Hawgdad

Damn Wayne, I am absorbing so much more with the re-read. First read was on the other site, maybe it's the easier to read format here, maybe it's...... maybe we will find out. Never in my life would I have dreamed of being so absorbed in this genre. NEVER, and I suspect your story telling and writing skills have a LOT to do with it. Thanks for bringing me along. Tom

I'm in the process of re-reading to get back up to speed. And it's definitely better the second time around! Tom

WOW... really hit the ground running when we came back to this one! Can't let any moss grow under our paws. Think I am going to enjoy this more running by itself, and as it becomes more and more involved. GRRRRRRR..... Tom

This was a wonderful story of a young man escaping the binding circumstances of his upbringing, only to unexpectedly return and find possibilities of love and acceptance in his boyhood home. Wayne shares his incredible way of imparting an endearing sense of place and people and the unexpected possibilities they can bring. If you aren't acquainted with Wayne's writing, this would be a great place to join his dedicated readers. Tom

Great wrap up to a wonderful story. That was a fun little twist to Travis' appointment with Mr. Branson, not exactly what Travis expected... or was it??? Good to see Wren and Caleb beginning to find acceptance and make a life together back home. And then to find they may not be the only M4M couple in the holler. Sometimes there are more of us around than folks might expect. There are probably lots of places back in those hills that could stand a tad more diversity, and broadened horizons. Great job Wayne. I'm sure gonna miss lots of these folks, but I'm looking forward to re-joining other engaging characters, too. Thanks for sharing their journeys with us. Tom

Well if you ever have a reason to revisit these folks, you surely have my go ahead and blessing!!!

Another incredible, and intriguing chapter. We see some loose ends start coming together, still others remain. And speaking of loose threads... what about papaw Hambrick's ring from a long ago friend??? That was mentioned way back in the chapters, but still intrigues me. Please don't leave us hanging on what all that that means. Thanks again for sharing the journey with us. Tom

Well, I thought by now maybe I could re-read this chapter without getting emotional.... how unrealistic was that?? Wayne, that's testimony to the fact you have written this in a way that it's almost impossible not to have that level of connection to both the story and the characters. Well done buddy!!! Tom

I came back to re-read this chapter as a warm-up to re-reading 13... OH, now I remember why I missed this so much!!! The sense of place and people is just incredible!!! Tom

Aw gawd... loose threads be damned, I've loved where we've been in the meantime, but it's just SO nice being back in Bluegrass!!! Tom

Wayne gives us an INCREDIBLE story... very well written. Packed with emotion and life lessons. Great examples of how personal lives really can be successfully and happily lived outside the mainstream. Great lessons on love, loss, memorializing, honoring, and finally adjusting and moving forward with life. Many thanks to Wayne for stepping outside his comfort zone. Many of us benefited from his stretch!!! Come join us! Tom

GREAT story... very well written. Packed with emotion and life lessons. Great examples of how personal lives really can be successfully and happily lived outside the mainstream. Great lessons on love, loss, memorializing, honoring, and finally adjusting and moving forward with life. THANK YOU for stepping outside your comfort zone. Many of us benefited from your stretch!!! Tom

Just seen on FaceBook. Not about this story, but so totally in synch with the message here... "Kindness matters. You never know what might be someone's last straw." Tom

I'm pretty sure LOTS of us have alternated between sad and joyful tears all through the story. Tom

Thank you buddy for sharing your vision... Tom

Yes, I meant Kent (DUH)... "Build-a-Dom", I like that. I like to think that Stanley "saw" the Dom potential in Kent, and just went to work educating him. That may not be right from the Old Guard Playbook, but I would be willing to bet that Kent and Stanley aren't the first D / s couple to come about in that manner. Oh wait what am I thinking??? That's similar to "One Among Many: The seduction and training of a leatherman" from Leatherfolk, ed. Mark Thompson. If you haven't read that, you certainly should. Can't believe I forgot that story. Tom

I have really enjoyed experiencing Nate and Stanley's journey. It is refreshing seeing them consider and take steps out of order from the old established protocols for Sir / boy relationships because it is what works for them. The process still works... sometimes it just needs a little adaptation. Tom

Another great and significant chapter!! Time, which had come to a virtual crawl, begins to more forward once again. Chris and, Nate manage to support one another and with the help of their "village" navigate the process of honoring Tad and continue to assure his on-going legacy.. Kent and Stanley reach the milestone of acknowledging and locking their relationship in public. This constitutes a huge step for a non-mainstream same gender couple. Shane pretty much stepped up and came to the aid of Marcus. Truth be told, I had serious doubts he would rise to the occasion. Maybe it was motivated by a combination of Heather's good counsel and having the mortal crap scared out of him. Regardless, I feel more positive about Marcus finding his way forward with the example of Tad's book, some support, and counselling. Very well done buddy!! Thanks for allowing us on all their journeys. Tom

Bless you for going there and sharing the enlightenment with your readers... you did an incredible job buddy!!! Tom

Yes, the new Markus material absolutely enhanced the chapter's impact. It fleshes out his arc as well. Well done.... Tom

You were right buddy... this was a HUGE chapter. I smiled and I cried, smiled and cried, then just mainly cried. You've done a tremendous job on this; it's jam packed with enlightenment and emotion. Kali's head butting nearly undid me. It was like she was crying, "HEY DADDY... HEY DADDY.... hey daddy..... " then just settled in with the guys to work through it all. Thank you... Tom

Let's just get down to the real nitty gritty about this... Shane needs his dick tied in a knot... then a really hard, swift kick in the ass. Tom

My personal experience has been that if I 1. Don't panic... 2. Will myself to get through... 3. Keep putting one foot in front of the other... Can manage to navigate almost anything. It also helps to keep thinking, "Someone has to get this done."

It's kinda like we've been riding along with the guys with you driving, and the gears get changed and we're powering along to a strong conclusion. I'm (and hopefully everyone else) invested and in for the ride. Drive on buddy... Tom

At our house we always say, "The man in the middle has it all!" Tom