Mark Arbour

LMAO. That was funny. Brad was grappling, in the early chapters, with giving Will the freedom to make his own decisions and mistakes. If he got that, then his reaction should be more benign. If not, it won't be.

Happy Birthday James

I disagree. There's an even better candidate to lead a totally dissolute life besides JJ or Will.

Just to clarify, the other guys weren't on stage, only Will was, so they were just reaching up. I'm bracing myself to see how everyone reacts to Brad's reaction. If Brad took out a belt and beat the crap out of him, some would applaud, and say it would do him good, while others would think it was overkill. As you said, it's interesting to explore boundaries. That put a smile on my face.

I'm surprised you don't get more. Seriously, don't worry about that shit. Your friends had your back, and you're positive again.

Not to discount your entire post, but I highlighted two key points. The first is the concept of videos, and as I mentioned, that's a big problem for anyone who has a public persona. It is quite possible that this will come back to haunt Will in the future. The second highlighted section, on how you wouldn't want your 18 year old doing that....totally agree. My point was that what we want usually has little bearing on what a teenager does. If I made Will a character who was that boring, I wouldn't want to read my stories. I think so too. Everyone is different. Hard core partiers seem to be born that way. I don't see Will as that kind of guy. He's not that extroverted, and he doesn't seem abnormally hooked on exhibitionism. I see him as a guy who went wild and did something crazy. I don't see that as a pattern. Plus, let's remember that the poor kid had a pretty traumatic experience in Paris. I don't think it's unreasonable for him to cut loose a little bit and do something completely out of character as he grapples with that. I'm glad you posted. I don't think shy and responsible Will is gone, that Will is just being subverted by hormones and natural rebellion. That's the next issue: what kind of repercussions will he require? There are some who would advocate a lockdown, military style. You know the types. "If that were my kid, he sure as hell wouldn't do that!" My experience is that kids from those homes usually do more, and their parents know about less of it. So how do you handle a guy like Will, who's a smart kid who normally toes the line?

I liked it.

Expect that issue to come up. I had a student who came from a very prominent, well-known family. His challenge was trying to enjoy college life while also worrying about who was going to tape whatever he was doing. Not an easy thing, especially nowadays, when an I phone makes a pretty good video recorder. I've already written the chapter where the issue is raised, so it's a done deal. Anyone want to guess who brings it up?

What happens to a guy who is almost 14, but has the body of a 16/17 year old? Is he supposed to just climb under a rock? You guys seem to have this idea that teenagers are these wonderful beings that do what they're supposed to do, never have sex with anyone, and do what? Sit around and read 18th Century English novels? Really? You guys sound like a bunch of Midwestern parents at a PTA meeting. Kids do stupid ass things and get in trouble. They push boundaries and go beyond them when they shouldn't. And for a guy who matures early, that's going to happen earlier. Yes I know that in the perfect world we set up for children, things don't happen that way. They all go through puberty between 13-15 years old, they jack off privately until they're 16 or 17 then maybe try it with a friend. Then they have some groping with said friend, maybe even a blow job, but then, that's better saved for college. Then in college, probably toward the end of Sophomore year/beginning of Junior year, they f**k someone, or let someone f**k them. There's this standard procedure that they're supposed to follow. Why is Will deviating from this? What the f**k am I doing having him actually violate this sacrosanct process? How horrible this is. Well folks, this isn't a perfect world, and there are a whole lot of guys who have entirely different development cycles and sexual experimentation experiences. It seems that it's wrong to write about that possibility. But what I love most is the irony (I'm not going to say hypocrisy, but I'm thinking it) of those who bitch about it, but then evaluate their own experiences and find that they were doing things well outside the normally accepted age cycle themselves. It's kind of like the GA website, where you have explicit stories about butt sex but you can't type the word f**k because it might offend someone. Personally, when I wrote the scene, I was laughing my ass off. I had this vision of a very well-developed teen exercising some typical teenage rebellion and doing something that he really shouldn't have been doing. Then, at the climax of the, uh, crime, he looks off into the audience and sees his grandfather. How busted are you when that happens? How do you talk your way out of it? And even if you can get Stef to not be pissed off, how do you get your parents not to come down on you like a ton of bricks.

That's true, since you are pure as the driven snow.

I wasn't writing this from a paternalistic perspective. I'm not really wanting you to feel like you're Will's parent. ;-)

I think Will just cut loose a bit.

July 28, 2000 Rome, Italy Will The first thing I noticed when we walked into the club was the music. It was loud and pulsing, and seemed to reverberate through my whole body. It took me a minute to get used to it, and then it was pretty hot. I felt myself moving to the beat involuntarily, which was unusual for me. I’m such a white guy when it comes to dancing: I have no rhythm. That seemed to have changed at this bar. I’d gotten in with no problems at all. The bouncer had as

Not seeing it. This guy has features that are way too pointy. Plus, I picture Brad with hair that's a little darker.

Kicked off the team for riding a motorcycle? Doesn't that violate some sort of constitutional right? Schools have such lame-ass rules. Good chapter. The protein bars reminded me of my favorite faux pick-up line: "Hi, I'm on a liquid protein diet. Can you help me out?"

Let's see..married for twenty years...they'll be lucky if they're talking at all. ;-)

But he was also the reason she almost got on the plane in the first place.

I'm behind on reviews. This kind of chapter only works if you understand the sport you're writing about. You did a great job! I wonder if you have one of those cute little soccer player butts?

I'm not sure I would call the club scene a catastrophe. ;-)

It's hard to meet the one you love when you're 18. I'm not sure if Gathan and Kristin will make it yet, but they certainly do well together. I'm looking forward to writing their first big fight.

You'll understand Kristin's parents motives a little more as we go on. Think "genteel poverty" and it will make more sense. I think that JP and Stef are learning that it is better to monitor him from afar. :-)

Thank you so much! I had to re-read BeRad for Millennium, to refresh myself on those early days when Brad and Robbie got together. I actually re-did the first chapters to make them more readable.

What could possibly go wrong? :-)

Will's always had a lot of freedom, primarily because he's earned it (with good grades, etc) and doesn't usually abuse it.

And it was only four days!