Great chapter!!!

I'll avoid any spoilers for now, as it's so early, but... Quite a bit happens. Julie... Uhoh!

One like I totally loved; "You mean other then my nightly stroll down the block in my boxers?" Joe quipped, thinking Cody should have caught on to something being amiss long before now.

That was both descriptive, and IMHO hot!

I'll be bacl later as there is a LOT in here I want to comment on, comments with will assuredly include the passage with the word "newsprint" in it.

Well, that was a good line CJ, but I happen to like the line where Cody said something suggestive to Saul. Where's a guy like that when you need one? I'd post the quote here, but it is rather suggestive.

Things are definitely not well between Julie and Joe. I am really starting to think he deserves better than her. I also happen to think he really has a thing for Cody too. That brings another conundrum though. Is he gay, or is he bi? If so, why in the world does he feel the need to be in the closet in a place like San Francisco?

I agree, and he's really confused with cody, I have a feeling that Jacob and cody are going to meet up soon.

Steve put some interesting... I don't know what to call them... parallelisms? opposites? connections? in this chapter. First, I was pissed off at how Cody treated Joe, almost to the point where I decided that I no longer liked Cody, that he's a jerk. Then, at the end, my heart went out to Cody, poor kid, he's so lost! Second, when Julie got a ride home from the party, I was so excited, "It's Jacob!" Then, at the end, when my heart was wrenching, I said the same thing, "oh, it's jacob," thinking about who hurt Cody so badly, so unintentionally.

Wonderful job, Steve!!!

I know the line you are referring to. That was, shall we say, descriptive of Jonathon's abilities.

As for Joe being "in the closet", good point. I don't think he is, exactly. I think he is, to a degree, bi, but Cody is the first guy he's had feelings for. I think those feelings are confusing him. Just my opinion.

BTW, I just have to bring up this issue...



Bike? BIKE?!?! BIKE!??!!? OK, what gives here? I HOPE we're talking bicycle ant not a motorcycle!!! Surely not even Shadowgod could be THAT evil? (not to mention predictable?) I think the Cody Liberation Front needs to be alerted to this looming danger!

Also, on this issue, I notice that Jacob is riding again!!! ARGH!
To be honest, every time I ride a motorcycle now, I can't help but think of a certain scene in LIS 26! ACK!



Agreed there, it was a bit of a roller-coaster, in a very good way!

Most excellent chapter Steve /

Thank you for sharing it with us.

The chapter seemed to have more twists and turns than a goats path up the side of a cliff .

Things are definitely becoming complex between the relationships in the story. Joe is confused with the feelings that he is having for Cody, but still just hints at things, which seems to leave Cody wondering if Joe is interested or just playing a game.

Julie, ugh!! So she can't even remember the name or the guy she did the nasty with last night. The nerve of her to question Joe in the previous chapter about his relationship with Cody, when she is out whoring herself with complete strangers .

I was really surprised when Jacob showed up. I was even more surprised that he is on a bike again. And yes, CJ, I did see the part about looking for a bike. I think if everyone pitched in a few bucks, we could locate and buy a nice safe Volvo for Cody, thus alleviating any stress on us readers .

I also thought that it was a chapter of memorable one liners. The boxer stroll and the steel marble comment had me in stitches. What great lines!! And then Saul's reaction was even more priceless. God I love that man.

My heart did go out to Cody several times. I just wanted to jump into the story and give him a hug and let him know everything would be alright. His comment:



made me think that Cody was sleeping with strangers, married strangers, all in an effort to in someway hurt their wives, the way he wants to hurt his mother .

Well I'm off to see if I can find a real Yorkshire Bagel, damn that sounded good.

Steve

was it his mother he was referring to?

Cody certainly has a lot of issues. His mother may be partly to blame because of her maltreatment of him. However, there comes a point where a person needs to face the issues and work towards resolving them. At least he is not completely in denial about it. That's more than can be said of a lot of people, both real and fictional.

That is my take on the whole thing. I may be wrong (like that hasn't happened before ), but remember this right after he had read the letter from his mother:



So his one requirement was that his john had to be married. It made me think that since he seemed to be reacting to his mother's letter, he might be trying to get back some way at his mother.

