Dr. John NYC

I enjoyed the HP books but am not an expert on all the characters. Are Rodney & Phillkin characters from the original books? In any case, it was an intriguing start.

A joyous interlude and as satisfying as a well-prepared Thanksgiving dinner. Congratulations on your first Thanksgiving as a married, and wishing you and your husband many more to come. Happy Holidays!

I was trying to figure out who the “Special Guests” were, but I was surprised and thoroughly delighted when it turned out to be CJ & Owen. Even though I was not ready for the chapter to end, it was a delicious amuse-bouche before Thanksgiving dinner. Thanks, @Parker Owens & Happy 🦃 Day, y’all!

I’m going to wager that’s a definite AFFIRMATIVE, m’am — to both parts of your wonderings.

Happy Thanksgiving, Parker, and thank YOU for your story!

There was certainly something foreboding about SexyHunk's last message. It really upped the probability in my mind that he is Willy Kohler coming back for something more from Rick. The closing on the house would be consistent with him having to be in Eagle Lake. Again, I hope Willy, Rita, and Heinrich Sr. manage to have a 3-way... collision -- one that takes them all out of Rick's life. One thing about Rick's lack of "Testicular Fortitude", as a previous reader called it: it is frustrating, but it is also not unusual in isolated, small towns in Appalachia (where I grew up), and I expect the same is true in the Midwest, based on my observations. I think closeted gay men may be especially prone: they do not want questions asked about being single, etc., so it is easier just to be more passive and not provoke attention.

So, I'm thinking that 'Mr. Sexy Hunk' is not Gus, but could it be Willy coming back to haunt Rick? Poor Rick! Makes me want to see Willy get his comeuppance, too. Maybe we can get him, Rita, and Rick's father all in one swoop.

I just hope that Rita's machinations are sorted out before Rick's piss-poor excuse of a father gets back for his yearly harassment visit. I get that his wife (Rick's mother) died a horrible death, but it sounds like he wasn't much better before then. Perhaps even better is for the sperm-donor to be there when Rick connects the dots and "saves" the good parts of the town. At any rate, I'm also crossing my fingers that the pianist is the one on Rick's dating app (if Rick takes that step) although he doesn't seem to fit the profile -- or that he will connect with Rick in some other meaningful way in addition to his music of the night. In the meantime, it is good to know how many people care for Rick. He has spread some seriously good karma during his life, and I expect many of the people he has helped to be there to support him when push comes to shove. Wonderful story, @Parker Owens!

Once again two of my favorite characters are at work, doing God’s work and rearranging the world in a better way — and it certainly needs it this year. Without a doubt, my heart sang to find this story in time for the end of year holidays. Thank you. Shalom.

I too am late to the table with my comments, but I was waiting for time when I could savor it -- and have another chapter already at hand to binge on. 😉 The others have captured most of my comments, but the fact that the story starts with Kastan remembering Neith's request as to the timing of Jihan's departure, rekindled my thoughts about how important the full discussion with Neith was. The fact that there are other things Neith said to Kastan that were unclear, but prophetically dark, makes me imagine Nisa's and Rushi's machinations being woven into a foreboding tapestry that will need to be rewoven or destroyed -- without destroying Kastan, Jihan, and the others we love. I am also pondering whether Rashan or Andiya/child will be getting a Shadow Guard. Finally, as @Buz said, "I want a Yoru, too."

Thank goodness I waited so I can read the next chapter right away. Even without reading it, I know it will be magnificent just based on this chapter. I was already having to wipe my eyes from the introductions... & the flirting (soon to be courtship?) between Tierney and Miss Morrine. On to the pièce de résistance!

I must say, no matter how much I love Billy, there were some odd feelings about him generated in this chapter. There’s more there than we know so far. Ary, too, but Billy is the emerging conundrum to me. I’m also starting to wonder about his girlfriend...

Before I continue bingeing, I agree with many of the guesses. Here are mine: 1. Toby is the ghost and was Rhys’ lover (or closely connected somehow), hence the smiley face, knowing where the ketchup was, etc. (Wonder if it was one of Rhys’ songs that Toby was starting to sing to Mason?) 2. Levine killed Toby or had him killed, and Rhys saw/heard; Levine then implicated Rhys but saved him from being charged, hence the indebtedness. 3. Mason can see Toby because Toby will ultimately get Rhys and Mason together—after (while?) Mason solves Toby’s murder. 4. At some point, Rhys will also be able to see Toby. 5. Billy and/or his knowledge of the celebrity gossip will help put the pieces together. 6. Rhys’ songs will also provide clues. By the way, Mason, Rhys, and Billy are all on their way to becoming favorite characters. Go @Laura S. Fox!

So, I know the story description mentioned a ghost, but his early and somewhat mysterious entrance already was a surprise—a good one. The other characters are equally intriguing. Hooked & ready for more: thanks @Laura S. Fox!

What an amazing description of Jackson's realization of “I fucking love him.” More please, @Krista!

A tremendously intriguing universe that you are creating, @Demented I struggled whether to give a Heart or a Tear but ultimately went with a Tear because of Kotik losing his freedom (at least in his mind) & having to be led out of the tavern on a leash. I hope we learn why that was necessary. Now, to meet his new owner, whom I hope will be good to hm. I am looking forward to more!

Seeing a lot of recent chapter updates to go along with new chapters, I started from the beginning. I must confess, I don’t remember if I was surprised at the breakup with Ally when I originally read this chapter. I do remember I was glad: she was showing herself to be a real bit... unpleasant person. I can appreciate her unease when Luke started showing up, but I was glad that Olivia put her in her place at lunch. (I did wonder if she already suspected Luke was gay from interactions at church.) It also felt very normal—almost trivially so—that Jackson broke up with her. At some level, he was being almost as insightful as Luke. His thoughts about how “different (real)” it felt to hold and kiss Luke compared to Ally showed that he could be more self-aware than he generally acted. At any rate, I’m delighted you have resolved your obstacles, @Krista, and are continuing it. I am looking forward to the coming chapters.

Let's hope... but somehow it fits one of @Cia's storied that they are NOT friendly, especially with her description of the design/paint job of the ship. 😱

Hubris can be a bitch. Hope Essell finds his companion-to-be soon. Thanks @Cia Essell is going to be another intriguing character.

Why did he not just check his “Wildlife of Southern Ardra?” Of wait, he hasn’t written it yet. Essell definitely has more lives than the local Felis spp. to blunder around on an unexplored planet without a major (so-far) mishap. Hope he stumbles upon his local guide-to-be soon.

These two broken boys (& I use ‘boys” deliberately and not because of biological age) have the power to heal each other. I hope no one — including themselves — permanently blocks them.

Or cat? I wondered about those points, too. It might make it easier in the long run if Sawyer can be fully turned. I know his father is not around but can’t remember if we learned why. Hmmm...

The letter Lucas wrote to Erik was absolutely amazing: heartfelt, honest, raw, poetic... & heartfelt. It could stand on its own as a piece of literature. The others were incredible, but Lucas’s letter was mind-boggling. Thank you, @FlyOnTheWall !

Definitely one of your more impulsive characters, @Cia. I just hope he has some better control of his capricious drivers once he's on the ground. Essell has survived growing up largely on his own, it seems, but now he's on a new, never-before explored planet. Wonder who he will meet?

Way more than “pretty good“... 😊