Just noticed that the much anticipated Dreams & Clipped Wings Chapter 3 is now up .

Thanks Steve

That was a wonderful chapter. I loved the EVIL cliffhanger. I wonder how Joe is going to react. I hope we don't have to wait a month to find out. Oh, and I am totally happy about the special guest appearance by Valerie!

........Good 'ole Mom, how sweet of her to send Cody those scented letters, passing on his brothers love as well. Ah, a mothers love knows no boundaries! Is Cody slipping into old habits? Or is he being cash-driven? Great chapter Shadowgd!! Looking forward to the inquisition by Joe.

Most excellent chapter Steve .

Warning: Spoilers Below

I must have been sound asleep when I started reading, cause it took a while for me to realize that Julie's friend Valerie was the one from LiS !

From what CJ had made me believe it would be someone evil like Catherine, Raul, or even the horrible motorcycle. I guess this is just confirmation that you are definitely not evil and he truly is the evil one.

As far as Cody taking off being old habits or cash driven, I certainly hope not. I don't get the feeling that it is cash driven, as no cash was discussed. I would say it is more a feeling of personal reckless abandon that he uses to compensate for the feelings of being loved that he obviously not getting from his family.

Kudos to Joe for apparently not wanting to give up on Cody by wanting him to share more than an apartment.

The one passage that really kind of amazed me, and always does, is how you can describe smells and how they evoke memories and emotions. By just the scent of the lavender, Cody thinking that his Mom was in the room was a very powerful message. It seemed to explain the feelings Cody had even so much more than if it was put simply that he stormed out angry from a letter from his mom.

There is a bunch more that I'd like to mention (and yes, this 1 chapter has a lot to discuss ), but I will leave off with that I'm really curious about Cody's attraction to Eric Carlisle. Maybe with some help of Bondwriter's agents with the goat, we might have a chance meeting of the two.

Hey, I can wish

Thanks again Steve

Steve

I knew it was her immediately. Don't feel bad. When I first started reading this story, I had forgotten what connection Cody had to LiS. <blushes>

Shadowgod, the way you string together words has always left me in awe. This chapter is no exception. I love the way you described Cody's reaction to the letter. Loved the way you described the 'puppy'.

This is one of the many reasons I love to read your work, Steve. You evoke a variety of emotions in the reader. Kudos!

BeaStKid

I loved this chapter...

Damon's ordering of the bagle turned out to be a very, very skillfully done character development. I've never seen better.

I also found Damon's friend Brandon intriguing; Clearly, Brandon knows Daemon is interested in guys, and seems totally supportive.

And yes, the interest in Eric Carlisle... Could that lead to... something? Only The Shadow knows....

Now, let's get to the letter. AAAARRRGGHH!! I hereby predict that this letter will soon, and forever, be known as THE letter. Yes, it shall be infamous... And deservedly so!

ARGH! And the thourougly evil Cliffhangers. Yes, plural!

Cody is going off to engage in something very risky! And then there's the letter, he's cut off. That's a double-barreled cliffhanger!

And then there's Joe... That line about "do more than share an apartment" means what, exactly??? That's a cliffhanger too!
So, we therefor have at least three.

Cody's mother is an irredeemable cast-iron bitch! She even admits that some of the money is his to begin with! I think she might just be your most vile antagnoist yet... (and Catherin Harris is a tough act to beat).

It was great seeing Val again!!!! However, this sets up something veeeery interesting. Val knows about Cody via Jacob. However, she does not appear to be aware that this Cody (if they've even met) is Jacob's Cody. I predict fireworks when she finds out!
Will Cody start singing soprano!??!

Maintaining your title will not be easy. We can add him to your short list of rivals.

My feeling on Cody is that the way he ran off and what he was doing is a symptom of his overall psychological problems. He's been rejected by his mother (and it seems like it's not the first time), so he not only rebels by doing what he knows she doesn't want him to do, but he is equally looking for some sort of love -- though he's too afraid of commitment (after what happened to Jacob) that he's gone looking for someone who he believes can't afford to become attached to him.

I'm also expecting his younger brother to figure out some way to return Cody's money to him. His brother tried to speak to him via IM -- that's not the action of someone who has rejected their big brother because he's gay. Cody is running the risk of alienating his brother, but I get the impression that his brother is too smart for that to be an easy job.

I also agree with CJ on the scene with Damon. We don't get a full picture of him because we only really see him in one situation (the hopelessly lost and confused infatuated and inexperienced young man), but we get a real feel for him in that environment. He's already stepped out of the pages as a non-trivial character. Well done, Steve!

