centexhairysub

As a parent, you do everything you can for your child. You stand behind them; sometimes next to them; and when the situation calls for it, in front of them. You love them, you help them, you scold them, you correct them; and you do all of these things through the laughter and tears both equally. That all being said; the one thing you cannot do, is live your childs' life for them; their mistakes are there own and they have to claim them and be responsible for them!

I can go along with all of them except number four... In no way have Brad and Robbie even been marginally good parents in the last couple of months... I am not saying they are the worse parents ever because obviously they are not, but they have done nothing to help Will deal with what happened in Paris; and I think Sharon is one hundred percent right; they have done nothing to compensate for the fact that the primary care giver for all of their children suddenly went MIA, because of post partum depression. PS... I am not telling my other personalities about the fact Sharon says this is fiction... I am having them focus on the pretty squirrels... PPS... Tea is always better than coffee...

This chapter was really sad for me to read. Will comes to understand a lot about himself and what is going on while reading the emails from those he left behind. Will is starting to realize that even with the issues he is having with his dad and Robbie, he is not alone. There are so many people in his life that would be there for him, if he gives them the chance. Will's reaction to some of the emails really showed his age; while his awarness of the dangers around him showed he really is mature beyond his years. In a way it is sad that he had to grow up so fast in some ways that no one his age should have to do... Going to be beach house at Santa Cruz is getting him closer to making a final decision on where he wants this to go; I really do think he will end up in Palo Alto at least for a while. Some time apart can give Will and Brad a chance to reconnect while both of them go through some therapy. I do believe that their relationship will survive this but it will forever be changed by it. Great Chapter Mark!!!!

Sometimes Golden Oldies are really the best....

A really good chapter; a bridge that is leading to more adventure on land then on the sea. Really like when we get to see Granger spend some time with Caroline and the children. The addition of Nash to the story is wonderful, I love how Mark is able to pull real people and make them fit some seamlessly into the storyline. I can't wait to see what kind of house he comes up with for Granger... And will the house be fit for a Baron, a Viscount, or dare we hope, an Earl???

O' what a tangled web we weave.... Mr. Arbour, I do believe this maybe a truly tangled web by the time the Baccchante sails to the south seas and back... An Odyssey worthy of Homer; minus all the female sirens of course, I do hope for some grand adventure however. I really don't know how Granger can keep those baths so clean, he must have a person that cleans them on a daily basis as much of a workout as they all get. I was glad to see Somers and Granger begin to repair their relationship, while I have to admit Cavendish sort of bores me somewhat, but he will at least be left behind soon. I wonder, could we really begin to hope for an Earldom for Granger? I never really thought that he could possibly be elevated that far but... I still think the Viscount position is more likely but damn, an Earldom... That would just kill Freddie and Davina...

Well, the only amount that I have ever found dangerous is the lack thereof; but then I am a slut...

Hmmm, I have been wondering, what if Granger does have to take Teasdale and Sir Phillip Kerry out to the South Seas, plus Somers as his marine Cpt, and Lt Robey has his 1st Lt on the trip out then Lord Chartley, Somers, and Lt Robey on his trip back; will Granger ever get to sleep??? How much sex do you really have to have before it is dangerous???

Hmmm, wasn't Tonto born a Crampton and then married a Schulter? Seems that even when she was younger, Tonto was very passionate, so I don't think it was just Marie's influence and blood...

OMG, I have not heard or even thought about " Runaway Train " in years... This really fit the mood of this chapter to perfection. I pulled up and watched a couple of vidoes of the band with this song... It was perfect...

