Reviewer: NoChaser Signed [Report This]
Date: Mar 01, 2018 5:49 am Title: Chapter 17

This is a very, very powerful chapter. My emotions have been on edge, for various reasons, for a long time now and you've helped open the flood gates. Thanks. I think. (Oh, god, another looonnng comment a-comin'. I'm in a Michael hating mood right now.)

I write, almost entirely, Justin-centric stories. Almost without exception, the Justin I write is strong and self-assured, in charge of his life even when he isn't, filled with an assurance of his own worth that is bottomless. Because that's how I *need* Justin to be. It's strange how we glom onto one character in a tale and adopt them into our fantastical psychological family, make them our brother, sister, child... self... when we recognize something in that character that we identify with because they remind us of who we are or aren't or want to be. That's Justin for me, and I want to crap on anyone who goes out of their way to hurt him. ;)

And this Justin is one hell of a strong Justin. We sometimes forget that the strongest among us are often also the most fragile among us, too. They've faced fires that would consume others and still remain on their feet, but not without scars. Sometimes that strength can bring one to the very edge. Justin is doing here what Brian never had the courage to do - face his demons. Brian is beginning, but like a functional alcoholic, hitting rock bottom for him is a longer process. Until he does, until he fully faces the very demons that helped create this situation, he'll still just be in pain management mode.

And DAMN MICHAEL! I want to hurt him sooo badly. He can't just have a psychological come-to-Jesus, an "Oh, God, What Have I Done!" moment and be forgiven. People like Michael, the manipulators, the *cruel* manipulators, only really understand real-world consequences. Their psychological eureka moments are fleeting, ones they'll forget the next time their pathological need for whatever selfish want they have comes along. They need a good real-world beat down. He's forgiven the most horrible things time and time again because, hey, that's just Michael being Michael. Grrrr... Yes, the rest of the ‘family' was horrible to Justin and should have to suffer, as well, but Michael set this up. Cruelly, viciously and probably gleefully.

Whew, guess I needed to get that off my chest. (I love love love this story. You are tipping my angst meter and I so needed that.)

Author's Response:

Hi, honey. 

We sometimes forget that the strongest among us are often also the most fragile among us, too. They've faced fires that would consume others and still remain on their feet, but not without scars.

I'm so glad that you picked up on that - yes, Justin is fragile atm - broken in so many ways.  But he's still stumbling along his path.  He'll fall, but he'll also pick himself back up, dust off the dirt, and keep stumbling along, with or without Brian.

Sometimes that strength can bring one to the very edge. Justin is doing here what Brian never had the courage to do - face his demons.

See above, and I'll also say, that Justin was always the stronger of the two.  Brian is finding his own brand of courage, but as you said below, he isn't there yet.  He has pieces of the new Brian puzzle that he is putting together, but has yet to find them all.

Brian is beginning, but like a functional alcoholic, hitting rock bottom for him is a longer process. Until he does, until he fully faces the very demons that helped create this situation, he'll still just be in pain management mode.

He's still in free fall - he just doesn't know it yet.  His rock bottom moment will come. 

Reviewer: YumYumPM Signed [Report This]
Date: Mar 01, 2018 2:20 am Title: Chapter 17

I would dearly love to go to Micheal's home with a bat and swing then as he lies on the floor ask him if it would be better if I leave him or call an ambulance.

Author's Response:

I really shouldn't laugh, but damn! I left the girls a review recently in Risky Business, saying that I disliked Michael enough to either wish him a case of incurable anal warts or perhaps enough to strap him naked to an ant hill and cover him with honey - I like your idea better!! Thanks, sweetheart. xx

Reviewer: BlueMyst Signed [Report This]
Date: Mar 01, 2018 12:03 am Title: Chapter 17

Bravo Justin Bravo!! <claps softly>

He came to Alex and he owned up to his feelings that day and how he wanted to die to end the pain, hurt, loneliness and Michael's selfish, jealous, mean, vindictive words.

Justin admitted out loud he Wanted To Die and now he is ready to Fight To Live.

Alex needs to heal himself and perhaps seriously talk to Ari or he will never able to move forward 

Perhaps Ari was the experience he needed to not to make that same mistake again?

Michael never deserved Brian he is a child who refuses to see that life is not a comic book and a fantasy is just that A Fantasy. (I add Lindsay to that too)

Given time I think Justin will be ready to confront everyone and then we see who can take it and who can't. 

Thank You  for the Update :)

 

 

Author's Response:

Alex needs to heal himself and perhaps seriously talk to Ari or he will never able to move forward 

Yes.  Yes, he does. ;) Thanks, honey. xx

Reviewer: JerseyGirl Signed [Report This]
Date: Feb 22, 2018 3:00 pm Title: Chapter 16

As I read the exchange between Tommy & Lilly, I thought of Justin & Daphne, of how this was perhaps a little drift into the time before we came to know them.  Loved Tommy, he too made me think that perhaps this was or could have been Justin before the lampost!  Innocent times.

Author's Response:

 Loved Tommy, he too made me think that perhaps this was or could have been Justin before the lampost!  Innocent times.

You nailed it. I created Tommy as the embodiment of Justin's lost innocence. 

