Mark Arbour

Yep.

That was well said. I think that Matt's doing that thing that a lot of us go through from time to time: he's having his priorities rearranged by uncomfortable jolts. By the way, I'm not sure if you all caught this, but I wrote a short piece for the news blog. You can find it here.

Thanks for the nice comments everyone! It was more of a stream of consciousness thing, but cleaned up considerably by Sharon.

Very good. I understand your points, but I think it's almost impossible to generalize about this. Men are unique beasts. I think that any one of those events could have a profound maturing effect on a man, or no effect at all.

Not quite, on the taxes part. There's AMT to worry about. I think Carl was asking for it. He played with the big boys, and got smacked down.

Don't worry. He won't be lonely for long. Still, it sucks to end up as the third wheel at your own menage a trois.

True words...you have to grow in the relationship.

I think that's right, but I'm not sure if the attraction to Granger was subliminal. I think it was real, and strong, but I can see where Kerry would let the emotions you describe rule him. I think I'd be tempted to do the same thing.

Thanks! I think that Matt and Wade are a lot more balanced, both as a couple and as individuals, than Brad and Robbie are.

I think that Riley will have a lot more to say about that than the influence of his various parental units. I think his personality will shape more of who he becomes.

I do get what you're saying about Kerry, though. I probably could have done a better job of building up his character and quirks so that moment/change made more sense.

A threesome with you and Paya will get you as many previews as you want. I think a smart parent adapts his/her style to the child. LOL. I have a lot of interesting people in my life with a lot of issues. They make great fodder for characters.

Surrender: That was hilarious Jeremy. Good job.

I'm glad you think that. I think that. These two guys are maturing, which is normal in the latter half of the undergraduate college years. Wade's a little ahead of Matt, but Matt's getting there. Like I said before, what's neat about these two is that they don't normally have the massive communication problems that some of the other guys (like Brad and Robbie) have had. They generally get what the other one is thinking and feeling; they just may not agree with it. This is a fun storyline. It gives me some room for Wade to get a little slutty. Just a little.

Some great feedback from you guys! Here are my thoughts: Kerry/Somers/Granger: The forbidden fruit issue is what's at work here. If you think about it, we haven't really seen much of Kerry's personality beyond being the doting paramour. He's got a reputation as a playboy, as it were, so in this sense, I think he's just taken by the moment. He probably doesn't even get that George is irritated with him. In his mind, he's just connecting with Somers like he's been wanting to do for a very long time. Why would George have a problem with that? Isn't George being a little high-maintenance, he might think? I don't think he's evil, or mean, I think he's just oblivious, thinking with his dick. And that never happens. Calder/Lennox: Calder will land in Portsmouth and take a post chaise to London. He'll be there within a day, maybe 2 if the weather is bad. There is no way Belvidera can beat him there by sea.

Well, Wade is his mother's son, whether he wants to be or not. He's kind of like Luke Skywalker, with the dark side always there, luring him in. Brad is an idealist, and has this idea of how things should be. When they're not, he flounders a bit. Will makes him flounder.

Not sure I see your point on Matt turning into a little bitch, other than that he's trying to make Wade happy. And I'm not sure that's a bad thing either.

Look at you. Some guy says he's a top and you automatically agree with him. :-) I liked that scene a lot, because I think it shows Matt at his best. He's really a caring man.

I can't imagine anyone of Elizabeth Danfield's background not at least knowing the Harrimans. Friends? Possibly, in as much as she can have them. I think it was a little raw to force Carl out, but then again, it's not like he's an innocent victim here. It's a good life lesson for Carl.

LOL. Are you channeling Jeremy? The last of Carl? Hmmm.....

I liked that scene too. I'm glad I could make your night. ;-)

I think that both Kerry and Somers are flexible enough to enjoy each other, but we shall see. Either way, it's unlikely that they're out of Granger's life. Lennox is basically a horny young guy. I see him playing out as heterosexual, but he enjoys blow jobs. Chartley is an interesting character. I'll make sure to save some family drama for you, don't you worry.

September 30, 2000 Escorial, CA Wade I woke up late, but I was still exhausted. I reached over to the other side of the bed, expecting to feel Matt’s warm body, but instead I felt nothing. I smiled anyway. My whole body tingled as I thought about last night. It wasn’t just the sex, it was the bonding, the way we used our bodies to unite our hearts and minds, that was so fucking unbelievable. I was so worn out I wasn’t even sporting morning wood. I toyed with just being lazy, and l

Well, you're wrong about George beating them to London, but I completely agree with you about Freddy and Davina. When they have to look George in the eye and explain things to him, it's going to be a lot harder than plotting behind the curtain. If they face him, that is.

Tradition and custom are sometimes tough to overcome. What seems so logical now was a paradigm shift to Calder.