Daddydavek

One of the perks of being uber rich is to have your own way, especially in little things. Not letting the bellboy take your bags or show you to your room really isn't a big deal, but then you should just press a twenty into their hands and telll them you can handle it. It was a fun chapter to read and I suspect to write. The financial settlement with Tiff does seem a little low, but it is still early in this century and it can always go up. The last bit with Wade starting some shit with Carl to get back at his sister was cool, but probably not enough payback in my opinion. Hopefully, Wade has a long memory.

Hopefully, Mr. Arbour is ignoring this and instead is being entertained watching the Blues hockey game against San Jose tonight! (Perhaps with his son) edited at 11:33 p.m. Sharks won in OT

Family dynamics are not always smooth and sometimes downright unpleasant, even with the best of people who are smart, talented and yes, monied. From the current chapter, it seems clear that the problems between Will and his dads is reaching a pivotal point which could determine their ongoing relationships into Will's adulthood. I look forward to see how Mark lays out his plot. While we kibbitz, second guess the characters (and indirectly the author) it seems there is a point being made. Life, always has bumps and problems even in the most idyllic situations. How the characters handle their private adversities is the benchmark on which we judge them. It is what is so endearing about Granger in the Bridgemont series. In the CAP series, Mark's characters are more modern and perhaps, more flawed. J.P. has made his mistakes (many of them), Stef has a long history; Robbie was a nut case in college. Brad was a willful and calculating teenager and young adult and has done some not so nice things as an adult too. How it turns out is in the hands of the master story weaver!

Wade's plans for the old hotel in D.C. reveal that he really does have a warm spot in his heart for his deceased uncle and it looks like it will be interesting to see how it effects his mother. Unlike another reviewer, I think the ongoing contention between Will and his dad and pops did move the story along. Wade is convinced that Brad and Robbie have handled it badly and that Will is going to prevail and Wade's judgment is pretty good. Stef is firmly in Will's corner and when Brad called him on giving Will money, he let them have it. Finally, JP who has tried to stay out of it, is becoming more concerned. I think there may be a really big blow-up still to come before things get worked out. This is a story about relationships. If relationships between parents and teenage children are not dramatic, nothing is. I just hope that Brad gets over his bullheadedness and realizes he may permanently damage his relationship with Will if he doesn't eat a little crow for screwing up the episode with Pat and how avoiding it made it worse. Beyond that, teenagers want to be treated like adults and be independent, yet they crave lots of attention. Parents are either too much in their face or ignoring them. For parents it's often a can't win situation so you just have to muddle through and keep telling them you love them even when they drive you nuts.

Brad and Robbie dropped the ball again by not taking Will's calls about Gathan in Chapter 26 and set themselves up for another embarrassing confrontation in front of the family at the hospital. These are smart guys but they have not acted very smart lately and that makes me wonder are they just clueless or is there some other major distraction going on that hasn't come out yet? Gathan getting his bell rung so hard is not a cool thing either. At least he got to the hospital and was checked out. Even so, brain trauma has effects, some short term like spotty or hazy memory loss for a day or so and long term effects as well as we now know. Wade's plan for handling his mom was also mentioned and I was surprised that he told Sean to take the deal without dickering, at least some. By not doing so, that may warn Elizabeth to be even more careful as I suspect she no longer under estimates her son.

Loved this chapter. The parental units are not doing such a hot job at the moment. Even pissed, they should be taking calls from Will and by not doing so, set themselves up for another embarrassing scene in front of everyone including Stef. Somehow I can see this whole situation escalating even further to where JP and Stef have to be a little forceful with Brad and Robbie. Poor Gathan, getting your bell rung that hard is the pits. Maybe not the best time to work through relationship issues because during the acute phase most people have holes in their memories so he may not remember much of the conversation about or with Kristin by the next day. Wade has a plan for dealing with his mom but the properties listed and their condition makes me wonder why he took the deal without dickering at all.

Even 'truly responsible' parents are not perfect and make mistakes and of course the spectrum of mistakes people make is truly remarkable. While I am the product of a different and older generation, and would have reacted differently and perhaps more confrontationally as the parent, I have never believed 'my way is the only way'. Busy people prioritize and sometimes the children whom we should hold first do in fact get relegated to a lesser priority. It happens. The fact that Brad and Robbie did not immediately discuss this with Will (and it seems even Pat) is a fair criticism which Will has pounded them for. Repeatedly. I for one can't wait to see what happens next.

Go Cards! For over $600 million it should be spectacular.

You got me hooked and I'll be following.

Bridget smirks over her millions left in safe deposit boxes all over Florida? Sanchez is plotting. Basingstroke is plotting as well. Australian customs is plotting too. Joel and Shanes plot is spoiled. Gonzo is undercover and has it blown but still baits the DEA guy. Are there enough plot lines, open questions, and miscellaneous BS to keep this soap opera going for the rest of 2012? Only the Shadow knows! Well done as usual CJ

Add me to the list of people who will be following this story!

You set the hook and whetted my appetite for more? Soon please!

Another filler chapter where everything pretty much stays as is, more false clues sprinkled in among a possible good one. Chapter 116 and counting, will it make 150?

