Former Member

I think the best part of the chapter was all the conversations Billy had. They all helped Billy understand the people he was speaking with. Billy learned quite a bit this time around. Retaliation makes it sound like Joey is going to be a much bigger presence in the next book. Maybe Billy’s mom will find out that he’s Gay and will make life difficult at home too. Whatever happens, school will be difficult since it seems everyone has figured out what’s going on with Billy & Brett. (“Brilly”? “Bett”? “Anthiam?” “Willthony?”)

Many couples don’t discuss things like this openly. They just assume that their partner believes the same way they do. Especially with LGBTQ couples, that can cause huge problems since there are no culturally defined roles predefined for us. I have always had problems discussing issues like this and more than one of my relationships has fallen apart because of lack of communication – for some strange reason, I can never find a guy who can read my mind! ;-) I’d like to hear more about Joel’s friends back in Sweden. Joel and Lucas have been remiss in their parental duties too!

Australia is one of the places I’d love to visit (Scandinavia, Germany, UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands being the other region). There are two or three people I could visit too. But I cannot imagine taking a cruise ship anywhere. I’m definitely a child of the ‘70s with all my jeans and t-shirts.

Trust Fund comes before work too. And Inherit comes before all of them.

Hi Gary, this is so heartfelt, I can feel it till here over the pond. I don`t like family drama, too. Sometimes you just have to set a boundary, to protect oneself. Glad you did it. Hug you

This is a good one. LOL. I actually did a bit of research on this, and learned something new. Shame, you would think an African American would know this one. Slaves learned to speak English while working side by side with indentured servants. At that time ask was actually axe. Over time, it became a word associated with black culture. The meaning has more to do with identity than improper grammar. There are times when the minority has to plant one foot in his/her own world, and the other in the world of the majority. When the majority gets a glimpse into the minority world, it can sometimes lead to misconceptions. I'm not condoning bad grammar, but there is more to this than illiteracy and ignorance. Believe it or not, ax slips from the lips of some educated blacks as well.

Oh tim, such wonderful poems!!! I love each of them. My favorite is the on for the 9. of April. But it is a head to head race with the 14.of April. xoxoxo Lyssa

I’ll be happy when they get a few more bugs out of the system. I never got any notification of this chapter and somehow didn’t notice it on the Newest Stories page. This isn’t my favorite kind of experience to read about, but Joel is still Joel. And it’s his fantasy, not mine. He’s a complex man even when he would tell you he’s not. ;-) I miss an update on Mason though…

Congratulations!!! Wonderful news!

Hi Puppilull, I feel honored, to have given an inspiration. I really like the chapter and their conversation. Yes, sometimes things just happen. But in a good relationship, it is never to late to set some rules when things start to get an own dynamic. And they have a good relationship, seeing on how open they can be to each other and how they think about the boundaries of their partner. Although I think it is a good decision, that they want to meet Dean in a different surrounding. Great chapter!!! I am very excited for more.

Sounds like the process of rubbing expensive cream on your head in a desperate attempt to stem male pattern baldness! Half of the essential twofer along with those little blue diamond-shaped pills for choice-hating old men who are trying to hook their next trophy wife.

That last word was such a relief! I am so glad that Graham was somehow able to be there at the police station waiting for Scott! I’m sure Graham will have mixed feelings about where Scott was, but should be pleased that Scott provided all that information instead of clamming up. I was right that they were looking to catch bigger fish. It didn’t seem like the cops knew about the video, but now we know who Ted was. Still lots of mysteries for you to reveal though… ;-) When did you find the time to ‘like’ all those comments on A to Z and still write this chapter? ;-)

When I was homeless, I had a few resources, including CalFresh (aka SNAP or food stamps) and General Assistance (a cash loan from the county), so I never felt I had to steal anything to survive. But I was given many things. So I try to repay the kindness shown me by donating things to the agency I still use. In the past, I’ve given hygiene products, towels (they offer free showers and clients steal the towels), and even Tang (so they could serve their clients something other than water with lunch). Last year I donated new packages of boxer shorts – no one should be forced to wear someone else’s used underwear! (But unlike the other items, I made the special request that they should only be given out when someone really needs them. At some point, someone will come in who only has the clothes on his back and that’s who I want to help with this gift.)

It took time even after I’d been referred to a Rescue Mission, to discover some of the more useful services and agencies that are out there in the area where I was homeless. In the San Francisco Bay Area, at least, you can call 211 to get free information about social services. I didn’t know how many services there are – in Berkeley, the UC students operate a weekly free clinic that even offers things like haircuts and over-the-counter medications and vitamins. I always did my best to pass on the hard won information to others as often as I could.

I was a kid who slipped beneath most teachers’ radar. I didn’t cause problems. Only a few teachers recognized that I was much more intelligent than my grades indicated. Of course, in most classes, I was so bored that I tuned out the class nearly entirely. I never did homework. My memory was good enough that I was able to pass my tests easily. But I always thought I was dumb because of my grades. But I wasn’t completely ignored. I had personal interactions with some of my teachers over the years. I stayed after class and had short conversations with some of them. But I’m sure most of them forgot who I was by the following year (which was fortunate for my younger brother who was a much better student and in all the advanced classes I should have been in). Recent psych tests have proven my intelligence is much higher than I ever thought.

Patrick just moved out and now Katherine and Oliver are moving into the bunk above Will & Liam! Won’t Katherine feel uncomfortable in a room with three guys? All that testosterone! ;-)

All straight guys seem to fantasize about ‘sleeping’ with a Lesbian couple. Plus I used to have a Lesbian neighbor who seemingly dated more men in the time that I knew her than I've ever dated. She did date a few women too though. Women tend to be more fluid in their sexuality than men.

So hoho, are you joining me on Team Adrian? ;-) Corian? Aidrey?

Alex even makes you cry! Nathan doesn’t hurt people like Alek does. ;-)

It is always nice to meet old friends and be able to connect directly. A happy chapter! Great.

Landon is a good reason why Allie and Marty never got together! ;-) It’s good to see that Liam has lots of friends back home even if he only has a few where he lives. You’ve even managed a non-cliffie cliffie! We’re still no closer to seeing Liam finally dump Alek for the last time! Liam deserves a good man like Nathan!

Sorry is this has already been posted. When we speak, we are afraid our words will not be heard or welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still afraid. So it is better to speak. - Audra Lorde

Yes! ;-)

A very sweet moment captured in words!

Your poem is something to read a lot of times, to get every line. It remembers me on the last vers from Rilkes "Einsamkeit" Einsamkeit "...und wenn die Menschen, die einander hassen, in einem Bett zusammen schlafen müssen: dann geht die Einsamkeit mit den Flüssen... " Loneliness "...and if people, who hate each other, have to share the same bed, loneliness flows with the river...."