Graeme

A transition chapter as everyone prepares for Joey's homecoming. Eddie's reappearance was a pleasant surprise, and the way Nicky and Eddie reacted to each other is a delight. My only question is how devious is Nicky? Can he organise that parade without Star or Gene finding out.

It's the little things that make life good. Like being able to pee... Or being able to hold the hand of someone you love

I'm not sure what I can add to what others have already said. Gene has found his bridge, though I disagree with droughtquake as to the name. The real name of Gene's bridge to yesterday is...Nicky.

East Timorese teenager's second chance http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-28/east-timor-hearts-fund-helps-teenager-paulo-nascimento/9288822

It happens from time to time... Usually, my memory is pretty good, but with all the characters in this series, it can be a challenge to remember all the details.

Gene is finally beginning to heal. Ironically, he's doing it in a hospital, even though he's not the patient. What's got me intrigued is whether it's Joey's or Nicky's need that has triggered the healing process. I suspect it's a combination of the two...

From homeless to artist... http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-24/card-designer-wayne-robinsons-journey-from-homelessness/9284204

LOL Thank you! Thank you. It was deliberately such a roller coaster, though the readers knew the bad times were coming. Now we have to see what Tony can do...

I like Helena, but then I like most of my characters. I agree with you with respect to Eric, but it's difficult to stand up to someone who can control whether or not you have a job.

Thank you!

That's okay, Tim. I know how much you love Alex And Deon's revelation at the end is definitely distracting.

Yes, it is. He died way too young...

I'd like to add one more story to the list, from the 2010 Ghosts anthology: This one is special for me, as it was submitted, at my request, by Codey's boyfriend after Codey had past away...

A very emotional chapter. It's sad that it sometimes takes a tragedy to make us face the truth. Gene has now told three people how he feels, even if one of them was unconscious at the time. As he said, he's been denying it for years -- decades, in fact -- and in the face of tragedy, he's finally acknowledging it.

Gene is a good example of what can happen if a wound isn't treated. Sometimes they heal without help, but sometimes they fester. Gene has a festering wound, but since it's inside on his soul, it's not visible to others. droughtquake noted the parallels with the events in Brittle as a Bird, but I couldn't help notice that this time it was Star who got Gene out of that loft, not Joey. Could that be that because of Gene's festering wound he couldn't take the pain of Joey being too close? Coach Arnold is another example of a festering wound. Something happened to him at some stage to make him someone willing to murder. That's not a simple hatred or dislike -- that's something much worse. We don't know what it is, but there has to be a cause for his behaviour. Until that cause is addressed, the Coach's of the world will still be out there causing harm. I'm sure there will be people who will blame religion, and I agree that religion can be a cause, but that's also too simplistic. There are non-religious people out there who also carry hatred of gays. Getting back to the story, I hope both Joey and Douglas come out of this okay...

Can I say that I miss Gene? I like the overall positive feel to this chapter, with coach Arnold providing the tension, but one of the things that make this story special is the contrast between Joey and Gene. Joey's highlights shine brightest when they're contrast with Gene's darkness. Oh, and Nicky is a delight

Gene is falling apart. it doesn't look like it will be long before he breaks into little pieces. People want to help him, but until he wants to be helped, it's a waste of time. It's not looking good...

One of the things I love about Ron's stories is how real the characters feel. Gene, Joey and especially Mr. Albright are complex characters. They don't have simple motivations for their actions, and they can change. Mr. Albright was a bad guy in Brittle as a Bird but in this story we see that he evolved. He came to regret his actions, but Joey and Gene see that change in a very different light. Joey sees it in a positive light, but Gene can only see it in a negative light. I think that's a more a reflection on their characters and their view on life than Mr. Albright himself...

We still have mirror images. Gene is looking for a dream and not finding it (at least not with Rodney). Joey has a dream come true with the adoption of Nicky, and with the pending formation of a gay/straight alliance at his school. But we also have a hint at how the mirror images could merge in the future, as they all join together at Gene's (and Allen's) father's funeral.

Thank you. I'm a romantic at heart, at least most of the time...

Highs and lows again. Joey's career is going well and he's in control. Gene's is going downhill fast and it's out of control. We can all see the crash and wreckage coming, even if the details aren't clear yet. It's not going to be pretty

Thanks, Gary. It's not an easy topic to write about, which is one of the reasons it took me so long to complete.

It's the contrast that brings this to life and lifts it up. From the depths that's Gene's unhappy life, to the heights of joy in Joey's, we can see the breadth of humanity. Gene is trapped, while Joey can only see a world of opportunities for Nicky and the kids at his school. Two people, and two very different outlooks on life.

I decline to answer This does remind me, though, of a couple of books by Kathy Hoopmann: All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/108391.All_Cats_Have_Asperger_Syndrome All Dogs Have ADHD https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4671241-all-dogs-have-adhd Both highly recommended.

A story about education and not giving up. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-24/frankston-north-the-place-beyond-the-pines/9038508