Danners

A bordello is totally the way to go. Boone’s House of Beef has a catchy ring to it, don’tcha think? Seems to me their past together is clouding each man’s view of the present in that one is so positive he knows what the other is thinking/feeling that he can’t or won’t accept the changes happening. Boone is so sure Coy’s feelings come from a place of confusion and/or fraternal affection that he won’t allow himself to harbor any (more) hope. It’s premature given how long the poor guy was under Will’s thumb — er, trapped in his coils. While I don’t blame him for guarding his heart, he’s not giving Coy enough of a chance to come around or the time necessary to do so. Coy, on the other hand, seems to be under the impression that, where Boone is concerned, that ship has sailed. His friend’s plans don’t include him because they want different things and because Coy doesn’t know what he wants. He’s letting Boone make that decision for him when, even if he isn’t 100% sure what he wants, he does know what he doesn’t want: to lose Boone again. I feel bad for Coy. He’s been pressured to think and feel a certain way by basically everyone now, including Boone. If he’s going to be happy, he needs to stand up for himself. Deciding on his own has got to be scary for him, but at least he’s asking questions he wouldn’t have before now. Oh, and I’m beginning to think Blue is a barometer for where they stand with one another. The less that mule acts up, the more trouble they’re in.

Personally, I’m hoping for the opposite. The children will be remembered for decades to come with a statue erected in the town square, honoring those who nobly sacrificed their lives in order to liberate everyone from the candy hurling harpy known as Rita McKee. Plus, she doesn’t strike me as an attentive driver on a good day, let alone while chucking sugar grenades on a crowded parade route. Someone’s destined to become her speed bump. Poor Rick can’t catch a break — even his subconscious is hitting below the belt. The way things are going, whoever’s been messaging him will turn out to be Willy Kohler. I look forward to something going right for Rick for a change. At least he has a friend and ally in Mrs. Lee. Maybe she can run interference when his dad visits ... and go with him to the kids’ funerals.

All that guilt and anguish, s’not healthy. Poor Jimmy is so closed off, so weighed down, it’s no wonder his sanity is fraying. Whatever happened to his family, if he is (or feels) responsible, the rabid executions Alphalfa had him perform certainly didn’t lighten his load. I wonder if this perpetual state of mourning isn’t contributing to Jimmy’s problems with his wolf more than the need for a new pack. Because his human mind refuses to or is incapable of assuaging the man’s guilt, his wolf instinctively seeks an escape from their loneliness. Going feral means leaving all that damage behind. Anyway, I hope Sawyer can help Jimmy work through this trauma of his and remind them — both wolf and man — that love’s worth sticking around for. Having gone through rehab and coming to terms with his sexuality, albeit recently, he’s well equipped to untangle his mate from the turmoil of his past. If he survives his first change, I think Sawyer will be a formidable wolf. He’d have to be. Plus, I really want to see him beat the shit out of Fergus before the guy can stick his dick anywhere near Jimmy’s ass.

Yes, yes, and YES. Sheriff Willard is an intriguing character. His past is even more so. The soft spot he seems to have for men who obviously love one another — or, in the story’s vernacular, were made for each other — has to stem from something in his past. I hope it earns him someone made like and for him, and I pray that opportunity was already lost. Please do explore his story. Been a while since you wrote a spin-off.

That sheriff is the Yenta of the Wild Wild West, and thank goodness for that. However he phrased it, and by whatever means he took, I’m glad the boys took it to heart. It’s good to see them together again without the tension looming over their heads. ’Course, once they pitch dat tent and bed down together on the range, a little tension of a sexual nature would be most welcome. One can dream anyway.

Hey, that mule was good for something after all! Go, Blue, go! I’d like to think the other half of his broken lead was what ended up tangled between Boone’s legs and helped anchor him in place. Kind of a karmic apology for dunking him in the river in the first place. I’m relieved Boone is okay and with Coy, and that Coy forgave him for needing to branch out on his own. (Oh dear, pun not intended but still I cackle.) Injured as he is, Boone won’t be able to continue as planned, but I’m sure they’ll both appreciate paving a new path together. Assuming they head north once Boone can travel, and put his name on some acreage, there’s lots of lost time to make up for. For now though, it pleases me immensely that Boone can bask in the care of his friend. Coy too, being exactly where he wants to be and with whom he loves, platonically or otherwise. What an exciting chapter! Keep ‘em coming!

