Mark Arbour

A post with such flourish! I've got Granger on a 10 day cycle. These stories are harder to write, and take longer, because I try to work them into the history of the time. That being said, the next chapter will be ready by then.

Your last sentence is profound, and true.

Alright, I got off my posting schedule by putting that chapter up for Father's Day, and it seemed too long to go until June 25 to put up the next one, so I figured I'd go ahead and post one to celebrate the first day of summer. Chapter 22 should post on June 25.

July 24, 2000 Paris, France Will “You’re not mad at me, are you?” I asked John. “Why would I be mad at you? Dude, all I care about is that you’re back safe and sound.” “I was pretty rude last night. I wore boxers to bed.” That seemed to frustrate him. “Whatever. That was no big deal.” We lay there in bed, and I kept trying to decide whether to get up and eat, or tell him what happened. I put my hunger pangs aside. “I lost my virginity.” He j

I think Kristin knows exactly what she wants, but Gathan is the one in limbo. That's about to change.

Congrats Comsie! You're an inspiration to all of us, especially your fellow authors.

I have that on my Ipod. I love it when you remind me of songs I haven't heard in a while, but really liked back in the day, or of songs I really like and still listen to.

I'll bet if he was around, he'd still be pretty cute.

Right. I see you as a totally submissive bottom.

I'm glad you think I got that reaction down right. It's kind of hard for me to do that, since I've never had to deal with that personally. I worry that someone who's dealt with it will find it rings false, and get offended.

I don't see Robbie that way at all. I think he's like the hypochondriac who finally has a serious disease. They try to support him, without validating his whining. Personally, I think he has some real justification for freaking out. He's probably feeling like he's about to be arrested and sent back to jail at any moment. His partner and his son were both kidnapped and assaulted for something he did. But that doesn't make whining less annoying. ;-)

It really sucks to do drugs and not enjoy them. It's not a problem I can relate to, but you do have my sympathies. I think that it could make for an interesting plot twist in a story though....morphine addiction or the like. Do vampires do morphine? Who do you ask about that? Stephanie Meyer or Anne Rice?

Cia has some good advice for you: Talk to Trebs. He's a nice guy.

That's right. Remember that Jeremy. Don't piss me off, or I'll have you killed.

Trauma is the "5 hour energy drink" of these stories.

I actually end up having more fun with the next few chapters. ;-)

Wow. Thanks Tim. Sometimes it's hard for old men to get that right, but then I just use my own kid as a model. Sometimes something as simple as cleaning up his room can evoke major drama.

He was holding out for an offer from awesomedude.

Thanks. If I can pick up the pace, I will, but this seems to be working for me.

I love your 3 Doors Down pick!

Sometimes we learn the most from our mistakes, or the mistakes of the people around us. I'm happy that you have such a good relationship with your daughter. That's awesome. Yeah, the zany uncle that keeps wanting you to sit on his lap.

It's officially Father's Day here in the US. I'm lucky this year, as I'm actually visiting my father. I continue to be amazed at what a strong bond that is, the father-son bond, both when I experience it with my son, and when I experience it with my own father. There really isn't anything I wouldn't do for either of them. I know that not everyone has a positive father-son relationship (especially the ladies here ), but I hope that those of you that do truly take some time to enjoy it today. I hope that those of you who don't have a positive relationship will not give up hope, and not give up trying to have one. I find that the male students who seek out a more personal bond with me (I'm not talking about that kind of personal bond...I'm talking about a friendship/professional bond), where they are looking for guidance and approval, are often those men who have lost their fathers, or have terrible relationships with them. I think that paternal male bonding is such a strong, primal force within us, that when it is lacking, we seek surrogates. Maybe you can find a surrogate, or be one. Something to ponder. Have a great day!

July 23, 2000 Pontoise, France Will I ignored the commotion, burying my face in the bed, as if by doing that I were invisible. I just wanted to curl up and die, or barring that, I wanted to put some clothes on. The tears formed in my eyes and I couldn’t stop them, so I just used the bed to absorb them. The activity in the room seemed to stop and I heard footsteps as people left. I jumped when I felt a hand touch my back gently. “I am sorry to startle you,” a voice sai

I normally don't do this, but this is such a passionate post, here's a spoiler for the next chapter, to let you know how Brad fared.

You crack me up!