Mark Arbour

OK. I'll stop writing and blame it on you. :-)

I'm glad you liked the chapter. I think George's feelings when he's at Carlton House are a sign of how much he's matured, since he really never "didn't belong" there.

Will isn't ready to deal with Matt, and he's refusing to allow other people to pressure him into doing so. I think that's laudably self-aware, and I think it's totally reasonable under the circumstances. If he's still acting this way six months to a year from now, then I think the others can call him on it. Will probably also isn't ready to deal with Matt because he knows Matt isn't ready to deal with him. If I were Will, at this point, any overture Matt made toward me I would view as suspect, thinking that he was probably only doing it to make Wade happy, and to make himself look like less of an ass for sleeping with Tony. I don't think that Wade really wants to be involved in the conflict between Will and Matt, but I think he's committed to this concept of family harmony. Will is too, but he is more limited in his willingness to swallow his feelings for that benefit. Wade's support of Will is actually different than a blatant us vs. him mentality. For Wade, he's really pissed off at Matt for being with Tony because (as I've said in the past) it's more of an honor issue, something you just don't do. At the same time, he supports Will emotionally, in their adopted sibling role. But I'm not convinced that Wade thinks Will is handling this well, and as that's the case, he's not going to jump on any bandwagons. He's going to do what Will has, in essence, been asking people to do. He's going to leave the issue alone, and let Will work it through in his own mind until he can see himself clear to forgive Matt. At that point, it's up to Matt to make the right moves to effect that.

Your review confused me for a couple of reasons. First of all, I don't think Wade is "sleeping around." He's having sex with a good friend of his, a guy he's known for a long time. Second, I didn't understand what you were saying about Will not giving Matt a second chance. It hasn't been that long since Will found out about Tony and Matt, so it's not unreasonable for him to want to keep Matt at a distance. And I really don't think Will was acting immature at all, but instead, I think he was responding to the grief of 9-11 and the stress from the Tony-Matt deal. And finally, I don't think it was immature, or otherwise wrong, of Will to decide that he didn't consider Matt to be his brother. He doesn't, at this point, and that really is his decision to make.

An interesting idea, either way. Thanks Jason!

LOL. I've had a lot of practice dealing with out-of-control teens. Maybe that's why those scenes flow so naturally.

Thanks Miles. I'm glad that you get sadistic pleasure from Tony's pain. I think there's a club you can join with others just like you (SMILE). I think Gathan definitely cares about Will, but that doesn't mean he thinks Will and Zach are good for each other.

I think it is great that Will and Brad are embracing their counseling. We can probably assume that Wade is seeing his psychologist, and that Matt is probably going as well, but that's no guarantee that things will work out for them, or that they'll be calm and reasonable.

I think that what he's dealt with/is dealing with, his outbursts aren't all that hard to understand, but I agree that he, like most of them, are probably hanging on the edge.

LOL. That's a good observation: I don't think Matt really thinks there's a problem. You're not the only one who thought Wade "lost it" at the A-Ho party, but I didn't see it that way. I think there's some leeway involved because of the fact he was drunk, but he didn't yell and scream, he was just pretty direct.

I love your analogy, comparing Wade to an earthquake and Will to a volcano! Excellent! Zach, like most people, isn't perfect. The thing with Will (and most people) is that they can accept that lack of perfection, as long as they know what those imperfections are.

Thanks Kevin. I'm glad to be your literary heroin provider. ;-)

I think that Brad is doing better, but the deal is that grief is like Malaria; it can come back and attack you at anytime.

You mean like he experienced with Tony and Matt? Good points. Can you imagine the furor if Will burned Zach's Durango? I'd have everyone here going batshit insane.

Which chapter did you read? I couldn't find anywhere in this chapter where Wade got into a screaming match with Matt, or with anyone else. He was arguably more emotional than normal, and he was conscious that he was drunk, but he wasn't screaming. Wade would have been viciously direct, speaking in a normal tone, with both Tony and Matt. It's possible that people noticed them arguing outside, but I don't think a brief unpleasant discussion (only apparent when Wade pulled himself free from Matt's grip and left) is out of character.

October 31, 2001 Escorial “I have to get going,” Darius said, standing up from the dinner table. “So do we,” Will said. “I won’t know anyone at this party,” JJ whined. “Dude, as soon as they find out who you are, people will be hanging all over you,” Will said, appealing to JJ’s vanity. That usually worked, and it did this time. “Fine.” “We leave in half an hour,” Will announced. He hurried out, ver

One man's truth is another man's lie

That has to be one of the best movie scenes ever. Ever.

I'm glad you liked this chapter! Your read on Will is correct. He's really pissed off, but he's keeping his temper in check purely for decorum. But a more contentious response would have created that rift they're all trying to avoid, and it would have been immature. :-)

Fodder for the next book

I'm going to let Westie do the heavy lifting on this one, because he's so studly, but I'll clear out a few of the points. No. The Colonel of Marines was an honorary title given to Post Captains. They retained it until they were promoted to the rank of admiral. It provided them with an extra income, so it was really a monetary reward. There's no extra duty to perform, and no need to put on a red coat. This would imply that Arthur has a relatively high standing in the Brotherhood, although we really don't know that for sure. Actually, the Privy Council would have sent it out as a group (the council), not as an individual.

Actually, Will would only say that if he were a liar, because Will didn't feel that way. Will was honest and direct; he didn't rant and rave, and neither did Matt. They both said their piece, and it was done. I'm not finding fault on either side of that exchange. I don't think it's unreasonable to have different standards for siblings than for distant cousins. Will and Gathan have argued about Zach, but I don't remember where they're not close anymore, or how Will has treated him like dirt. I think this is something they disagree on. Happens to friends from time to time. Lets remember that it took Will much longer than a day or two for him to forgive Zach for sleeping with John. The incident with John happened in the Spring of 2000, and here it is, the Fall of 2001, when Will is finally, uh, friendly with Zach again. I think the counter-argument, that Will carried a grudge for way too long, is much more plausible.

Thanks! I agree with you; I think the relationship between Granger and Winkler is really sweet. There was talk about them having a sexual fling, but that is so foreign to their situation, it would just be too weird. Hopefully everyone sees that now, as their relationship has developed.

Wow. Two great reviews in one day! You're on a roll. I really like how you contrast Cavendish with Granger. I think that's pretty accurate, but I think that Cavendish is also a little more fun and playful. George is well-rounded. Sometimes I worry that he is too well-adjusted, almost too perfect, but he does have some quirks, some flaws.