Flip-Flop

Happy to see that Randy has been written out of this story, he had created enough grief already. Now how will Bill fit into the story going forward and what surprises are waiting for us ahead? You know there will be plenty of drama for Joey and Ricky and this interesting cast of characters to be involved in the future. I have no idea where this story and author will take us next, but am ready for more of this adventure.

Thanks! Not at all what I had assumed. Good to now know what it actually means.

I see some members are tagged as readers. I assume that this refers to being a beta reader for an author. Am I right about this, and if so is this title chosen by the member or by GA? Does this designation stay permanent or can it change back to just being a member again? I haven''t seen this addressed on the site. Any insight would be appreciated, thanks.

This was an intense chapter for me, and left me with many questions with no definite answers. I can understand why Matt feels the same way. I had a very uncomfortable feeling the whole time Matt was in Turkey. From what little I understand, Turkey is fascinating, but not really a safe place to wander alone. The conversation that Matt and Yusuf had during breakfast caught me off guard, But it also served as a wake up call to Matt that Turkey offers nothing good for him or his safety. I felt relieved at his decision to quickly move on. While his thoughts often reflected his memories of the time he spent on Windy Island with Maeve and Andy, Matt decided to return to visit his mother in the USA. I really was unsure what the true feelings with their relationship entailed. The visit made the word "complicated" come to mind. There are no easy answers or stability being offered to Matt here. What are the options open to him now? I think we know, but communication between Matt and Andy has been difficult for both. I guess this is where the constant comment of "trust the process" comes into play. This was a chapter that has Matt's mind swirling for answers as to what he should do and how best to proceed. He will need to trust his feelings as the best way to deal with his future. My fingers are crossed, and I hope things will fall into place for a "good for all' outcome. Excellent writing, that shows the turmoil that is being felt on both sides of the Atlantic.

I agree. He may fade into the background for awhile, or not. Randy has nothing to fall back on now. His sense of entitlement to his deserved share of Ricky's fortune, and with his thoughts fermenting in booze, he will plan his return, 🍾 😡 to milk from Ricky his share of that cash. He is not one to scurry away, and hide in shame.

All the pieces seem to be falling into place for Phil to move back into his home. Colin has been working on all the pieces that are needed to make this all possible. Phil now has real family members, to get to know and to spoil. The long awaited chance to meet Stanley has finally occurred. I am sorry that we won't be able to see much more of these new characters as @Ronyx will be closing the blinds to our window view with his next chapter. We can only hope it will be a very long and detailed chapter.

YET? That doesn't sound good. Chris has also shown bad vibes coming about Randy, Maria's future husband. Ricky now has half a billion dollars, and Joey works for Walmart. I smell trouble in the near future from unemployed Randy. Keep your eyes open Joey.

That is why I thought he seemed to have developed a strong bond with Maeve . Maeve represented qualities that he wished his own mother would have had. He had felt very comfortable around her could have let some inner thoughts slip, without him even realizing it. Hard telling what could slip when a kind, caring and trusted older woman feeds and fusses over you. She seems to have that effect on Andy. PS..... @VBlew congrats on your new GA ranking!!!

We will never know. What were Matt,s expectations, and plans for his future,with or without Ahmet? Yes but Andy was avoiding them and perhaps still is. Robert and his wife's opinions were very important to Andy earlier. Robert had played a large part to try and ensure Andy's safety for the interview. Have they discussed or talked to him since. It seemed to me that Andy was somewhat ashamed and was avoiding any discussions with them. What were Matt's mother's feeling and concerns, and what effect will that make weighing on future decisions. Matt had also also developed a strong bond with Maeve. Did he reveal anything to her that he would not to Andy? What were Maeve's concerns and did she speak freely to both of them? That is what I wondered. Your story created my deep interest and concerns and now they should just be forgotten? I know there is a "process" here, but it still works on my feelings for Matt, and for Ahmet's hope for Matt, and his "need to grab happiness and never let it go."