Damn it! Now that I’m all caught up, I’m once again at the mercy of your posting schedule and reminded of what an infuriating tease you are. Still, Gary, it’s a delight to read your work and get sucked it as the chapters progress. Here’s hoping the good Sheriff meant he’d spell out for Coy exactly why he should set out after Boone instead of plodding along alone in the opposite direction. I get the impression the lawman — as perceptive as he is and on the outside looking in — was able to see the pair more clearly than either could understand individually. Sometimes, when we’re too close to the problem, we can’t see that the solution was staring us in the face The alternative being that, with Boone gone, it’s open season on Coy’s ass and the lawman’s looking to turn it into a holster for his ... er, six shooter. Also, damn that mule! Even if Coy does come after Boone, all he’s likely to find is a horse tied to a tree and a camp scattered to the four winds, and that’s if Daisy is still there by then. Why are you so mean to your main characters?!

It’s funny how one’s subconscious mind can have such a strong pull on our actions. The pianist represents so much more to Rick than just a simple infatuation: he’s the key to bringing the skewed path of his life around full circle. Rick found someone who creates beauty in a place where Willy Kohler destroyed him and with whom he can lay the past to rest. The pianist could give him a reason to step out from under his father’s thumb, not to mention the strength of will he’ll need to follow through with doing so. To carve out the possibility of a future with the pianist, or because of the desire to pursue that idea, means no longer being a victim — of rape, of loss, of his father’s greed or Rita’s ambition, of life’s circumstances. I can understand how Rick ended up at Cedarcrest listening to his crush massage a tune out of the piano and why his thoughts scattered the way they did. He has something to look forward to — a reason to live, you might say (Also, and unrelated to this chapter, but is anyone else getting power lesbian vibes from Rita?)

I thought we already established it’s being called Yukon Do It. As for your other idea, how about Oils Well That Ends Well: Cave In On the Yukon.

Well, Gary’s done it again. Endings was a journey of discovery and a cautionary tale of the havoc depression can wreak on our lives. Chase was damaged by the death of his mother and Hank was tortured by the apparition of parents he didn’t understand, and each wound festered until what was an undeniably loving relationship detonated in the span of a single night. We watched as Chase struggled to pick up the shattered pieces of his life, rejected by the majority of his and Hank’s mutual friends. He found support in his sister and later his father, with true friends like Stacy — no ‘e’ — and Dawson, and learned valuable tools from his therapist. Without them urging him forward, he may not have overcome the guilt that drove him to punish himself over and over again. While we caught Chase on the upswing, Hank’s downward spiral was unveiled to us over time. The perceived sins of his own mother, Lilah, weighed so heavily on his shoulders that he couldn’t help but nosedive after catching Chase in the very same position he did her, and he did so spectacularly. Whereas Chase’s biggest mistake was to drunkenly flirt with a sociopath, Hank willingly and soberly allowed himself to be pulled into the waiting arms of another man. Cave-In deserves a dressing down of his own but he isn’t worth the effort. Throughout their story, Chase and Hank’s orbit never really broke. Their love for one another may have been buried under tons of psychological baggage and months of emotional hurt from what happened between them, but it was there and it was real. Otherwise it wouldn’t have been salvageable. They laid their sins to rest and started anew, and this time their relationship will blossom into a love story for the generations. One character we never had the pleasure of meeting was Chase’s dearly departed mother, Christine. Yet her presence was felt from the very beginning and her forethought actually proved invaluable in healing her sons. If the heartfelt dialogue and dynamic characters weren’t enough to demonstrate how absolutely talented Gary is as a writer, then let the gentle warmth of a mother’s love remind you that he was able to impart that without her saying a word. Endings was a journey and a cautionary tale, all right, but it was also a testament to a mother’s love and the power it has to shape our lives. Gary showed us the meaning of redemption and taught us patience — and not only because he refused to post more than once a week — and had me terribly invested in his characters’ lives. Though it pains me to know it’s over, as will you, I couldn’t ask for a happier ending.