Okay, I no more get through my latest diatribe and look up; and what do I see but the latest chapter of Paternity is out... This is an interesting chapter, it seems to be a bridge from the past leading toward...what??? I don't know the answer to that yet, but I bet Mark has it all laid out in his head, masterfully. I really like how Wade is handling himself and others during this story; and this chapter just adds to my admiration. I am not sure how Matt would feel about Wade sleeping with Jeff, unless it was a threesome but sort of thing Jeff is owed something for his work in finding Will. I really thought how Jeff stood up to Brad was really well written and played out. I am not sure I agree with it one hundred percent but did like how it really added to the reality of this storyline. I am not suprised at all that Wade is the one that Will has reached out to, even if it was just an email; nor am I suprised that Wade is keeping his promise to Will about not using that contact as a way to track him down. Honor and promises mean something, even when the consequences lead to a price to pay. Mark, this is really one of the best stories in this series since 1968... I hope you have enjoyed creating it and seeing it to fruition as much as I have enjoyed reading it.

I think some people just need to grow up and get over it... Nothing Will has done except the pole dance is that out of bounds for someone that is 13 or 14 years old. Maybe growing up here in Texas is different but honestly by the time I was 14, I had done a lot more drinking and partying that Will has at this point; I had a lot more sex, with much greater age differences and both male and female; and frankly if there had been a gay strip club near me in the country, I probably would have done the pole dance... Now, I did come of age in the late 70's and early 80's but I don't think we were that much wilder than, just didn't have to worry about as much stuff. I have several nieces and nephews and children of friends that come to me quite often for advice or counsel or just a shoulder to cry on; and from their experiences, no nothing really has changed. I got away with most of what I did because I had a 4.0, was in the honor society, various clubs, youth represenative on my church board, and was polite and well mannered with my elders. Did my parental units and family know everything I did, probably not; but in a small town they knew most of it... When I was 14 and a freshmen in high school, I went out of town to San Antonio, Austin, and San Angelo to party all the time with a group that was a couple of years older. Most of these trips were overnight trips and a lot of times, I was the designated driver, was never a huge drinker but could tie one on if the mood hit me. I went to a lot of college parties starting when I was 14 or so and never really had any problems. I don't think any of Will's behaviour is that out of bounds and I think anyone that thinks it is probably is being a little unrealistic in their view... I think some people are forgetting how blown out of proportions everything is when you are that age; every incident gets magnified beyond recognition. I don't think Will ever dealt with what happened in Paris; and honestly Brad and by default Robbie, sort of acted like it was no big deal... I do think that Brad has broken his word to Will several times and that coupled with his neglect really triggered most of the outburts that we have been seeing. You don't havre to hit someone to be abusive, in some ways neglect is as damaging or more so. Another thing that keeps being brought up is how rich and privileged Will is and how that in some ways makes him immune from abuse, that just isn't so. Often children of privilege suffer as much abuse or more than those of lower socio-economic levels but because of the wealth and position of the families; it just gets covered up more effectively. Having all the money and things in the world doesn't make up for the love and support you can get from a family that really cares about you, believes in you, and is there for you...... Right now and for most of this story, neither Will nor JJ has had that type of family.

I have gone back and re-read Paternity from the start in the last couple of days. I really do think Will is acting out in a large part because he never really dealt with what happened in Paris. I have to believe in some way he blames Brad and Robbie for the kidnapping and rape, because it was about revenge on them. Even if this is illogical, Will is a hormonal 14 y/o... It is rare when I agree with Private Tim, so everyone mark this down; I think one of the biggest mistakes parents make is trying to be their childrens' best friend. The kids already have friends, they need parents. Now, if you can be a parent or sometimes if you are not the actual parent but the authority figure and be a friend great; but that is very delicate balancing act that few actually pull off. When humans are young, they need parents or others acting as parental units more than they need friends. I think once a person reaches a certain age, and that is different for everyone; you can shift the role more and actually become more of a friend rather than a parental unit. I can honestly say my mother is my best friend... I have lots of other friends but I am closer to my mother than any other person on the planet. However, when I was under 16 y/o, my mother was the parental unit first and everything else second. I think this is a mistake that Brad has made in this story of trying to be Will's best friend first and a father secondary. He further undercut this relationship by making it where Jeanine really couldn't act as the parental unit where Will was concerned. I can't wait to see where Mark takes this story next... I can see some real trials and tribulations coming because I think Will is smart enough after what happened in Paris to know they can track him through his phone and how to avoid that...

