Summerabbacat

Hopefully Melissa's parents will do more than slap her across the face. She is evil; I think perhaps she is even nastier and more vindictive than Ashley from Losing Kevin. Her parents should confiscate her phone, her credit card and buy her the ugliest clothes possible from a cheap warehouse and only allow her to wear those clothes to school. She should be grounded and forbidden to go anywhere other than school. Of course this would require at least one of her parents to stop stroking their own egos and pay more attention to their children. I don't care if Melissa is just acting out for attention, she needs a fucking hiding for what she did to Kyle. Buddy needs to listen to Andre very carefully. Andre, although perhaps delusional, is not dangerous for Buddys' health; Aubrey however is. He is just another user in more ways than one.

Mrs Caldwell really pissed me off in this chapter. In chapter 2 Kyle responded to his mother's prying with: “Why do you worry about me?” he asked sarcastically. “You should be worried about Melissa.” He knew his mother was aware of his sister’s relationship with Brad. He just didn’t know if she was aware of just how close they were. “Melissa can take care of herself,” she responded. “But I worry about you.” But, suddenly in this chapter because Melissa has upset her ordered life ”His mother chastised him because she said he should have been looking out for his sister." If anyone should be chastised by Mrs Caldwell for Melissa's behaviour it should be she and her husband. They have indulged Melissa and her bad behaviour for too long. She is behaving like the spoilt, brattish, princess bitch that she is. How I ask is this any of Kyle's fault or responsibility? Melissa is definitely up to something. Somehow she has either obtained or concocted "evidence" on Kyle. She may suspect he is gay and will attempt to use this against him to get what she wants. Her parents need to keep her on a tight leash, literally if possible. She is not to be trusted. Buddy's descent into further despair is very troubling. I see many parallels between him and TJ and Carter. If it weren't for Andre, his friendship and eternal optimism, I fear Buddy may have already taken action to end his own life. Someone needs to set fire to his trailer home WHILST HIS MOTHER IS IN IT.

Buddy's desperation is very worrying. Andre seems to be far more resilient than he. A friendship with Kyle would be beneficial for all three I believe. Another very moving chapter @Ronyx. I feared Brad would track down Buddy and beat him up, blaming him for alerting Melissa to his wandering eyes, hands and genitalia. I guess that still may happen.

"They jumped when Buddy’s mother hollered out, “Turn the fucking music off! I’ve got company!” Andre hurried to the dresser and quickly turned off the player. Buddy walked over to this bed, dropped down on it and covered his head in his hands. “When will this shit ever end?” He looked at Andre with misty eyes. “When will I escape the pain of life?” When he fell back on the bed and started crying, Andre leaned over, scooped his disheartened friend into his arms and whispered in his ear, “Just hold on, Baby. Someday your dreams will open the door.” OMG @Ronyx you do know how to "turn on the waterworks" for your readers. Buddy is understandably an unhappy boy without much hope, but he is fortunate to have a friend like Andre. What a delight he is; a young Mr Wilbur perhaps. I think Kyle's mother is likely aware of his same sex attraction and that his relationship with Jordan had gone beyond platonic. I think her primary concern though is for Kyle's happiness. Given her profession I daresay she is aware of the higher than average incidence of suicide amongst young LGBTQI persons. Brad and Melissa continue to underwhelm.

As is the usual case with any story authored by @Ronyx, one chapter in and I am already hooked. I love the comment of a former member that Brad is the "typical useless jock" and Melissa a "plastic Barbie". I have to say neither fare well in my initial assessment of them. The dynamic between Buddy and Andre is interesting. Buddy's circumstances appear to be something akin to those of TJ in You Promised Me A Tomorrow, although in this case Buddy at least does not have a drunken/drug fucked rapist brother like Butch. Kyle is an interesting character. Although somewhat petty, I loved how he refused to watch the Harry Potter movie in his bedroom, thereby preventing Brad and Melissa from engaging in further "making out" in the family room. I have to wonder if the absentee parents are aware of what their "plastic Barbie" is getting up to. I have read this one too many years ago @Ronyx, but may not remember the story clearly. Time will tell, but whatever I do or don't remember, I know I will enjoy revisiting the lives of Kyle, Buddy, Andre and Tyler.

"I agree with all the comments made by my fellow readers below. This is a wonderful story with well written characters and dramatic events which are part of life for many. The only "unique" comment I have to make is that @Ronyx created in this story one of the most unlikeable characters he has ever created in any of his stories I have read to date. The character shows little or no growth throughout the story and was universally loathed by the readers who made comments on the various chapters. The character is one you will "enjoy" detesting.

