Flip-Flop

Late summer and early fall is what I call "Mean Bee" time. The wasps, hornets, and yellow-jackets are all out now, and beware while grilling, eating outside, or leaving a sweet drink (especially cans) unattended. They are out in force now and are an aggressive nuisance. As a side note, this is our third day in a row of above 90 degrees with high humidity, and very high pollen count, with at least 3 or four more days to follow. UGH...... 🥵 ☹️

What an intense and emotional chapter, on so many levels. Such a senseless loss of so many lives, and the ultimate sacrifice that was made by Gerhard (Kai) for Sev. 😢 Again, I felt I was "in the room" for Severin's telling of his experience. So sad, but yet he felt that Lukas needed to hear it. Excellent chapter!

Christoph's description of Lucas seems to to fit him very well. Adding to what he admitted to Kat at the cafe from the last chapter : He had to tell Lukas how he felt, and YES, the feelings were mutual. I see a bright future for both of them together. 💞 Especially if Uncle Sev has his say, 🙂 however I feel there is much more story for our author to weave, and am looking forward to hearing it all. Another excellent chapter by @Connectwriter

Very true. This chapter turned our focus away from Han's compelling story, and gave us much more insight into Lukas and Chrisso, which was told in a way that I felt I was in the room when different conversations took place. It was a "delight" to read, and just continues to keep me glued and emotionally involved with the story.

Things appear to be happening in this chapter, that shifts our focus back to Lukas, and his possible future plans. We all appear to sense that Lukas meeting and caring for Christoph, will introduce some important, meaningful and maybe not too surprising changes to occur between these two gay hikers. What and when is what we want to know now. We will stay tuned with anticipation. The vibes feel strong, but could we be wrong?

I would like to take the time to say how good it was to see the Drop In Center authors so well represented in the recent Secret Authors event. Your stories were all in my top choices for my vote, but for very different reasons. Yes, it was a hard decision to just pick one story, but I did and was very happy and surprised to see the author of my vote was @CassieQ. I mostly had no idea on which author, wrote what story. You all deserve a "tip of my hat" for the stories you presented. I loved them all, and the talent for story telling was obvious in each tale. Great job by all who participated!

I was very pleased in the way this chapter unfolded and was caught up in the emotions of it all. Sevo (the jock) , had his own harsh POW experiences after the war. There are many ways now left open for how this story could unfold. Excellent chapter on so many levels, and very curious to see what future chapters will reveal. Looking forward to much more of this very interesting story as it unravels. 🤔

I was a long time reader of the site but as a new member It took me about a year before I added a comment. One of my first was to the help topic in the forums, to see how authors viewed comments of their past stories. The response was overwhelming in favor to hearing the reactions from readers by icons or comments of past, current, and future readers and enjoyed engaging with them. Until I learned how to work the comment system, my comments were a format disaster, plus I also have the typing ability of a squirrel but everyone was very kind, understanding, and helpful, Welcome to the GA! 😀

Yes, I believe Lukas has finally found the "Holy Grail" of the tale of his family's story. I am sure this new information will be greeted with with great interest, hope, and joy by all generations back home. This new revelation fits Han's story like a glove. This story is so well written and crafted by @Connectwriter , that I would encourage him to react or engage in the reaction icons, or comments . Why? Because it helps to generate more comments, and discussion, and generates more exposure for your works. You are an unknown by me and I assume others here on the Gay Authors site. You already have at least 32 members following this, your first story on GA, which is an excellent sign in its self. . Your comments would encourage others to engage with you and with this story. The more comments will generate more views and exposure for the story. This is only a suggestion, that other authors have found to be effective, but please do what you feel comfortable with. I believe you have a first-class story here and can only wish you the very best! 😄 ❣️

Excellent writing, revealing a very dark time in this family's history that needed to be passed down to the next generation. Escaping the Nazi rule of their country was nearly impossible, and for anyone to aid them required great personal risk. Not only the jock, but also his parents were willing and took that risk for the survival of this family. This was important for the younger "Americans" to hear and to understand how these strangers played such a large role in the opportunities that are now in front of them. It is also appalling that there is a movement today, that denies this Nazi history has ever occurred.

Personally I would not want to deal with them again, that is, unless justice was being dealt out for their crimes committed against so many of their unknown victims.

What an emotional ride this story had upon me. It was a shocking, tough and unfamiliar world for me, at the beginning of this story. The characters you created from Andy's life took hold over me. How could you not love Maeve or admire Andy's parents, although their influence disappeared upon Matt's arrival on Windy Island, The ones from Matt's capture and suffering were mysterious, and represented nothing but greed and pure evil. Matt's mother Gwen was an unknown force at that time. The story itself took over my feelings and emotions, from Matt's arrival on the island. Matt's decision to return to the island caught me by surprise, especially since it was suggested by Gwen. It seemed fitting that his arrival was on another stormy night, when the door was answered by Maeve. But at least this time Andy was there for him also. Yes Andy was an imperfect and somewhat emotionally flawed character at times. I could continue with my thoughts for a lengthy period of time but so could my fellow readers, I could have sat back and watched "the process" continue over recovery, relationship and marriage. Yes I am very happy with the ending and it was a struggle at many times to make it to this point. I also respect @Mikiesboy's talent and inner courage that it took him to tell this story. Very well done, and thank-you so much for sharing, what I am sure was a difficult story to complete.