A happy ending indeed. My only complaint is you saying we’ve reached the end of their story when, really, this is what I’d call their new beginning. They aren’t the same two people they were when their relationship ended, they’re more fully realized; they grew up. More importantly, now that they’ve laid to rest the ghosts of their past — Chase’s survivor’s guilt and Hank’s tortured heart — they have room for one another in their lives and in their hearts. They can love one another completely, totally, without hesitation — and they will. You only had me worried in the beginning, Gary, but it was also you who made me believe hope wasn’t lost ... even when you claimed it was. Once you made me realize things from Hank’s perspective — which, by the way, you hinted at beautifully while telling the story from Chase’s — I knew they’d find their way back into each other’s arms. It was inevitable. Now, have you written the wedding and when are you posting it? It hasn’t been a day and I’m already feeling withdrawal.

Ah, so that’s why Sid and “Theo“ up and vanished all those years ago. He and Mr. Huntsman having a thing back then also explains why the latter is so hellbent on Jett doing the right thing by Jay. Bah! Why, oh why, won’t I peek ahead?!

With all those barn cats, I hope you’re careful.

Oh ho ho! I’m hoping Handprints Charming makes the mistake of propositioning Chase again or that Hank saw their exchange and was coming to Chase’s rescue. It would do both guys a world of good for Hank to deck that creep. Or maybe I just want to vindicate vicariously. At the very least I hope Hank sees how bothered Chase was and how angry he is, and he doesn’t jump to the wrong conclusion. It’s probably what Chase expects to happen but maybe Hank will surprise him. It’s become pretty clear Hank is working up to asking Chase for a second chance but he keeps taking two steps forward and one step back. Him showing up at Endings won’t be a coincidence, I’m pretty sure. He either overthought the way they left things or, knowing Chase mentioned going to Endings, he pictured him getting mauled by Handprints Charming again and couldn’t let that happen. I’m sort of surprised Chase hasn’t figured out what Hank has kept trying to tell him. Then again, he’s angry and frustrated and by now is convinced they’ll never get back together. They did talk though, and Chase was able to get his points across. That’s something. Whatever remained he was able to leave on the dance floor, and that is sometimes the best therapy of all. Now, Gary, are you absolutely sure you want to punish us with a week of waiting? Haven’t we suffered enough? C’mon, be a pal.

As if Chase wasn’t messed up prior to and for some time after their breakup. Chase was forced to confront his baggage and it took months of therapy and support. Therapy and support — two important tools Hank did not have until recently. Hank has only begun to overcome his demons, the core of which was blaming Lilah for his father’s death. It’s the same one that caused his massive overreaction to the turned down proposal and Chase stepping out, the same one that pushed him to make perhaps inexcusable decisions afterwards. That’s one misconception that’s been corrected but it’s one he was operating on since he was, what, fourteen? Chase needed Hank to lean on before, during, and after Christine’s death, sabotaged that relationship, and hoped for forgiveness. Hank, the strong one, finally admits to his weakness and the mistakes he made, he needs Chase to lean on now, and suddenly he’s beyond redemption? That’s some double standard. Cut the man some slack and give him time to catch up. You can’t correct over a decade of damage overnight, but he has just as much potential to do so as Chase did. Lastly, their interaction this and last chapter proves to me (at least) that they could still make a great team. They’re more aware of each other’s bullshit now, Chase more so than Hank, and that old behavior won’t cut it anymore. They won’t allow it from themselves or each other, again more so Chase than Hank (but, again, Chase has more practice). For instance, Hank’s willingness to apologize and his sensitivity to Chase’s hurt feelings or Chase’s ability to cut through Hank’s anger and desire to comfort him. They’re not perfect and neither Hank nor Chase is “not good enough” because they’re both trying and that is good enough. /rant

What a beautiful story, Wayne. Even though it was told exclusively from Shawn’s point of view, you did an excellent job of conveying Ian’s feelings. The signs of his love for his friend were there from the beginning, but Shawn was too caught up in his own immediate gratification to recognize them. It may have taken twenty years for Shawn to reach where Ian needed him to be, but the time spent wasn’t wasted and the wait was most definitely worth it. I bet the next twenty years weren’t even spent making up for lost time — the pieces simply fell into place, allowing them to love in the present and focus on the future. You should write more poetry if it inspires material like this.

That line you crossed? It was the last one.

I take back every nice thing I’ve ever said about you.

