[Report This]Date: Mar 30, 2020 5:46 pm Title: Chapter 27- Letting Go
Great chapter. So happy to see the changes in Brian. He is growing up whether he wants to or not. Wonderful writing.
[Report This]Date: Mar 29, 2020 12:19 pm Title: Chapter 27- Letting Go
Very insightful chapter. Next we get the DNA?
Author's Response:
EAch chapter brings us more information. DNA is coming soon.
[Report This]Date: Mar 28, 2020 8:23 pm Title: Chapter 27- Letting Go
Lindsay should be more careful; if Ted realised that she was considering Brian as her bank, he might have some file with all the figures. That could blow in her face and it couldn't be pretty.
I love the "hamsters" that Brian is hosting: they get him to think about the basics of his life.
I understand how your creativity might be impacted; working from home for 2 weeks now, I have some difficulties to see the difference between the week and the week-end. Also spending too much time with my keyboard.
Keep safe and sane :)
Author's Response:
When I'm at work, I take breaks, sometimes as long as an hour ( away from my desk)- no, I'm still doing work activities, but not sitting at my desk. So at home, I have no real place to go for a break so am sitting at the keyboard for 8 hours- when I'm done, I'm toast.
I bet Ted does have that information. He handles all of Brian's money. It will be interesting to see how all this pans out.
[Report This]Date: Mar 12, 2020 8:40 pm Title: Chapter 26- Finding Brian Kinney
Great talk between Ted and Brian.The call from Lindsay though, it just proves Brian that he must shop himself and manage Gus' expenses on his own. The "middleman" can go fuck herself and she can use her curtains to dry her tears!
Author's Response:
I love using the curtains to dry her tears. Great visual.
[Report This]Date: Mar 11, 2020 2:27 am Title: Chapter 26- Finding Brian Kinney
Love this story and how Brian is evolving. Wonderful writing.
Author's Response:
Thank you. I am enjoying writing it. Thanks for sticking with the story.
[Report This]Date: Mar 10, 2020 12:20 am Title: Chapter 26- Finding Brian Kinney
Things are changing for Brian. Maybe if he talked to Mel and found out about the curtains?
Author's Response:
I'm not sure he wants to be friends with Mel, especially as she is pretty negative about him in front of Gus.
[Report This]Date: Feb 17, 2020 7:39 pm Title: Chapter 25- A Free Evening
Brian is seeing life from a different angle. It seems all for the good and Gus will benefit from seeing new places with his dad.
Author's Response:
I like that Gus is benefitting from Brian's soul searching.
[Report This]Date: Feb 17, 2020 6:28 pm Title: Chapter 25- A Free Evening
Great chapter, where Brian continues to ask very good questions and is starting to find answers. The relationship Brian and Justin are building is quite deep even if they don't know it yet.
Thank you for the virtual visit of Pittsburgh.
Author's Response:
Brian is growing every day and Justin is helping him. I like their friendship too.
[Report This]Date: Feb 17, 2020 2:41 am Title: Chapter 25- A Free Evening
Great update. Teaching ,that is great. Hope the party went well. Fantastic writing.
Author's Response:
Thanks- I've been teaching for 9 years- I like it, but it does take a lot of time. The party was amazing. Can't really begin to describe how fun it was.
[Report This]Date: Jan 18, 2020 8:47 pm Title: Chapter 24- Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll
Great update, Love how Brian is changing in each chapter. Wonderful writing. Good luck with school. We will be waiting patiently for the next chapter.
Author's Response:
Thank you. I'm thrilled that you are enjoying the story. TEaching is fun, but the beginning of the semester is always a little harrowing.
[Report This]Date: Jan 18, 2020 7:36 am Title: Chapter 24- Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll
Good decision and great topic! Couldn't have been a better one for Brian!
Author's Response:
Funny, how the AA meeting always comes at critical junctures in Brian's personal life. The muses do have some say so in the story line. lol
[Report This]Date: Jan 18, 2020 3:45 am Title: Chapter 24- Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll
Brian is growing but aware that Mikey might hinder that growth. Love how this is shaping up.
Author's Response:
Mikey is not happy that his role in Brian's life is changing. It will take a lot of work on his part to accept the change, if he ever does so.
[Report This]Date: Jan 18, 2020 3:32 am Title: Chapter 24- Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll
I'm so glad that Brian was able to work out for himself that he wasn't ready for Babylon, and that he was only going to please Sir Petulance. Justin really is great for him, and thankfully gives him a way to voice all of his thoughts, feelings and opinions without censure. Ted and Em are probably at home breathing the same sigh of relief that Justin is at Brian making the decision not to go to Babylon. As for Michael, I wouldn't be surprised if he's burning up the phone line to Lindsay to report that Brian is NOT doing what they think he ought to do. Or even more accurately, he's probably on the phone harassing Ted, trying to find out what's supposedly going on with Kinnetik that's more important than catering to Michael's chronic need to live vicariously through Brian.
