Danners

It’s called being proactive, silly, but let’s consider it a prediction. I’m going to enjoy The Green Side every bit as much as I did the previous stories, and I can safely say that because it will center around one Justin Peacher-White. He’s my fave for a reason. So there!

Pics or it didn’t happen. 😜

Thank god. Okay, now I have to go back and read everything leading up to Grant’s proposal. I’m afraid I’m guilty of nervous skimming up to that point. You sure know how to leave a guy on the edge of his seat, Wayne. You’re sure there’s only one chapter left? Don’t Aaron and Brian deserve a spin-off in an alternate dimension where neither Natalie nor Georgette would be hurt? Hasn’t Gavin earned a chapter or three spent in the arms of a strapping migrant worker? Okay, back to reading for real.

Good news! From IMDb: “Contrary to Internet rumor, the horse did not really die during the filming of the Swamp of Sadness scene. As confirmed by German magazine interview with Noah Hathaway shortly after the movie, and in the years since at conventions, the horse was given to Noah at the end of filming but due to the cost of transportation, need for quarantine, and sterilization, the horse was left behind in Germany.“ Noah Hathaway, on the other hand, did get hurt during the swamp scene. His leg got caught in the elevator and pulled him under, and he was unconscious by the time they got him out. Our childhoods are intact, no thanks to Debbie Downer over there. I’d say this deserves an early posting of the next chapter!

Do you have a horse named Artax? If so, keep him away from swamps.

May at least one of those tears be a happy one, born of times fondly spent and not the emptiness of loss. Tragic, powerful, and beautiful, Gary. These remind me of the paired poems of Goethe, particularly Prometheus and Ganymed. Two opposed viewpoints, two emotions, intrinsically bound by a single individual.

That relationship was tops. They were father and daughter, mentor and mentee, and best friends. The writing was fantastic too. Jason Dohring wasn’t bad to look at either.

Watch the series first. Maybe take a break from surveilling us.

How about posting on Maters-day instead of making us wait until Momday? Eh? Eh?

Alright, I was going to give Chase his own comment blob but this works too. Chase’s embarrassment had nothing to do with Hank’s conversation with Julio. He was embarrassed because he didn’t know Julio saw him that night and he wasn’t aware just how much of a mess he was. He was in the restroom so long the other barista thought he might be doing drugs and Julio had to tell him otherwise. Julio relayed all that and in front of Hank to boot. Sorry, I should’ve clarified my point. I blame you for giving us so much to digest in this chapter! Ha ha. It was a delightful Easter basket of goodies. Chase sure hit both curves of the sine wave, didn’t he. From the high point of a(n informal and unofficial) date with Hank to the low point of finding out Hank hadn’t told him the (whole) truth about why he believed he hadn’t cheated. Quite a night. On the plus side, he did get to go out on the town. I’m glad it was to their coffee shop and not to Endings. If and when he returns to the scene of the crime, so to speak, I think it would be cathartic for both of them if he and Hank went together. Even if they don’t stay long, having a drink there would help them work through some things. (Maybe find a quiet corner after coffee with Mom, when they could both use a drink.) Chase’s prep work reinforced his feelings for Hank more than his conversation with Dawson did. He primped. He laid out an outfit he knew would impress. He wanted to look his best for Hank. As often as he denies having hope they’ll get back together, his actions speak otherwise. ”I’ve got your back.” That alone imparted so much about how he felt about Hank and how much he still cares. The hug too. I think they both needed that, and what took both by surprise was not knowing how much they did. I don’t care what anyone else says: hugs heal. The next one will hopefully be reciprocated. I don’t know what’s going to happen on Momday, but I hope Chase comes to understand why Hank didn’t tell him about his conversation with Julio. It doesn’t change how Hank feels and it’s important he knows that. So, I hope he resists the urge to put walls up. After all, when he was trying to get through to Hank, all he wanted was a chance to explain himself. Why not afford Hank the same opportunity?

But Hank didn’t expect Chase to go with him. He asked him, sure, but he gave Chase several opportunities to say no. In fact, he seemed hesitant to ask in the first place and would’ve hung up beforehand if Chase didn’t drag it out of him. Despite everything they’ve been through, no one is more familiar about what happened with Hank’s mom than Chase is. Unless I’m mistaken, Chase was there for the tail end of it. Also, now that the anger and bitterness is gone, maybe Hank didn’t want to ask anyone else. It’s an excuse to get together without asking him out and it allows Hank to tell Chase how important he thinks he is without actually spelling it out for him.

