SilentandBroken

I agree Rory is not 100% at fault here because Robbie has plenty of blame as well for sure. I think Rory has some blame being a bit of a tease as you said. I think Robbie would shine with someone like Rory. Rory, for his part, needs to decide what side of the fence he’s on. Sure, he’s dabbled with girls. But the vibe I get from him is that he’s less than satisfied. He also comes off as very hesitant to consider batting for the other team. Curious but hesitant. If memory serves, the casual nudity both boys shared we saw last chapter I think was as far as he’s dared to go so far. Whether he’s hesitant because he’s undecided or scared to go further is unclear to me. Frankly, if and when the “make up” conversation happens between them, Robbie just needs to grab the boy by the neck and kiss him deeply. Not out of lust, but frustration and love. Because let’s face it, Robbie is definitely frustrated and he realizes that much. What I don’t think he does realize however is how much Rory means to him. I think the absence of Rory during the however long time it takes for them to come to talking again takes, it will be utter torture to Robbie. That’s where I worry about Robbie’s mental state. He will blame himself completely and the last thing he needs is someone like Don or even Nathan making things worse. There is nothing worse than that feeling of abandonment from someone you feel you love more than anything and even more so feeling like YOU caused it. Yeah I’ve been there and believe me, it wasn’t pretty. I would hate to see Robbie spiral into a deep depression and I think this whole thing has the making of a perfect storm for it to happen. Deep down I think because Rory has always been affirming and supportive of Robbie, hopefully Robbie will realize just how much he does care for Rory and I think the separation hopefully will show the same for Rory too. What worries me most however, is that Rory has enough self respect that he won’t even consider forgiving Robbie’s behavior no matter how justified it comes across from our vantage point as readers from Robbie’s perspective. It’s easy for us to forget the boys are still both young enough to have a less than adult control on their emotions in some aspects even though Rory has always seemed very mature which he is for his age.

I made another comment afterwards I guess didn’t post bc I don’t see it but anyway, here goes. Robbie has obviously been both been triggered by the continued bullying as well as his unrealized jealousy of Rory’s apparent new lady friend. Rory, for his part doesn’t see Robbie’s struggle here and is totally blindsided by Robbie’s comment and was very hurt by it. I worry now it is too late and too hurtful of a comment for Rory to forgive him. I also wonder if the girl he was talking too wasn’t one he was romantically interested in. Robbie didn’t hear what was said between them . 😔

Only a few.

Robbie you fucking idiot. I’m so mad at a fictional character right now wth?! Ok Dodger bravo yet again.

Well you’re right on both thoughts there for sure

Would you rather I said fuck trophies ?🤣🏆🏆

Oh I know. Rory needs to either shit or get off the pot. J/s

Yay another chapter but this dance Rory and Robby are doing is maddening. Don needs to go away. Great chapter

You just came back!

I think I want to read The Best Year again..

Yep

I call for a time jump if nothing else although I am not expecting one. I agree that there are many unanswered questions and things left unresolved. Above all, some baseball greatness, one had hope. The argument that’s about to happen between Joel’s parents is going to be a big one. I’m glad his dad finally grew a set. That woman’s hatred and bigotry will destroy the family. She values her own pride over a healthy relationship with Joel and also Cody. As for the new family and friends, Colt needs to ditch the bitch Sierra. She’s too controlling of him anyway. Lorianne is definitely more suitable. Was that song for her? Does everyone else even realize it? I also want to see Cody grow up and become an athletic legend just like his brother. I think the rest of the characters, especially the twins and Colt and Roy need a finality. Especially Roy. He left Fletcher like a scalded dog after all. Finally, what happens to Joel and Davin? Joel is definitely a bottom. We need a scene! 😆 In all seriousness however this was a very entertaining story and I’d be ok with this ending

Well I’m here for it all. You’ve built a great little world here. Nothing good comes from rushing it.

