centexhairysub

There needs to be a conversation just between the two of them when neither of them are drunk or hung over.

Excellent chapter, well written; can't wait to see what happens next.

No, not once did I say that Shane's behavior or attitude was okay or appropriate, not once... As a therapist, I would say that you are transferring your own emotions and experiences onto Donovan and have decided that Donovan is rainbow and sunshine and Shane is the big bad wolf; when in reality neither description is right. I am much more like Donovan in real life; but can see his flaws; he needs therapy as much as Shane if not more. We all heard part of a conversation that truly negatively impacted Donovan; most people's natural reaction is going to be to defend him and blame Shane; the problem that we were not privy to the whole conversation but a snippet. Was it harsh, hell yes; but did we get the full context, no. The Shane haters could be right, he may not be redeemable; but until Donovan, and the rest of you hear him out, you really will not know. And yes, I am a therapist; and have been for over 25 years; although I deal primarily with teens and adolescents.

Sorry, but the deal is you are not getting what I am saying. My friends father was not supporting him through college, he was on a full scholarship from UT and worked his ass off in construction during the summer for extra money. The issue is that when you grow up in a toxic household like that breaking free isn't easy if you are 18, 28, 38, or 68... It is almost like being in a cult. My friend was in a family that the father was a barely functional alcoholic that ruled his family with an iron fist, literally. His mother was a religious nut job, that put up with the beatings, and the cheating, and everything else because the bible says that man is the head of the household. It was not about being away from home or being able to support yourself; it is about learning to believe in yourself enough to turn your back on your family; when it is the only way to save yourself. Now, I am not saying that Shane is in the same place; his mother seems normal, makes me wonder why she is with the ass. At least some of his family is obviously okay with him being gay no matter what type of gay he wants to be; the problem is that the person that formed him in the most basic primal way is still around spewing hate, and that effects him no matter what his age is. I am not defending how the character of Shane is written, but this blanket condemnation of his situation and actions are as wrong his words and actions were.

Really, don't discount really good sex. But seriously, I guess I see more of a glimmer of redemptive possibility in Shane than you do. He wants to break free from how his father is and how his father sees him; I just think he really doesn't know how. Maybe seeing how AARP reacted to Donovan will give him the strength to do so; plus his mother seems perfectly lovely, why the hell is she will the ass still. I actually dated a guy very much like Shane back in the dark ages, the 80's... We were at UT Austin together. He was a total jock with a father ever worse than Shane's. I stood by him when he broke it off with his dad/family, took years for any of his siblings to speak to him. Got him into therapy, and through a lot of hard work, he turned his attitude and life around. We did not make it as a couple; but are still friends. One of his teammates that we meet a couple of years later that had no idea he was gay was thrilled with all the hard work I did with him. They have been together almost 25 years... I think I honestly knew from the first that we were never going to end up together; chubby nerd and top jock may work in stories but rarely in real life. That said, I cared enough about him to want him to be happy and knew he was never going to be happy until he was who he was meant to be. So don't give up on Shane, he might surprise you all yet...

WOW, great chapter. I really was impressed with how well this plan came together; until the unexpected shove... I hope these Izanami get their comeuppance. Arrogant so and so's ... Karma, Destiny, Chieftain; just so interesting and full of possibilities. Can't wait to see what is coming up next...

I literally said when AARP was talking about the game and the grandson that it was going to be someone that Donovan knew; I thought it would be one of the DAKS but to have it actually be Shane was just too delicious. That being said; Donovan needs to listen to what Shane has to say; not saying that anything can excuse the comment, but he needs to hear him out. It isn't about being the bigger man as Geemeedee indicated above; it is about moving on, if that is what he decides to do, hard to do with so many issues still unresolved. Loved the writing and pacing in this chapter, so spot on. Can't wait to see what happens next.

The death of so many young has to be heartbreaking to all involved. We all know that Gene does not survive the trip; but his skills will live on. I foresee a bloody conflict; more will be lost.

Loved the part with the ambush, not what I was expecting. Now Esthor et al, are going to have to rescue Rolf, unless he can get help from somewhere else. Writing and pacing both really well done; can't wait for the next update.

That may be the bravest think that Aria will ever do. Of course, Mummy Dearest will blow a gasket. Amara has unsuspected depth. I really think that Ben has gotten Amara to shoot some type of porn, probably posing as Aria. Excellent writing and the pacing was spot on; can't wait to see what you do next.

The fact that Ben disappeared and then the envelope appeared makes me very suspicious. There has to be someone on the inside; Ben almost seems to obvious or is he so obvious that he would be the perfect foil?

Damn, this just keeps getting better and better. Rory can't keep freaking out every time someone is near or touches Milan; if he does the secret that he is trying to not let out yet will be known by all. I am a little surprised that more people don't know, considering how many do already, I guess the ones that do will keep their mouth shut to protect Rory. Rowen is fascinating, can't wait to see what part she ends up playing in this.

Another good chapter, working together, this plan might just succeed. I can imagine not understanding each other's language would make this already difficult task just that much harder. The Aryaka have an advantage with their neural nets; wonder if the three prisoners ever got theirs re-done and are aware of the plan or are they still in the dark.

What a marvelous chapter, can't believe this is almost over. Glad that it looks as if Ember and Brady are going to end up happily ever after.

Paul had it coming; just wish it would really chance anything. His actions effected the lives of so many just because he was obviously extremely insecure about his manhood. Why do I think that Brady is not alone...

I have to admit that I have just never been able to understand why a man would ever hit a women, or abuse her mentally, emotionally, or sexually. The same goes for a woman doing something to a man or a man to a man or woman to a woman. There is just something missing from my make-up that would even allow me to consider striking someone except in defense of myself or others. But that said, I also have never really understood why someone does not do what Katie did and just leave when it happens. I have a friend that left her husband five or six times and always went back until the husband actually laid a hand on their son, then it was over; but never understood why she was always willing to give him another chance. Ember is never going to be happy until he can let go of the past; what Brady did was horrible, but Ember needs to see a therapist and try to work through his anger and other issues. He is not hurting himself as much or more than Brady ever did by holding on to all of this.

I have met more than my fair share of men like Gordon in Texas; I personally think they should just whip them out and measure up to see who the cock of the walk is. The deal with Katie is off, first Katie calls and makes a date to met dad, then when mom and Gordo shows up, she cancels?

Great to see that they are so in sync in dealing with the kids; not always something that is easy to do. Still worried about what the deal is with Katie; you know a curveball has to be coming from somewhere.

So much going on in this chapter; I think we all knew something was up between Justin and Cam but no definite confirmation as to what, Katie is upset about something but what, and Paul is an ass...

Lovely chapter, amazing what talking to each other can do; but I still see storm clouds ahead...

"For my part, I was transported, confused, and out of myself: feelings so new were too much for me. My heated and alarm'd senses were in a tumult that robbed me of all liberty of thought; tears of pleasure gush'd from my eyes, and somewhat assuaged the fire that rag'd all over me." This is a line from Fanny Hill, by John Cleland. The last half of this chapter brought it instantly to mind. Hot...

Oh Lord, someone call an ambulance now; that or a really good couple's therapist.

These two may actually physically hurt each other before they end up in bed together...

Damn, no matter how upset you are; never get so drunk that you don't know where you are and who you are with...

Unresolved feelings come out in the damnedest ways. The level of feeling is plan for all to see except the two of them. Paul is going to continue to be an issue; until he either hurts someone or hurts himself. WOW...