Reviewer: Glo Signed [Report This]
Date: Feb 22, 2018 12:47 am Title: Chapter 16

Holy shit.....that was so freaking brave of Justin! To take Tommy down to Liberty Avenue and then the diner...Jesus. He must be feeling stronger right? Glad he has Sam & Ethan in his corner. Tommy was so sweet & naive. This was posted a little early....does it mean we'll get another chapter soon  lol 

Author's Response:

Lol, you're funny!! :)-

And yeah, I love Tommy. 

Reviewer: mamab Signed [Report This]
Date: Feb 16, 2018 1:58 am Title: Chapter 15

Fantastic chapter.  Finally Debbie is seeing the world thru her own eyes and not Michaels.  Great job.

Author's Response:

Thanks, honey. xx

Reviewer: BlueMyst Signed [Report This]
Date: Feb 15, 2018 7:06 pm Title: Chapter 15

Deb getting Justin to agree to come to dinner is a good start but there is still a lot to overcome.

Justin gave her some truths that she glimpsed but refused to acknowledge about her behavior and Michael's concerning Brian.

I get the feeling Justin's anger is with Brian, Michael, Lindsay and Deb the others were just hanger-oners, but those four played a bigger part in this situation because their opinions, especially Deb, Michael and Lindsay's played in how Brian treated Justin and how Justin reacted back???

Author's Response:

Very true. Thanks, hon. x

Reviewer: YumYumPM Signed [Report This]
Date: Feb 15, 2018 2:12 pm Title: Chapter 15

Let's hope that Deb sees her son for the damaging person he is.  

Author's Response:

She's beginning too. ;)

Reviewer: Glo Signed [Report This]
Date: Feb 09, 2018 1:04 am Title: Chapter 14

Holy shit....this is so hard but at least their talking & trying. Justin calling Brian & asking him those things is a great sign! He wants answers from him & he's demanding them. Good for Sunshine! 

Brian thinking over things on his own & having fantasies about his boy is so....special...hot...fabulous! That scene with Justin on all fours, the hottest sex scene they ever had in my opinion. 'Fanning self' oh my oh my! 

Author's Response:

He wants answers from him & he's demanding them.

Yep; Question is though, is he ready to get those answers?

Thanks, hon 

Reviewer: BlueMyst Signed [Report This]
Date: Feb 09, 2018 12:16 am Title: Chapter 14

Without realizing it Brian became him s father just without the first, he used his coldness and words to inflict pain and it never mattered until he realized how much it hurt Justin.

Finding out the truth about Kip is opening Brian's eyes to how much Justin really loved him and how he threw that love back in his face.

To hold onto a reputation that really shouldn't have mattered at all.

Brian's reputation was just another wall he put up to keep anyone from getting close, he used it to make his name renowned and it came back to bite him in the Ass.

Brian may have moved past the abuse but he still let his abusers control how he lived that life.

Jack and Joan left quite an impact and despite Brian's best efforts he didn't overcome it he let it consume him.

Brian using Justin's anger is giving Justin a chance to face it and not hide from it anymore.

Author's Response:

using Justin's anger is giving Justin a chance to face it and not hide from it anymore.

He needs to face more than just his anger. ;)

Reviewer: Tagsit Signed [Report This]
Date: Feb 03, 2018 8:17 am Title: Chapter 13

I think they needed to have it out - have this argument aloud - so they can actually move on. It’s the first healthy thing they’ve done yet. 😬 TAG

Author's Response:

Yes, it is. But there is a lot more to the argument - things were said, but nothing was sorted. ;) Thanks, honey. xx

Reviewer: BlueMyst Signed [Report This]
Date: Feb 02, 2018 5:58 pm Title: Chapter 13

Justin needed to explode keeping the hurt and anger locked inside was poisoning him day by day.

Brian proved he was strong enough to take the hits and the truths Justin had to say.

Brian admitting he was there at the hospital was just the balm Justin needed to take away the coldness and distance Brian inflicted and everyone else basked in.

And basked they did cause they saw Brian and Justin as a joke and ignored the love they felt for each other, if Brian had done that crap to them they would've crucified him by throwing his past back in his face.

Words have quite the power to destroy someone when used in cruel ways.

Brian looking into Justin's blank eyes us seeing a man without a heart is just a machine, and Justin wasn't meant to be a machine he had too much heart for anyone.

But once a heart is broken it takes  more than glue to put it back together.

Brian has to be stronger than glue to help mend Justin's broken heart and rebuild his self-esteem which is more fragile than glass right now.

Justin is willing to accept the money and talk to Alex but they still have a long road to go.

This was beautifully written and moved me to tears.

Author's Response:

but they still have a long road to go.

Yep, they do. A very bumpy one. 

This was beautifully written and moved me to tears.

Thanks, honey. xxx

Reviewer: YumYumPM Signed [Report This]
Date: Feb 02, 2018 2:45 pm Title: Chapter 13

This had to be a hard chapter to write.  You managed to convey the feelings so well.  It looks like things are working out as you say it was a start.  Looking forward to seeing just where they go from here.

Author's Response:

Thanks, hon, and yeah, it was brutal to write. Several of these chapters have been, and they leave me absolutely stuffed emotionally after writing them. My BF has always said that she loves how well I do angst, considering I am one of the most happy-go-lucky people she knows, and that the most angst driven thing I encounter on a daily basis, is how to get the kettle to boil faster in the morning while I'm waiting for my first coffee. Thanks for the review, doll - I hope you continue to enjoy it. xx