Vcs

“Last year he auctioned off my Miata in a school raffle,” Blake said with a harrumph. “Grand theft auto… not endearing… though he did make nearly twice what I paid for it… and only charged me 25%...” Bwahaha Steve is such a scamp. “He paused as he squinted, looking closer at he snippet of a business plan mission statement printed there. ...how in the hell had Steve gotten his hands on an obviously internal document for some kind of business. Mr. Goodman, Madam Chao, and a VP Chase Stirling… the cheesy action novelist in him dissected the names in seconds.” Oh fudge! Looks like Lydia should have considered an NDA for her brother. This is an absolutely brilliant twist.

Steve, Lydia, and Kenny are all so brilliant that they’ll finish University in no time. Additionally, given how quickly Kenny discovered the hidden clause in the contract, he may want to consider pursuing a career in law. Interesting Kenny seems to be a bit of a germaphobe to go along with his other challenges.

...why is that tube sock standing up on its own? ...dubious-looking hockey sock that he was sure was about to sue Steve for child support. See what I mean? Child support - ROFLMAO

Let's not forget former reporter.

Seriously, the lines you come up with! There are so many, but the entrepreneurial black market donation bit had me laughing so hard I had to get a second box of tissues for those tears.

"No, Kyle!" Blake intoned. Poor, poor Kyle he just wants a little lovin'.

.

Oh Blake, if only...

Thank you, drpaladin. Not a Christian but came up in a small hick Texas town monopolized by the Catholic and Southern Baptist churches. In the latter, parents were scandalized by the school dances. That was seriously a long time ago; things were different then I guess. As most here know, religion can be brutal. It's not a place I'd ever return to.

Ok wait, isn't dancing forbidden in the Baptist church?

Jeff Burton was correct when mentioning the lesson of vulnerability in the collection of stories that made up Eastbourne Tales. One doesn't simply move past trauma and abuse but through it slowly and painfully. While still some way to go, Jimmy moves forward, trudging on with unparalleled courage and determination. Once this is read, one will find Ottawa Tales a compelling read as well.

Late to the party here. Ugh, story of my life. I'm betting the tale of how Jacob came to be in your life would be a fascinating read. Not sure though that it'd one you'd want to share. Tory-boy sounded like a nightmare. I met one of those once, a Trump clone. Oh, the hair! Yeah, you get the picture. Left the poor schmuck sitting in a Chili's looking and sounding like a complete fool sitting with a table full of appetizers because, of course, he was smarter than everyone else. The manager later regaled me with stories of how he'd put their most experienced waitress on his table after my departure. The scumbag should have never bellowed at the young gal who'd begun the service and made her run crying. Apparently, his credit card melted under the weight of all the food he'd ordered.

Ottawa Tales is a beautiful, poignant story detailing struggles, challenges, and hard-earned victories in a rare, frank, and honest look into another's life. The challenges shared are real, as is the mutual love of a family of choice built through heartfelt moments and experiences.

Beautiful, poignant, and painful. The strength that parting took... Yeah, moist eyes.

What a gift Hugo was with his enduring patience, love, and compassion. I expect, though, that Jimmy also served as a gift in Hugo’s life as well. How? So many ways, not the least of which included introducing Hugo to his true self and sharing their kindred spirits. Finding someone who genuinely understands and appreciates one’s traumas through like experiences is unique and precious.

Ah yes, the 60's and 70’s, not a good time for kids going through trauma. Much later, my hubby wanted me to attend one of my class reunions. What a sad affair. Probably 98% were the same: stunted, shallow, bigoted. Surpised? Not really. The shocker, though, was learning the whole damn town seemed to have been aware of the hell that was going on in that house. Seriously? Unfortunately, yes. Has humanity grown and progressed? Sadly, not nearly enough.

As unfortunate and traumatic as past events, resulting in mental health challenges, can be, one can find that they also carry a deep impact on one's character. Those who have been hurt and betrayed know the resulting damage. Among the lessons Will has learned are unwavering strength and morality. Give me a survivor any day over someone who is solely out for self-gain.

No different in the States. Some places and people truly are best left in the rearview. Been there, done that.

about the cabbage patch being a designated war zone, Poor Peter is going to be so pissed!

What a haunting line. Brings on shivers when anything akin is heard.

Memory AND logical thinking... Well, you get it.

Just curious, does anyone else find the T-minus countdowns as creepy as I do? Of course, fitting as a reference to the fanaticism going on. And speaking of the countdown, Professor, are we adding 9,000 days? hehehe WORLD END: T-minus 9142 days, 18 hours, and 0 minutes.

Speech and cadence excellent along with depiction of language skills or rather lack thereof. How is a nation to be proud of a supposed leader whose command of the English language is so often limited to such verbiage as: good, best, big, things, stuff. It's terrifying how real the exchange in the oval office felt.

Ugh, duh! Again thanks

Thank you kindly!