Matt's trip revealed that Ahmet had moved on with his life and was content with his own fate. Ahmet urged Matt to move on with his own life, and find his contentment with his future. Wise advice, and hopefully Matt will be able to accept this, and move on. But how will he and where will he go now. He had already started to think of where to go and what job he could possibly do, on the trip to see Ahmet. Yes good advice but how is he to proceed, to make it a reality? He acts like his past tragic trauma is completely over and he is mentally ready to deal with his unknowable future on his own. Mauve and Andy have provided enough support to make this "have to know trip" possible, but will that be the end of his need for it? I doubt it, but as the saying goes, "The ball is now in his court". I am disappointed that the readers were not privy to any conversations between the main characters (Andy, his parents, Mauve, Matt) before this trip took place. It left a large void as to their thinking, and left us in the dark on a variety of issues that seemed very important. I was not upset with Andy's decision to purchase Matt. I was upset that he had a week to prepare before Matt's arrival, and for Matt's possible mental and physical health needs, and maybe more importantly, Mauve's safety. I am happy that Andy provided ample support for the trip and hope that Matt continues to stay safe, and makes his future decisions wisely.

It seems Ricky has matured a bit during the last year. He concentrated on his music and it was met with great success. His also cut back on the need to constantly sow his oats. Being 21, I assume he will gain control of his financial resources which should now be vast. Is he ready to now concentrate on his personal life and is Joey going to become the major factor in it? Will he have equal success dealing with his decisions about his personal life? We are now six chapters into this tale, and I am sure @chris191070 has some more surprises waiting for us, up his sleeve. Is Ricky going to reveal his decisions now, or are we going to experience another time jump? 🤔

When I first started reading stories on GA (before membership) I would tend to stay away from incomplete stories due to abandoned or long term holds. That crushes a reader who has spent uncounted weeks, if not months, of investing their time. Now I enjoy the whole process with the inputs/comments from authors and readers alike. It is so much better than having to send an email or thinking that you are the only reader who feels a certain way. I enjoy the whole concept and experience of it. It is my only exception to giving in to social media, if you consider this as such. I urge lurkers to join, it costs nothing, and you choose how GA will react in sending notices and such, no spam involved. I became a premium member to escape Google ads and have not seen any ads since. To me it was worth it, but it is a personal decision. I am sure it would give you a much better perception as to who is clicking on those little icons and why, and that comes with the free membership. Sorry but this little "off topic" icon was not available with a happy fun and inviting face like this. 😊

I am sure that is true but as a reader it tends to suck.

II went and checked on the reactions I have given since becoming a member (many more than I have received) and not once have I used the anger icon, but for some reason this story has gotten to me. I do feel passionate, and had started giving reactions on this chapter but very limited because no icons fit the complexity of what I am feeling. Am I enjoying this story? Yes until recently. Now I feel like I am watching a ship wreck and am helpless towards the outcome, but cannot keep from watching and hoping that the tide will change and wash it's victims safely ashore.

I am still upset with how this story is manipulating my thoughts, feelings, and emotions. I still view Andy's actions lacking, at best. Sure give Matt a pile of money from the profits made on his ego-stroking book, and let him jump out of the pot and directly into the fire. Yes I am sure Turkey contains no danger only rainbows and happiness; lets get real about this How any author could write a book on sex trafficking and not consider the effects on the mental state on it's victims should they survive, astounds me. My concerns now are directed towards Matt's safety and well being. Andy's past relationship problems are most likely a result of his over-welling self centered thinking. If good story writing involves getting the reader to care about the situations you place your characters in...... I feel like the fish that swallowed the hook, and perhaps you could give Andy a few pointers.

