Mark Arbour

You're right about the Major. I figure that Granger can take damn near anything by now. I wonder if they were into fisting back in 1797? (That was a joke). We're on a weekly Odyssey posting schedule. If I post a chapter early and run out, you'll all bitch and moan, so I'm trying to stay on track. :-)

I'm glad you're liking it!

It's tough to get through a whole campaign in one chapter. We'll be in Valdivia for a bit longer.

October, 1797 “Gentlemen, it is a pleasure to host this dinner before we implement our plans to confound the Spanish,” Granger said jovially. “I thought I would make sure you are all aware of our plan now, before you have emptied my stores of wine.” That got a collective laugh. “We will just have to capture some more, my lord,” Eastwyck said, being cheeky. “Indeed, although that is not our prime objective for the next few days. Tom

I don't think he'd get to keep that anyway, since he's progressing through puberty. Unless he becomes largely asexual.

Thanks so much! I think that Robbie's situation was different, but I think he can relate to other aspects of JJ's life.

Thank you for your nice comment! I'm so glad that I stimulated you (blush) to learn more about the era. If only I were that effective with my students!

Thanks. George is certainly lucky, but I also think that his quick mind, and his ability to adapt to crisis situations, are what generates most of that.

He's a lucky bloke, to be sure!

Let me switch to the right side of my brain, tap into my inner social scientist, and make this observation. It really doesn't matter what the USFSA would have done in this situation, what matters at this point is what Brad, Robbie, JP, Stef, and Will think the USFSA would do in this situation. Their perception drives the reality. They would see the USFSA as an organization that actively fought to make it's gay skaters remain in the closet, and as gay men, they would know how unhealthy that was. They had first-hand experience of that stance in Norway. They're not really going to see this glowing, caring board behind the scenes. They're going to see the USFSA as an organization that will do whatever it has to do to protect the reputation of it's sport, regardless of how that has to be done, and how many careers have to be destroyed to do it. Cue: Johnny Weir.

Thanks Terry. I think that kids handle this kind of trauma differently, so it's hard to say exactly how they'd react, but ultimately not having the coach in their lives is a good thing.

I'm not seeing Michael as a big problem. I think he's just a dumb-ass who got real lucky before. I hope he went somewhere very very far away, for his own sake.

Thanks for your nice comments, and for all the info! I think that the potential legal nightmare you depict is something that would be weighing on the minds of Brad and JP at this point.

Why thank you! Will is entering the bowels of the family operation, as it were, but he brings his own distinct set of values with him. It will be interesting to see how those ultimately sync up with everyone else's.

I'm not entirely on board with this concept of the USFSA as a nurturing and supportive organization. I don't know...maybe it has something to do with them ultimately having to answer to Mitt Romney. :-) I agree that the players here are being extreme in picturing the USFSA's stance, but I still think they'd be intensely annoyed at whomever broke this thing wide open.

I can see them enlightening JJ's therapist, one way or another. I cannot see that Michael is long for this world. He was lucky to escape the first time.

For some reason, the media didn't show up, but I know what you're talking about. Good call.

Be patient with Robbie. We get to see inside his mind (more or less) in chapter 90.

JJ's modus operandi has been to build his world around one parent and wall out the world, so he's pulled Robbie into his nightmare. I think Robbie deserves a little slack for unwittingly going along on the ride.

I'm with you on this, but keep in mind, this is the middle of the night, with everyone in all but a panic. At the same time, I'm not convinced that running in and hitting JJ head on with this is the best way to handle it either. I think Will made some good points.

This is definitely their preferred way of handling things. Only this time, they've got a new person in the mix: Will

December 24, 2000 Escorial, CA Will Dad gave me an odd look as he came walking over to my computer. It was as if he thought I was looking at some weird news event, or some Internet story and I’d screamed out for him because I’d just wanted him to see it. That lasted for about half a second, until his eyes took in the scene on the screen. He looked at the computer, staring intently at the same picture, and saying nothing, as if his mind had gone into overload. “Is something

I try to control my sadistic tendencies. :-)

Going to the police and the USFSA may be the right thing to do, but it's questionable whether they actually do that or not. Regardless, I'm pretty sure this ends up in a way no one is anticipating right now.

Thanks so much for your feedback, and the info. Of course, as with most things, attorneys are at the root of all evil (winks at Private Tim). Brad has an advantage with this in that he already has those contacts with organized crime, but whether he uses them, and to what effect, well, we'll just have to see.