centexhairysub

Glad that Rich and his new girlfriend came by and equally glad that Andrew, Skylar, and Jack were able to join them. I do worry about Skylar though, he could be in serious trouble if this ever comes out; and with a trial coming up, you know the defense lawyer has a private investigator looking for anything to help them out. Lord, just one more thing to hate the parents about now. And not unusual for Jill to have blocked something like that out. The water bottle I think may be more important than anyone realizes, we will have to see. Great job can't wait to see what happens next.

I can't quite explain it, but this chapter made me a little sad or melancholy. It was lovely, but there was this undertone of well something unspoken; although the fact that Titus was mentioned, and a promise of further discussions was a breakthrough of sorts. Susan isn't in the rush that Gran is about youngsters; but she might get there. I can't quite see Vaughn or Dante adopting a baby or having one; I was thinking of someone a little older that needed them, so many do. As I have mentioned in the past, looking back you often find the view not what you remember. Better sometimes to hold onto your memories and not revisit a place too much. l do hope that all is well with Greg and Len, but some of what happens may have stirred up memories for Greg that are hard to deal with, let's hope they are okay. Wonderful chapter, can't wait for the next update.

Janek was lucky that Marc was there, but Marc was lucky that Janek had learned enough and trusted him enough to follow orders and fight what his brain was screaming at him to do. Exciting stuff, but they got to spend some nice time together while he recovered, and Marc is now going to teach others so that someone else can benefit from this experience. Keep them coming..

A wonderful genre that attracts some great writing, but always can hope for more...

Well, damn, Tim went from thinking he was all alone, with Ben as a friend that would never be more. Now he has Guy, whom he really cares for, he knows Ben at least thought about it, and now the King Stud, Jonathan is out there lurking as well. I just find the relationship between Tim and Ben to be so refreshing. Ben is secure in who he is, but thinks about taking a walk on the wild side; while Tim feels the deep friendship that Ben offers gives him a certain level of support and strength. Excellent chapter, and I can't wait to see what happens next.

Fine is a perfectly good word that describes a really nice time in tame terms. I don't find it offensive and don't think it is an afront to Kai's masculinity or performance ability. But I can certainly see why he objected to it. They shared something truly special, and that word did not measure up to how he viewed the encounter. Love the little bit of history we got, seeing Adam's thoughts about Nan and his a few snippets of his early life. Ian sounds like a great person, and not only smart but sensitive to the situation. Loved how Adam just immediately decided to get the new bed, and then had the good sense to contact Doc and get his recommendation. Oh Lord, a baby, how lovely... Doc will be insufferable. LOL Great chapter, can't wait to see what happens next.

Well, I think we all know who the new designer is going to turn out to be. It will make Ralph look at his past, examine his present, and make some decisions about this future. Ivor and Beth both sound like a delight to work with. They each bring certain strengths to the company but are flexible enough to wear more than one hat. The ex-wife just sounds more and more like a Stepford wife, that actually wanted the transformation. I guess nothing wrong with it, except she is forcing her ideas about how the girls should be on them in a way that will eventually lead them into open rebellion. Great job as always, can't wait to see what happens next.

What Lanny did was wrong, period. Brendan had handled it really well, then Lanny's mother went psycho. Much like @weinerdog, I almost feel sorry for him, have to wonder what he learned about any type of healthy relationship from someone like that. I hope that Jack and Brendan can be friends, sounds like they both need one. The situation with Skylar is a total mistake. Regardless of the attraction, they should not be involved in even a coffee date as long as Skylar is the caseworker for the kids. Can't wait to see what happens next.

Cats all the way... Woo Hoo, knew four of the seven words this week. What a wonderful week it was here on the site, and such a grand reveal at the Secret Author contest.

Honestly, at that age, you simply don't know what the next week will truly bring, but less further in the future. What you think will interest you or what you think you want can change at the drop of a hat. Ben cares for Samantha, and I think that feeling is shared, but Samantha is smart enough to know, and Ben probably is as well that distance will make anything together really hard. That said, as long as they are honest with each other and communicate, anything is possible. Tim and Guy still have a year to figure out what they want, but probably less time to decide how they are going to react when or if everyone or at least more than the small group that knows about them now find out. Guy's mother may not care, but I will bet Tim's dad blows a gasket at least initially. I sort of think that his mother has some idea anyway. Excellent chapter, can't wait to see what happens next.

I think Brendan handled the situation with Jack and Andrew just perfectly. And Andrew getting to be around someone that is gay and open but not in your face can only benefit him and how he views that part of the world, plus the fact that Jack did not seem bothered at all bodes well for that. Lanny worries me but have to wonder what happened or why Steve thinks he might be gay. Steve is the one that I would have thought might have an issue with Brendan being gay, and he still might, but the rescue from his parents makes it hard for him to see Brendan in anything but a good light at the moment. The deal with Skylar would be a major no no. The second that either of them thinks it might go somewhere, they would need to make sure that someone other than Skylar was the caseworker. Anything else would be a major breach of protocol and could spell trouble all the way around.

Excellent chapter, Marc was teaching but learning as well. Sometimes you will learn as much teaching others as you can having someone teach you. Janek and Marc seem to be saying goodbye for a longer time this time. Let's hope they both find what they are looking for down the road. Did I miss the explanation of it, but what does SA stand for or mean? Maybe Marc's evaluation will over-ride his cousin's, if his is proven to be correct. Can't wait to see how this starts to move forward.