Julie surprised me, but she's right in that a lot of high school relationships don't last. She's also very human in not knowing how to end a relationship....

Graeme raises excellent points; What was Benjamin trying to IM about??

My take on Cody is that Graeme is largely right; he's afraid of commitment, and tormented by guilt over his past actions. He has a low self-image as a result, and his mother's actions can only make things worse. Cody is tormented by a darkness...

I have a hunch that things will get worse before they get better.

Duh! It's Shadowgod we're talking about!!

I happen to like things getting worse before they get better. It's deliciously evil.

Hi guys,

Joe is rapidly becoming my fav character. He's too cool. And... I don't know if I'm inagining things but on one side his relation with Julie going on the rocks (I feel it's two-sided) and on the other, the feelings we discovered in the last chap and re-seen in this one. Intriguing??

Damon and Brandon... I would like to see more of them, especially Damon. He's sweet and cute. But I can understand Cody. He's not the type of guy he needs right now. Perhaps, both of us are wrong...

I really like the way Steve portrays the characters. Very real!! I love it!

Take care,
Ieshwar

Do not underestimate the powers of misdirection. You must not forget who's writing the story.

An extraordinary chapter, Steve!

Your characterizations are superb. I have no difficulty seeing the amount of work that went into this chapter.

The sweet, albeit short, cross-pollination with CJ's story was just delightful.

Is there a pool party in this story?

Conner

If I were to hazard a guess, this darkness would be an unbearable shadow cast from a huge, ominous stuffed goats head that hangs on the wall of Cody's work place , tormenting him day and night.

Was this what you were referring to CJ?

I think the darkness is more likely internal conflict and turmoil. From personal experience, I can tell you that writing about such characters is quite fun.

I don't know, I get the feeling that Cody is tormented by his inner demons, or more specifically some dark deity.

Seriously though, Cody has some definite real issues. He isn't seeing a phrink for the fun of it. He also displays plenty of signs of inner damage. Here's my guess; its a combination of self-loathing (made clear in the convo with the phrink in Ch 1) that he is angry for himself for not standing up for Jacob.

The second factor is his mother; having someone like that as a parent can leave a kid an emotional wreck. Cody has major defensive
traits AND self-destructive traits (the "date" he's on, for one) he keeps everyone out and away. I think he's got a long way to go. My hunch is that this now-infamous letter will be the trigger of a chain of events that demonstrate these problems all too well.

I agree, but who is the dark deity? Are you giving Shadowgod evil advice again?

Yes, he definitely has some problems. That was apparent as far back as LiS. The letter is probably going to be a source of tension between Cody and Joe. If Joe happens to be a homophobe, it could be really disdainful for the two to share an apartment. If that is not the case, Joe is still going to be mad at him for not confiding in him about his sexuality. Okay, I'm ready for Chapter 4.

*Cough*

You might want to re-read Ch 1 and 2... Joe knows about Cody. Cody never explicitly told him, but, Joe figured it out by piecing together subtle clues, like seeing Cody date only guys. Joe knew about Jonathon, for example.

I was going to do so but never got around to it. It's been a little over a month. I wish I could remember every single detail like that, but I cannot.

Wait until you're 57! You won't remember shit. When I do remember details, they're usually from a different story.

With Steve's stories, though, I never mind going back to re-read previous chapters. Mind you, it's early yet in this story, details can take a while to settle in.

With CJ's stories, I just remember the pool parties.

Conner

CJ's stories have the best pool parties. I don't even want to think of being 57. I'm not even half-way there yet. As for re-reading, I actually intend to re-read LiS in the near future. It's among my favorites.

Something is bothering me... Okay, we have Cody out, engaged in some truly risky behavior... BUT, what about further down the line; Cody is in college; will he even stay in the area now that he's lost his funds? Can he make ends meet ob his own?

What happens to Cody? Anyone have any ideas?

Pardon, but I didn't think Cody was in college. Julie is in college, Joe went to SF to join her, and HE asked Cody to come along (see chapter 2).

So, Julie is the reason Cody and Joe are in San Francisco -- not Cody going to college. He may have planned on going to college in the future, but he hadn't so far and his mother has now cut off that option.

Hmm... Cody should be over eighteen. I wonder what the legal situation is with that money he contributed to his college fund. Is it legally his, and his parents can't take it off him?

