wintreargo77

Stories like this are why I like reading them and especially if it’s one of yours. I read the earlier version on GD and liked it and enjoyed this one just as much on this go-around.

“Mom’s just sad to see us go. Sometimes she can’t help being a bitch.” There it is. Monica is not in many of the scenes but her presence haunts much of the story. I despise her as completely self-centered, always doing what’s best for herself and regardless of anyone else. Thank you for creating such a loathsome creature. Kyle is a sadistic narcissist, getting off on inflicting pain and suffering on his chosen victims. Arrested for drug distribution then facing additional charges for multiple sex crimes and child porn and distribution. It’s hard to believe he would receive bail considering the charges and no connection to the community. Justice would be leaving Kyle alone with Shaun for five minutes. I fantasize it would happen but actually don’t want it to as that would destroy Shaun’s character arc. Shaun has traveled far, beginning with watching his father murder his mom in front of him as a tot then killing himself, the social ostracization from his schoolmates, the distress of being gay and hiding it, discovering friendship then later romance with a new school transfer, the discovery that he’s unhappy with his life and is slowly changing it for a better one that fits him. His maturation as a person has been a pleasure to see. He’s less impulsive than earlier, he’s a better listener to other people’s thoughts and ideas. His need for cutting has declined. Each chapter he’s becoming more of his real self and he likes that guy. No way would I have thought ‘family man’ and ‘brother’ when thinking of Shaun yet he fits the role so well in his scenes with Brian and Sam. The story has two main characters in Shaun and Jesse yet I’ve seen it as mostly Shaun’s story as Jesse is still much as he was at the beginning but he’s been the necessary catalyst for Shaun to actively live a fuller and happier life.

Egads 😬 You did cover that and I forgot. Hell, Kyle pimped Jesse out earlier. Quite the lovely twosome they are and folks consider Shaun the “messed up” one. Shaun has a highly calibrated bullshit meter and sees them plainly yet no one else seems aware of what they truly are - child predators and more. I wish a favor could be called in and bring Darius out for a “chat” with the bros. Also, I would do pay-per-view for a wrestling death match between Ruth and Monica. Toss up for who would win. There’s a lot shared between Ruth and Shaun such as strength, tenacity, and a will to win so my money would be on Ruth.

What a chapter! Favorite part was Ruth and Shaun tag teaming to verbally slap Monica around. Left Cliff reeling and looked like he was succumbing to his own case of Tyler-itis when he escaped. Monica is a total narcissist and Cliff hasn’t considered he might not be her baby’s daddy. Wake up Cliff. Imani is developing into an interesting character and I like her clear headedness in seeing the family exactly as they are. Felt bad for little Tyler although he’s mostly been a demon/Tasmanian devil in his earlier scenes. Kyle slithers back in and lives up to his slime ball persona. Ethan knows Kyle wants to rape Sam so why he helps him doesn’t make sense. Kyle hurts Jesse and Sam because Shaun rejected him and he’s obsessed with him and refuses let it go. A confrontation with Shaun will happen. I hope it’s a hunting “accident” and Shaun flays and dismembers him alive. I did not just write that.

One of us. One of us. One of us. The Maroon is a conquering color. 😋 The characters are being fleshed out. We learn a little bit more about Lissa and the lunch table. Chase makes an appearance so he doesn’t appear to be just a side character. Braden is an enigma and for some reason I don’t believe his explanation about his black eye and head cut and there was no reason to include them in this chapter. Jaxton is talked about all chapter, makes a brief appearance during lunch, and the final confrontation near the end of the chapter is almost collegial rather than the expected fireworks. Something’s up with that. Lorianne is very perceptive and it feels like there’s a lot she knows but doesn’t say. She fascinates me. I hope at some point Joel and her can have a mature conversation to clear the air about their relationship and build trust. She strikes me as someone who could be a good lifelong friend.

You had too much fun with the grocery store and park scenes. Who knew little Brian was a total bad ass! One of the most satisfying pieces of this story is watching the slow development of Shaun and Sam’s relationship. Their chats are like between contemporaries and friends now. They listen to each other and accept what the other is. I hope Sam can join the new family as his future if he doesn’t looks worse than bleak. Monica and Erin/Gary don’t make an appearance this time which is relieving as I strongly dislike both yet also worryingly as they each still have their stories to play out and both bring chaos. Concert and wrestling are coming up. Can’t wait!

