Summerabbacat

Wilson and Dean and Milton and Evelyn are heroes. Deanna and Dennis are excrement. The sooner Dean flushes his no-good-ho twin from his life the better. She is vile, vile, vile. "That is, everyone except TJ. He kept looking at me with a worried look. I began to see that familiar doubt creeping back into his face." I suspect this does not bode well for future chapters @Ronyx.

OMG @weinerdog, you are the eternal optimist and romantic. I have to agree with you and @J.El, I think Ben living with Josh and his mother would be a "good fit" for all, even if a romance between Ben and Josh does not eventuate.

I have re-read the discussion between Gavin and Ben several times now @Jeff Burton and can only guess as to who is likely to make an appearance at some point in time in Ben's new school. Given your comments above I think it may be Derek and Eric, one of whom was involved in the accident which nearly killed Jacob. I make this speculation only because they do not go to the same high school as Tyler, Jacob and co, and they made only a brief, albeit dramatic appearance, in chapter 7 of Jacob's Advocate. The comparison will no doubt appear absurd and perhaps even offensive to some, but I see many commonalities in the life Ben has led in foster care to my volunteer work fostering rescued cats who have been abandoned. I have re-homed many over the years and have adopted eight myself. My current family of four are all rescue cats as were my four now deceased. Most were very young when rescued, one was not so young. He had been the most neglected and responded far better than I hoped to an indoor life with other cats of varying numbers as his companions. This chapter was again beautifully, sensitively and authentically written. I too have some reservations about Ben living on his own and like @J.El fear he may spiral out of control. Living with Josh and his mother, even if only as a "boarder", may be a preferable alternative. Whatever transpires, so long as he maintains a professional relationship with Gavin I believe he will eventually conquer his demons.

Butch definitely needs a renaming to Bitch when he makes the acquaintance of Bubba in the 'Big House'. For TJ's sake I hope Bubba doesn't have a "small ugly cock", but a stupendous weapon of mass destruction.

OMG how much more can TJ take? Carter revealed a caring side not once but twice. There is hope for him yet. This is completely "out of left field", but I have to wonder, Dean and Carter? Food for thought.

And this is just what I feared Carter was angling for. I have to wonder if he is paying for all his weed and alcohol with sexual favours too. Unfortunately Dean shares some of his less attractive traits with the bitch who is his twin. His tongue should have been firmly planted in a cheek, his own.

Perhaps Wilson can help both TJ and Carter. Another emotional rollercoaster @Ronyx TJ just cannot catch a break. I think Carter is as dangerous as the weed and alcohol he keeps plying TJ with.

For a boy living in such an unpleasant home and with such low self-esteem, weed and alcohol are doubly dangerous. I am not sure if Carter is selfish or caring, perhaps a little of both. Great story @Ronyx. Although I have not known anyone living in the same circumstances as TJ, I have been long associated with rescuing abandoned cats so have some idea of the misery of being unwanted and unloved.

Wilson will take care of the "fags" hater I am sure. His recount of how he fell in love with Trisha at first sight was beautiful and for a boy of few words prolific. Sensational story @Ronyx. Rescue animals are wonderful. I have four feline companions, all of whom are from a rescue group and are much loved.

Deanna went from being a grade A bitch to being a prize c..t. I hope she gets her comeuppance big time. I would so like to have seen Trisha take a swing at her and connect with ferocity. TJ and Carter share a downtrodden camaraderie which none of the rest of the cast could possibly understand. If there is to be any hope for either they hav to somehow break out of the cycle of poverty and kick alcohol and/or drugs to the kerb. Wilson I recall from reading this story before. If my memory serves me correctly he is a protector of the underdog and someone not to be messed with. A very fine effort thus far @Ronyx. Apart from Deanna, the rest of the cast, even Carter, have appeal.

"Born to an alcoholic mother and a runaway dad. Lives a sad and lonely life. Drinks to forget his problems, and he usually ends up crying himself to sleep. That is my bio. Not much more to say." I think TJ's story is one of the saddest I have ever read @Ronyx. I can only but hope he does not descend into alcoholism/drug addiction like his mother and brother. As noted by several of my fellow readers of this fine story, Mrs Jones is a gem., but then so is TJ. Randy also "grew" on me this chapter. Beneath the shallow exterior, or at least the "mask" he wears for self-protection, is a caring young man. I just his caring for TJ is not solely driven by his hormones.

