Bill W

Hey, I have a lot of stories with fewer chapters. It's just those in the books in my series that tend to get a little longer, since I have a lot to say. And where do you think I would fall in your title? In the middle category - fool?

I believe it may be the same evil skinwalker that's just showing up at different locations, although we don't know exactly why or how it's doing it.

Maybe you need to go to "Charm" school. 🤪

The word "demure" has an interesting and somewhat uncertain etymology. While it likely originates from Old French and Latin, its precise path through English is not fully clear. The word is thought to have roots in Old French words like "meur" (meaning "mature, ripe, serious") and "demorer" (meaning "to stay, to delay"). The Old French "meur" is derived from Latin "maturus" (meaning "mature"). The Anglo-French form became "demure" in Middle English, and Initially, "demure" meant "sober, grave, serious." But over time, its meaning shifted towards "affectedly modest, reserved, or coy,". The word "demure" was first used in English in the Middle English period, between 1350 and 1400. Specifically, the earliest documented use is from 1377. The earliest known use of the verb demure is in the early 1600s. OED's earliest evidence for demure is from before 1616, in the writing of William Shakespeare, playwright and poet. He used it meaning "to look demurely," but only the older adjective form has persisted. Examples of demure used in a sentence: "She wore a demure knee-length skirt." "I masked my true feelings with a demure smile." "The Amish women are typically quiet, demure, and soft-spoken" "How could she be so demure one second, and such a raging animal the next?" "She smiled demurely." "Demure clothes do not reveal your body and they give the impression that you are shy and behave correctly." "She was wearing a demure high-necked white blouse." "She is very demure and sweet."

Michael has spent many hours talking to his mother about why he doesn't want her trying to influence where he gets married, where he looks for a job, when they'll have children, etc., but she just doesn't seem to take the hint, so he's moved on to a new tactic. Devin and Mac think the skinwalker has formed some sort of a connection to them, since it is capable of reading other's thoughts and even controlling their actions. It might have attempted to control them at one point and failed, so maybe it's just curious as to why it failed. We don't know for sure at this point. Thank you for the feedback.

Orifice if from French, from late Latin orificium, from os, or- ‘mouth’ + facere ‘make’. Orifice came to English during the late Middle English period (1150-1500), specifically before 1425. The Oxford English Dictionary cites Guy de Chauliac's "Grande Chirurgie" as an early example of the word's usage, before 1425. Examples of orifice used in a sentence: "I was stuffing cake into every available orifice." "The water is expelled from the branchial chambers by one or two tubes opening by one orifice in most Batrachians." "There are likewise two pulmonary veins, entering the left atrium by one orifice." "The funnel, which is not large, appears to open, as a rule at least, into the segment in front of that which bears the external orifice." "Intromittent organ of male lying within the genital orifice. "Before passing into the pupal stage, the larva partially closes the orifice of the tube with silk or pieces of stone loosely spun together and pervious to water."

The word "mesmerized" is derived from the 18th century physician Franz Anton Mesmer. He developed a controversial theory called "mesmerism," which involved a mysterious force called "animal magnetism" that he believed could be used to cure illnesses and induce a trance-like state. The word "mesmerize" first meant "to subject to mesmerism," but later broadened to mean "to fascinate" or "to hypnotize". The first known use of the word "mesmerized" in English was in 1829. Examples of mesmerized used in a sentence: "But that day in 1996, the movie Twister mesmerized him." "Check out the fierce glare of the bald eagles — the birds are mesmerizing." "As a child, she was mesmerized by the paint jobs, hydraulics, and the curves of the cars." "Always mesmerized by inner melodies and day-dreaming, on family camping trips he packed his score pad to compose and arrange." "The child is unusually mesmerized by columns of ants on the ground and does not hear the calls." "Pundarika is mesmerized by her beauty and gets into a relationship with her."

Mac isn't shy to let his mom know how he feels. He doesn't want to become like his dad. Yes, there's an evil skinwalker lurking about, but we don't exactly know what it's up to. Devin and Mac will be sure to tell Gramps and Pops about it though.

I believe you're correct when you say we haven't seen the last of the evil skinwalker. He seems curious about Devin and Mac, and let's hope that curiosity doesn't turn into a substantial threat.

Thank you for your feedback and observations, Summer, and I think you're spot on when it comes to Christopher and Caroline, both about their sons and their pets. I believe they also feel that not putting restrictions on Conner about exposing his brother's occasionally nudity allows him to be more prepared for when he reaches puberty, and I surmise they would feel the same about what happened with Paul. They seem to be very good parents, who don't overreact to situations, so I'm sure things will be fine. I also think you're correct about Paul. His shyness may have been a reaction to bullying, but now that he feels he's in a safe environment with Cooper's family, he's ready to the fullest. And yes, he has a code word system with his parents for when he's is awkward or dangerous situation, or also to let them know things are going well. I believe they're also glad that Paul has found a good friend with loving and caring parents who understand the curious nature of growing boys.

