This was a great ending! It's amazing that you were able to make us feel like we already know and love these new characters! I certainly would appreciate a future story if you decide to.
I love that JP has his own sense of right and wrong (regardless of whether others agree with it) and sticks to it no matter the consequences. We've also seen him act and speak in anger, then apologize when he feels he was in the wrong.
I just started binging Mark Arbour's Chronicles of an Academic Predator this week. If you want lessons on killing off important characters, he's your man!
I agree that the "spilling the perfume" was accidental. Maddie knows way more than she's letting on. Jimmy's letting his desperate need to protect his mate cause him to be sloppy. A week is such a long time!
I did not experience the Cuban missile crisis, but your description puts me there. I was 31 on 9/11/01 and remember being glued to the radio at work and the tv at home.
I'm guessing that Stefan got caught with his English tutor. The scenes with Jeff seem bittersweet since I'm aware (due to the comments) that happiness is not in their future.
I would like to think that JP would have stopped if Mallory hadn't been so into it. Not sure if that's true or not, but it's a moot point, since Mallory loved every second.
I enjoyed this well-written chapter. I liked how JP handled jensen, I hope he covers all the bases (and his ass) during his quest to vanquish the old malcontent.
Because we are party to JP's inner thoughts and insecurities, sometimes it's easy to forget how smooth and charming he can be. Greasing the wheels of bureaucracy is something that has never gone out of style.
I empathize with the above comment, but I can't seem to stop myself. Some things have improved dramatically in the almost 60 years since this story was set. The cultural and social standing of LGBT people, the ability of children and spouses of abusers (like Jeff's father) to escape and prosecute stand out. But, the ability to travel 500 miles and actually get away from problems is regrettably gone.
I'm glad that JP let go some of his anger towards his mother. I'm angry at Stefan, but would have been surprised if he had reacted any other way. I was pleasantly surprised by Jeff. After last chapter's spoiler in the comments, I know more than I want to about Jeff's future, but I still look forward to seeing their relationship build. I can't even imagine the fear that these young men must have felt from being "found out". One of the many shames this country still has to bear.