A wonderful story @Ronyx. I have to agree with several of my fellow readers. Devin was way too quick to forgive Ashley. I don't for one moment believe her lame excuse that she was jealous of Kevin. She is still a spiteful, manipulative, narcissistic bitch and is totally unfit to be a parent. And if Devin has to work to support the baby then she should too. And as for having Father Brannigan around for the family discussion. No, just no. The one thing that is not needed is the moralising of someone who represents that corrupt hypocritical organisation.

Kevin showed himself to be the most adult of all his family in this chapter. I would have had great difficulty accepting an embrace from Mommie Dearest after her recent behaviour. Cameron and Kevin are very well matched. Both are very forgiving (far more than I could be), but hopefully not pushovers.

I am with Devin on this one. Ashley is totally unfit to be a parent. If she is not willing to have an abortion (and her reference to the church's teaching made me want to vomit), she should be forced to give the child up. No child should be made to suffer having her as its mother.

"After her argument with Devin, she was convinced that Kevin was coming between them. Since she was giving Devin what he wanted, she expected him to give her his undivided attention. However, he was increasingly becoming preoccupied with his twin. Even after making love, he would often bring up Kevin’s name. She felt that if she could turn Devin against his brother, then she could reclaim the attention she deserved." I do not like the word "slut" as a general rule and usually refrain from using it, however, on this occasion I find it more than appropriate. I seem to recall it was Ashley who came onto Devin like a bitch on heat the first time they fucked in her home and was the one who insisted they fuck the first time under the bleachers at school. Devin well may have convinced her they could fuck without a condom, but she could have said no. He may be an asshole, but I doubt he would have forced her, especially on school property. Now when she is not getting her own way suddenly she is the self-sacrificing party. Guess what Ashley, you are a low-life slut who is now knocked up and it serves you right. I just hope she is not allowed to keep the baby as she is totally unfit to be a parent.

Well there are now three skanks in this story @Ronyx. Skank 1, 2 and 3. Ashley, Sherri and Mama Williams respectively. The latter is a first-class bitch, but does not have the excuse of being a hormonal teenage princess. A gripping story @Ronyx. I have forgotten the plot line involving Kevin's possible bashing.

Skank 1 and Skank 2 aka Ashley and Sherri need to be flattened by a runaway drunk driver or out-of-control semi-trailer. Ashley in particular is a nasty, vindictive c..t. Her comments regarding incest between Devin and Kevin were low even for her putrid mind. She should be forced to have an abortion or give up her child for adoption. She is NOT fit to be a parent.

Mama Williams is a wilfully ignorant, divisive and emotionally stunted harridan. Papa Williams is not going to put up with any of her shit. If she plays the doting grandmother-to-be when she learns her cohort in stupidity, Devin, has impregnated the she-devil, Ashley, I hope Papa Williams kicks her skanky carcass out of the house. She previously stated she is uncomfortable thinking about Kevin having sex with a man at some time in the future. Does this mean she is comfortable thinking about Devin having sex with a woman? Brilliant chapter @Ronyx.

The respective reactions of Mr & Mrs Williams were certainly not what was expected. The revelation of the identity of Uncle Jerry was somewhat surprising too. Apart from Mrs Lynch, it seems the female members of the cast i.e. Mrs Williams and Skanks 1 and 2 aka Ashley and Sherri are more homophobic than the males, apart from Devin. I have to wonder if some of his homophobia is him trying to impress Skank 1. Lovely twists and turns in this chapter @Ronyx I had remembered most of the surprises, although not the full detail. I remember when reading this story the first time the Williams' reactions and the identity of Uncle Jerry were hugely surprising.

Paul is an odious little twerp. When he is finally exposed as a closet-case I will have no sympathy for him at all. Mrs Lynch is a wonderful mother. Cameron is fortunate to have her on his side. Mrs Williams will come around I think, particularly if her husband is not as vehemently opposed to having a gay son as what she and Kevin assume will be the case. As vile as Devin has been I think he may still feel some affection for his twin. There may be some hope for him yet. For Ashley, no. The best thing that could happen for Devin is for her to die giving birth. She is an abomination.

I had the same impression as @JeffreyL. I think Dad may have an inkling Kevin is gay and may not be as perturbed by the idea as what many of us first thought. When faced with a gay son or a son is a father to be at 16 to a skank like Ashley, I think he will recognise having a gay son is a non-issue. I also think Coach may know the reason behind Devin's behaviour towards Kevin. Methinks he has likely overheard some of the gossip. Terrific chapter @Ronyx. The stupidity of teenagers accurately portrayed in the behaviour of Devin and Ashley. Just imagine the offspring - where were you conceived? Under the bleachers at Mum and Dad's school. I imagine Ashley's parents oppose abortion too.

