SilentandBroken

Oh no…

Well said. You’re spot on with the barrier comment too. Unfortunately I’ve got enough trauma from narcissistic people in my life to have learned finally how to deal with them, which I guess has made me more reflective. All that started in my early teens. I was very very naive. It took years of therapy to learn how though. It certainly wasn’t something I learned by myself. Perhaps some folks are like that naturally but I had to learn how to mentally step back from my tunnel visioned life to see the bigger picture and dynamics of how people act both when they’re by themselves and when they’re in a group. It’s been hard to learn and force myself not to react emotionally on certain events/situations, and manipulation. Forcing yourself not to react what you might feel is instinctive is very very hard. I’ve also learned from others who, are very very skilled at observing people and not reacting. Trying to emulate that behavior helps but then making sure your perception of what’s really happening is correct is even harder. I get in my own head at times then second guessing myself on what’s right and what may or may not be as it seems. Trust is a fickle thing for me. My big heart wants to trust blindly, but then there are times when I can have the awareness to pull back and recognize what people show aren’t always what is their true intentions. Sometimes I don’t do that in time and boy do I pay for that mistake . There are some devious folks out in the wild looking for folks just like me. I see a lot of how I was at 13 in Sammy. Good natured, big hearted and caring and trusting but when you get burned, that tends to make you a tad less trustful on the first or second interaction. That unfortunately typically leads to self isolation which is a very double edged sword. Sure you’re safe from others but not from yourself and that’s often where if left unchecked, you can really do damage to yourself unknowingly. It’s a very scary place to be at such a young age.

Maybe that’s how he has always felt. Not having friends but acquaintances which, are different. The one constant theme I’ve noticed is trust with Sammy. He has to feel someone is trustworthy before he can even consider them friend worthy regardless how good a person Sammy is. What we are seeing here is that the group of boys that surround Andy have all gone out of their way to be affirming and supportive of Sammy. The only person Sammy has ever felt that from before them has been his father. So, yeah, acquaintances. He even stated himself that others never took the time to get to know Sammy. That doesn’t mean he has tried to let them get to know him. I think, from what It sounds like, is that he’s been to scared to do so and everyone else has just never expressed enough interest in Sammy to invest that time. To this point, the only interest anyone at school has shown Sammy was essentially hate laced racist bigotry.

Yeah, but it’s hard to talk when your lips locked to another boy’s. Discussion would be done once they come up for air. 🤣

Man, really solid character build on this story. I’m loving it. I have to disagree a little on the course of action when it comes to Brent and the Lug-nuts however. I think due to Andy’s weakened condition, he doesn’t need to be anywhere by himself. Once those idiots learn of his chemo weakened condition, Andy will become the prime target. That said, they also should be allowed to defend themselves regardless of everything else they’re risking (senior year, governor candidacy, whatever). Andy needs to be aware he’s still fragile. It sort of feels like he temporarily loses sight of that.

Perhaps.. maybe Davin will sweep him into his arms and give him the love and support he’s longing for

I think Joel’s mom sticking to her guns helped Joel make that switch. That and Celia’s acceptance of Joel once he broke the news. Also, I think Celia and Trace would be present but leave the telling of Joel’s orientation to him to Lacy and of course Lacy will just love him even more for it.

Agreed. I think Nick was triggered by Noah’s appearance. But, watching Jack stand up to him and then the others..my heart overflowed. Nick needs to focus on just what Jack did. Hopefully that would make him wake up and snap out of this funk.

Just imagine if she’s just as much of a pistol! You know most of those old dames are! That’d be awesome.

Just wait until Grams meets Miss Charice…..

That would depend on who’s present. But… if I had to guess a split between Relaxed/chilled & horny.. so..a flirt.

OR, he’s got every intention of getting Joel 💯 shitfaced so that boy can learn to relax.

Omg that birthday roast…dyyyyiing! I knew Miss Charice could bring it. Jonah is spectacular. Gotta admit that also was a pretty clever prank with the ammonia and piss water balloons. I also don’t blame Nick for his reaction. I’m the same way. Less that 4-5hrs and I’m 💯 unapproachable. Throw in getting nailed in the back by a piss filled water ballon and I’d have gone nuclear on someone. 💯 verbal tirade. Unfortunately Jack was the first person to end up talking to Nick first. No doubt he’s confused, hurt and lost. Nick baby, you need to turn that stubbornness into a more productive tool and reverse this funk. Apologize to your boy. Lots and lots of makeup sex.

Yes I know. I have a friend who’s 4yo little boy has it and another friend who’s got Harry Cell leukemia who is just waiting for final testing in I think January to confirm he’s in the clear too.

Bravo! Oh and I was kind of right about the shirt 😆

I’m worried Andy’s leukemia is more aggressive than they think

I wonder what Colt has in store for Joel.

That’s what for trying to post in the middle of the night when I should be sleeping lol sorry dude.

Wow didn’t expect the planted shirt. Detective is a dick when working a case to get the kid to slip up. Won’t work. Secondly, that shirt had to be planted by someone who’s aware of the relationship on the outside between Andy and TJ (meaning they’d have to see the fighting) which leads me to believe they’ve seen it happen. They also would have to have an idea of what was happening to TJ at home. So I wonder if there’s some back wood relation between TJ and maybe Coach or an eves dropping custodian or something. The way TJ parents were killed was brutal. Angry. A custodian would have access to gym lockers and so would a coach. It’d provide a good distraction.

Cat fights are fun to watch though 😂

I’m not gonna lie I wanted Celia to get her MommaBear attitude in and ditch the southern manners routine. I wanted to see her put Joel’s mom in her place.

I will live in Denialville ! That cannot happen. Don’t you dare 😂 and shame on you @Summerabbacat for thinking it 🤣@LittleBuddhaTW

I knew it! As soon as symptoms started presenting I knew it. I have a friend who little boy has leukemia. Ugh. Yes the recovery rate is high if caught early but a lot can still be unpredictable. . Cody’s story is heartbreaking. I’m so glad he listened to Joey and Andy.

That is for the last chapter. Leaving a cliff hanger like that about causing me to have a coronary….lawd…. as for this Chapter…sigh.. I was afraid Joey was going to experience some trauma triggering with anything sexual the boys got up to. Yeah babe you aren’t alone there. It sucks. Talk about a mood killer. Also, as for TJ’s situation..I’m gonna go out on a limb here and guess family is in town and they don’t take kindly to the last of respect they haven’t enforced to their name. The boy is in some serious danger now.

I really appreciate your note here@Golden Ghost Pen. I should clarify here from my vantage,that I think Ollie was more focused on the let’s call it sexploration than seeking permission. That was the furthest thing from his mind in the moment. Innocent yet ignorant I guess. He should’ve known to get permission and not assume. But I’ll accept your spoiler now. I admit that I probably have a jaded view having been raped at 13 by an older student. I wasn’t triggered by the scene but I saw parallels for sure. Where one side takes no reaction as acceptance, the other side doesn’t. So say for example what if Mack was scared and nervous? Too terrified to react. Many abused kids have this reaction. They don’t want this, but feel like they can’t resist. Does that make it them giving permission? Seduction unfortunately isn’t always accepted. Especially when you use pot and vodka to make me compliant faster. Sadder thing still is that he was hot. He didn’t need to use vodka and weed. I was just scared and nervous. I’d have let him. Alas, that’s not how it played out. From the way the scene was written, how Mack stayed “asleep”, I don’t think we really could tell whether he allowed it from Ollie’s perspective. I mean it’s fine. This discourse is much needed and 💯 productive. I appreciate it, this story, this thread on this topic and your care to the attention of the detail your readers address.