centexhairysub

Tom is honestly too good of a person to exist in real life. He truly cares about Kevin on so many levels. Kevin needs to be able to accept help, but he also needs a good dose of some self-confidence. Loved how Tom interacted with all the kids, just too sweet. Kenny and Emily sound like good people, and the kids are just too cute.

Rick and Adam need to have a conversation about several things, but it needs to be at the right time and when they are both in the right frame of mind. What is it about Rick and him developing a posse of young guys that seem drawn to him on one level of another. Nick and Brad seem more than a little bit interested in Rick and his love life. LOL I think we know the manner of Martin's death now, and Alexis seems to be a close match to it. I doubt that Rick would be a serious suspect, but two murders so far apart in time and geography would have few people in common, and he would be one of them.

As always, thanks for the deep dive, some truly outstanding authors and stories here.

There will be a learning curve for all involved; but they all do care about each other in different ways, so let's hope it isn't too steep. Angel will be a good older brother for both boys. Let's hope that the trip home to get a few things doesn't stir up too many issues or feelings.

This almost made me want to cry, but for any number of reasons. OMG, I can't believe that I am going to end up liking Tom, I honestly didn't think that was possible, but I suspect that it is. Sawyer is just almost too sweet and kind, and I hope that he doesn't end up getting truly hurt by what is coming. Dante needed this, he needed to feel safe and cared for, even if it was just something like sleeping while being held. Tom has unexpected depth. Frank needs to show some of that maturity that I believe is lurking just beneath the surface. Wonderful chapter, and so many feelings going in all directions.

I am glad how close Russ and Con have gotten on this trip. Con still probably would bristle if Russ went overboard, but they seemed to have found more common ground since Russ decided to rough it this trip so to speak. I really like Lisa as well, she seems like she has a good head on her shoulders. Her love for both her husband and the boys shine through. Can't wait for Russ to get back and he and Brian and Gordon have a few delightful encounters but discuss a few things that Russ has been pondering on. OMG, what isn't to love about Josephine Baker, I would have given anything to have been able to see her perform live even once, alas, I was born too late for that, as I was about nine and living in small Texas town when she passed away; but her music and the performances that I have seen on film or on the computer, just WOW. I personally never got The Lion and Albert, and I usually love anything British. That said, Stanley Holloway was an under rated performer. The Lavendar Hill Mob, Passport to Pimlico, Brief Encounter, Ten Little Indians, and many more; and especially his performance in My Fair Lady were outstanding. Passport to Pimlico was the only movie I remember him truly being a lead in but, I am sure there are others, however I always found him better as a supporting performer.

I wonder if the guy in the crowd was the same one from the train station, or at least that was my first thought. Rick seems to catch just a glimpse and then he is gone, is it on purpose, or luck? I wonder how much Rick and Adam have talked about Rick's job and the expectations of how he will have to deal with it, and the time constraints that can be involved in it. Homicide is not an 8 to 5 kinda shift. Helen maybe a tough old broad, but she has compassion, and that means something with her having the job she has had for as long as she has had it. I wish Rick had really looked at Alexis's body, don't think he really did, I don't know why, but feel that he should have paid more attention to how it was, how the stabbing occurred or where he was stabbed. Can't wait for the next update.

Okay, the idea of slavery is repugnant to me as well on many levels, but with the exception of Sikhism and Zoroastrianism, every major world religion supported the idea of slavery at some point. In fact, in early Islam and early Christianity, slavery was very much looked upon with favor. And historically speaking, there were those that owned slaves and cared for them as if they were family; while others treated them in a manner as if they were chattel, which at some level they were. In fact, it is a relatively new concept in human history NOT to have slavery, and it still is a way of life in a number of countries and regions today. There are either sixteen or seventeen US states that have slavery by prisoners enshrined in their state constitutions and almost every other state allows it to some degree. Several states force prisoners to work and at least four that I know of, Texas, Georgia, Alabama, and Arkansas pay the prisoners nothing. The rest pay just a few cents to not much more than a 1.00 an hour for the labor. California prisoners worked fighting fires were paid only 1.00 an hour for doing so. In fact, I believe there are only seven or eight states in the Unites States that forbid the practice of using slave labor by prisoners in their state constitutions. The Walk Free Foundation estimates that there are less than 20 countries worldwide today that are relatively slavery free. So, for me, I just don't think you can say that the world we live in is truly that much different from the one created by this truly talented writer. There is just a different perception of reality.

What the hell? What has happened to Frank at some point to make him react like that? He almost seemed frightened or wary. Dante cares for Frank, but he won't handle being abused well by him or anyone else. Alice gave Dante the perfect opening, and he at least got her thinking about the situation with Matthew and getting the papers finished to make her Frank's guardian. Alice might find herself happy away from the farm, but honestly, would Frank? Henry wants a bed of his own, and that makes sense, plus, being upstairs and away from everyone else has isolated him somewhat from the other slaves; but as young as he is, is that all a bad thing? The dance that Sawyer, Dante, and Tom are doing, is more than a little interesting. The other slaves were shocked by Frank's grabbing Dante's collar enough to leave a bruise that bad. As am I.

