Flip-Flop

I was enjoying the reading of this chapter, thinking how each one of the scattered breadcrumbs of future story arcs would develop, when BOOM, you toss in your dreaded cliff-hanger! What a way to leave us in a state of shock, for yet another week. This can only be described as unwanted stress, and turmoil about Nathan's condition, and how Martin can find ways to help him through this now shared, traumatic experience. Will Nathan's ex-wife also enter into our story now? Yep, this chapter's ending was a complete shocker @Paladin!

Very creative @chris191070! This could have been a wild start to a fun "out of the box" road trip story for an overworked Albert.

The drab atmosphere of the audition room, along with a packed waiting area filled with many fellow struggling actor hopefuls, reflects the rough road ahead for Johnny to achieve his acting dreams. This was his first grueling test of his resolve to meet his goals of an acting future, and an examination of what brought him to this point in his life. Was he prepared for the real life struggle, and the sacrifices that are now ahead of him? Lack of financial resources are now bearing heavy upon him, and adjustments will be needed from him, to face his new possible acting career quest. He has people of support on his side, but will that make his road any easier to travel? 🤔 We shall wait and see, what happens, in his near future. This seems to be a defining chapter for our maturing surfer.

Johnny is exploring acting, but of more interest is that he is starting a process of his own self exploration. He finds that his classmates are also sharing this same type of journey, along with him. Letting down old walls, and digging deep into the doubts of his emotional past, opens him up to an honest look at his true inner feelings, which now present new alternatives for him to explore. This is also a process that allows readers to better understand what truly makes Johnny tick. I'm enjoying how Johnny's story is starting to evolve. This chapter was very well written, and expressed, on so many different levels!

A great look into Johnny's introspective thoughts concerning , both his older, and newly forming connections, and desires. Bruce seems to have become a very needed safe, and comfortable harbor for him, while dealing with these thoughts of making life changes. Bruce has made a very strong impression. and has become an ever supportive connection for Johnny, in such a short period of time. This feeling of closeness, seems to be shared by both men. I am looking forward to observing the results of their spending more time together. Well done!

It seems that @Paladin is spreading his Easter eggs of plot development around, to see what will hatch next, in his story. Many plans for the holiday have been made, but outside forces may add complications to liven things up, during this time of somewhat calm. We will eventually learn how their holiday weekend plans, may actually turn out. I believe we are due for another "bonus" chapter, later this week! I'm greedy sometimes.

Johnny Day, a good looking young man with way too many muscles (lol), seems to desire more out of his life, as his thrill with being a top surfer, just doesn't hold the same excitement anymore. We know little of his back story at this point. His new fascination with filming, and the meeting of this man Bruce Buck, seems to be opening his mind to new experiences, and feelings, that he has not given the proper attention to before now. A very interesting opening chapter, to your new story @Albert1434. Your title lends us a hint, as to what new thrills may be ahead, in this maturing young man's future.

Sadly, the belief that being cruel is a result of strong leadership, has been embraced by a vast number of different leaders. This seems to be as old, as time its self. 😟 I loved your tale❣️

This story reflects 2 different worlds, one large and complex, and another smaller, and more simple, until they are forced to collide. The large world mindset hasn't changed that much in the last thousand years. The power grabs of the elite and rich, regardless of considerations of the ruled subjects. Sadly we still see this same type of war trauma being played out, in our world of today. The knight Kaylen has started to train his young squires to become effective in the defense of his lord's holdings, among the marshes and fens of the surrounding countryside. This becomes a very personal relationship for reasons that you will learn. Their world starts out with intense training, understanding, and the wisdom of his life experiences. Strong and unbreakable bonds are formed as the result of his wise lessons. This is a well written, and an impressive tale, that I really enjoyed reading, and also learned some unfamiliar history in the process! I am happy to join other readers in giving it a 5 star rating.

Excellent story @Albert1434! I learned some very interesting middle English history, and also some previously unknown terminology, in the process. Our 3 main characters were developed with care, as their bonds as a loyal family unit, became stronger with each passing chapter. I am looking forward to learning what possible surprises you have in store for us. and them, in your planned follow up tale❣️ Oh, and just when will our next story begin? I found @centexhairysub's comments to be so very fitting:

So very sad. What a toxic environment for any child to grow up in. There were many areas where we could point our "fingers of blame" towards, that allowed these harsh conditions to exist, and continue to thrive. I think that this very same culture of cruelty, and uncaring actions, is still being felt often in today's violent society. 😟

I have the feeling that Eddie and Mitch will have a great future in "corporate beverage services management"! I'm also waiting for Justin's father/family to become more involved (somehow), in some future stirring, of the simmering "turmoil" pot. Right now, Justin just seems to be very happy to play his parts in this new blended, diverse, and evolving family dynamic. I am also looking forward to see when, and how Nathan will come to play his anticipated vital part, in this complex family drama❣️

Very interesting backstory!