Well, the Prince did what he could to make sure the actions taken by Greg were viewed favorably as they should have been. It seems the only Count that Greg may have an issue with his the one directly above him, the other two North American Counts appear to find Don Carlo a fine fellow indeed. Glad that so many seem interested in the school that Greg has been developing; sounds like this could be something that truly changes Dracul as a whole for the better if it takes off. Can't wait to see what happens next. Great job.

Greg, we hardly knew you. Character was never fleshed out much, so I figured would not be around for long, but Brendan was hurt by how this happened and had his own little mini breakdown. It obviously hurt Greg as well, but hard to turn down that type of money. Wonder what horrible other thing is still lurking that Jill did not get into because the right questions weren't asked. I still think Steve needs some help with the stuttering but going to assume that is coming. I do like how open Brendan is with the kids. Hope no one asks any questions that might bring what happened with Brendan after Greg left out, would not be a good look.

Honestly to God, I felt like I was hearing the most wonderful symphony the whole time I was reading this chapter. It was just perfect. The writing was excellent, and it flowed as if from a wonderful fresh tributary that was just discovered. I really find Vaughn and Dante to be simply amazing together. I love how they mesh in such unexpected ways and the little things matter to them; but then they do something wild, and it works as well. Glad that Greg and Len went through with the photo shoot and then to get the Donna McKee and to have it be that powerful was just WOW. Vaughn needs to be careful, or he will find himself working for Heyward more than he ever thought...

Oh, I do remember when you felt that a few weeks separation was truly the end of the world. It wasn't an usually proved that rather quickly. Samantha is off to university after the break, and getting on with her life, but that doesn't mean that she can't or won't be back at least to visit. And who knows, maybe separation will make the heart grow fonder. Tim is just going to have to survive a few weeks without seeing Guy on a daily basis, and he will, even though at this moment he thinks he won't.

How exciting, sounds like training is going well for some. There will always be those that are jealous and see any advancement from someone else as a slight to them and obliviously not deserved but somehow gotten without merit. Janek seems to be doing well, and good for him. But he obviously misses Marc, and I think Marc misses him. Can't wait for the unveiling. It will be epic.

Well, this just made me sad. I can see almost everyone's point of view on this. That said, Jays was an idiot. You can only push Will so far; does he not remember Will's scorched earth on Brad and Robbie the last time he got that upset. Darius to the rescue. I am just too sad to find a lot to say, it was a great chapter, but I am just having a really hard time dealing with this storyline. I do see how to move past it, but will it happen?

Congrats to all, and what a great bunch of stories...

A thoroughly enjoyable tale of two men coming to terms with their past and learning how to deal with it as they try and move forward into a relationship with not only each other, but their authentic selves. The characters are so finely tuned that you truly feel these are people that you have known your whole life. The writing and pacing are both first rate. The writing is very descriptive, and the use of local idioms makes these seem like you are setting at a corner cafe having someone tell you all about it. So much of what makes this truly outstanding for me, is how @Robert Hugill takes those small moments that are often overlooked and makes them come alive. Embrace this story, and it will give you so much back.

An interesting start to this story, and so many vivid characterizations already. Much like @Summerabbacat, already loathe Therese, the kind of person that gives women and mother's both a bad name. Not quite sure how I truly feel about Ralph and his conflicted past. Depending on the time this is set, it might be easier to understand his reluctance to try and stand out when younger. And much like @Gary L, the girls and their attitude intrigue me. Can't wait to see their development as well. Great start to this new story, can't wait to see how you develop it.

Well, wish I could believe that everything with Brendan and Greg would work out, but in my experience, long distance relationships rarely do so. Maybe something will pop up in the area and Greg would have another option. Honestly, not sure that brining another adult into the household this soon would be a good idea anyway. Brendan and the kids need more time to bond before adding another person. Lanny is a typical 13-year-old boy. But because of the history of the children, none of them will react to normal situations in quite the same way. Nice tie-in to the other story.

A chapter that seemed to go in several different directions throughout. I was shocked at Tim's dad and his reaction, but good for him, not sure he would be so supportive about them going out if he knew everything but good for him anyway at the moment. Sort of scary with the group of kids acting like that, I mean they were younger, but a large group could have done some damage. I sort of thought this was a smaller town, seems a little out of place, but I guess that is a problem everywhere. Samantha and Ben are too cute, feeding pizza to each other. Glad they are so comfortable with Tim and Guy. Great chapter can't wait to see what happens next.

This chapter started hotter than a firecracker; but the ending was what made it so great. The fact they could and even wanted to share their past was just so special. Some couples, even long-term ones, never get to that point. And once again, showing my age, but I do love looking at old photos. The digital ones or even the video ones just are never the same, there is an essence to a person or place that truly can only be captured in a photo or perhaps a painting. I do love this story...

All three children need therapy separately, but I think that they may need it with their uncle and them as a group. The fear that they seem to experience each time they get called to talk to him or just get about what should be casual events needs to be dealt with and a group setting might work better for that. I do agree with @Paladin that Steve needs to start some type of speech therapy. Some of the stuttering could be from the abuse that he suffered at the hands of his parents and therapy in general might help, but my bet is that a speech therapist would be able to help him minimize, reduce, or eliminate some of the stuttering. Just when you think the idiot parents could not be any worse.