Oh how I love you take the time to dissect long responses and come back with your own. Truly I do. I think it’s healthy for everyone. Readers and the author alike. I get your reasoning why it had to end but I think we’re both seeing the same glass, but don’t see the same volume, It’s the glass half full/half empty argument. Points for both sides can be made for eternity. Ok sure, THIS story is Joel’s, from his pov and as is, it’s pretty damn good. The only thing that makes me go “yeah but..” is that people don’t stay flat, and done. Just as you said they ebb and flow and regress and mature. Their interests may change. Some drastic some slowly. I DO love the idea of Davin and Joel being long term. However, i don’t think they’re really at the place the other thinks they are. I’ve always had the feeling Davin was more eager and ready for more than Joel has ever been. Davin has always been the one to initiate anything with them. Joel just always felt lost and kind of went with most suggestions Davin made. That is typical of new relationships. There’s always a bit of uneasy imbalance. This last chapter for me anyway, had me feeling like by time Joel came out of essentially twice in the same afternoon (Lorianne, then Celia’s mom) very proud of Joel. His ease in his thoughts had by then were a 180 degree difference from the beginning of the chapter. The anxiety is different. He’s grown mentally and matured in his own acceptance of being gay. That doesn’t mean that growth ends there. Will Davin and Joel grow closer? Will they drift apart as they enter adulthood? As they enter college, they’re obviously going to meet new people. They may also find they were merely attracted to each and their relationship was simply infatuation. Or they may go the other way and really grow closer and it’s super serious. I think a lot of us readers are just curious to see what happens. And trust me, whether it takes 1 week or over a year, loyal readers will reread this story to refresh. Frankly I can see Davin and Joel getting stale. I can see Roy discovering he really found himself attached to Joel throughout their senior year and they end up going to the same college, competing in baseball and cross country and Roy realizing how alone he is and how much Joel helped him feel appreciated and accepted & their last encounter was the bday party and he already isolated himself because he didn’t really know anyone else. I think Lorianne was right but nobody else did. The conflict in the next chapter could be more focused on Roy’s journey. His coming of age in a sense. But it’s your story and you are the author. If you want to leave it as is, who am I to say otherwise? It certainly won’t stop me from reading more of your work.

Oh and conflict isn’t resolved. I have a big feeling Cody will see to that with their parents. Yeah I said it. 🤣🤔

I think we are. You said it yourself. We’re still reading it 3 years later. Look, good writing never dies. Hell GREAT writing becomes required reading in school (except some topics much to my frustration). Don’t discount your skill. Quality work takes time. I understand it’s a LOT of work. Which is why I’m not an author myself. I cannot dedicate the time and energy to what level of quality I would expect for myself. I understand that time would get away from you as none of your stories are small projects. This story has the makings of a great story and it’s already good now that you’ve developed everyone. We just got to know them. What I am saying here though is, and I get the feeling many others feel the same way, it still feels like this story has only just begun. Joel has FINALLY found his backbone and footing on who he is. He DOES have support. He DOES have folks around him who love him and care for him, regardless of who he is. On that bridge a month ago in the story, sigh…he didn’t feel he did. He was alone. He was scared and lost and didn’t know what to do. Speaking as someone who’s been at that point, who didn’t know what to do and saw no way out or up. Depressed and suicidal, I’ve been there as have many others. It’s a breath of fresh air to see someone stand up for someone who’s broken. Society has gotten afraid anymore to do that for all kinds of reasons. Trace wasn’t. Joel has only just begun to discover life. Trace saved his life that night and every night after for refusing to quit on him and bringing him into his family. That’s barely recognized by Joel and it needs to be done. Joel needs to recognize Trace didn’t have to stop that night. But he did. It was certainly brave to do so but so is facing your fears of everything it means to be gay in society today. Especially coming out as a teen. Joel needs to see his purpose. ok ok I’ll shut up now. I hope I didn’t push too far. Sorry if I did.

This was the comment I was hoping to find after reading this chapter twice because ..well real life got in the way preventing me from finishing this chapter in one go. By time I got to the end I am left with the same feeling that wait, something doesn’t fit right for this to be a complete close. That said, my favorite character in this chapter is Cody. You had me tears when he said how angry is was at their parents. How quickly he matured in his thinking. I kept noticing how he noticed small details and was confident in himself he was to speak out. I felt for him so much. I can only imagine how awkward the ride home was. I’m glad another chapter is going to be written. The twists with Roy, as well as Lorianne and Gavin’s detective skills I feel need a little more meat to make that line satisfactory in conclusion. Like WILL Roy finally get the courage to date one of the twins or will Lorianne give Roy a closer look now that she’s confirmed he’s straight? She’s got nothing to lose now so why not? Plus and perhaps more importantly, I need to see some type of resolution with Joel and his parents. Cody is soo mad at them and hurt from all of the fallout with Joel I worry, now at 11, he’s going to hate his folks and become a rebellious hellion. It would be so devastating to Joel if that were to happen I could see him taking that blame upon himself. I’d love to see how Cody and Lacy get on too. That was a cute thing. Celia said she was a smaller female version of Trace but I disagree. She’s also like her mother as strong willed as she is. Speaking of Trace and Celia, I am so glad to see them stand up for Joel and against that cold old fish of a woman in Celia’s mother. How affirming Joel must have felt to hear that. I want to know what a post high school Joel and Davin relationship looks like too. I want to see Cole blossom a bit with that musical talent. All in all, great chapter but we definitely need one more.

@Jeff Burton this is a helluva story man.

We really need a hug emoji . Hugs man .

Oh I have ideas…but then you’d probably block me 🤣

Can I just say THANK YOU for this list. I didn’t realize how many I’m missing. Also, and perhaps more importantly, I am so grateful to see Comicality still making more than a few lists here. Man I miss him.

did it look something like this? 🤣🤣🤣