He really is a pathetic, self-centered troll so I won't put anything past him in an effort to keep Brian in the role of his most valuable collectable.
As for the meeting itself, it was great that Brian had the interactions he did from both the hetero and homo side of the issue. I think he's beginning to see that regardless of sexuality, people are just people and at base, many of us share the same issues as human beings. I believe in a very large way, they have finally managed to erase that Us versus Them mentality... Well, at least on this one very important issue, and that's a really big start. Amazing job, Sandy!
HAPPY WRITING and HUGS,
~Nichelle
Author's Response:
Nichelle:
I really appreciate the in depth comment to the story. One of the things I miss is a beta who provides that level of feedback. Soemone to really track the story and make sure the folks are in character and that the action makes sense. Michael and Brian's interactions aren't done yet, and of course, Lindsay will have her day when Brian takes away the bank of Brian.
Date: Jan 17, 2020 8:56 pm Title: Chapter 24- Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll
thanks for update
Author's Response:
Thanks- hope you enjoy it.Thanks for reading
[Report This]Date: Dec 30, 2019 3:06 am Title: Chapter 23- Possessions
Great update. Love how Brian is moving forward. Never like Mikey, never will. Wonderful writing. Happy New Year to you.
Author's Response:
Happy New Year. Not a Mikey fan- ever.
[Report This]Date: Dec 30, 2019 12:29 am Title: Chapter 23- Possessions
The true struggle starts now. Brians determination at getting somewhere in the business world is gonna have to be used in his fight against addiction.
Author's Response:
Brian keeps working on his journey, but has some big hurdles to handle.
[Report This]Date: Dec 29, 2019 11:29 pm Title: Chapter 23- Possessions
I am so enjoying seeing Brian's journey into soboriety. Your touches are just right.
Author's Response:
Thank you. I'm glad the story is realistic.
[Report This]Date: Dec 29, 2019 10:51 pm Title: Chapter 23- Possessions
Michael's reaction is so obvious and expected that I fear he will make a scene at Woody's or Babylon, even with Emmett and Ted trying to dodge the bullets for him. I can't wait to read how Emmett and Brian will manage the dance floor together and how Emmett will try to "steal" Justin from Brian.
Thank you for the update!
Author's Response:
Woody's and Babylon will be interesting with Justin and Ted and Emmett all trying to keep Brian sober.
[Report This]Date: Dec 15, 2019 2:16 am Title: Chapter 22- Celebration Kinney Style
Great update. Brian is really making strides in the right direction. Now if he can keep Michael from ruining all his success. Wonderful writing.
Author's Response:
Thank you. So happy to read your review and see that you are enjoying the story. Michael is very self centered and he will have to change if he wants to keep Brian around.
[Report This]Date: Dec 14, 2019 1:11 pm Title: Chapter 22- Celebration Kinney Style
Sometimes you have to know when to cut a 'friend' lose. It's hard enough to stay on the straight and narrow when you have people helping you go off. Celebrating is something that Brian will have to learn to do differently. But he's smart, he'll figure it out.
Author's Response:
Cutting his friends will be hard, if not impossible. Lindsay is the mother of his child and Mikey is like a brother. He will have to figure it out.
[Report This]Date: Dec 14, 2019 8:15 am Title: Chapter 22- Celebration Kinney Style
Great chapter as usual! I love how you are writing Brian's travel to sobriety. He is getting more mature and asking very good and pertinent questions about his life and his friends. He also is opening to Ted and Justin. The hug is something totally "not Brian" and it shows that his relationship with Justin is different from any other he might have had.
The next chapter will be a critical one.
Author's Response:
Thank you. I value your continued support of my writing and your comments are always welcome. True, the hug was not "Brian" but it felt like something he would do and I hope he is openng up to feelings and relationships.
[Report This]Date: Dec 14, 2019 3:29 am Title: Chapter 22- Celebration Kinney Style
Excellent chapter, Sandy!!
Brian is really growing as a person during his continued journey of sobriety. I cheered aloud when it was revealed that Lindsay can't keep Gus away from Brian no matter what she thinks. Then to have Brian understand that he isn't the only recovering addict who has been through the struggle of idiotic and sanctimonious 'Moms' was just splendid. He's right that she's going to try her emotional blackmail the minute she realizes that the Bank of Brian is closed for good. Somehow, I'm hoping that Kera is already preparing for that eventuality, especially in the form of a private investigator...just saying.
As for Brian's talk with Justin, I found the entire conversation enlightening. A lot of people who are addicted to substances really underestimate the impact it has on those around them. In Michael's case, somehow I almost think that it's more than just about being Brian's caregiver; he tends to act more like a wife. I have no doubt that even after Brian talks to him, he'll have a litany of complaints ready while trying to get Brian to do what Michael wants him to. And then when he meets Justin...
