Danners

As for Chase and Hank, I see their last conversation and Chase’s interaction with Carlos and Trey as indications they’re both trying to put the past behind them and move forward. It’s too much to expect them to rekindle their old romance after so much devastation and also because it’s associated with pain and betrayal. They’d never truly recover from that, and they need to . . . individually, at his own pace. However, I can see them falling in love all over again, slowly. Actually, that’s not quite right. I can see them falling in love with the newer versions of each other, the men they’ll become after they’ve had time to heal themselves. Underneath all the scar tissue, they’re both great men, after all, and I think there’s a good chance they’ll come to recognize that. Friendship comes first, of course, and that’ll come. It may be rough at first and strained at times, but friendship can develop even between enemies. And enemies they are not. Not anymore.

I can understand where Carlos and Trey came from, not that it was the right move to make. A move, I might add, they admitted to being wrong about and asked forgiveness for, and Chase got it. Yes, they should’ve gotten Chase’s side of the story and checked up on him once the smoke cleared, but friendships — like people — are complicated and often messy. What stood out to me, what I felt was the greatest indication of the value they put on their friendships, is that Stacy, Chase, Trey, and Carlos were able to slide back into the role so easily. It seemed almost effortless and just clicked. To me it isn’t the time apart that matters most, it’s how friends act after they’re reunited. They set aside any bad blood in the past and focused on the present. Anyway, back to Trey and Carlos. Carlos was the one who had a problem with Chase “cheating” and we didn’t know why until this chapter. Even then the details aren’t clear but it’s enough for me to get why his immediate reaction was to want nothing to do with Chase. Was it right? That’s debatable. Was it honest? Damn straight. Trey chose to stand by his man and I can respect that. So too can I respect Ray and Frank for wanting to stay out of it. We don’t know that the latter couple were staying in touch with Hank either and I get the impression they hadn’t until the aforementioned barbecue. Yes, the Chew Crew could’ve done a lot of things differently. Chase understands that and did fault them for it for a time, but he chose to forgive them. That to me says they’re worth it.

Thank you for recognizing my supremacy! As for Hank’s mistake, I’d rather not mention him at all anymore. He’s a non-issue, just like I consider him a non-person. He fulfilled a need, albeit a confused and utterly self-destructive one, and now that it’s over between them, he can crawl back under the bridge and troll some other vulnerable man. Oh, and I see what you tried to do there. Chase doesn’t think he can handle being just friends with Hank, not friends at all. Trixy, trixy, Gary, trying to gloss over that detail.

Woohoo! First, before it slips my mind, I fully suspect Carlos and Trey have ulterior motives for inviting Chase to dinner next weekend. Ray and Frank won’t be the only men Chase is reunited with and little Joey may be the key to closing the distance between he and Hank. “Out of the mouths of babes” comes to mind. In keeping with that, I’m relieved Hank has indeed been using this time alone to examine himself and start processing why he reacted the way he did, not only with what happened with Chase but the whole underlying trust issue. It sounds like it was time well spent if he was able to take their latest conversation to heart and set the record straight with Trey, Carlos, and the rest of their mutual friends. Also, the fact he reached out at all speaks of the progress he’s made. ”Not yet” is exactly right. Hank still has a ways to go, as does Chase, but they’re moving in the right direction. From what we’ve been able to glean, neither is backsliding, consciously or otherwise. Although Hank seemed a little lost after their last conversation. I hope they can rediscover the support each is able to provide the other and take advantage of that as they attempt to bridge the distance between them. Chase is taking Dawson’s departure in stride so far. That he’s happy because his best friend is happy is a definite positive and so is reconnecting with old friends. Things are looking up for him, especially after he admitted to himself he still loves and hopes to build a life together with Hank. Even though he thinks the chasm is too wide between them, he did question that after finding out what Hank told his friends. Chase’s hope gives me hope for a happy ending. Oh, and last but not least, Carlos had an abusive or adulterous ex. That’s why he reacted so strongly and immediately iced him out after taking Hank’s side. His question to Chase — “Do you [really understand]?” — and Trey’s comment about Damian not deserving him kind of fit that piece of the puzzle in place for me. It makes sense. Why, oh why, must we wait a whole week for the next chapter? (That’s rhetorical, Gary, unless you want to surprise us.)

As sorry as I am that this is the final chapter, it pales in comparison to the joy it gave me. Im so happy that Mark got his happy ending and that it was David and Craig by extension. By no means will a lover — true love, I dare say — and a surrogate family extinguish the pain of losing his parents, but it will certainly help fill the void their passing left behind. So too will the stability of a job and a place to call home that doesn’t require larceny. He’ll be as good for David as David is for him, and that’s another reason why your story makes me so happy. David gets his happy ending too. No longer will he feel alone in the crowd, having found the one person around whom his orbit is fixed. Even miles away, he’ll feel tethered. I think they’ll make it. Their love is the real deal. Still, catching up with them in a few years would make an excellent sequel, don’t you think? Your readers certainly do! This was simply wonderful, Geron.