It's a great page for current and various site information❣️

I panicked a little, when I couldn't find it this morning. I view this quite often everyday, and it took a while for me, to find where it went. I was worried that I screwed up my settings somehow? 😟 It does seem to have cleaned up the options listing bar.

Actually, reading "Jake's Story" first, and already knowing these characters, and most of their background stories, worked out well for me. There was some wit, and humor mixed in with the power plays, and sad memories. Yes, all the tags were true, and the warnings were appropriate. Many of the emotions felt in this story, rang true. The characters were real, but their built up walls were eventually cast away. Boon played his usual great, no BS self. Sam, and Junior, reached a somewhat truce, but will continue to live their own, and separate lives. One sad and alone. One happy, and looking forward to a bright future. Excellently written, and well played out. Thanks for posting this story here, on GA.

July was a rough month for Louis, and his dwindling forces, support, and supplies. The church in Rome appeared to be hedging its bet, as to his failing leadership to take the crown of England. His indecision, and lack of decisive plans for future success, seemed to only limit the options available to him, on a daily basis. By the time he may decide to flee London for the coast, his options will be limited, by the amassed forces against him, I too enjoyed the daily remarks shared between Kaylen and his two loyal steadfast aides. Kaylen even-tempered their opinions, with his own wise words, from the lessons learned, in previous conflicts. The future of the rule of England, will be decided by the battles in the sea, and along its shores. Who shall win the August battles? What possible part will our Knight and his Squires play, in the coming days? These tensions over August battles, are being felt by all concerned!

Natasha 🦹‍♀️ begins by spreading her hoops of interference to jump thru, and her manipulations of people, into Martin's and the boy's lives. Right now she seems to be more of a nuisance, then an effective threat. I fear she is only getting started, and her future interference into their lives will only grow to become significantly nastier. Ben and Justin are learning more about the holdings of the new family business, and Simon and Rick have become their new "back fence" neighbors". Having a skilled lawyer close at hand, will have its benefits. Also adding a hot gay bartender, as a family business consultant, may also add some interesting insights, to our story. With each chapter, we learn just a little more, as @Paladin slowly stirs his simmering pot of "turmoil".

Part one and part 2, were a tough read for me. The cathartic process of getting past their own sheared self-guilt, was such a big step to new beginnings, outlooks, and understandings. Boon understood this process needed to take place, for both troubled men. A future visit to their Seattle home, now created a desirable feeling inside of Jake, and to this new 3 member family. I was inspired by reading your notes, at the end of this story, @Boy Mercury X. How true, they deserve that much, and more! Thanks, for sharing this bit of background with us.

What a chapter this was, filled with details of the defeat of Louis's ambitions to conquer all of England. The news of the fall of Lincoln, spreed across the countryside like a raging fire. The surprising defeat of the French fleet destroyed the only, and last hope that Louis had left, to maintain any hold upon England. Kaylen's inspiring governance of Lincoln was greatly respected by Marshal, and therefore the realm. He along with Ronan, and Tomas had amassed great respect, of loyal, but often abused subjects throughout the land. An excellent chapter leading to the French defeat. But what will now happen about the threat poised to the north of the realm? 🤔

What are the reasons behind the apparent poor French hold upon Lincoln, that is such an important, and key city for both sides in this war? Can the royalists maintain their new hold onto this very strategic city? 🤔 Many facts need to be learned, that may help to explain Lincoln's poor conditions, and lack of strength? So much remains untold for now, but this change of control will continue to remain an important devolpment! Kaylen, Ronan, and Tomas, skillfully led the forces in this battle to take control over the city. A very exciting chapter in your tale @Albert1434❣️

🤔 Next year, due to various tax and estate planning reasons, an accountant will be my likely choice. Because nothing about dealing with taxes gets less complicated.

Gasoline is but one measure of price inflation. Utilities rate hikes, and increased property taxes have also seen some major increases. These rate hikes just add another hit to everyone's budget. I don't drive many long trips, but heat and power are daily essentials, and also tend to become long lasting.

Kudos to Martin for his efforts to distract Natasha's attention towards him, allowing Ben and Noah to quickly load the car with Ben's things. Ben is lucky to be moving further away from his mother's self-serving attacks and her feeble manipulation attempts. Unfortunately the twins still have to live within her "ground zero" of professed lies. Her painting of Justin as a callous sexual predator was just one of many failed attempts, to keep Ben under her complete control. Simon and Rick becoming their backdoor neighbors (so to speak ) and family, will surely make life at the house much more interesting for all! There is still a lot more for Justin and Ben to learn, about Martin's new and various situations.