TracyMN

I wouldn't want you to think i'm older AND lazy, Jack. This is a great story, and one with a significant amount of drama that nonetheless presents itself in a way that brings the characters to the fore, with the action as a backdrop. We come to know these "people" for who they are, as they express themselves through what they do, This is something I appreciate in all your work. The new faces gradually being woven into the much loved fabric of the lives we know so well from previous Splashes is the reward for consistancy, ours, but even more so, yours. Thanks again, and always. Tracy

I can't see Matt and Luc as anything but two people who may become friends, but more likely that they will go through some thing separately, in proximity and possibly of some help to each other. As Duncan knows already, I don't trust Matt not to cause some trouble before he gets better, and I agree with the comment that he may be the most wounded of all. I have confidence that whatever he gets up to, he is in over his head with this group, and by that I mean Scott and Josh, Luc, and Laura and Bran also. The emotional elements in Duncan's work are, in my opinion, a very deep ocean, wide ranging, and subtle as can be, much like the words Scott and Josh breathe into each other's mouths at their most tender and intimate moments. You're the Cat's Meow, Duncan. I love cats. Tracy

Though I had to sit through an interminably long, senseless movie to do it, I finally got to hear Leonard's version of Hallelujah! The movie was "The Watchmen", my daughter's pick, and the music was by far it's only redeeming quality. I realized that I have heard this song before, and when I said "this is Leonard Cohen", my daughter said "about a hundred people have done this song", and thanks to this thread I could have named a handful of them.

I was just looking for you yesterday, Krista. I must have heard you coming, or typing, or studying....haha School is important, i'll wait. But feel free to hurry.

Sure looks like you're on to something here, Steve. Hi Duncan I'll have to wait until Wed. when i'm back at work to listen to everyone's links, as my home PC (Hi WBMS ) is mute after a crash. Lovely to see everyone coming out for this! Tracy

I hate to have to say "me too", Krista, but me too, I read the chapter right away, gobbled it right up in fact, and decided Dad might just be a self-centered prick. And you deserve better for not making US wait. Thank you Tracy

Yeah, I think i'll have to agree with Drewbie about the Dad. He'll no doubt get worse before he gets better. But when our boy breaks free of him, oh how free he will be. Nice work, Krista, and as always, thank you for your effort. Tracy

Where's the sneak peek? I like this one, Krista. My money's on the Dad being not as bad as he seems, just loves his kid and wants the best for him...could be because i'm a parent myself, and sometimes I say things to my daughter and have to ask myself "who the heck is that?" I never want your chapters to end. I noticed it in Conflicts, too. That has to be a good thing. Thank you for your effort. Happy Holidays. Tracy p.s. more, soon.

If I thought I knew what was going to happen, it didn't. So I gave up thinking...haha, ahead. It's no fun playing a game if the outcome is always the same, I suspect I would not want to be right on all the time either, but I really wouldn't know that for sure. :-) I just realized that if i keep talking, it's possible Krista will be answering when she might have been writing. Where's the logic in that? Shhhhhh, Krista's writing..... yours can be whisper theories ANCK, and me i'll just wait. If I got to pick, however, I'd pick farmerboy allday everyday. Yum. Tracy

I just noticed you're the same age as my daughter. Oh yeah, I forgot, it seems we don't age from the time we join the site, but even so, I have to say i'm impressed with the level of sophistication displayed in this story. Obviously, you've been paying attention.... Tracy

You do sex pretty well, too, Gabriel. Gut level human is what i'm thinking. Not surprising that it would seem mushy in this age. As long as i'm alive, none of you need worry about going to far. :-) Haha, if that isn't reassuring, it's likely downright scary. Tracy

I'm still very much with you on this one, Krista. And I rather like not knowing what everyone's story is yet. Being a terrible "guesser" makes me a patient reader, with patience comes the reward of hearing the story you want to tell, the way you want to tell it. Thank you for your effort, always. Tracy

In my mind "Shane" always has an exclaimation mark after it. Hands down THE most powerful story i've read to date. Bring your Yankee courage along, and what ever else you can muster, if this one doesn't move you, check your pulse. Looks like I finally figured out where to put a comment. Oops. Tracy

Haha, good luck with that...they laughed when I didn't know what that was, I was 11; who's laughing now that we can't find one! Tracy

Now, "With Trust", all my Christmas wishes have been answered. I had read all of two, and was in the process of two more of your stories, Dom, before I realized you were taking some time away. The minute you came back, after reading the new chapters of course, I had DD and TOSOM to fill in the time between. WT was almost too much to hope for, as any one of these stories could be enough to expect from anyone, and especially at any one time. If anyone told me i'd be rooting for Travis one day...haha, now THAT'S good work! Thank you for your effort. Tracy