Well, Mark mentioned her and I wouldn't be suprised at all if Tonto appeared after rising from the grave and flying 1st class to LA... I swear, the whole time I was reading this chapter, I really felt that Stef was summoning the spirit of Tonto, God, I miss her... I really disagree with a couple of people on this forum, I don't think Will started any of this. I really do believe that 80% of this issue between Brad and Will is Brad's fault, 15% Will's, and 5% everyone else that didn't realize that Will was still traumitized over Paris. Yes, Will did roofie the asshole, and Robbie got it to by default; but I can say I would have done something equally brilliant if I had been in place. By God, you may not start the war; but once it has started, you fight to win... The police showing up was JP's first salvo, but I sort of bet it will not be his last. And the person I would really be afraid of if I was Brad is Claire, she is going to make him wish he was somewhere else. I also agree that Jeanine may just snap out of her depression, the description by someone else of a mother bear protecting her cub, is quite accurate. OMG, I swear three chapters a day wouldn't be enough... Mark, great job and I just can't wait for the next update...

I wanted to say that I always check in and see what songs methodwriter has selected to go with each chapter. They have just all been excellent this time around, not that there have been a whole slew of bad ones before but... Each just seems like each song that has been picked this time, really hits the right note in the story. I have got to were I come here and look up the songs and then go play them as I re-read the chapter; it has really enhanced my enjoyment of some of the chapters greatly. This is something special and something that I don't think methodwriter gets enough credit for taking time to do and the great job he does in doing so...

I really agree with this... I think that sometimes as the saying goes, familiarity breeds contempt. I am not sure some time apart wouldn't be a good thing for all involved, but do agree with some earlier post that Will probably should not be alone for all of this time apart.

Hmmm, I wonder... I, do hereby decree myself to be Empress of the Known Universe... All bow down and worship me... Did it work????

I don't think that is always true. I really believe that of all familial bonds, the one between father and son is the weakest. I really think the bond between mothers and son, fathers and daughters, and mothers and daughters are much stronger. I think between fathers and sons there is always an element of competition that is always there; the son trying to surpass or dethrone the father and the father doing what he can to stop it. I think that there are somethings that can never be forgotten, they maybe forgiven, but never forgotten. I think that the bond between father and son can be breached in a way that you can never really repair the damage. That being said, I don't think that Brad and Robbie have reached that point with Will, yet. I don't think that anything Will has done really has warranted the treatment that Brad and Robbie have tried thus far. I do think that Will's only major lapse in judgement was the pole dance in Rome, but I do think a couple of people need to get over it. When you are that age and physically as mature as Will is being made out to be, shit happens... Frankly, maybe because I grew up in the country and in Texas, but Will hasn't done nearly as much as most of the kids my age did when we were his age; granted this was in 1980 but still. I still believe that a good part of Will's issue is that he has never dealt with the events in Paris. It seems to me that getting kidnapped and raped should have warranted a little more therapy or concern from his parents and family then it got. I think that a good part of Will's recent behaviour can be traced to not dealing with the fact of what happened in Paris and the fact that Brad and Robbie's past came back to bite Will on the ass... The only thing that Will did in this whole chapter that I would question was drugging the guy, but if he hadn't done so; he might have been raped a second time. Plus, no more than the guy took, they will be out of his system way before anyone even gets him out of the hidden sex room. I can say that I never drugged anyone to get away from them; but more than once when I was Will's age, I got someone stinking drunk so they would pass out, thereby letting me and some friends get out of supervision... Yes, I was a bad bad boy... Do I think that Brad and Will have reached a point of no return in their relationship, no; but that being said I think they are teetering along the top of a very steep cliff, let's all hope that they don't slip down it accidently. As someone once said, " it's gonna be a bumpy ride ".

