seek out another victim who doesn't fight back. Whether or not the bully will ever change is problematical, but at least as far as Peter is concerned, he will seek out someone else to pick on.

I am aware that the author of this story is Canadian and the occasional British expression he uses is a delight to a North American iconoclast like me. "Happy Christmas" is an example. I believe the USA is the only English speaking country to use "Merry Christmas".

'I am hurt but I am not slain. I'll lay me down and bleed awhile, Then I'll rise and fight again.' Sir Andrew Barton (c. 1466 – 2 August 1511) about whom the ballad was written was a Scottish sailor from Leith. He gained notoriety as a privateer, making raids against Portuguese ships. He was killed in battle and memorialized in English and Scottish folk songs. In the original, the first line reads, "Though sore wounded I am not slain,"

I love following up on the comments other readers make. In this chapter, we have another opportunity to do that: in Polonius: "This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man." Father of Ophelia and Laertes, and counselor to King Claudius, he is described as a windbag by some and a rambler of wisdom by others. It has also been suggested that he only acts like a "foolish prating knave" to keep his position and popularity safe and to keep anyone from discovering his plots for social advancement. It is important to note that throughout the play, Polonius is characterized as a typical Renaissance "new man", who pays much attention to appearances and ceremonial behavior.

If you look up the word 'faggot' in the dictionary, the slang meaning that the lexicographers seem to want to avoid has to do with "a bundle of sticks used as fuel for a fire." That refers to the apocryphal usage from the Middle Ages when gay men were bound in chains and tossed on the fire that was being used to immolate a saint to make it burn hotter, and eliminate a gay man as well. That usage has never been firmly established but has come down in the gay community as an alternate source.

I am pleased to see that some relative in Will's family is supportive. Being kicked out by his father must be a horrendous blow, although, considering the narrow mindedness of the father, it is what might be anticipated.

By the way, the use of "then" in a sentence not specifying a time is very British, but I am missing the frequent use of "eh" at the end of a sentence which would mark the dialog as Canadien to the US reader who is familiar with the local lingo.

O.P.P. Ottawa Provincial Police

Making out with the star of the hockey team is probably not the best way to 'come out' in suburban Canada. I was so right in thinking that things were going too well for Will in the previous chapter. Well, let's read on and see how this pothole in the road to true love works out in the following chapters!

Alright, I am suspicious of authors who write "nice" chapters. Things seem to be going just a little too well for Will right now. That makes me smell evil in the future. Early in my life all my relatives knew me as 'Bill'. But then I found out I was named after my Grandfather (so, legally I am William Sandles Hawkins II) and I announced to all that because he was called 'Will', I wanted to be called that as well. Of course, that made many points with my Father's family. I am grateful that I was not named after my maternal Grandfather, though. To go through life as 'Burton H. Carter II' would have been a little too much!

I have never lived in Canada, but I am familiar with the snowstorms that can blanket that part of the country. My family lived in western New York when I was in grade school. I remember one year when we suffered a "Lake Effect" snow storm. My father who was 6'-6" had to dig through snow in a tunnel that was over his head to get to the garage, then spend the rest of the day digging out the driveway. He had just finished and come into the house to change clothes and take a hot shower when the municipal snow plow came along our street and plugged up the driveway again. I believe that was one of the very few times I hear my father cuss in my entire life.

There are a number of locations on the new menu requesting information from users\authors in reference to different blogs they wish to become members\contributors to. Is responding to those requests a replacement for existing information or an update?

There seems to be a spirit of loyalty building here, probably because of the number of disparate people caught in the same circumstances, but they certainly are strange bedfellows!

I do not feel that this is a "getting back together" story. To me, it is a "taking up where we left off" story. In spite of the marriage interlude, I feel that these two have always loved one another. Then too, they now have two new little reasons to love one another. Superior writing, Dude and excellent characterization.

One issue I have with this chapter . . . the concept of placing a piece of cold meat on a blackened eye is strictly Hollywood crap. No health care professional would recommend it as a treatment. If any homeopathic treatment is used, a package of frozen peas might be the treatment of choice, because the cold cuts down on subcutaneous bleeding and the flexibility of the package mean that no uncomfortable pressure is placed on the bruised skin. Cooking and eating the steak would improve the attitude of the injured party far more than placing it on their eye.

Be prepared! That's the Boy Scout's marching song Be prepared! As through life, you march along Be prepared to hold your liquor pretty well Don't write naughty words on walls if you can't spell Be prepared! That's the Boy Scouts' solemn creed Be prepared! And be clean in word and deed Don't solicit for your sister, that's not nice Unless you get a good percentage of her price Be prepared! And be careful not to do Your good deeds when there's no one watching you If you're looking for an adventure of a new and different kind And you come across a Girl Scout who is similarly inclined Don't be nervous, don't be flustered, don't be scared Be prepared!

I am well known, perhaps infamous would be a better term, on GA for spotting homophones and grammar errors in published works. Many authors respond favorably to my suggestions. I have been criticized for doing this by others than the author, but as long as the author realizes that my efforts are designed to HELP, not to be a putdown, I continue to be positive about these. If ever an author objects to my comments, I immediately cease making my suggestions. This story sings and is a pleasure to read FSELL, I will continue to read with great interest and pleasure.

Eager for the big reveal!

I am overwhelmed -- this chapter tops any I have read on any website. WOW!