Jason the PT and Colin (as a possible part time estate account manager) could still occupy the large master suite upstairs. Just saying. 🏊‍♂️ 👨‍🦽 ❤️ 😎

Gary and Phil have renewed their past friendship, with each dreaming of a possible future of sharing their sunset years together. Yes, things are looking up, for them and the possibility of this large and well designed house could have a new life as the home for Phil and his expanding family of new and old friends. I feel that everything will come together, although there are still more things that need to be addressed, and also some possible new surprising developments. Another great chapter by our author. 🙂❤️

I see that trying to express the basis of my thoughts has turned into a distraction to what I believe is a very worthwhile and well written story. My problem was with Andy's actions and not with @Mikiesboy telling of this story. I apologize if it is seen as such.

Yes but he spent a lot of time researching and writing his own book on Sex Trafficking and did book tours and talks on the subject. I think that he would be pretty much well aware with the finer details of the subject, and should have more insight into the victims of the trade.

Matt has been held hostage/sex slave, abused sexually in unfathomable ways, tortured, starved and beaten, for more than two years with his only decision that we know of was to comply. If I rescued a pet from such conditions a visit to a vet to assess any medical needs/problems/disease would seem to be sense able. But Matt is an adult that Andy had seen years earlier under much better conditions and before all of his abuse occurred. I agree that good food, comfortable clothes and shelter, and respect are the main requirements. And that Matt should have a say in everything else. He is free to make his own decisions, but are you sure he is in a proper mental state to deal with them at this time. I do not believe that dropping him off at the dock would be the proper thing to do. I would be afraid he could be manipulated by other street scumbags and end up in even much worse condition. My point is this, Andy is in a position to do this right and hope that he will soon realize this fact.

You seem to be wedged between two comments. 🙂

If you prepare for the worst, you will not be surprised when it happens.

It is not that that I dislike Andy or if I want be seen as being brutal, I am just dumbfounded as to his failure to anticipate the results of his actions, even with the benefit of the passage of time. I had hoped and expected that Robert would have been more involved and better prepared Andy for the actions of what what he needed to do to keep Maeve safe and to better understand as to what needs and feelings that Matt would likely experience. As I said in my previous post "I would love to be proven wrong about that."

Sorry but I have to express my feelings and continue with my rile, as it may be called about yesterday's chapter. I had said in my coments on the last chapter that I would be shocked and disappointed if he had left Maeve all alone to deal with the delivery of Matt, and I am. Is Andy really as clueless as he appears to be? What planning has he done, other than clothes shopping to prepare for Matt's arrival? As a successful author, I would have thought he and Robert would have at least planned and plotted for Matt's arrival and expectations much better, or at least a little. Hopefully he has been doing something during that intervening time to prepare? Had he planned for Matt's medical, mental, emotional and legal needs? What has happened during his lost years to Matt's mother (which was a main concern of Andy's own mother) and what has become of his prior home situation? With Andy's purchase of another human being, he bears some responsibility for his care. I hate to say this but it seems he would have prepared better for the purchase of a pet than a traumatized person. I would love to be proven wrong about that. As @drsawzall stated yesterday, What is the old adage..."Prior proper planning prevents piss-poor performance". Now that I got that off my chest, it will take me a while to feel warm and fuzzy towards Andy and any future complications that will occur. Any thoughts of Matt as a possible partner at this time is just an author's (Andy's not @Mikiesboy's) pure fantasy. It appears that Maeve is the best person equipped to deal with this fragile situation. She needs to be open and speak her mind freely to Andy and Matt.

I find it hard to believe that Andy and Robert would allow Maeve to be alone to receive the delivery of Matt? Is it possible one or both are nearby or even elsewhere in the house? If this was not part of a preconceived plan, I would be truly shocked and disappointed that they would allow this situation to occur. I was very worried that Matt was going to attempt an escape into the rough sea, to get away from his keepers. He was close to freedom but was totally unaware. Glad he was discovered by the crew. There is enough drama going on now and I am happy @Mikiesboy choose not to go in that direction.