OMG, this was the greatest chapter... I loved everything about it. I cannot believe how irresponsible Brad and Robbie were to start Will on something like this and then leave. After JP, Stef, and Claire get a hold of the picture that Will sent this idiot that did that will be lucky to still be alive. I know that Wade will be mad but the one that I would really be afraid of is Claire. She is going to be so pissed at Brad and Robbie, they might want to take a plane somewhere far far away, like Antartica. I loved how Will got the idiot locked in Brad and Robbie, special sex room. That was priceless. I don't think Will ever really dealt with what he went through in Paris, and I think this is just going to bring all of that back up. I think the next few days will be very critical to Will's future recovery. Hmmm... seems that I remember that there is someone in Hawaii that sure does like to surf too... I wonder if we will all get a blast from the past...

Westie, you may know about this.... Isn't there something about the peerages created between 1707 and 1800. There were Acts of Union in both of those years but isn't there something different about peerages created during those years? Something about precedent or rank above those coming before or after??? I just remember reading something about it at one time. I believe if he is named a Baron, he would be titled The Lord Granger; and if a Viscount, The Lord " whatever the title is" or The Lord Granger. A Baronet is part of the aristocracy or gentry not the peerage. This is the point I was making about it being underwhelming... I really do think it would have to be a Baron or Viscount; that Granger was named to, I would love for him to be named an Earl but I just can't see it happening. That would make him on the same level as his father and I just don't know.... If he is named a Baron or a Viscount, would he outrank both his brothers, even Freddie, who would one day be an Earl? I know as an Earl he would outrank them but not sure about anything lower than that, even though I realize neither of them actually hold a title, Freddie's is because he is the son of an Earl. Maybe we could make Granger a Viscount and Bertie an Earl, wouldn't that just fry Freddie's brain...

The new chapter is up and is great for setting the mood and temperment of the story as it develops. I thought it was great to see Granger dealing with the everyday tasks of shipboard life and the preparations to sail. Lt. Weston sounds like an interesting person and I look forward to getting to know him better. I was suprised to see Lt. Robey; I am not sure why but I think his appearance is going to lead to some interesting times. I can't wait to see who the first Lt ends up being, Roby just isn't senior enough I would think to end up first Lt on this type of vessel and trip. It was great to see George interacting with the Earl and Countess. I have to say I am a little suprised about how George is taking the idea of being given a peerage. I was thinking at least a Baron but more likely a Viscount would be the title George would end up with. You know he can't make Earl or higher because that would jump his father but anything less than a Baron would be sort of underwhelming. I wait for each new chapter in the Bridgemont series with all the hope of a new day...