Yeah, somehow I can already see the daggers being shot out of Michael's eyes, and the warnings about what Justin's role is supposed to be in Brian's life according to Michael. To say that Michael is a territorial, yapping chihuahua will probably be the understatement of the year, since Brian is sharing the more intimate details his life with Justin instead of Michael. I can only hope that when Michael complains to Debbie (and we know he will since suffering alone is NOT his style), that Debbie will knock some sense into him and tell him to stop being an idiot. It always pissed me off that whereas Michael and Lindsay could have others deeply entrenched within the lives, Brian was expected to not have anyone else but them to lean on. Talk about double standards!
Anyway, I'm certainly looking forward to the next chapter!
Happy Writing and HUGS,
~Nichelle
Author's Response:
Nichelle:
LIndsay's reaction to Brian's actions will be very fun to write. I've been thinking about it for awhile. I hope the chapter doesn't disappoint. Brian is beginning to explore his feelings and his relationships. He isn't going to change overnight, but Justin will definitely help him. He is going to need support when he tells Lindsay and Michael as I fear that his fears are going to be true.
[Report This]Date: Dec 01, 2019 5:40 am Title: Chapter 21-Support
Hey Sandy,
First, HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I'm sorry that I haven't had a chance to catch up to this story before now. RL has been kicking me pretty hard these past many weeks, with another shocking blow just coming earlier today... well, yesterday, now as it is. So this was sooooo NEEDED to get out of my head right now.
I went back a few chapters so that I could get a feel of where Brian's introspection was leading him, and I'm glad I did. I find your characterization of him at this point in his life, not only insightful but sensitive. I'm enjoying it all immensely. His talks with both Justin and Ted helped him to give voice to what it was he didn't want to face concerning Lindsay, whose betrayal and constant use of him as a bank I believe hurts worse than even his own parents. It kinda gives credence to the saying hurt people HURT people in that she knows exactly what emotional abuse feels like, yet she's inflicting it onto Brian while using Gus as her weapon of choice.
So that said, I'm glad that he's, at last, wising up and determined to do something about it with the help of Kera. In turn, either Mel will realize what they are doing is basically against all the rules in Family Law, which she is supposed to be well-versed, or she's going to find herself facing her own troubles in front of an Ethics board. Considering how Mel treats Brian, I'm almost willing to vote for the latter. However, I DO wonder if Lindsay has ever disclosed to Mel what she has been doing in terms of Brian? I would like to think that Mel is reasonably intelligent in realizing that the likelihood that Lindsay is a veritable cash cow now in terms of commissions at the Bloom Gallery is more impossible than not, and therefore the money-on-demand has to be coming from somewhere else. If she's that willfully blind to who she married then she deserves every bit of ass-kicking she's about to get within the boundaries of the same law she upholds for everyone else, except Brian.
I can't wait to see where you will continue to take this story, and the evolution of Brian and Justin's friendship. I'm really enjoying their dynamic here, where in a lot of ways, Brian is now the ingenue instead of Justin.
HUGS, LOVE and HAPPY WRITING!
~Nichelle
Author's Response:
Nichelle:
I always admire your lengthy comments, way more than I ever write. I have to believe that Mel knows where the money comes from, but I think in her twisted mind I think she believes Brian deserves it. I think she justifies the money saying he can afford it and it is her right since since she is raising Gus.
I'm not sure where the story is going, well I do know where it eventually will end, but I'm still working on how it will get there. I always think the stories are going to be short, but that never happens. I guess I'm incapable of writing something short. Well actually, I did just finish a short one for the gift exchange. Anyway, I really appreciate your comments and it means a lot to me to know that a writer whose work I respect enjoys my work. Happy holidays to you.
Sandy
[Report This]Date: Nov 15, 2019 9:39 pm Title: Chapter 21-Support
Wonderful update. Fantastic wriing.
Author's Response:
Thank you . So glad you are enjoying the story. I appreciate you telling me you are enjoying it.
[Report This]Date: Nov 11, 2019 9:51 pm Title: Chapter 21-Support
The end is worrying! The "maybe just this once?" is a cliffhanger that could ruin hours of restraint.
The beginning is promising as Brian is actually checking his support to Gus/Lindsay with an analytical POV. The amount he is giving is pretty huge if we consider the age of Gus and that Brian has to pay for other things that the girls should be providing. It always amazes me how they wanted to be autonomous parents and yet aren't able to live without Brian's money. Mel should be ashamed of herself to be depending on him like this. Maybe she doesn't realize or doesn't want to. I hope she will have a painful awakening.
The visit to the lawyer seems promising; the fact that Brian was able to see/appreciate Justin's art is an added bonus.
Author's Response:
Every now and then I manage to put in a cliffhanger. lol. Mel is going to be pissed. The girls always wanted autonomy until it came to financial areas. Now they will have to live within their means.