My favorite line- “He looked like something out of a trashy romance novel—a pirate prince with a bad habit for heartbreak.” Nice scene with Shaun and his dad’s knife. By that I mean how you explain being able to control at least one thing in a person’s life - say cutting or anorexia - is a tremendous way of coping when life is overwhelming. Nice writing that couldn’t have been easy for you. Sick kids. Few things in life as scary as them. I’m just a reader yet I feel like quarantining myself. Erin/Gary dominated most of this chapter without being present. Or is he. Could he be the reason for the oddness in the house at the very end.

“Nobody cums on the tent floor.” Not a line you see in every story. Love these characters and I’m grateful you’re continuing their story in this “Still” sequel.

The t-shirt, uniform shirt, and lunch room chant appear to be cathartic for Joel in allowing him to put aside some of his former self and start embracing more of his true one and what he wants to be and how he wants to be perceived by his peers. His conversation with principal Reynart was surprisingly even and both had a touch of humor. Joel’s usual inner turmoil was absent and he comported himself well. You could see this newer maturity expressed while talking with coach Finn and during dinner when Colt outed him to Davin. I hope this continues as I like this side of him.

Way to go Joel! He was never going to fit in and his ‘traitor’ moniker would always be his tag regardless of how he acted or tried to blend with his schoolmates. Owning it was a scathingly brilliant strategy. Roy supporting him was not entirely unexpected as his basic personality so far has been as a follower. Now that Joel has brought major attention to being a traitor and being defined by it that no one so far has thought to think is this new guy gay.

Monica is preggers, knows it (she’s had tons of experience under her belt at this point), and is hoping to rope Dr. Cliff into being Daddy. It’s possible he is but Cliff’s no fool and will demand a DNA test. Wild times with Erin. Is he really a nurse or been faking it after binging several seasons of Grey’s Anatomy? We’re not certain what he is but we know he is a grade A sleazeball. Not much of Kyle this time except his involvement with drug ODs. So surprising. Shaun and Sam’s developing brudders relationship has been one of the more satisfying plot points in the story. They’ve come from actively despising each other to ignoring and now joshing, joking, and discovering shared interests. It seems natural at this point for Shaun to follow through for Sam and encourage his groupies to flash themselves. We knew the trajectory of Shaun and Jesse’s relationship would be Shaun introducing Jesse to his brand of S&M. I get the ick over it but I also get it. Nothing is simple or easy in these characters’ lives and I’m here for every chapter.

OMG!!!!! THANK YOU!!! I‘m writing this before reading the chapter to give you my heartfelt thanks for continuing this story. Thank you. 🫶

Not to worry. You’re building a great story and if it takes time then it takes time so give yourself some grace. There are many mysteries to be revealed and we’re here for the full ride.

You responded 🤯 I’m equal parts pleased and a little sick to my stomach, easily explained as I’m very introverted. 🤓 The first story I read of yours was “The Boy on the Porch”. Fell in love with the characters (just the good ones!) and have been skipping around catching up with your others. Never will I turn something you’ve written down. There are lots of us readers who rarely or never comment and I wanted to speak for all of us and let you how much enjoyment and pleasure your stories bring.

““Claude Moreau had been picking on Ed since they started kindergarten together nine years earlier. Ed's defense was always to call Claude what he himself was accused of being. [Claude] "You know, you've called me that for the last time. I'm sick of it." [Ed] "How do you think I feel? You start it every fucking time." Claude turned and walked away, Ed turned to George, "Sorry about that. That asshole has been harassing me forever."” Nine years. Nine years of harassment and bullying and being picked on. Imagine it happening every school day. Not anymore. My sympathy is with Ed.

I can understand Killian being prickly. Most or all of his possible witnesses and leads have clammed up, Adam and Steve are fighting so his home life is turbulent at best, and he’s still hurting over his breakup with Asher. Kane is one of the few dramaless characters remaining. His life is in flux right now and it doesn’t appear it will change in the near turn. Seems like the right time for a visit from spectral Seth or maybe even Aunt Judy to give hints on what to do next.

I’m hoping for at least an occasional 3-some but I really want them to become a throuple. Let’s see how this plays out.

Chapters 1 & 2. Chapter 1 has Geoff reminiscing about his first gay experience with David as a youth and Chapter 2 he meets up with David in current time.

Resurrection is one of my favorite movies and Burstyn was a marvel in it. Nice to know their are other fans of it.