Loved Russ's visit with Jamie and Cathal, and glad that he may meet up for a meal later this trip and catch up at a future engagement. They seem a delightful couple full of charm and more happy than not. Glad that they get along well with Jamie's mother, Emma, even if only in small doses. So nice to have some family support. Russ survived a day in with two small dynamos. Maybe a family trip, large group somewhere with snow for a few days could be arranged at some point, just have to figure out how to get Lisa and Con to agree; maybe find a bed and breakfast that they just must check out how well it is run in some remote area with lots of snow... I enjoy opera, not passionate about it but do enjoy it; and actually, like some of the more obscure ones better than some of the truly well-known ones.

Pierre had some truly bad breaks in his life. His early life wasn't horrible, just not very good, but then it went downhill fast. I am glad that he saw Remy and was able to find him. His life at Hanley house should be better by far. I think that Remy will do what he can for him. I don't think I like this K person, and I truly worry about his relationship with Marc. But I do think Marc is good for Remy, but are they good for each other? Not sure what revolution that @drsawzall wants. Some of the slave owners are better than some of the free people that just take advantage of the hopeless and helpless in this society. Do you want the men on equal footing with the women? That is a religious issue more than anything else it seems to me, although it has spread to a societal one. Honestly, is our system that much better?

Damn, so a cartel is actually afraid of going head-to-head with this family because of their connections in DC. Well, I guess that would make sense. They can fight it out with another cartel, guns a blazing, but hard to do that against the US military. I still don't fully trust Petrovic. And I have a really hard time believing he is secretly gay. I mean I am sure there are gay people in cartels, and they would probably have to keep it quiet, but I would have thought Brad or Jake would have either sensed this or found some hint of it in their investigations. And I certainly would not open that thumb drive without having some way to make sure no one could tell it was opened and a way to isolate it so that it could not connect to any other system period. And I honestly am not sure that is truly possible. Are we even really sure there is a war for control of the family between Petrovic and Fellowes or is our side getting played by both of them? Much like @akascrubber, I think JP and Stef need to be brought into the loop on this pronto. Preston is interesting to me, and I am glad that he apologized for his actions. I am sure he means it. He is one of the old family money types that really isn't homophobic but is so wrapped up in who he is supposed to be that he can come across that way; plus being drunk and young lead to some of the actions that he took. I like Preston, but not sure that he is someone that Will should get involved in past being friends. Friends yes, but no even blow job buddies, as I think much like Finn, Preston might get too attached way to quickly, if for slightly different reasons. Can not wait to see how this all plays out.

Dammit, I was afraid this was going to happen, not sure why, but I was afraid this was coming. Hate it, but I have to wonder could this murder be tied to Martin's, how long ago did this happen, we need some details about that situation. I really like Rick and Helen together; they are just too funny. Oh, Sydney Pride, how Fabulous... Glad that Shane decided to trust Rick and Helen. And they need to get those security tapes pronto and see exactly who was trying to interfere with their case.

Some truly amazing stories, so enjoyed this anthology.

A story about family that have been out of each other's lives in the main; but circumstances pull them back into each other's orbit in a rather brusque manner. The main characters are two brothers, Graham a poet, and Vince a lawyer. We find out some of their backstory, but this is more about looking forward. All of the side and secondary characters, especially Freddie, Vince's son; Matt, a birder that becomes much more; and Peter, who helps run a centre for people needing a helping hand, are brilliantly drawn and are compelling in their own ways. There are many others that truly contribute to the story in pivotal ways and moments, some good some bad. But what this really comes down to, is a story about family and what makes a family and why it is important. Pick a day when you have plenty of time, because once you start, you won't want to finish until you make it to the end.

Simply wonderful, so much was tied up or resolved; but still a few things that would make for a lovely visit at some point in the future.

I truly hate Anduin. Both Mistresses maybe in for some shocks. Marc should kill Anduin, of course, only if he can get away with it. And maybe Claire as well, could they make it look like Claire and Anduin killed each other?

Well, I am truly worried about Alexis, but I suppose we will see. I am going to take the opposite position from the previous group of posters; I am going to say they are really cops, but they are on the payroll of Jarvis or someone he knows, controls, or owes. They don't want Shane to testify. Someone like Side Partridge can be surprisingly useful, when they feel like it; but I suspect Helen is right, don't cross him without good reason. Rick obviously has good taste in men, or those on the cusp of being so. But maybe he needs to think more about his own situation first. LOL

Well, I went with the Oxford Blue and Brushed Silver finish, but honestly, I like all three of these choices; I could easily see him in any of them.

As always, thanks so much for keeping us all updated.

This is still a free country, and everyone is entitled to be completely wrong as often as they wish to be. LOL

Darren is truly blessed that Luca's parents decided to step in. Anything in the foster system is truly a crapshoot and the older you get the more unsettled it becomes. Can't wait to see how this plays out, I am sure that with @Lee Wilson everything will be rainbows, sunshine, and lollypops.

I could live with the Pistachio, but the Sunset Copper is just flat ugly....

So enjoyed this story the first time around, can't wait to see how you expand it.

Lord, if only I had time to get to all the stories that I wanted to.