...........That's a good question, but I wonder if Cody will pursue it! And it sounds like his brother is trying to contact him, perhaps to give his monies back.

Hrmmm, good point on the legalities! Cody does have proof now; a letter in his mother's own handwriting that some of the money was paid in by him. However, as I recall California law, monies earned by a minor can legally be taken by the parent, unless the money was earned in the entertainment industry. I'm not sure on this though, things may have changed.

Looking forward to the next chapter of Drams & Cliffed Wings!

Awww CJ you don't like Cody's Mama? She is after all doing what she thinks is in the best interest of her son.

You all raise some excellent questions.

Will Joe finding the letter lead to a confrontation?

What is the Story with Damon, with Brandon?

Will Julie stray? Has she already?

What did Cody's younger brother want?

How will Cody react to Joe finding out things he'd rather be kept private?

Honestly I'd love to answer all of the questions, and i will eventually.

I wanted to have four done over the weekend, alas life got in the way what with seeing friends I hadn't seen since my little jaunt to San Francisco. A fiftieth birthday party (not mine) and a TON of math homework... yeah plans got ahead of me. Fear not! I am on a strict deadline and chapter five has to be posted in three weeks from today.

So fear not, chapters, and answers, are coming. Even a few answers from above quicker then you think.

..............You are sounding like one of those old serials we used to see in the theaters.

AHAHAHAAA perhaps, but you know CJ is going to grab ahold of that and run with it don't you?

I honestly wish I could say more, but I have procured this unnatural fear of letting spoilers out, well at least ill timed spoilers.

I could weigh in on Cody's mental state, but I can't.

I could also weigh in on Benjamin, but I can't.

I guess I could debate the legality of Cody's mothers actions, but given what we know of Cody so far, will he fight for the money? I doubt it.

he doubts he will ever find comfort in her cursive L's anymore, that however doesn't stop him from doing whatever he can to find comfort in the letter. To the point of imagining he can smell her perfume on it. Was the letter spritzed with her perfume? No it wasn't. He still found the smell, or the memory of it buried in the crisp sweetness of the cotton bond.

Given that tidbit, what was he more upset with, the content of the letter, or its tone, which effectively erased the 16 years of regular relationship they enjoyed?

............I would go with the harsh tone, effectively erasing whatever "normal" relationship they once enjoyed.

Now I am definitely eager for another new chapter.

Aren't we all?

..........Well it won't be long now ....unless he pulls a Dom!!

Don't even think like that!!

......Scary thought huh!!

Damn scary!!

........Love your coming out of the closet emoticon

Thanks...

.......You seem to have amassed quite a collection of them!

I try to do my best...

Bite your tongue! Steve loves us too much to do that.

..........I know that!!

NO! She's the most evil character I've yet seen! <shudder>
IMHO, she's the nastiest of your antagonists so far, and that's some competition! She's just... Evil! To do that to her own son... That's just plain nasty, with no redeeming characteristics whatsoever!



I'm very curious there too. Brandon apparently knows Damon is into guys...



I'll answer that! He wanted to chat!



Ahhh, well, now that's a question. Cody has a temper and privacy appears to be an issue of his. I'd say that this does not bode well. Poor Joe!



What a coincidence... I have a chapter that will be posted three weeks from today, too!



Darn right I'll run with it! I'll also take this opportunity to say how diabolically evil you are to your poor characters!!! Come now, did you have to hit poor Cody with that letter now? And of course, the cliffhanger! AAARRGGGGH!!!

Yes, I too have a fear of giving spoilers... The prickly one is rather unforgiving in that regard, isn't he?

But, I beg to differ! You can indeed weigh in on Cody's metal state. You could say he's upset about the letter (that's pretty clear from the text). You can weigh in on Benjamin, too: Say he is Cody's brother and wanted to chat. That's in the text as well.

As for the letter, Hrmmm, I'd say... it's more complicated than that. The relationship has been clearly on the rocks since "The incident". However, this rather seals its fate.

......This coming from a someone who has characters like Dimitri and Scar???????

I do believe you are forgetting about Catherine. She had ice running through her veins. Surely, she was more evil than Cody's mom will ever be. OMG! What if Catherine is in the story later, and she teams up with Cody's mom. They could be a duo of epic b****iness.

.........Hummmm!!! Spoiler above anyone?

....... He's just speculating...

If he were to tell me something about it, I would not even speculate. I would simply let you all bite your finger nails. I happen to like the building of anticipation.

Amen to that.... same here