Bob1010

I think that Brad's behavior is quite understandable given that he is drunk and hurting to the max. When drunk exaggeration and over reacting is pretty common to deep hurts. I think that Mark has done a great job of telling this story with it interesting twists and turns. I think that he has laid out great ground work for answering the question about who is behind this all. I have a feeling that Robbie will as a result find out that Carson doesn't really give a shit about him and is quite willing to do whatever it takes to get himself what he wants. You are a story teller extraordinaire. You also do pretty damn well in writing hot sex as well. As always looking forward to the next chapter. But really waiting for next installment about the guys on the Belvidera.

I think that you managed some really great little tidbits of writing here. Really getting to the inner Andy. I particularly liked: " I rested my head on his shoulder. I didn't want to let him go. I could smell the sun and the sweat and the salt on him. And I could smell his body's own natural scent, familiar to me as my own name. My breathing slowed and deepened, holding him in my arms like that, just as it had earlier, when we were lying out in the sun. But from a darker place there was an urgency, bordering on panic, swirling around inside me. Breaking through the calm and the peace, it shouted, you can't do this! You'll ruin everything! You have to let go; you have to sit down; you have to get away from him! I had a fleeting mental image of a chain snapping, overpowered by opposing forces pulling on each end." Bob

There is no question that this is a very special woman. As I recall, just how special is yet to come. Bob

More than a couple of directions though. There is love from Angie and Matt most obviously, but there is also the love from brother Dan. This is one lucky dude to be so showered with an abundance of love. :king: Bob

"Thank God for Tonto. Hopefully this does not upset Stef and JP's relationship. Mark wouldn't do that would he. More Drama. Are there more secrets hiding?" I think that he already has suggested in Stef's comment that their relationship is solid and secure. Not to suggest that there won't be issues to discuss and work out. I think that you have handled this story with its difficult structure with much creativity. My hat's off to you again. You have developed so well as a writer. I just can't say it as well as Adam.

I have two black nephews. One of them is mixed with skin color similar to Obama's. He is married to a blond Caucasian and has the cutest kids. His oldest daughter is a darker blond and a beauty. J. is now 41 and I remember some uncomfortable times when I had him with my own son out shopping as an example. Some people obviously avoided coming close to us. Times have changed for the better in most places. I know that there are still people who are prejudiced. My wife and I are friends with a black couple and hear of incidents from them of current racism. I think that it sometimes makes it harder to deal with when they are family. That was difficult I'm sure, Mark.

As always a wonderful story told with so much feeling and emotion! Duncan you do it so well. I like the way that you seem to be developing the relationships of these guys a lot. B

Of the 4 characters, Josh and Luc have so much in common, not only the storm within but also the one they always see through the window. That's, in a way, what makes Matt more "in tune" with Luc's feelings and surprisingly, Josh's too. But we have so much in common with them as living, breathing humans. Not exactly the same, but the same insecurities and misreadings of others and their true motivations. Sometimes excessively hard on ourselves while giving ourselves a pass when we have not right to do so. I find myself drawn to Matt maybe because he's far from perfect on his own accord and that makes him real. Josh was a victim; Luc was, for lack of a better word, collateral damage (nobody wanted to hurt him intentionally). Matt's problem, at the end, is his perception of himself, I don't like it when they link this with him having sex with lots of guys; he was just a young man living his sexuality. As long as he didn't hurt anybody including himself, then I see no problems there. His problems run deeper than that. The problem is that frequent, quick and almost anonymous sex is fraught with emotional damage as we have seen in Duncan's stories. Sex makes some kind of emotional impact even when we kids ourselves that it doesn't. How can one know if there was hurt when sex has taken place before one has any clue about who the other person is? Bob I

I just caught up with this one, Duncan. It was so well written and developed. Tight writing like this that says so much with an economy of words is so hard. But on the other hand that is also true of your other series stories here. As one of the responders noted that your writing is sometimes poetic. I agree. I always await your next chapter or maybe short story now. Bob

I have just finished chapter 12 and am feeling almost overwhelmed by the emotions that you convey so well. Luc's pain and vulnerability as he recalled the suicide was almost to much to take. The shit that happens in the lives of people that must be endured because there is no real reason for it and is why we need to be there to support and help sustain each others survival. The confrontation of Matt by Scott was quick and to the point, but said so much about Scott. Each character has their own issues and yet are there for each other when needed. Your stories and writing talent communicates that to us beautifully. The final scene between Josh and Scott was so well done. The vulnerability and need of Josh being responded to by Scott because he can read all that so well in Josh. What a powerful love scene. Thanks for sharing you talent with us through your stories. Bob

I too really liked the chapter as I have said before in a personal email. I think that Jeff is a work in process and evolving. As they grow together and deal with the demons that they each have, the prospects of the long term success of their relationship becomes better and better. Most couples, either male - male or male- female go through this process.We see wounded individuals coming together to help each other like Duncan Ryder is doing in his story. It is only when we recognize our brokenness and wounded state that we can heal emotionally. Getting a bit touchy feely are you Bob? LOL Bob

I guess that I take it as the author presents it. I think that Jack's examples of pieces that had the bittersweet ending or element were right on. I like to have a balance in what I read though. I need the balance to be more towards the positive. My wife really doesn't care for the dark side either in literature or movies. Thus, I have to do those alone or with a friend. I do appreciate the darker and bitter sweet stories, but in no way like Adam does. Bob

It is interesting that I had a similar experience with the with a creepy encounter with a similar guy on a clothing optional beach on St. Maarten aout three or four years ago. Bob

It was a wow chapter, Duncan. And you continue to produce emotionally powerful work. I agree with Steve that the story of Laura and Bran is becoming an important one. I too was taken on the sentence from Luc that indicated hope that he was stronger and more able to get outside of himself than I might otherwise have thought. I also like the idea that has run through your stories is that we all are wounded and are capable of being a healer to other walking wounded. Bob