The above post makes an interesting observation but has a couple of flaws in the logic. Will's parents already knew he was sexually active and, further that he flirted with Pat; so the overwhelming protective response of a parent while present was not as pronounced. While my personal preference would have been for Brad to talk to Will to see if there was any molestation or coercion, that probably would not have been as dramatic and we wouldn't have had the last two chapters. As I see it, "Paternity" is an exploration of father-son relationships between some pretty intelligent, financially secure and independent minded people. The dynamic has been done mostly with conversations and some introspection with not a lot of fast paced action. Actually, it has been a really compelling character driven story and for that I thank Mark Arbour.

Will has made his point(s) abundantly clear and managed to trash both his dad and pops. Teenagers aren't known for diplomacy nor their negotiating skills. He may have done himself more harm than good but since his dad and pops really do love him, they will probably get through this without killing him. While teenagers can make the lives of their parents miserable, that is a two way street that no one wants to live on. Kristin has always had a certain allure and while I am surprised to see her show up, it makes for an interesting diversion. Loved the chapter!

On the three occasions when I was drunk out of my mind on booze, I passed out. I am amazed that this guy remembered as much of the lyrics as he did while blitzed.

!!! Happy Birthday Lugh !!! Being born on April fools day must be the subject of too many old jokes for you, so my condolences as well! It is however, a beautiful time of the year with all the spring flowers bursting out all over. May your day be truly blest with laughter, visits from friends and family, as well as hope for the next year in the adventure called life! Dave

I don't think Brad and Robbie are bad parents but they did make a mistake in failing to 'handle' the situation with Pat and the impact on Will. All parents screw things up, especially from the point of view of the kids. Allowing the problem to escalate without making any attempt to manage it except by deferring dealing with it made it worse and provoked the strong reaction from Will. I really agree with Tim above: "... it just shows that as a parent you can't ever really relax or assume, you have to keep working at it." Will's main points, made at the rink with JP and Steff while ignoring his dad and pops was a really well done and well written scenario. Will's calling Pat back and telling him that his legal costs were covered was a mark of thoughtfulness and further reassured Pat that he was not being left hung out to dry. I am really enjoying this interlude with Will! In reply to my chapter review, Mark wrote: "Thanks. I have a lot of personal experience with this kind of angst and rage. Makes it easy." I was just wondering if Mark is more like JP or Brad???

I'm sure that when Brad was growing up, that JP had moments when he wished that his son had a child that was just like him and it happened. Except based on my poor recollection, Will may be even better at giving it to his old man than Brad was. Kids don't play fair with the 'rents, never have, never will and even though Brad is stubborn, I'm sure Robbie has enough pull to get him through it. Great job of writing a mouthy, fast talking, fast thinking manchild. Enjoyed the whole chapter, especially the part where Wade took Will aside and gave him something to think about after the confrontation. Will's thoughts and insights afterward were exceptionally well done as he processed things too.

Another writer for gay authors getting published. Gee, maybe I was right when I bragged about this site to some friends.... Congrats and many riches!

However, regarding Circumnavigation; bad news... I'll be posting about it in it's own thread in a moment, but it's on hold. I'm very sorry to have to do this, but the next chapter to post just wasn't working, I felt it stank, and couldn't figure out why. So, I had to put the story on hold. There won't be a chapter Tuesday, it'll be a week from Tuesday. CJ That's terrible news!

Will was bound to find out sometime and dad and pops avoiding explaining the issue was only delaying things as it all escalated in Will's mind. Things on a boil don't usually simmer down without some careful handling and the parental units blew it. Actually Will's choices are usually pretty good when given all the facts beforehand (outside of a certain pole dance) and let's not hold that over him forever.

The plot line with Pat is interesting to me in several ways whether Pat is innocent and framed, or guilty and a convenient scapegoat. That both dad and pops were essentially deciding things without taking Will into their confidence seems somewhat highhanded and while understandable, also somewhat out of character. Since Will and we don't yet know the whole back story, I tend to give them some slack, but I do think they handled the situation poorly. Steff's intervention was timely and as usual we are left sitting a bit on the precipice waiting for the next installment. As usual the story sped along at lightspeed with me wanting more.

The interlude with Will is actually all about Pat. What a bummer for Pat and now for Will. Brad and Robbie handled it badly and leave it to Steff to begin to sort things out. Somehow I believe that if Will couldn't get into Pat's pants, that this other kid didn't either and is setting Pat up in a fit of revenge. Unfortunately, these allegations usually don't go away and can leave a person's reputation in ruins. An ugly bump in the road for Will and his family.

The last chapter of St. Vincent is wonderful and a fitting end to this installment of George's story. While I am sad to see it come to an end, I must say that the stage has been amply set for the next story. So many questions: What is Chartley's financial involvement with Bertie? What if George has to do without Winkler? Will George be able to keep most of the key members of his crew? Will the new ship be a source of pride or division? Will the sailing be smooth (at least in places)? Will Bertie come along as Chartley promised? Will the sail home be swift or difficult? Hopefully, Mark finds the muse, the time and the opportunity to not make the wait too long for us Granger afficionados.