As a non or occasional-believer @gdaniel, God could not do any worse than many of the world's current politicians. As a non-conservative (on most, but not all issues) those who rely heavily upon their religious beliefs to bludgeon those who do not agree with them are the very worst "advertisement" for the possibility that God exists. This comment is not restricted to Republican Americans either. The very worst current example is the former leader of a nation to your south @gdaniel whose very conservative Catholicism seems, to me at least, to be at odds with his murderous leadership.

Another mother who takes her life's frustrations and failures out on her child, her responsibility who did not ask to be born. The best thing which could happen to TJ would be his mother and brother dead in a murder/suicide. What a disgusting pair of selfish parasites. Deanna is obviously very insecure, but I don't care. I find myself loathing her already. Perhaps she and Butch could become an item. Randy and TJ, never a better example of opposites attract. I strongly suspect this one is going to be an epic tearjerker @Ronyx.

It would not be a @Ronyx story without some tears (OK a bucket load) @gdaniel. I too find myself getting a little weepy if I have a few too many drinks, particularly when reminiscing about my favourite felines long departed. Unfortunately life for members of the LGBTQI community in many parts of the USA, including your home state, has become more dangerous in recent years with anti-trans hysteria perhaps the most virulent, and seemingly openly encouraged at the "highest" levels in public life. If only more people of faith could undergo the same "transformation" as you have, society as a whole would be much happier and less violent. I too have read this story before @Ronyx, but cannot recall much of it. I look forward to refreshing my memory. I have to say I find Randy somewhat shallow, but have to remind myself he is only 16, a time when looking cool and dressed in the latest fashions is just soooooooo important.

Given how Brett's life panned out in the end Corey was "lucky" to have escaped what surely would have been a life of heartache and uncertainty, both of which Brett seemed to experience continuously. Brett proved he is not a bad person, I believe he is someone who will never be truly happy because for him "the grass may always been greener on the other side". Perhaps his expectations are unrealistic, one cannot be truly happy ALL the time. I had never read this story before @Ronyx on any other site. I am glad that I have now done so.

Indeed @drsawzall. This revelation greatly surprised me. She is apparently nothing like the woman who to date had made only one appearance with: "Corey Isaac Andrews.” She almost yelled, causing me to stop and watch the spectacle. “Mom--” “Don’t mom me. Get in this car right now. What the hell is going on with you? The school called me at work, do you know what it’s like to be told you’re son’s a bully? We didn’t raise you that way. Get in the damn car NOW!” Mrs. Andrews said, her voice growing louder with every word." Your comment was food for thought. Perhaps her strong reaction on that occasion was doubly motivated - firstly she had to take a blunt approach admonishing Corey given his condition and, secondly she was very upset he had participated in something (bullying) which he has no doubt been a victim of himself. Whatever her motives, I don't believe now as I did then that her intention was to embarrass and humiliate Corey. Clearly Corey understood the reason for her displeasure as evidenced by his comment "My mom worked hard to help me understand empathy, and what other people feel when I say things I shouldn’t. And I knew as I said it that I hurt you badly before you dragged me to the ground. I could just feel it radiating off. I knew it was wrong. My mom raised me better.” I also re-read my comment and realised I may have given the impression, albeit completely unintentional, that the person I knew who was diagnosed with Asperger's was thoroughly unpleasant because he had Asperger's. This was not the intention. He was just thoroughly unpleasant.

I don't know a lot about Asperger's either @weinerdog, although a friend of mine was in a relationship with a guy who had been diagnosed with it. His behaviour was certainly more "typical" of what I have read of the condition. He was thoroughly unpleasant most of the time (the boyfriend, not my friend), which Corey has certainly not been to date. I was astonished by his comment: “Maybe I should wait down here.” He said quickly. “Down here? Why? It’s not like we haven’t seen each other naked before.” “It’s different.” “How?” He finally raised his eyes to look at me, “That was school, this is here. Your home. It’s intimate.” For one so young and seemingly inexperienced, he shows glimpses of remarkable maturity and perception. I just hope now that Nathan and Corey have connected as friends and sexually that Max does not pursue Nathan. Corey has already expressed an intense need for Nathan's friendship, now that he has it and more, I have to wonder what the repercussions for him would be if he lost either. I fear they would be far more crushing for him than for Nathan. Well @Jeff Burton Corey's revelation came as a complete shock. I thought him to date somewhat enigmatic and perhaps shy. I was very pleased Nathan reacted so positively to Corey's revelation too, in fact, his revelation appears to have been a very positive one for both. I have to say it, which will probably surprise some of my fellow readers and perhaps you, but I am beginning to find Jessica just a little too full of herself. Her badass Foxy Brown/Cleopatra Jones persona is wearing a little thin with me now. She needs to take a step back and let Nathan and Corey's relationship develop at its own pace, it does not need her interference, comment or approval.

