Chester57

And to you, my friend. Have a great day!

A pretty good chapter but I have the feeling it’s the calm before the storm. I was glad that Jack and Kayla got back on track before the school year starts as they’re going to need each other. I wonder who it was who hurt Rhona so badly? Or maybe it was a series of bad boyfriends— similar to what Tara went through? Maybe if she continues to confide in Jack we’ll find out. Remember Jack’s question to Amanda— “What about girls?” I think that’s the problem between her and Alan. They both want Kelly.

Wouldn't you know it? I'm at work! Have to wait till tonight. Thanks, Joe!

Prediction time. Jack will likely get hit with a suspension during his senior year— in fact, I think it’s a virtual certainty. He’s already on probation with the principal’s office, so whatever trouble he gets into will be the final straw.

The forum has my sincere apology. Thank you very much for the link!

I’m not going to say that I saw it coming, but based on my own observations I was very optimistic about Trump’s chances. I live in a mostly rural area about 40 miles east of Cleveland and driving around my county I couldn’t help but notice that Trump/Pence campaign signs out-numbered Clinton/Kaine signs by 50-to-1. When Mr. Trump made a visit to nearby Geneva, OH he drew a crowd of 3500. By contrast, Senator Kaine attracted maybe 200 when he stopped in Cleveland. Mr. Trump and Gov. Pence carried Ohio and Pennsylvania— and whoever does that almost always wins. More to the point— and unlike a lot of people— I have been watching Bill and Hillary ever since they got to Washington from Arkansas in 1992. They are without question completely corrupt professional politicians who have gotten wealthy by selling influence to the highest bidder. They’re gone and good riddance. Mr. Trump got wealthy in the private sector and is beholden to no one except his countrymen for electing him. He’s going to be like Ronald Reagan on steroids. Please forgive me for the political rant. We’re waiting patiently, Joe. Whenever you’re ready...

Take your own good time. Watching the Democratic Party crash and burn is weirdly satisfying. (Guess who I voted for?)

Yeah, put your writing cap back on…

Welcome back, Sailor Man! You were missed… in fact it got to the point that we were theorizing about killer clowns! As soon as you get settled in we want some details about your Boot Camp vacation and all the fun you had. Glad you’re back, Joe!

How about this? Some hunter in Pennsylvania came up with a good solution to the ‘killer clown’ epidemic. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

IMHO it’s probably societal conditioning. From her early years, a girl is told by her parents never to go anywhere alone. She must always be accompanied by family members or other trusted adults. When a girl matures into a sexually attractive young woman she finds ‘strength in numbers’ with other young women. It’s a defense mechanism against stupid, horny young guys— not to mention predators and sex offenders. Hanging with a group of girlfriends is a good idea for any young lady at least until she turns 21. After that she can carry a concealed firearm— at least where I live.

Yep, Kayla’s reaction will set the stage for what happens this year. The situation in the hotel room is circumstantial— Jack didn’t do anything inappropriate with Rhona. Also, Kayla withheld sex until Jack’s birthday using the flimsy excuse that he was a minor and it wouldn’t be legal. If she now tells Jack that she wants a break in their relationship then I would bet that he tells her to go pound sand.

That green bikini comes much later… anyway, you are absolutely right that Kayla used to be sweet as a Georgia peach in the early chapters. She was so anxious to fit in that she hooked up with douche Craig after one day of his smooth-talking bullshit. In some ways, Kayla today is much more mature than Jack is. I don’t think she is so much a bitch as she is a skeptical young woman. Unlike Jack, she learns from her mistakes.

Killer clown? I like it! How about this? -- LOCAL HERO STOPS ‘KILLER CLOWN’ ATTACK AT HALLOWEEN PARTY (Monday 31 Oct 2016)--- City police units responding to calls of a disturbance at a private weekend Halloween party arrested one costumed man in clown make-up after he threatened several people with a box-cutting knife. Police identified the suspect as Bradley Nightingale, 18, and said he would be charged with assault and trespassing at the least. A police spokesperson stated that they went to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Carter, who were hosting the party for classmates of their son. Craig Carter, a senior at Brow Ridge High School, told officers that Nightingale had crashed the party, started waving his knife around and screaming threats about getting revenge. “Things were getting scary,” said Carter, “ but then Brad was caught in a flying tackle by my good friend, Jack Harrison. He really saved the day. We held Brad down while my dad called the police.” Nightingale was taken to jail and will face a court hearing later this week. One officer lauded the actions of Mr. Harrison, also a senior, saying that he most likely prevented serious injury to the party-goers, numbering 50 to 60 teenagers. Okay, that’s my killer clown theory— Jack kicks Brad’s ass and this time he gets sentenced as an adult! Seriously though, I hope when Jashley gets back he gives us a Halloween chapter- those are always good!

Even if Jack survives the convention with his testicles intact, the storm will be Category 5. Here’s a few possible scenarios I thought up— - Amanda steals Kelly away from Alan -OR- she hooks up with Joe to spite her family -OR- she becomes the new school slut at Brow Ridge. -Chester and Mary Hannigan have a trial separation. -Jack does his White Knight routine again-- this time to help Jessica, who is being threatened by Brad. -Kayla is assaulted by Brad. -Tara is knocked up by Arthur, graduates and becomes a single mom. -Ms. Cartwright sends a naked selfie to Jack saying she wants to be his personal trainer. (Wishful thinking, I know— never mind)

Ha,ha! Yeah, everyone got out of Dodge for a while. Tomorrow marks the halfway point of Joe’s Boot Camp vacation. Just think of all the fun he’s having— up at 5 AM… PT… chow… classrooms and lectures… boat handling drills… chief petty officers screaming at him… more PT… written tests every day… inspections… and lastly, trying not to drown in Lake Michigan. Well, better him than me! When Able Seaman Jashley 13 gets to his duty station it will be mid-November. That’s two and a half months into Jack and Kayla’s senior year. He’s going to owe us at least four chapters!

Doing okay, but still going through SITO withdrawal. Going to work to keep my mind off things.

I think I’m going to read some actual books for a change. You ever go to Costco or Target or Wal-Mart and browse their book sections? I must have a dozen books that I bought and never read— thinking that I’d get to them someday. Haven’t really been on the Blue Site, either, since I came over here. Is it about the same or worse?

Best of luck at Great Lakes. Study hard and make us proud. Most of all, thank you for your service! May the Lord grant you fair winds and following seas.

I see what you mean. Amanda or Belle or maybe even Jessica would probably agree with that girl’s opinions.

An astute observation! That puts her in the same boat as Amanda— two headaches for Jack and he’s about to get a third unless Kayla is in a very understanding mood. @Jashley 13 – It’s been a long time since I read J.R.R. Tolkien but he referred to the languages in his books as ‘elvish,’ not ‘elfish.’ I once dated a girl who was a huge LOTR fan and she would have roasted you for that mistake! Good chapter. While you’re on hiatus, I think I’ll start re-reading the story and make notes on the things I missed. You’re leaving when? Next week?

Can’t say I like the way they cropped my cool avatar. Ah, it’s been fixed!

Their friendship is changing, not necessarily ending. I believe that near the end of the chapter Jack decided that he is not going to routinely accommodate Rhona any longer. She will have to treat him as her equal and not as her 'little brother.'

Since this will be Chapter 57, how about you dedicate it to me?

They would know if they were adopted. Wouldn't they have to produce their birth certificates to obtain a driver's license?