John Henry

There's definitely more to come in that series. Thank you for not minding the spoilers.

It certainly is the better option....

I'm glad you brought up Boston Legal, because James Spader's voice was running through my head as I wrote Billy's dialogue; in fact, Billy's biological father, Will, was very much based on Alan Shore, and another on of Spader's characters, Raymond Reddington, from The Blacklist. Out of nowhere, I introduced Will Parker to my first novel on Nifty, Growing Up Kyle, and right off the bat, Will had James Spader's voice as Alan Shore. When Will developed his darker side, it was Reddington's voice I heard. He is/was a very compelling antihero and a fan and personal favorite. So, it was fitting that Billy used a bit of his father's tact in that scene, which mirrored a scene in the second novel, Growing Up Charlie. The next chapter will shine some light on the inheritance situation. It's fitting that you're reading this part in the Winter, since it takes place in Northern Winter. It was a hard chapter to write, and I think we've all been there on both sides after a break up. There's a lot of baggage between them, and they're still very young and inexperienced. I will say this now, but I haven't dealt with the Thomas Family yet. There are a few more chapters left to write, then the follow up series on Nifty, so we'll see how this story ends once I get there.

We'll definitely learn more next week.

Next week should be...interesting....

Answers will be provided next week....😁

Yes, James and Quinton are very creative when they're on the warpath. "Get Over It" is one of my favorite songs and I quote it sometimes to assholes at my work...unless I go right to profanity.... Kenny is an irrational teenager, more rational than Bryan at times, but still full of emotions he doesn't know how to manage yet. He knows he wants space but doesn't get what comes with that. Then you have Bryan who has abandonment issues, desperately clinging to one of the people he relies on, also not realizing what comes with that. Ashley's cross has already been written and will be posted next week, along with some...surprises....

There are still more answers to come...but it's always good to feel validated, even if you knew it all along....

Diego and Steve sat on two very small and uncomfortable chairs while waiting to speak to Caleb's Principal. Diego was feeling anxious. Billy was running late, and they still had to go to court right after the meeting. “Mr. Padilla,” the office assistant called out, “Principal Harrington will see you now.” “Thanks, Julie,” Diego replied. Julie had been working there since before Bryan was first enrolled, and they had always been on friendly terms; however, Diego got the sense that the d

Most American cops have this mentality that they're above everyone else and act on it. Bryan isn't willing to put up with shit from his uncle, regardless of the badge. A lot of cops would do well to remember that they're civil servants and not demigods.

Like a lot of this story, this was loosely based on an actual conversation I had with the real Calvin. What wasn't put in was "Calvin" saying that he didn't want to be in a relationship with me, because he didn't want to "hurt" me, to which I responded, "we don't need to be in a relationship for you to do that, since you've already done plenty of times before." I ended up telling him that, if he really wanted to be in a relationship, that we could try it out, but only if he wanted it, because I didn't. It was after restating my point repeatedly during that conversation that he admitted that he was upset with me because he didn't like being rejected, and I told him to get used to it. With that said, the real Calvin certainly did encourage me to be another father figure to his sons, but then would take it out on the boys for even accidentally calling me "dad." He'd tell them to ask me for things or permission, while being annoyed they'd ask him, too, but would then get mad at them for not asking him first. He also blamed them for all his poor parenting and short comings, and didn't like that they respected me more. Hell, he got really pissed when his sons would give me their art projects from school, because I'd praise them for their work, while he'd dismiss them or openly say the art wasn't very good (and we're talking little kids, here). But, it was my fault for "acting like their father," despite his encouragements.

How about next Saturday at 6:58am PST, instead of 7:00am PST?

Bigotry is one of my biggest triggers. Even at work, if someone says something bigoted, I lose my shit and kick them out, usually with a "Go k**l yourself" thrown in for good measure, without concern of being fired. I have zero tolerance for that bullshit, which has made writing those moments difficult, but also satisfying when the those like the counter protestors get to come play. Some people need constant reinforcement, and Bryan is no different. Diego, Steve, James and Billy have all told him that he's loved, but Bryan still can't bring himself to believe it. Hopefully, therapy will guide him in that direction. That will be handled before the final chapter, I promise. How about, instead of me posting the story at 7:00am PST next Saturday, I post it at 6:59am PST next Saturday? Early enough for you?