Darla, another ho to add to my list of ho's I would like to see drink rat poison. @Ronyx perhaps you could arrange for Carrie to visit this school when it has its annual dance (assuming it has one). Now that would be chaos most welcome. Although she should not have to, Roni was a little foolish kissing Cindy at the cinema, although such a venue is often fertile ground for horny teenagers. If only other horny teenagers would mind their own fucking business. I too believe Roni may be the lesbian Craig referred to in the prior chapter @weinerdog. I assume Roni's mother and Craig's mother may be related somehow for Craig to know this. If the mother's were just friends I imagine Roni's mother would be less likely to discuss such a "shameful" embarrassment, but if they are related I imagine Roni's mother going all out for the "sympathy card" before the news spreads throughout the town. @weinerdog you have raised another of your oft interesting speculations. I must be as dumb as a post too because it has not occurred to me Craig could possibly be gay. Bisexual maybe, because after all "a hole is a hole so I will just fuck it" (his attitude I expect, not mine). I have assumed, and still assume, he was like most boys at the age of 12 (before his balls began to drop) and found girls annoying, and possibly somewhat intimidating. Whatever his orientation, I have little doubt he will be a dud fuck as he will only care about getting himself off, with little or no regard for the pleasure of his "fuckee" (partner would be just too "icky" for him). Seth and perhaps Ty appear to be "fish out of water" at this school, boys who are not interested in or uptight about the sex lives of their classmates. Unless the little we know of Ty thus far is atypical, I don't think he will have a problem with Seth being gay. Stacy is certainly a little prick-teaser. I wonder if she learnt this skill from Mommie Dearest. I think @scrubber6620's speculation is right on the mark, hence my angry emoticon to his astute comment."Yes and when Stacy catches them in the act, he will blame Seth who heard them talking and finding out she would not give him a blowjob or such his dick. Seth asked to help him out. Stacy will scream, not blame Craig ,and unload on her mother who will go ballistic on Seth." This could well be the precursor to the peak of the chaos. @Ronyx another marvellous chapter. The angst is ramping up with teenage hormones continuing to simmer beneath the surface. Whose hormones will get the better of them first?

With this chapter you have surpassed your prior efforts in all three of your stories @Jeff Burton. I did not think it possible you could write a chapter more emotionally devastating than either ‘That Dark Good Night’ or ‘That Dark Day After’ from Jacob’s Advocate, but write it you have. The good doctor (@drsawzall) and the canine wonder (@weinerdog) have already expressed much of what I thought of this chapter, far more eloquently than I of course. Chris’ hyperventilation and subsequent breakdown was somewhat reminiscent of Tyler’s breakdown, but for some reason affected me even more so. Perhaps it was because Chris had been so resolutely strong, bearing much of Nathan’s and to a lesser extent their father’s grief and anger since the death of their mother/wife. I had previously commented he kept things very close to his chest and I wondered if he would eventually “break”, well “break” he did. The episode was so powerfully, yet so gently written Jeff, and again with such authenticity. A truly remarkable piece of writing. I did not like Jessica to begin with. Her badass Foxy Brown/Cleopatra Jones persona I found a little too contrived (perhaps I took her too seriously), but when she took Jackson down all was forgiven. The words “mean motherfucker” rang in my head as she threatened his genitals with all sorts of damage. The one “light” moment in this chapter was the threats she made against said genitals. Methinks Jackson would do well to avoid her, or at least wear a cup whenever in her vicinity. I found myself beginning to tire somewhat of Nathan’s “oh woe is me” attitude part way through the chapter. I have to agree with the good doctor again; Chris’ meltdown may not only prove cathartic for himself but may be the “kick in the arse” Nathan has needed to make him realise he is not the only one suffering and grieving, and that Corey may have something to offer him other than grief. I was very pleased Nathan took on board Corey's suggestion to tell Chris just how much he meant to him when he was released from hospital. As for Corey, well he has bigger balls than Jessica, Nathan and Chris combined. His honesty in this chapter was remarkable. I think he proved once and for all that @weinerdog was correct, he was attracted to Nathan long before “the incident” took place. I think this chapter may be the turning point for the lives of all of the main characters i.e. Nathan, Chris, their father and Corey @Jeff Burton. With the promise of therapy to come or continue for the former three and the potential friendship of Nathan with the latter, I believe all four may slowly emerge from their Life in Suspension and I for one, look forward to witnessing this emergence.