Well, just finished the latest chapter and don't even know where to start. I loved Will's interaction with Raine and all the girls, that is just the way it is; women/girls/old ladies never seem to have the issues with gay men that other men/boys/old men do... And I can promise you that the gay boy was the best kisser... LOL... I am sort of saw Ryan's reaction to having full on sex with Will coming a mile off. He is the type of guy that can handle a blowjob but full on anal sex was probably more than he was expecting or equiped to handle. I do think the way even when he got pissed at him, Will tried to stand by and help Ryan says a lot. I just don't even know where to start with Brad and Robbie. I don't care what else is going on in their lives and behind the veil so to speak that we aren't aware of; nothing short of one of them dying of a terminal disease, can excuse how they are treating Will. I have never been a very big Brad fan, and always liked Robbie a lot more; but I am seriously rooting for a actual plane crash with the two of them aboard and no survivors. I even think that in the last chapter Will was way to harsh with both of them just because their alarm clock failed, do we really believe that is what happened???? That being said their reaction is just so out of bounds considering some of the stuff they both pulled growing up. Compared to both of them, Will has lead a rather basic teen life; the only exception is the stripping in a gay club in Rome, but I am sort of tired of everyone bringing that up... Not only am I rooting for Will to win the war but I hope that he scorches both Brad and Robbie with third degree burns... ******************************************************************************************* Okay, I am adding this second part after reading some of the reviews for the chapter and Mark made a comment there that I really want to reply to... In a response to one of the reviews Mark talks about how after some battles with both his father and son, he was suprised how easy it was to forgive... I think that can be the case but often battles fought out in the early and mid teen years are the hardest to get past and can permenately damage family relationships... I had a cousin that when he was fifteen had a complete blow up with his dad and stepmom, and yes, I do really believe the biggest problem was the stepmom but that might be because I always knew she was a backstabbing slut... Anyway, the battle started off small, it actually started about how Steven had decorated his bedroom; there was some posters that the stepmom really hated. She worked on the dad and from there it just escalated. In the space of one summer, Steven and his dad reached an impasse that still hasn't been bridged almost twenty years later. Steven ended up running away from home, dropping out of school, and spending almost two years lost to us all. He did come back shortly before his seventeenth birthday and moved in with our grandparents. I can actually say that I was never really close to Steven before he left, there really was too much of an age difference between us; but I spent a lot of time with him when he came back. He needed someone to talk to and I was always sort of the families' Father Confessor... Before the break, Steven and his dad had always had what I still believe to be a really close and tight-knit relationship; but afterward it was never the same. Even now, almost twenty years later they still can't even be civil to each other and can't hardly be invited to the same family gathering unless there is a way to keep them seperated. I know that Steven has tried to go to his dad a couple of times, but his dad for whatever reason has never been able to unbend and admit he was wrong in how he treated Steven. I had really just moved back near my family and had a fairly ringside seat for that summer of all out war. They started by clearing out his room when he was gone one day, taking down all the posters and boxing up most of his music, book, etc... Supposedly, this was because he wouldn't respect his stepmom's request to take down a couple of posters. Things so escalated and they stopped giving him an allowance, grounded him, made him go to some stupid church camp that his stepmom was involve in, and finally late in the summer he actually got physical. His stepmom got drunk one night at a bar-b-que and kept making bitchy comments and Steven finally blew up and called her a stupid slut, or the equivilant of that... His dad actually hit him a couple of times and had to be pulled off of him. Steven ran away two night later. I don't think his dad or stepmom even told anyone or made a police report for almost a week after he left. It didn't just split Steven and his father up, it damaged his dad and stepmom's relationship with most of the rest of the family, at least the part that really counted. His dad and stepmom are still together, but even all these years later no one in the family has really ever forgiven or forgotten what happened. When both of Steven's grandparents died, they totally cut their son out of their will except for small token amounts; he contested both wills but lost both time. It wasn't just the money that his falling out with Steven cost him, it was the respect of the rest of the family. Clifford, Steven's dad, had always seemed to be really level headed but it was like that summer he lost his mind and couldn't or wouldn't see anyone elses point of view. The fact that Steven tried a couple of times to repair the damage only to be rebuffed sealed everyones feeling on the matter. I don't think that anyone thought Steven was completely innocent in all of the actions that summer, he never got along with Janabeth, his stepmom, and everyone really knew that. But Clifford and Janabeth went so far out of all bounds of reason and just continued to escalate the situation until they alienated everyone. It was like once they started down that trail, they couldn't or wouldn't turn back from it. Steven and his dad always had a tight relationship up until that summer, but to this day I don't believe either would piss on the other to put them out if they were on fire... It might be easy for some to forgive but for other that is just one step to far...

I don't know why but through the whole chapter one thought kept running through my head: " Danger Will Robinson, Danger Danger Will Robinson "

Well, with a title like Odyssey, you know there is going to be some trials and tribulations... I bet that the same sirens that tempted Odysseus in the original Odyssey won't be the same ones that tempt our intrepid Granger...

I was worried when I read Mark's original post, but the more I thought about it; the more certain I was that JP, Stef, etc would never allow Brad to do something so dangerous. I have to think that maybe what Mark was referring to is going to happen to someone besides Will and that will maybe make Brad take a look at how he is treating Will. I am going to hope for my outcome, while I await Mark's next few chapters...