Welcome @Gary L it is good to see you here! I have always enjoyed your comments!

Excuse me while I digress. a bit off topic. After reading this chapter. I went out to work in my gardens, which is my place to relax and ponder. My neighbor of twenty years past-away yesterday after a recent cancer diagnosis. I have been walking another neighbors dogs twice a day for the last 3 weeks after a bad fall she had, and is now in medical limbo and in constant nerve pain as she waits for an over burdened medical system to help, but it now appears she also my also have shingles, brought on by her stress. My other neighbors of 40 years (him 91 and her 85) who suffer from their own many serious medical issues, and unfortunately so do their 3 grown children. The world is a tinderbox of problems due to wars and climate change. What is the point of this rant of mine? How does anyone deal with such personal tragedy and problems. They, my friends and neighbors all have to deal in their own way, one step at a time. Matt's case may be extreme but we cannot ease his burden for him either, but can only hope he can find his way to recover from his wounds. Life can just be very brutal and it also can strike at our core or in our neighborhood. 😟

Wow, right now my mind is going in circles with different thoughts and emotions. Last night I was checking for any new comments on the last chapter, and reread the story description from the title page. the last line is this. That made me feel that there still may still be a chance for Matt and Andy. I await the final chapter with only hopeful thoughts.

Excellent start to the story. The setting of suburban Cleveland is very believable as the city and its suburbs are a hugh "melting pot" for so many different immigrant families and cultures, with large extended families being the norm. I also am curious and interested in hearing the story about their family history.

This story had left me confused as to how to react to it or to comment. I guess it was because I was waiting for "the other shoe to drop", as a result of adding a constant flow of new characters to their open sexual lifestyle. It seemed to me each new character had the potential to cause problems to their relationship, which never happened. I loved Ricky and Joey but could not figure out where this story was heading. This final chapter was excellent to put this into proper perspective for me. Ricky was/is far from being "ordinary", and the same can be said about Joey. I was uncomfortable with their "out of relationship" sexual activity, but now realize I was making judgments based on my own feelings about that, and not what works for them. This has all been a process for Ricky to find a way to live with fame yet still be able to use his talents for personal satisfaction. He was greatly supported by Joey, his lifetime friend and partner. This story made me rethink my own judgement about their open relationship and not what appears to work for them. A valuable lesson for me to learn and improve on. Thank you for that @chris191070.

I think he meant saying a thing wrong. I suffer from my fingers hitting the wrong keys also. I have to constantly reread and correct.

This story has now reached a thousand comments. A remarkable achievement to the interest that it and @Mikiesboy have created.

My first impressions on this chapter. First Maeve's little prayer for the return of "our" boy to the island. No surprise there. Both Matt and Andy are anxious about seeing each other again. No surprise there either, but I am unsure of Matt's expectations are for this meeting. I have the feeling that his efforts to keep Gwen calm somehow helps keep himself, to stay calm and focused also, but may be totally wrong about that. He has shown so much patience in his dealings with her (just as Maeve had for months with Andy). Is that just me? They appear to me that they already interact as friends, and there was only one bumpy misstep on Andy's part by forgetting how sensitive Matt still remains. They recovered pretty well from that, I think and hope. My fingers remain crossed and hope that Maeve's prayer has a chance to be answered favorably. 🤔 I guess I am expecting an unexpected revelation to occur. No matter how strange that may sound.

What a well crafted, touching, and emotional view @Ronyx has provided for us. This was a great cross generational story where there are consistent themes but if you are older, you remember the way things were from the window view and do not want to return to such harsh times and feelings. Still their difficult ghosts still linger around today. I would love for this story to continue but am pleased with the ending provided. Excellent writing as usual. Thanks for such an insightful story, it was truly appreciated.

I was going to Google this and loved the link you provided. I could feel emotions drifting through Matt's mind. An excellent way to 'feel" his current state of mind, Perfect as could be❤️‍🩹

Maeve couldn't continue to sit back and watch Andy flounder with his thought and emotions any more. She loved Andy, and had cared for a broken Matt during his short stay on the island. It had been months of watching Andy unable to move forward with anything in his life and just sit back and fret about the unknown. It was time for these men {her boys} to communicate properly, without the fear of making missteps. She was determined to have her opinion heard. On the other side of the Atlantic, another women was blurting out her automatic rash opinion. Could Gwen control herself, and "keep it together" during a visit by Andy? Matt also had the council of Maria Flores his therapist. The women have spoken. Next it will be all up to Matt and Andy. Will they be able to break down their own emotional walls during the coming week long visit? They both want and need this meeting to happen, but will/could their needs be satisfied.We know what Andy desires, and if he is open and honest, so will Matt. Will Matt be able to take Maria's advice and find his own answers, and be able to move forward with his life? I have great expectations for this visit but expect it to have it's own bumpy and awkward times. Will this be the "process" I have been waiting for, or is it simply the start? Have I mentioned that I am also emotionally involved in this story. ❣️

Wow, I am envious,and wish I had your problems.

I think living with Gwen and her mood swings would work anyone's nerves. On the other hand her outburst indirectly has led Matt to address his mental health with someone familiar with cases like his. He really has needed this help and we can only be hopeful this will help Matt to gain some way to deal/live with his past and future. That is a lot to ask with only four chapters ahead and for "the process" to take hold. The next chapters will be viewed with great interest.