Mark Arbour

I'm glad you liked this chapter Kevin! Let's hope that this is the beginning of the end of the 9-11 discord.

The first one is a GREAT Rosa. The second one...not so much.

I don't think Wade deserves any bad vibes for this one. Matt pretty much pushed his way into the Boston trip, and it sounds like they had fun when they first got there. I can see how the urgency and euphoria over getting the new house, and the need to get it ready for fall, would have totally absorbed Wade, Tiffany, and JJ. I don't think Matt is feeling like Wade went out of his way to diss him, I think the whole dynamic made Matt realize that he really has no place in Wade's life in Boston, except when he visits. Wade probably knew this would happen, but probably saw that there was no other way to get through to Matt. I love that you caught this. I re-read these chapters multiple times before they post, and I stuck on this line myself a few times. Here's my thinking: someone really needs to say this to Will, and as Kitt pointed out: ...it really needs to be Zach. I can actually see Zach carrying a grudge, which makes this so strange coming from him. But while I think it's a bit out of character for Zach under normal circumstances, I think it shows him really trying to help Will out, even if it means going outside his own comfort zone.

To all my fellow potheads out there.

June 21, 2002 Boston, MA Matt “I’ll be right back,” I said, but they didn’t hear me. Tiffany, Wade, and JJ were busy looking at plans for the townhouse in Harvard Square. The contract to buy it had been accepted, and Wade planned to close within the week. After that, there would be a considerable amount of work to be done to make it just how they wanted it. That meant Wade would have to spend time hiring and supervising contractors, and arranging to have their stuff moved here

Here's my vision of Clara.

You didn't detect the sarcasm in my response? Couple of things: 1. None of us younger people remember Hitler's birthday; we just remember he was a dickhead. 2. It was uncommon for a Captain to bring his wife with him, but not unheard of. For a short trip like this, under the circumstances, George doesn't have to worry about being admonished by Spencer. 3. I know you were joking, but just to clarify, William wouldn't be fitted for a uniform unless he was in the service.

I loved that show! I think of Wally as being more like the other guy in that show...her brother in law, perhaps? She needs to be frumpier. I'm thinking of the Mom on "That 70's show"

Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Winners Boston, Pittsburgh, Montreal, Philadelphia Western Conference Quarterfinal Winners Anaheim, Colorado, San Jose, St. Louis Eastern Conference Semifinal Winners Boston, Montreal Western Conference Semifinal Winners Anaheim, St. Louis Stanley Cup Boston, St. Louis Stanley Cup Champions St. Louis I'm going with wishful thinking choices.

Just like the Blues.

Well, since London would be a good staging ground for going anywhere from Holland north, that's probably it. ;-) Because I'm always predictable.

So not really a spoiler, but more of a promise. The next chapter will reveal what Granger has on his plate for his next assignment.

I thought it would be nice for Granger to be able to show Caroline what his homecomings were like when he sailed up the Thames.

I think that children had to mature sooner back then. Besides, it wasn't unusual for boys not much older than William to go to sea.

I'm in. Go ahead and post your picks so people have a format to copy. And so I can cheat and use yours.

You make a good point about Wally and Clara not liking Will because he's gay. That could be one of the things they latch onto, but in reality, they're probably most upset that Zach is so independent now, and that's what they probably blame Will for. It's unfortunate that Wally and Clara don't realize that Zach's independent streak is developing more because of his age, and natural maturing process, than because of Will. Although Will probably doesn't help. ;-)

August 18, 1799 HMS Valiant, The English Channel “Good morning, sir,” Granger said cheerfully as he joined St. Vincent at his table for breakfast. “So you say,” St. Vincent grumbled. He felt a lot of sympathy toward this crusty old admiral, who was on his way home and would lower his flag, probably for the last time. He was so frail and sickly, it was hard to see him ever going to sea again. Granger had hoped that the energy he’d shown during the action with

*Looks at Comsie, tapping his fingers*

Thanks for the review! I always look forward to reading your comments, and you never fail to leave them, which is nicely symbiotic. :-) Great point on Wade and Matt and their relative youth. They are definitely mature for their age, but 22/23 is not the height of development. It's like undergrad plus. Frank doesn't seem to like to travel all that much. He'll go where he has to go, but he's not the jet-setter. I think if you factor that in, plus consider that this time with Zach being in Claremont was probably supposed to be time for him to spend primarily with Wally and Clara, and it makes sense that he wouldn't be around. I didn't go into the details of the Tiffany-Matt-Wade sexual encounter/redux for two reasons. First of all, I always get whining when I put pussy in a chapter. ;-) Secondly, I just wasn't in the mood to write the scene.

Kitt, Some really good observations there. Thanks for the review. I think it's probable that Wally masterminded the scheme to have the advisor separate Will and Zach, especially when we consider that it really wasn't all that ingenious of a scheme. That thing that Brad noted about Will, and about how he was maturing enough to see the connections, was pretty astute, and i think that's what we're seeing here. Matt is definitely learning some mirroring skills.

Thank you so much for the compliments. I find myself, once again, reading your review and nodding my head. You picked up something that I think is actually really sweet: the way JP and Will can communicate so well non-verbally. They can exchange a look, or a gesture, and be simpatico. That takes some skill, and a deep relationship. It's also interesting how Matt and Will went from feuding, to now wanting to spend time together. It's insightful that Matt called Will when he was bumming out in Boston. I think both of them are realizing that their relationship is important for a lot of different reasons. They must partially represent a life raft for each other.

Great points as always! I agree with you on the hockey issue. I think that's important because it's less about giving up his college jock lifestyle, but more about how Matt's life is evolving in general. If we flip back to Bloodlines, hockey and Wade were the most important things to Matt by the end of that book. At this point, he's lost both of them.

Thank you so much for the review, and for sharing so much of what you dealt with. That gives me the perspective to understand where you're coming from. Zach is probably to the point where he's admitted that he's gay to himself, and that's it. He hasn't even admitted it to Will, even though it's obvious. Gathan knows he is, and Brent probably suspects he is, so besides the people at Escorial, Zach's world is pretty sealed off. My point is that you're suggesting that he come out to his parents, but he hasn't really even come out to himself yet. Further, I would think that the more people he is open about his sexuality with, the more likely it will be that he thinks he'll slip up. Note that the key word in that last sentence was 'he thinks'. He'll want to keep the circle pretty small, and by not telling his parents, that makes it less official, and helps him keep control of his world. The final aspect of that is that if he did tell Wally and Clara he was gay, and that he and Will are together, it is highly likely they won't react well to that at all. Their big concern is for Zach's football future, and they would see that as a HUGE threat. Zach is still a minor, so although he could try and fight his way out of problems with his parents, they still have some big cards to play. Bottom line: the risks are too high for Zach to come out to them.

Thanks Maarten! I'm glad you found something about Will to like. It will make those occasional chapters that feature him a bit more bearable for you. :-) Kevin actually said that Will was the brightest of JP's grandsons, which is something JP himself has noted. That doesn't mean he's the best, it just means he's the smartest. JP tends to be a bit of an intellectual snob, in that he's not really going to be able to let stupid people get as close to him as smart people. He's going to find himself naturally inclined toward Will as the grandchild he spends time with, because he will find the conversation stimulating, and he will have a hard time resisting the urge to mold a sharp mind.

I'm so glad you liked it. I think that one of the things that Will really likes about Zach is that he can be a real prick, only he doesn't treat Will that way. I thought the after-dinner argument was a classic example of that, and of how quick Zach can manipulate a situation. He's a guy that probably lands on top (well, except in bed) ;-)