Wow, this chapter had a little bit of everything in it. The only thing I’d like to see is more, but you’ll deliver that next week. I hope Troy realizes Grant needs him as much as he needs Grant. It’s beyond the normal definition of love. As a reader I feel blessed being able to share that with them. If their reunion was the high point, then I guess Sandra’s confession was the nadir. Yet, as heavy as the scene was, when that ice dam broke and Grant’s family huddled together in a way they hadn’t in a long time, you could see the silver lining of Sandra’s diagnosis. For all the tragedy of her condition, it’s begun closing the rift that had Grant taking a job across the country. And then there’s Beth. Something tells me she and Georgette would — will? — get along swimmingly. She’ll take to Grant too, I think, because he’s a good guy who obviously means the world to Troy. It’s more the hometown info she needs to share with Troy that has me worried, especially as it pertains to John. Every chapter is better than the last, including the non-cannon adventure of Aaron and Brian. Especially that one.

I envisioned Dan making moon eyes at April until Mr. Huntsman declared — well, more like demanded — that he be April’s new boyfriend. And that’s a bullet he and Jett already dodged. Can’t leave Laura any openings. She’s devious. Ha ha.

Sure, I’ll help! For someone who holds absolute order above all else, a little controlled chaos will pucker his ass so tightly he’ll implode: - Shorten a boot lace or pull all the slack to one side of the lacework. - Cuff the leg of his pants at different heights on different days so there’s always a crease needing ironing. - Put a single fork in with the spoons one day, then invert one knife in the drawer the next day, and so forth. - Arrange his table setting differently for every meal, one item at a time, and never quite correctly. - Loosen a screw or two in his favorite chair or his bedroom door so it squeaks. - A nail clipping or a grain of rice in his boot or a sock. Or, you know, just require explicit instructions and constant feedback/approval for every single task, no matter how simple or how small. Do it correctly for a day or two, remembering to ask for reassurance you did it right, and then inexplicably make a mistake and lose all confidence, thus restarting the cycle. Sure, it’s more work and eats up extra time, but it’ll drive someone like him crazy. I know you meant their Dan, not me, Dan, but in a war versus Mr. Huntsman, I’d be much more useful.

An excellent start, Geron! I’m liking the relationship between the fathers and sons of the Henderson clan. There’s real friendship there, not just kinship. You can sense the level of trust and respect they have for one another from this one chapter. It’s refreshing — in the age of helicopter parents and kids glued to screens 24/7 (which is hypocritical for me to say when I’m online all the damn time, but that’s neither here nor there), they’re more invested in family. So, kudos for Grandad, Robert and David. Kari can go suck a lemon — and does, which is why I’ma call him Headward instead of his given name. A sterile home in Westchester sounds boring as hell if you ask me. At least give a guy some X-Men or something. Or a condo at the Bolfort with a view worth drooling over. This is gonna be a fun ride, I think. Not that I’d expect anything less from you.

Prove me wrong. Say you’ll post on Thursday.

At no point was MONDAY included in my statement, so it wasn’t something you’d say. I’ll take the compliment though. 😝

Andy set up a punishing pace(y) towards the end, finishing with gusto. Joey.

With Gary at the helm, it was Brent who ended up Dawson’s creek. 😉

Better not.

There’s no accounting for taste.

Um, hello.

Insatiable, remember?

Can we have the sequel instead? Erik Christian Olsen is way more palatable and much easier on the eyes.

In other words:

For the sake of their libidos, I hope you incorporate some nuttin’ in the story. Preferably of the make up variety between Chase and Hank.

You’re just mad you have to incorporate it into the story now. Admit it: it’s a great idea.

You’ll get a few more if you post sooner.

He can’t be that far north. Bears want to hibernate inside him. He and Perry can honeymoon in Washington State, preferably towards the northeast. If an active serial killer doesn’t get them, there are enough meth labs peppered throughout the forests that the likelihood of them getting blown up is high. And I like those odds.

Rex will make an adorable ring bearer.

If anyone can satisfy me, it’d be you. Maybe. Only children are insatiable. Don’t forget Brent’s courage. After Perry’s mouth wrote too many checks his aspirations couldn’t cash, Brent was brave enough to walk away. He risked it all and earned himself more than most people can hope to dream of: a loving and devoted partner, a business that excites him, and the promise of a bright and fulfilling future. Perry may be a narcissist but he’s a lazy one. He has all these schemes but no follow through. The only time he finished anything was when he was inside that poor woman who’s now stuck raising his son, and look how that turned out. The boys are definitely the real deal. If their reunion can reignite the hope Chase thinks he lost and remind him there could still be a future for him and Hank, then I’ll be satisfied. Maybe.