I have to agree with several of those who have commented that Kevin may have more support than he believes. I don't think Stanley was bluffing and I suspect the Coach may be far more accepting than what Kevin may believe. I have a strong feeling his mother is likely already aware of his same sex attraction, and although I have no evidence of this thus far, I don't believe she will put up with any shit from either her husband or Devin. Sherri and Ashley? Carbon copy c..ts. I do hope they both get taught a lesson sooner rather than later. A pair of skanks. Another great chapter @Ronyx.

Magnificent @empresslovesreading. Once again everything I thought in this chapter have expressed brilliantly, and on this occasion without reservation. @Ronyx Ashley is fast becoming the most grotesque female teenager you have created and she has had some stiff competition. As for Devin and Kevin's father, he is a classic example of the disappointing dick man.

@empresslovesreading expressed almost everything I felt when reading this chapter, although he/she has expressed those feelings with greater reservation than I. Dad's behaviour is not encouraging, I strongly doubt he is going to be accepting if and when Kevin comes out/is outed. Parents who try to live out their own perceived sporting or academic "failures" are every bit as dangerous as "stage mothers". Ashley is a narcissistic c..t. I do not understand her obsession with Kevin's sexuality. It has no bearing on her or on her relationship with Devin. As for Devin, I hope Kevin flattens him in the next chapter. I don't usually encourage violence, but Kevin needs to beat the shit of his twin as he is every bit as big a c..t as his ho. If only Wilson could pay a visit to the school, although being the gentle giant he is he would not likely lay a finger on Ashley. Perhaps Trisha could accompany him and follow his example and lay Ashley out flat. Cameron's violent vomiting reaction was almost as disturbing as Devin's threats. Cameron definitely needs more help to recover from the psychological scars of his prior beating. Strong reactions all round from your readers @Ronyx. Ashley/Deanna/Stacy, enough to turn any man gay.

I am revisiting this story for what I think may be the third time. I think I remember most of it, but daresay I will have a different appreciation of it this time now that I am older and less tolerant of my fellow species, especially bitches like Ashley. I am almost certain I remember what happens to her and I am going to so enjoy detesting her and rejoice at her downfall. She is a rude, spiteful, conniving, manipulative, spoilt little princess. As much as I don't care for Paul, he was right when he said she should climb back into her cage. Kevin and Cameron are off to a rocky start in their friendship, primarily because of Devin's behaviour. What a prize arsehole he is. It appears he is a slave to peer pressure, whereas Kevin has a mind of his own and is prepared to use it. Cameron is right to be cautious given his previous experience as the victim of a vicious beating and then ongoing verbal abuse. Great start to this story @Ronyx. I shall try to pace myself reading this one, although the temptation to binge read will be very hard to resist.

I echo the sentiments expressed by my fellow reviewers, particularly those of @raven1. I liken reading this story to visiting the back catalogue of a musical artist one discovers later in their career; a joy to witness the growth of an artist who displayed a unique and delightful talent from the get go. Invariably I find such artists are like @Ronyx in that they hold their appeal for far longer than those who provide instant gratification. Revisiting his stories is a pleasure to derive time and time again as was this case with this one, his charming and entertaining debut.

This is one of @Ronyx's most challenging stories to read. Not an easy read from start to finish, with more tragedy, failure, hopelessness and profound sadness than the average Shakespearian drama. As noted in other reviews, it is the story of two boys whose experiences in life are the polar opposite, yet something draws them together, something which if critically analysed could not be envisaged. With a supporting cast of mostly likeable characters, and is @Ronyx's wont a couple of characters you will enjoy detesting, the story is a deeply moving experience with strong social commentary.

My fellow reader @weinerdog mentioned this story features two exceptional supporting characters, an assessment with which I wholeheartedly agree. One of them, an older African American gay male, develops a friendship with the main characters James and Dion, and his life experience and wisdom proves invaluable to them. He is one of the most delightful minor characters to ever grace the pages of a @Ronyx story. I am always impressed by any story which positively depicts older gay men and intergenerational gay relationships without a sexual element. Kudos to @Ronyx for exploring both with a sense of fun and reverence.

Spectacular. Carter and Dean, who would have thought and an added bonus to TJ and Randy. I have just wept so much that one of my fur babies came to investigate @Ronyx. She, Zelda, is very in tune with mood changes and always notices when I am upset.

I think it is appalling the Court forced TJ to get a job when he is so very vulnerable still and still at school. Forcing him to work for next to nothing whilst still at school and trying to adjust to a totally new way of life, albeit a better way of life, is clearly to much for him to handle. Wilson's assessment of TJ filled me with some hope that all is not yet lost. I think Carter's breakdown may be just what TJ needs to get him back on track. I just hope it does not come at the expense of his own life.