Luis has his reason for his behavior, but they're very unhealthy and productive at times, such as supervising Bryan. He means well, but he doesn't get that the tactics that worked on him won't work always on others. I figured the counter protestors would be a highlight for some. I especially like the idea of the muscle bears dry humping in front of the Thomas Klan. I always wanted to perform gay weddings over the grave of Fred Phelps, for founder of the Westboro Baptist Church. I'd do the ceremony for free if the couple was willing to consummate it on the spot...happy thoughts.... Bryan isn't a kid that puts up with a lot of shit, so it would've been very out of character for Luis to be a dick without getting some attitude back. Diego warned him, too, so it's very much Luis's fault. Besides, who hasn't wanted to do that to a cop at some point in their lives? I know I've done a few times.

Bryan is a teen, which means he's going to push buttons, and there is no bigger button for cops than disrespect. Coincidentally, after I wrote this part, I saw a video on YouTube about a cop who illegally pulled a guy over for allegedly flipping the cop off, which isn't illegal in the US per the US Supreme Court. The driver denied it and asked if the cop was being "overly sensitive," which the cop denied, but arrested the guy for disorderly conduct a few minutes later. Of course the charges were dropped, the department successfully sued, but per the settlement, the cop and department didn't have to admit to any wrong doing. That reminded me so much of Luis in this situation, especially with him running to Diego. Being a cop doesn't give you a dickhead pass, and Diego warned him before they left. I have no doubt that some fundamentalist Christian groups call their programs "Scared Straight," especially evangelicals. Their politicians constantly use music for their campaigns (usually from liberal musicians, like Bruce Springsteen) without permission, so I doubt they'd ask first for permission to use a slogan. It had been a very long time since Bryan made a meta reference, and I couldn't figure out how to end the chapter. I also wanted to show that he's working on being his usual self again after all the bullshit. And, of course, I want to know what you have to say about the next chapter, but I haven't even started it. I'm about half way through a chapter for a neglected story on Nifty, and I still have to work on a third story, too, all of which have been taking a backseat to this story.

As Diego made his way out of the courthouse, he turned on his phone and checked his messages. Apparently, Luis will be Bryan's supervising officer, which made Diego laugh. Bryan used to complain about Diego's punishments. Yes, Diego was strict when it came to his chosen punishments, but his brothers, including Luis, were way worse. A small part of him was satisfied with the situation, though he wasn't looking forward to hearing Bryan's bitching and complaining for the duration of his punishment.

I don't recall making a Trump joke, and what the hell is "Cacklela"? Not even Google knows.

Good luck with that and let me know how it goes. I've used some interesting pick-up lines that worked, so a new one is always appreciated.

Good to know. I lost a lot of readers due to what happened in the second book, which I did to make a point, so I get a little self-conscience over it.

I will warn you both (and anyone else who reads the Growing Up Trilogy it contains storylines that may be upsetting and too dark for some readers, especially Growing Up Charlie, which I barely touched on in the comments here. Reader discretion is HEAVILY advised.

I have. Technically speaking, this would be the fourth story to feature Billy, Charlie and Ry. Those stories contain stories and content that would severely violate GA's policies and guidelines. You can find them by looking for my name in the Author section on Nifty. Collectively, they're known as the Growing Up Trilogy, which starts with Growing Up Kyle, Growing Up Charlie and Growing Up Ry, the latter novel is still being worked on and released, so there will be some spoilers after reading Thicker Than Water and reading the comments. The new stories I'm working on will focus on the teen characters from many of my stories on Nifty. The list below are the stories being connected (or have already been connected outside of the new story): The Growing Up Trilogy Thicker Than Water Wish You Were My Dad The Ol' College Try Ethan's Threesome Little Runaway The new story won't be released until September 2025 (hopefully), and the is currently titled Washington High and will be in the High School section. I still have to finish writing Growing Up Ry and am working on another novella that will be released in "real time" in June 2025. I will also like be releasing short stories that will act as preludes and interludes to Washington High that will bridge gaps, introduce new characters and set up storylines. I know for sure that Kenny, Terra, Bryan and the Twins will be characters in the new story, so some of the answers you won't be getting at the end of Thicker Than Water will be discussed in the new series.

Thanks for the catch.

Take your time. I'm sure it'll be worth it. ❤️