Daddydavek

Another chapter I never reviewed: Glad to see Jason get over his shyness and say something to Peter.

Re-reading and can't believe I didn't leave a review the first time around. Your understanding of American soccer really shines in how you put us right in the game.

Reflecting on chapter 41, I was surprised that Wade and Elizabeth managed a temporary truce after she showed up anyway and kept insisting she had a right to be there. Elizabeth told Wade that she loved his father, but I think she really loved being the power wife of the Senator and all that entailed. Elizabeth likes prestige and probably feels cheated that she isn't the Senator's widow. Having said all that, I suspect the conniving c_ _t will scheme and make Wade and Nana's life miserable hoping to get her way. Grief is a roller coaster and you hit those stages differently and sometimes in a chaotic jumble. Elizabeth may decide to push Wade's button just as he is experiencing some real anger and could be in for a surprise. Elizabeth loves herself just like her daughter and the only real grief they will feel is that they don't have the Senator to dump on and may try to substitute Wade instead. (Just my feelings and who knows what Mark will actually do?) The brothers are beginning to open up to each other which is a real milestone for JJ and somewhat surprising for Darius. I thought JP's comeback that he would try to take a more active interest in Darius' sexual exploits was perfect, even down to his slight blush. Brad is the one that will have to find strength from his sons as the end of the chapter saw. He has a particularly hard path as losing Robbie was a body blow and he may need the counseling more than anyone else as he has been known to react violently.

Upon further reflection I wanted to remark how inspired it was for them to rent the luxury bus to get out of the NYC area and how convenient for the driver to have remained overnight so Darius could ship Ella back. No I did not feel sorry for Darius. The fact that he wasn't given grief over his sexual conquests and Will was is like complaining that one had their tonsils out and got icecream and the other had an appendectomy and didn't. I found it interesting that Nana had a grief counselor in the day after, before any of them could even begin to process much. While I think grief counseling is certainly relevant and important, it usually has to be done over several days for it to be effective. Many people who experience a close personal loss of a loved one are so deep in denial for the first 36 to 48 hours that not much gets through. Having said that, the dialogue and interplay was masterful and seemed unforced and heartfelt. So kudos again to our talented storyteller.

I had read this story before and fell into it again today and re-read it entirely. My only criticism is that I still wonder how David adjusted to his nannites and the programming.....

A story of pain, despair, love and hope. I wish all parents loved their children as much.

The grief is real and the word pictures say more than the dialogue which has been kept concise and not overtly maudlin, despite the depth of feeling. Well done! The bad news: Elizabeth intends to invade Goodsworth and Wade and Nana have no patience for her.

I suspect we will not get to the settlement of the Senator's estate in this book of which I suspect there are several more chapters. We are still not through that fateful day. Property settlements aside (and there is much to consider) the well-being of the surviving members will be of prime concern. Someone mention that just a couple weeks prior we were all chilling out in Maui and now the awful, overwhelming events of that tragic day has changed everyone's perceptions about what is important. Another comment mentioned that everyone tried to be nicer (for a while) and I think that will be reflected in the story too. Mark has a clear vision of how he wants to portray the family and their reactions and interactions. I suspect that if he holds onto it, we will continue to be moved and care deeply about this fictional extended family.

​​CONGRATS!

Well the third chapter dealing with the day of 9-11 confirms that the Danfield's were divorced. I also noticed that Darius went to Jersey and looks like he will head to Virginia as well, but who can tell what our Machiavellian author will devise. I don't see Cody being overly involved in his daughter's life. Obviously, he remained in Caly when Jeanine and Hank moved to NYC. I think this last chapter tipped Mark's hand and somehow, Tiffany will end up raising her along with Riley. Shocks like the sudden loss of your husband or father or mother take time to assimilate and the day isn't half over yet. All telephone service remained spotty, especially on or to the east coast for more than a day. Claire and her brood will be frantic along with the rest at Escorial. As will people at Brad's, Stefan's and Robbie's companies. although it seems at least Stef's personal assistant does know he and Brad are safe.

