Arran

I think Alex is definitely more experienced than Harry, in many things. He has an eye for Harry’s “attributes” and I think he’s used to getting what he likes. But for anything else to happen will probably require a scene change. We’ve already learned that Alex is mostly on his own at home. The story is progressing a little faster than I expected, though. I assume that’s the different direction from what you intended, dearpeter? Interesting name, by the way.

Another great chapter, Jeff. Didn’t expect Jake and Ryan to drift as friends. I guess Ryan really is the jock letterman now. Too bad. I expected that they would ultimately get together again, but then Jake might just screw it up again since he just can’t move on from Danny. I was hoping that Kyle might work out, but again, Jake’s obsession with Danny. Well, you’re in the driver seat, so I’m along for the ride wherever you take us. I just don’t see Danny as the viable option for Jake.

It’s Kyle’s last name. It got me at first too.

Is that a hint for more of the no-talent pop star, droughtquake?

That was going to be my next question.

Interesting beginning, dearpeter. I like it so far. You get right into the thick of it. Alex seems older than Harry. Or is he just more worldly?

Great comment, Dodger! Food for thought. I see that you are a statistical person. Very scientific, indeed.

You make some good guesses at an explanation for why Ryan said what he said, but I can’t begin to conjecture what it might be. Maybe “in my own way” will become clearer in the next chapter or so. But since we’re closing in on the end, maybe not. What do you think, Jeff? Anyway, For now I favor the idea that this is just how Ryan is.

Good chapter, Jeff. I’m just going to roll with whatever happens because I, too, am becoming dizzy with all the emotions bouncing back and forth like molecules in a hot gas. Kids are kids. Nothing makes sense because their emotions blow with the wind.

But how many times is he going to get burned until he really feels it. This should have been that time. Play with fire and it will ultimately consume you. Maybe Ryan is part of the problem too. He is too quick to forgive. He should have let Jake stew for a while.

But Danny doesn’t love the women he has sex with, he just loves the sex. Maybe that’s the same way he feels with Jake. Maybe when it comes down to it, Danny just can’t truly feel love for anyone. Maybe in a nutshell, that’s what bisexual means.

I thought this one had died an untimely death. I can’t remember where it left off, it’s been so long.

“I’ve loved you for a very long time. You broke my heart when you told me you could never be with me. It took Ryan for me to get over you. And then…” And then what? What Jake didn’t say might be the key here. “Was it really a mistake?” he asked. “Danny…” Jake didn’t answer because he couldn’t say yes. “I will stop if you tell me to,” Danny said. “But if you don’t want me to…” Jake was hesitant because he didn’t want Danny to stop. I wouldn’t describe what followed as making love because it was desperate and animal-like, a satisfying of raw desire. “I love you, Jacob,” he whispered to me in the silence. “I’ve always loved you.” He held me tighter. For years I had wanted him to say those words to me. And now, it all felt so wrong.Things had just become much more complicated. Jake is utterly confused. He got what he wanted but maybe the timing is bad? Or maybe Danny loves him in another way? I think what Danny wants and Jake can’t give him is a family, a stable life like his parents. In any case, Jake is in complete turmoil and he has absolutely no idea what to do about it. He should feel guilty but maybe he can’t. I look forward to the next chapter, Jeff. You’re making Jake’s life quite miserable, you know.

“Do you have anything I should know about?” I said. Shouldn’t Danny be asking the same thing?

“Never forget I’m your teacher,” Mr. Reilly said sternly. “If you don’t hate me by the end of band camp then I’m not doing my job.” Looks like Mr. Reilly is doing his job. Jake might want to recall what was said. I’m looking forward to seeing how he reacts to Mr. Reilly come morning. Did Brett realize how prophetic his words would be? “He’s (Danny’s) a good kid, but there’s trouble brewing there,” Mr. Reilly warned. “Don’t let your guard down.” Looks Like Jake let his guard down and Mr. Reilly’s the reason. Finally, did anyone notice that there was no kissing? It was purely physical, mechanical. Both boys are feeling rejection, and when that happens, something like this happens, like Danny drifting to girls after sex with Jake, which, of course, we all expect to happen.. And yes, Mr. Reilly needs to control himself or he’s going to drive his band away. They wiil hate him rather than respect him. He is flirting with complete turmoil now. I hope that he will put his and Jake’s words at the end in perspective and change his demeanor come morning. I think that he and Jake need each other whether he knows it or not. But maybe Brett is just reacting to the fact that he does see something of himself in Jake and thus does feel something special for the boy. another great (and explosive) chapter, Jeff.

😊

Are you sure that you are on the same page, droughtquake?

Oh, you are harsh! Of course it doesn’t matter to me. I’m too old to care.

Think about it, Jeff. Looking at all the comments, people are having fun reading this story written on the fly and so delightfully spontaneous. You are sort of fashioning the story around the comments as well and… you are giving your readers an escape from the same stress that you’re trying to put out of mind. What you’re doing here I expect few writers to be able to do. I certainly couldn’t. And you inspired another writer as well. That’s pretty good. Ordinarily, I would fear writer’s block to be a problem, but under the circumstances that you’re writing and engaging reader input, I don’t think you have to worry. You’ll know when they’ve had enough, if they have enough, and skillfully wind it up. My stories have been completed before I post them because writer’s block and disappointing my readers is foremost in my mind. I’m glad that there are writers like you who are willing to take the risk and make it work for them. It helps that you picked the right circumstances because your readers are as homebound as you are and have the time to read and comment on this delightful story. And your input helps. And it helps that you are whipping out one chapter after another so that the previous chapter is still fresh in your readers’ minds. I really liked W.A.R. but I’m glad this story isn’t dark like W.A.R. was in many places. It helps to move it along. I think Talo’s comment was right on and I’m glad that he said what he said.

Wait. I just read far enough into the next chapter to see that it isn’t Jake that needs the ”fixing”. It’s Ryan!

Okay, okay! Just tell me if it’s a happy ending. And please don’t tell me that Ryan is standing at the end of the block deciding if he should call his father to come get him.

Another great chapter! So much happened, yet it was pretty tame, no real drama except with Ryan at the end. Capable Jake fixed that, though. It’s almost like Jake’s mother wants something to happen between Jake and Ryan. What if Jake had been a girl? Can you please fix that, Jeff?

But we know better 🤣

“the Billy Roberts,” to be more specific.

They just started talking, though, so who knows…