I’ve been told that before. It’s one of the many orifices I provide.

Gary would never!

You should hire a better bookie.

Hank was broken; he hit rock bottom. Now, however, I’d say he’s haunted — by the mistakes he made, by the people he hurt in his righteousness, by the loneliness of waking up alone, and more. Faults he’s trying to work on. Today was a minor setback in how he reacted, but Chase’s form hand and Lilah’s patience helped him through that. He also had a momentary setback with Chase that they talked about and will hopefully continue to have a conversation about later on. (How upset he was over Chase being angry with him, how worried he was over Chase’s feelings, by the way, was one more piece of proof Hank needs Chase in his life.) For some reason I’m protective of Hank? What the what? Him being called broken made me want to cut a bitch. The things you do to me, Gary. You too, Wes.

Crap, I did it again. The parallel I drew was due to Chase leaving without sharing why he turned down Hank’s proposal, and Hank coming to the conclusion Chase needed someone else. The worry that he wasn’t enough for Chase was already clouding his judgement by the time he saw Chase’s kiss, and that’s partly because he was left in the dark. Because of what he saw and what he already thought, he never gave Chase a chance to explain. He thought the worst of Lilah because he was shielded from Henry’s drinking problem and their intimacy issues. Not that you’d broach the latter subject with your son, but Hank wouldn’t have been in a position to believe her about the former because he assumed she was an immoral tramp. It isn’t an exact comparison, no, but in both situations Hank had himself convinced he knew the absolute truth and it cost him a relationship both times. I hope it’s wake up call for Hank to stop jumping to conclusions and immediately digging in his heels before he has all the details. Maybe then he’ll understand why Chase was hurt/disappointed about Julio.

I honesty don’t know where to start. Lilah is a lovely woman with great taste. Patrick Stewart is a gem. I, like Chase, expected a fire-spitting dragon lady, but the woman we met is kind, witty, and charming and has a wonderful sense of humor. It’s funny how one character’s perception of another can color our own expectations. From this one meeting, you can tell how much Lilah loves her son and how much he means to her. She didn’t say so outright but leaving him must have been devastating. Throughout their conversations, her concern for Hank never wavered. Even when she defended herself or challenged his delusions about Henry, she did so with his feelings in mind. That’s how a mother acts, and I’m pleased she was able to prove that — and herself — to Hank. Hank handled her disclosure better than I expected, honestly. He didn’t blow up and storm off as he’d done so many times with Chase, and that shows the progress he’s made since beginning therapy. He also listened to Chase, allowing him to be the voice of reason, and that too is evidence of Hank’s growth. They were friends in those moments and I think it gave us a glimpse of how they used to be. Speaking of which, I’m pretty sure I have another ally in Lilah. Knowing they were no longer together, and watching them react to her and one another, I think she recognized the love they still share between them. Sometimes a simple gesture, like a calming hand or a comforting squeeze, can more easily voice our subconscious desires and in ways our conscious minds would argue with. Having avoided most of the comments in order to give a pure reaction, I don’t know if anyone else has pointed out just how true the parallel was between Hank and Chase and Hank and Lilah. In both cases, Hank was left on his own and, not knowing the whole story, he allowed preconceived notions to fill in the blanks. And, in both cases, he later found out it was he who may have ruined the relationship. And then there’s Henry. We don’t know for sure Will returned his feelings but Henry’s love for him is undeniable. I won’t call it a waste because he did have a family who loved him but I will say what happened to him was a tragedy. We’ll never know if he drank to escape his misery, to punish himself for his perceived cowardice, or both, but in the end it robbed him of any happiness he could’ve found later in life. It stole Hank’s dad away thrice — when he hid behind a locked door, when he died to liver disease, and again when Lilah was forced to unravel the image Hank clung to. There’s a lot more to write and to explore but this guy needs to make dinner, so maybe after that. Then again, there are all those comments to read. Fuck. It’s gonna be a long night!

This chapter definitely warrants a second read through before I’ll be able to unpack all my thoughts. For now I’ll say this: you touched on three tough subjects — adultery, alcoholism, and closeted gay life — and while you didn’t pull any punches, you handled them with the dignity and honesty we’ve come to expect from your writing. Thank you for that. You’ve given us — and your characters — a lot to think about. What an amazing chapter.