That's Jennifer Warnes, Sweetie, and whether or not she still is, I don't know, married to Joe Cocker, I have loved her since the first time I heard her. She does this song about the fashion industry that does a recurrent loop in my head--but have you heard "Frankie in the Rain"? You simply must. Aren't you forgetting something? Rather soon for such a thoughtful boy. That must be typing I hear. Thanks for making Cohen more than just a name to me. Tracy

A beautiful poem, indeed, Duncan. Those very powerful last two lines say all there really is to say, and as others have said, it is not who we love, but that we love, that matters. Thanks. Tracy

My first experience with your work, Krista, and a pleasant one at that. Haha, if one finds conflict pleasant, as this one is sure to have no easy answers. Thank you for your effort. I look forward to chapter 2. Tracy

Ha ha Duncan, that you do, and so very well. I'm going to stay out of the debate, and vote anyway. Sean. Everytime. Thanks for bringing him to mind. Tracy

Oh goody yum. Tracy

Hi Gabriel: Good question. We have had a couple conversations about wheelchair basketball, which I was delighted to find included in the story. But even having some experience with the mobility issues and other complications involved in the daily lives of these folks, I still find I have to remind myself to be sensitive. It's so easy to try to step ahead rather than wait behind them when heading for a doorway, and I because I know that people have different ideas about what they consider help, I am hesitant to offer assistance. We have had our consciousness raised about many issues, but I recall very little ever mentioned anywhere that would be of use in these instances. The idea of getting eye-level when speaking with a person in a wheelchair was something I knew would have never occurred to me, so that has managed to stick with me, and I have had a couple opportunities to put it into practice. In general, "ignore what you don't understand" still seems to be the order of the day. My daughter was burned as a baby, and has some deformity to her "pointer" finger, and a contracture in the space between that and her thumb, and the most insensitive comments have come from adults. We surely have a long way to go with our issues about "perfection". I absolutely love Kenny, and am impressed with Raf, whose edgyness I find believable and appropriate. Where Kenny's personality is more about Kenny, Raf's is more about the accident and the way it impacted his life. But I wonder why we don't comment on them, I bet i'm not the only one who actually has some well-formed impressions about who they are and why. :-) Thanks for asking. Tracy

I'm not sure if i'm putting this reply where i'm supposed to, but we'll see. I can go both ways :-) being sometimes an optimist and other times a cynic. But in this case, i'm banking on Duncan- the obvious is rarely what you get from him (Hi Duncan) and these characters just seem, to varying degrees, more highly evolved. Even Bran, who is probably the least sophisticated, was admirable in his persistant pursuit of the gymnist (her name escapes me, what's that about) and in his sensitivity to her. Not to mention his rescue of Matt; as an ex-addict myself I know how very few people there are who could manage that! There's plenty of stories around with characters who "should have known better", but it feels like we're coming in to these lives when most of them have had enough of the more destructive aspects of themselves. This is getting closer than I ever want to to "writing ahead", so i'll just say that's my best case scenerio and go back to enjoying the ride. And what a sweet ride you are, Duncan. And I recognize some other fine names here--you all keep very good company. Best wishes to all, Tracy

Nice work, Duncan. With all of the history, and the individual issues, the emotionally charged atmosphere is unavoidable. But I don't see disaster in it at all, mainly because the ones they are most worried about, i.e. Luc and Matt, both have something important to be gained by making this work. Luc gets to be where he wants to be, and Matt gets his peace and quiet. And that is really all Scott is trying to orchestrate, using what's available and having it work for everybody. After all, he knows what he wants most, and he has that; I see him wanting to help, not compelled to. To expect all the participants to take responsibility for their own feelings is to give them the opportunity to regain their self-respect. His obvious committment to be around to lend support and assistance will go along way toward staving off the disaster that is boiling under the surface of it all. This just totally plays into my own way of looking at things. If i'm the only one who thinks it can work, well, it certainly wouldn't be the first time that's happened. That we have heard so little from Josh, and none in this chapter, gives me a feeling detectives call "hinkey". :-) I agree it's a bit early to think I've a clue where you're going, but for 3 chapters in we sure have plenty to think about. As always, thank you for your effort. Tracy

I'm gonna be Jeff in my next life, Gabriel, so maybe then, yeah. But not in this one, not in this group. Though it might just be us that can't handle the thought of it. Recess--Priceless! I always laugh at references to channeling too, such a good way to illustrate a point. My insurance guy once told me not to call my maroon car red, 'cause that would raise the rate $20. Apparently there is some truth to what was going on with Callie. Thanks for another feel good chapter. How did another story get in between SS and Panhead? That's where i'm headed. Tracy

I'd have to say I agree, you're worth the wait (but people, is Dom ever coming back?). And it's nice to see that someone dares threaten you--and if you've ever come upon a raccoon in an empty dumpster after dark, you know they don't kid around. I couldn't help but notice you reply quite reg'lar here. We'll always know where to find you. :-) Tracy