Thank you for the feedback, Summer, and I'm glad you enjoyed the prologue. I was trying to come up with they type of story that Comicality might have written, or at least enjoy, and I hope I succeeded in that area. As far as Georgia goes, there are some gay friendly areas, such as Atlanta, but there are other areas that are the total opposite. For that reason, Cooper was justified in worrying when he learned the family was going to move, but fortunately, he landed in an area that would tend to be gay friendly, but it doesn't mean everyone there is. He and Paul are still going to have to watch their step. Thank you for your input, and I agree with you about that one Georgia politician. Luckily, I don't live in her district, but my Congressman isn't much better, just not as vociferous.

Even though Mac's parents know about their ability, the boys don't want to scare them or put them on edge before absolutely necessary. For one thing, Yes, and Mac explained to Devin when he's reacted so harshly when his mom has tried to interfere with their wedding plans and where they should look for jobs, she nags until she gets her way - entirely. Mac claims she did that with his brother and sister, and her nagging might have played a part in their early deaths, and he wasn't about to let that happen to him. Dad isn't so lucky. She seems to have worn her husband done over the years.

Thank you for the feedback, Johnny. The evil skinwalker keeps showing up in different places, but so far it hasn't caused any problems. It just seems to be study Devin and Mac, intrigued by how they appear to be living a normal life in the 21st century. Maybe it's a little jealous. 😜

Chapter 4 – A Thrilling Time When the alarm on my phone went off, Devin and I got up, took a quick shower and then dressed quickly before going across the hall and knocking. Now that we were all together, we walked down to the lobby to have breakfast. As we were eating, I asked my dad a question. “I think we already know what we’re going to do today, because we heard you talking about it with Lonny.” “Yes, it’s something else you’ll enjoy, because we’re going to spend the day

I read all of the stories as well and know what you mean. I hope my story didn't cause you to use too many tissue, and I think I speak for all of the authors when I say we're glad we touched your soul.

My most humble apology, @akascrubber. I just realized that I skipped over you comment, but not intentionally, so please accept my apology. Yes, I wanted to have them shyly go through the process of getting to know each other. I'm glad you approve and want me to continue the story. I think Cooper's parents will be okay if Paul mentions it to them, because I'm sure Cooper will explain the situation to them about Conner accidentally coming into the bathroom while he and Paul were in there and the Conner had asked to shower with him first, and Paul only offered to be a nice guy.

Ian, thank you very much for the feedback and I'm glad you're enjoying the story and would like it to continue. As far as your comment about Conner showering with Paul, I understand what you're saying and honor your viewpoint, but let me explain. I allowed it because it was Conner's request. He walked in on Cooper and Paul when they were naked in the bathroom and he was the one who asked to shower with Cooper and when Cooper told him to go back in his room and wait, Conner pointed out that his parents didn't want him to stay up as late as the older boys. It was obvious that Conner had most likely showered with Cooper before, so I believe that Paul was offering to shower with Conner as sort of a compromise. He might have done it to show Cooper that he wasn't bothered by Conner's intrusion into the bathroom and seeing him naked. I think being around Cooper and his casual attitude about them being naked together got Paul to see it wasn't so bad. Paul might have also offered to shower with Conner to make up for the fact that he didn't have a chance to do things like that when he was younger.

Thanks, SAB, thank you for the feedback and I'm glad you love the characters. There will most likely be more, but it may take a while, since I'm concentrating on other things I'm currently working on.

Articulate comes from Latin articulatus, past participle of articulare ‘divide into joints, utter distinctly’, from articulus ‘small connecting part’. The earliest known use of the word articulate is in the mid 1500s. OED's earliest evidence for articulate is from 1531, in the writing of Thomas Elyot, humanist and diplomat. Examples of articulate used in a sentence: "The baby is beginning to form articulate words and phrases." "She's an intelligent and articulate speaker." "He was very articulate about his feelings on the subject." "He is a good articulator of the party's message." "It's a fact that people who do not articulate well are more difficult to lip-read" "I really enjoyed reading your email to Pitchfork; it was articulate and intelligently argued." "They are delicate articulate plants with a slender central stem" "I agree that you're very articulate"

Quote : @wildone May 2 brought us great weather, with today around 26C or 78.8F ( @Bill W, I double checked my numbers ) and Saturday around 30C/86F, it is a good thing I will be in air conditioned comfort, except for the fifteen block stumble to the bar we go to after for food and ... more beer Steve, I'm glad that you finally learned how to use the internet to convert Centigrade to Fahrenheit. 🤪

If you're looking for an unusual and interesting murder mystery, then try this one out. I don't think you'll be disappointed. The crime itself is very unique and creative, and the killer isn't your typical run of the mill variety. I suggest that you take the time to read this short story to find out what I mean.

Now that was a wild and unusual mystery - an alien taking up residence in a human body and controlling it's actions. Very interesting, though, an quite an enjoyable read. Nicely done, Lee!

Summer, it takes years to create a mind as warped as Lee's, so he is able to devised all of these diabolical and wild tales. Sort of on par with Hannibal Lecter, or Thomas Harris who created the character. 😲

Thank you, V, and I'm glad you're loving the relationship that's developing, and living in a gay friendly area can't hurt. I appreciate your feedback.

Thanks, Silent. I'm glad you enjoyed this, and I'm glad you appreciate how I tried to come up with a story, sort of in Comicality's style, that I hoped he would have enjoyed. Many thanks.