Wayne Gray

I think it's pretty accurate, no? hehehe. Yeah, Harlan seems to have it so bad for Bailey that others can easily tell. Thanks for the comment, droughtquake!

Thanks, kbois. Harlan does have it bad, and I think it's fun to watch him fall over himself in the process of getting to know Bailey. Huck needs knowledge. He's motivated to get it, so it would have happened regardless ... but having Clay right there, willing to help and familiar with all of the things he's struggling through was a tremendous asset. Looks like the camp is doing what it was designed to do, eh? 🙂 Orson is struggling with the idea of letting go of Elias. Even if he's planning to live just a few hundred feet away, he won't be right there. So there's an adjustment, certainly. I too think Joseph is right; Elias will forever need Orson in some capacity.

Thanks, chris. 🙂 Harlan is different in this light. Unsure, a bit skittish, nervous and even shy. I like him this way. Rayne and Huck are getting on. Clay definitely helped allay fears he had concerning his boy, and he's feeling a bit better about things. Mainly he wants Rayne to be safe and happy, like a dad should. Elias certainly has plans. His slip calling Orson "dad" wasn't planned ... but that just makes it even better; he felt it before he said it. 🙂

Thanks, Jeffrey! He has come so far. Orson gave him a safe place to grow and become the person he's meant to be, and so I do think you're right. "Dad" was okay. Orson earned that. He might have some adjusting to do in terms of Elias' push for independence, but with help he'll get there.

Harlan watched Bailey as he ate. An offhand portion of his brain noted that Greg observed them, but he eliminated that as any sort of threat. Despite his earlier suspicions, Greg and Clay didn't seem interested in Bailey—not sexually at least. Bailey glanced at Harlan as he put a spoonful of the delicious beef stroganoff into his mouth. He chewed and smiled. A cocked smile appeared on Harlan's face, then he looked back down at his own bowl. He resumed eating, enjoying the warmth of Baile

Thank you, Parker. There really is a lot going on for all of these guys. Bailey, Rayne, and Huck are new to this story, but they’re beginning to mesh and fit with those already at the camp in different ways. Elias and Orson are a special case, I think. I like writing the changes in their relationship. There’s more coming for them. Let’s see if you’re right. 🙂

"N’than woke early. Smeeth is not yet up, I will go on my own." WHY?! Oh ... silly boy. Let's hope he doesn't regret that choice! Nice chapter, tim. 🙂

Thanks, tim! Good, bad, and life in general on display.

Awww. Thanks, Rupert. There were a few emotional bits in this one. I'm glad it touched you.

Thanks, Quixo. This is a good point in time for all of our campers. Greg had it right: each was content and exactly where they needed to be when they needed to be there. It's a rarity in our world to see such a thing, and he enjoyed it. Those broken bits you mentioned are slowly filling in, thanks to those allowed in. There's something magical in that. Bailey has really suffered - physically and mentally both. He's had a couple of years to recover, but an experience like that doesn't ever really leave you. Harlan's giving him something he needs.

Thanks, Fred. Yeah, I don't like sickly sweet scenes and stories. I work to avoid them in my own writing, even though I like showing emotion. I try to keep the writing real. I want it to feel that way. I'm glad I pulled it off. 🙂

Thanks, chris. Important, but not exactly a good time. That's the dream, really. Elias is trying to be his own man, and that's a big move in the lives of Orson, Joseph and Elias too. It's a good thing.

Thanks, Tom. I'm glad you're here too. Yeah, this lot are really trying to do right, and they're hitting the mark for the most part. Not a bad chapter. 🙂

Well, he's a teenager. So he's already thinking a lot about sex, and it's just time for him to have his own space. It's a healthy progression, and yeah ... it's just time. Thanks, Sweetlion. 🙂

It has been a year and a couple of months. Everyone is a year older in this one. Elias seems a lot younger, because he has been emotionally stunted by his hard life before Orson. He's catching up now, which is mildly distressing to Orson. We'll have to see about that storm. Thanks for the comment, Geemeedee.

If you ask nicely Greg will skip the dill on yours.

Ah, I'm glad you liked that scene. With multiple characters, it can sometimes be hard to motivate to write scenes like that. They're work. But they do help to keep everyone straight. 😉 Thanks for the comment, Jeffrey!

It was a bit of a flashback, wasn't it? Unfortunately, Bailey will probably never forget that. At least he had Harlan when he woke. That was sweet. 🙂 Elias has plans, doesn't he? He's beginning to grow up a little, thanks to the support and love he found in Orson and Joseph. Hell, in all of the people at the campground. He won't be going far, but he's determined to take a step on the path to independence. Orson has a bit of a tough time with it ... but he'll be okay. Thanks, Butcher!

Thanks, kbois! Accident's do happen. A terrible one happened to Bailey, one he was lucky to survive; one that entirely changed the direction of his life. Huck is just trying to love and support his son. He's finally at the place where he has realized that's what matters. That the will of his God is to provide for and love his son - no matter what. And he's trying. Greg finally felt that moment. They all do, I guess, but he was actively conscious of it. And there's something special about that. Orson is gonna have to do some emotional processing as it concerns the changes with Elias. But he'll get there. He's got support and help, and he'll get there. I'm glad you enjoyed it. 🙂

Time will tell, but I sure won't. 😄

There are a few places like this in this story. Last chapter, this one, and maybe a couple more too. Where I could have said "okay, that's good." But you're right - there are a few more things to tie up. Thanks for the comment, droughtquake.

Thanks, molly. It's the kind of man he is ... to check on his worker as soon as he could. He was the guy in charge of the operation, so Jackson's safety was his responsibility. He thinks about what he could have done differently every day, but ultimately there wasn't anything he could have done. There was no way to know a tiny imperfection in the wall of the turbine was just a ticking bomb. But just because a naval investigation cleared him doesn't mean he can forgive himself. He's working on it ... but he has a bit to go. I really like those lines too. Greg standing a little apart, watching this little dream come alive for everyone in his campground. Content with the contentment of others. Yeah, that's really what is happening there. He's a good guy. He cares a lot, and he wants people to just have a safe place to be themselves.

"Hey, Commander Holbrook!" Bailey turned to the tech, a man named Jackson. The fellow grinned. "Petty Officer Crandall and I heard you last night at the club." He shook his head. "Damn, I had no idea!" Bailey smiled. "Well, you'll be able to hear me anytime you want, if you buy a CD. My label and I are almost done with it. I'm going next week to produce it, finalize the payment plan for the fees, and then it'll be finished!" "Man, that's exciting." The tech stepped around the edge of

Thanks, Quixo. This one really is special to me. I'm happy that you enjoyed it. 🙂

Thanks, Jeffrey. 🙂 Harlan’s not known for generosity, but here he is. Maybe the universe decided he’d earned a reward with his time with Bailey. Regardless, there’s more to come.