Okay, Hank. He’s come a long way from the uptight and closed off hermit who refused to hear anything Chase tried to tell him. The previously upright pillar of strength, seemingly crumbled under its own weight, is slowly being rebuilt into a less rigid structure. One purposely left unfinished and with room for expansion. Hank is seeing a therapist! Hell yeah! It’s clear he didn’t have to necessary tools to work through many of his issues with himself, with his mom, and with Chase. Just admitting he needed professional help, from someone highly recommended by Dr. Chorney, is a huge step in the right direction. A thousand league stride, I’d say. The bike riding covers physical health and allows him time to think. Therapy helps with his mental well-being. His design of their rings, using Christine’s diamonds, has got to be the way he’s working toward an emotional breakthrough. (They’ll be wedding bands, by the way. Mark my words.) I’m so happy he asked Chase for help with his mom. I mean, looking for his support is huge all by itself, but there’s more. He confided in Chase instead of his other friends and he did so because, as he said, Chase was always good at giving [him] moral support. That admission, right there, tells us Hank has let go of what happened between them and is ready to move forward. Hank’s intake of breath when Chase hugged him shows it was unexpected but not unwanted. He didn’t hug back because it surprised him, just like his reaction to it was a surprise. It strengthens my theory that Hank kept — keeps — his hands stuffed in his pockets to avoid reaching for Chase’s. The little touches, holding hands, he misses that. Finally, the shoe being on the other foot. Chase had Hank on the defensive. Hank was the one begging for forgiveness and wanting to talk. He knows he fucked up and he was willing to forgo reuniting with his mom to give Chase an out. In any other circumstance, it could’ve been an excuse to avoid talking to his mom but in this case I wholeheartedly believe he put Chase’s needs ahead of his own. I hope Hank is able to ease Chase’s anger some during their conversation with his mom, if only so Chase realizes they should discuss their argument afterwards. Because they need to discuss it. They owe it to one another to resolve it before it becomes a bigger issue. Maybe Hank’s mom will do the work for him, reminding them both how good it feels to forgive, but personally I want to see Hank accidentally, instinctively, habitually reach over and comfortingly squeeze Chase’s thigh. That, I think, would have the most impact. Now for Chase but first coffee!

The shoes are definitely on the other feet. I understand Chase’s anger over Hank withholding information. Hank should’ve told him up front, yes, if only to spare his feelings later on. Instead of hearing about it from Hank in private, where they could discuss it at length, it was laid at his feet at a bad time and dredged up feelings he’d worked hard to overcome. His embarrassment was probably worse than the sting of Hank’s omission. At the same time, had Hank told him earlier, I don’t know that the conversation would’ve been much different. Chase still would’ve been angry because, like now, he thought Hank didn’t believe him until Julio set him straight. Which is untrue. In his own say, I think Hank tried to shield Chase from the embarrassment and from having to relive that painful night yet again. I also think what Chase felt in that moment was similar to the disappointment and anger Hank felt when Chase left him holding an unwanted engagement ring. Subconsciously, giving Chase a taste of that may have compelled him to keep his conversation with Julio a secret. I’m more inclined to believe it came from a good place though. Either way, it couldn’t have come at a worse time. They were making headway — acting like friends, having a real conversation, all that. There’s too much to say about this chapter. I’m gonna have to break this up into multiple comments.

Right? Time for Brian to put his mouth where Aaron’s money is. At least I think that’s a roll of quarters . . .

Uh oh. Troy’s confession to Beth and the message he left for Grant have me worried, what with Grant’s plans and all. The DVD seems like a bittersweet reminder one or the other will find after Troy refuses Grant’s proposal and their relationship falls apart. Maybe it’ll bring them back together when Rhett and Beth tie the knot but . . . I don’t know, maybe I’m just expecting the worst from you. Please, please prove me wrong. Otherwise, what a great chapter. Happy Easter for those celebrating it. Me, I’ll be holding out for Beltane, where Easter got its (horny, bed hopping) bunny.

Maybe it would be best if Mr. Huntsman walked in on Jett and April fooling around and not only because it’s an excuse for us to read another hot sex scene. Catching them when they’re whispering affirmations of love while one is buried to the root in the other would provide certain unrefutable evidence. Faced with so pure a show of emotion, he couldn’t keep claiming it’s only a physical fling. Of course, the “big reveal” would satisfy the same conditions. When you’ve loved each other for a decade or more and created something together you weren’t capable of putting into words before, it’s hard to argue that it isn’t the real deal. Sid, I suspect, may push for the latter.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but whips and chains excite me,” eh?

Maybe Perry will try to crash the double wedding and Charles will dunk him in the river. Then, at the reception, since there’s no garter to toss, the gathered men will take turns seeing who can punt his ass the farthest from shore.

An affinity for knives and clowns. Hmm . . .

If a blue whale’s ten footer can’t do the job, there’s no hope for the common man.

Exactly, and they never hated each other. Well, Hank found out he was wrong to try, thanks to Chase himself. And, if there’s one thing these two haven’t been and will probably never be towards one another, it’s indifferent.