The escape from New York was brilliant and Ella was rescued too! This chapter had the most words of the last three but I zoomed through it faster as the tears were mostly at the end of it. The story has been compelling throughout but these last three chapters are gems all on their own.

W & J finally hooking up! Both declaring their love and intention to stay with Granger. Somehow I don't think the wife in New York will be much of a factor in England. More please!

That Mark Arbour can write two such high quality stories concurrently I find truly amazing. I too found my way to the GA site because of Mark. I too heartily recommend Mark's stories as ranking among the best on this site which has the best gay oriented stories on the web!

The truncated post just above made many points that I agree with including the closing statement.

Perhaps Conner's remarks make more sense if you first read his post #17 in this thread.

I worked for the federal government and in our office we had flex-time and the people that were among the later arrivals all asked if we heard the news. Every TV in the building was turned on and the computers in the building with outside internet access were soon all on MSNBC or CNN.com. When the national security council determined we were under attack, all planes were ordered grounded and all federal workers except mission essential emergency providers were told to go home as federal buildings and offices were considered to be targets. I went home and turned on the TV and it was on well into the evening of the next day. Americans lost a lot that day, including some freedoms, especially privacy and much innocence.

It was my impression that a divorce had not been finalized. But Elizabeth was removed from the Senator's reelection campaign and they were separated and planning on divorce. Would a governor appoint her in those circumstances? The laws vary from state to state (or commonwealth) and I don't know if the governor can set a special election to fill the seat like they did in Massachusetts when Kerry was made Sec. of State. As to how Wade and Nana could control, I think the fact that money plays a big part and that she is certainly less well off than when she was controlling her children's trusts as well as Nana's estate would be a big factor. I think Wade and Nana would be active in making Elizabeth's fund raising less than successful. Politics is all about the money. Finally, I think Wade and Nana are so appalled at Elizabeth that they as a matter of principle would abhor the idea of her becoming a member of the club of 100 and wield that kind of power.

As to the Senator's widow, I think Wade still holds some fairly damning evidence and I suspect he and his Nana would not be afraid to use it should she contemplate a run for the Senator's seat.

Did Robbie have to die? Of course not. Did 9-11 have to happen? Of course not. Am I glad that both happened? Of course not. Am I grateful that Mark Arbour chose to have his CAP series deal with this story line in a compelling and realistic manner? Most assuredly! I think Brad and Stefan were very lucky to escape the elevator and then their building. I also think Will, Darius and Maddie were very lucky to escape their building as well. From the set-up, it was entirely conceivable that JJ and JP would be the only survivors and I have to admit that worried me a lot.

The chaos is not over. I don't recall anyone at Hank and Jeanine's home having heard about the the Pentagon or Shanksburg PA. We still haven't heard from Wade and all those expected later that day. And the other tower has not yet fallen. That day seemed endless and I expect that was especially true for those who lived it with loved ones involved.

I cried on 9-11 and I cried reading this chapter.

I would give Robbie a break. In the chaos of the moment lots of people made bad decisions. It happens. I think he was trying to do the right thing and gave Will the message in case Will made it and he didn't. I cannot fault anyone for trying to save someone else. We have something called 20/20 hindsight in that we know both towers end up collapsing and soon. We have not seen the end, not even the beginning of the end of that horrible day yet. While we all have our impressions from the picture Mark has painted, it is not a static canvas but one with sudden changes. That day was a roller coaster and I think we are seeing some of that in the actions and descriptions of the characters portrayed. There is a reason for the saying: "War is hell!" It is a very messy and distressing business.

The chaos continues. Neither tower has collapsed as of yet. None of the CAP characters who were there are out of them yet. Robbie is going back up for Hank and Jeanine. JP is frightfully close by towers. Senator Danfield's apparent demise was somehow a sort of dark comedic relief in an otherwise too grim story.

Happy, happy B-Day Conner! May all your teams win today!

I found it surprising that Jeanine stayed with Hank but handed the baby off to Will and Darius. The chapter was brilliant and evoked feelings just as that day actually did: Surreal, confusing, frightening, maddening, frustrating, senseless and threatening.