Perhaps @chris191070 is living by the old adage "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" with a slight variation to align with @Jeff Burton's "profession", "a chapter a day keeps the doctor away". Whilst we do not want to pressure Jeff too much, he really only has himself to blame. If you are a worker and you produce quality, the bosses (in this case we faithful fans) will only expect more of the same.

Both underrated, particularly the latter. I have about 20 of Doris' movies on DVD and about 25 of her albums on CD, many of which are soundtrack albums. She could sing effortlessly in any style. She was much admired by other artists, both Frank Sinatra and the spectacular Sarah Vaughan were reported to have been fans. As much as I love her movies and music, it is her animal rights activism I admire her most for @raven1 and what she too wanted to be most remembered for.

My first "encounter " with Eve Arden, and until I was an adult my only encounter with her, was as the school principal in 'Grease'. As an adult apart from 'Mildred Pierce' I have seen her in 'My Dream Is Yours' and 'Tea For Two' with one of my favourite actresses of all time, 'Calamity Jane' herself, the wonderful Doris Day. I loved Eve Arden's voice and her sense of comedy, much like the wonderful Rosalind Russell. The latter is sublime as 'Auntie Mame' and Sylvia Fowler in 'The Women', two of my very favourite movies which I can watch time and time again and never grow tired of them.

I had the feeling after the first chapter that Corey may have been interested in Nathan before "the incident", but had not contemplated he had acted deliberately to serve detention with Nathan as a means to getting close to him. An interesting speculation @weinerdog; as you stated people do strange things when they are attracted to someone. @Jeff Burton you express teenage male angst, in fact make that male angst, so vividly with just a few words. "I nodded and he gave me a peck on the forehead before disappearing upstairs. Chris was seriously the best older brother a guy could have and I hoped one day I could bring it to myself to open up enough to let him know that before he went to college." Oh how many times have I tried to tell someone I love them, but have found it very difficult to do so. “Just leave it Chris.” I said as my chest felt tight. “No, not this time. I’m done leaving you to self destruct. I refuse to watch you go through whatever is in your head alone anymore. You’re my baby brother and I just won’t do it anymore Nathan.” He said in a serious tone that made me flinch." Nathan is very fortunate to have a brother as loving, caring and accepting as Chris. This scene was terribly moving, and ultimately cathartic for Nathan, and perhaps for Chris too. We still don't know how much he has suffered due to the death of his mother as he keeps things close to his chest. "Seriously, I’m not going to explain the books, look it up and you’ll understand me better. It looked like he was half way through it, already. Had he seen what I was reading the other day? Why was he reading it? Wait, he can read?" Nathan showed a glimmer of his wicked sense of humour again. Is romance blossoming in this story too @Jeff Burton? I look forward to reading more of this enthralling tale too.

I have to confess @Jeff Burton I thought Tyler's monologue was a prelude to Jacob's sudden death. I am glad you, like Tyler, decided he was worth saving. I took a long time to read this chapter as I was firstly cooking and then eating dinner whilst I read it, accompanied by the beautiful vocals of two of your nation's finest songbirds, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris. The beauty of your words in this chapter seemed to soar with the majesty of Linda and Emmylou's vocal accompaniment. I have to agree with your decision to split chapter 6 into two smaller chapters of 6 and 7. I think had you left them as a single chapter the emotional impact on some of your readers may have been too great to bear. I like my fellow "critic" @weinerdog found myself weeping profusely, much to the concern of one of my beloved feline companions. The pain, both physical and emotional, experienced by all the characters in the aftermath of Jacob's accident was told with great authenticity. I am not surprised to learn you had a personal experience similar to Tyler's catatonia; one could almost feel his emotional suffocation. An exceptional chapter @Jeff Burton.

Edith honey it is time to take those bitch pills and kick arse. And when you kick the good Reverend's arse to the kerb, put the boot into Sheila's arse too. I suspect he is holed up with her somewhere.