Far fetched, eh? It just seemed to explain his desire for married men to me.

Steve

Edit to add:

Now reading your question again, I guess he could be referring to the john in this as well:



Or maybe he is referring to Jonathan???

Damn, I'm so confused now

I thought he was referring to Jacob... but I had Jacob on the brain, waiting for him to come roaring into the bagel shop

Could he be talking about his dad? I can't remember if Cody knew his dad at all...

i just want somebody to give that boy a hug before he make me cry. again.

I enjoyed this chapter, Steve. I know everyone has his own problems, but it seems all the characters in Chapter 6 have rather serious problems (with the possible exception of Saul). I hope all their problems are resolved satisfactorily in future chapters...especially Cody's.

I do too. I really want to see Cody make it. He's a good guy, but his self-destructive streak is going to be his undoing if he is not careful. Joe needs to ditch Julie. Even if he does not end up with Cody, Julie is venomous for him.

agreed!

I think Cody definitely seeks out married men, and I think he told the pshrink that he does so as a way of "getting back" at his mother.



Totally agreed!



Agreed! Especially about Joe and Julie... I think her recent, ah, sleeping arrangements, will be the beginning of the end there.

Okay, I think The Cody Liberation Front needs to get involved, ASAP! Please note the following quote from the chapter;


CYCLE TRADER? And the later reference to a BIKE?!?! Okay, unless Cody is looking at Tricycles, Houston, we have a problem!!!!

Oh, and BTW, due to this, and also the possibility of Jacob and Cody meeting, I am hereby declaring a CLIFFHANGER!

I beg to differ, CJ. It's called plot development. Get a grip.

LMAO

I think you have been put in your place CJ

You call that nice?

Awww Steph, but surely you have read Living in Surreality? After that, and the legendary LiS 26, how can the mere mention of a motorcycle be anything other than a cliffhanger?!?!?

Besides, try and keep in mind; Shadowgod is EEvil! He's toying with us...

So, won't you join me in declaring a Cliffhanger?

BTW, one other thought on Ch 6... What makes Saul so understanding? I hope we learn more about him.

CJ I know cliffhangers, and that was not a cliffhanger. There was not someone "getting caught" or someone about to die. Therefore, there was not an evil cliffhanger. However, you seem to be creating a lot of cliffhangers lately. In fact, I think you secretly want to maintain your throne.

Here here!

So far, this is turning out to be a very good story props to Shadowgod!

Also CJames, you call ch.6 a cliffhanger after LTMP: 43? Jeez I think the goat might be goin a bit crazy!

Also i'm hoping that Eric and Cody would end up together (even thought I think that's a long shot) cus that would be so cute (and I think would help merge the SPICE and CLIFF groups together and become one super group )

wow... this is scary... I can see CJ as one of those country preachers that works out of a tent and swindles everyone out of their money...


Saul is like a loveable grandfather.

Well, the age old question of what character from For the Love CJ most resembles. As for the declaration, I simply disagree. There has been a cliffhanger earlier in the series though.

Interesting how form a certain angle anyone can seem broken, isn't it?

This brings up another conundrum, how to say what I want to say with out providing any spoilers? Which is actually why I have been rather silent as of late.

lets see if I can get these in order.

Is Joe in the closet? - I am going to say no. I am also going to refuse to give an answer to the whole "is he Straight Gay Bi or what?" business. Sometimes, sexuality just isn't that cut and dry. I know this method of thinking can cause some flak, but I rather enjoy exploring the more complex happenings behind the laws of attraction.

Parallels, opposites, connections... - yeah there are a few, I initially had the title in mind for Cody's plight, it's interesting how it evolved and can now be used to cover almost every Character in the story.

And semi related to this is Julie, I know she has now been accused of "whoring" herself out. Honestly i don't find that accusation very fair. In fact there is only one character we have seen having multiple meaningless encounters. Shouldn't the whore label be applied there as well?



It seems this is the controversy in the chapter. I apologize, i thought I made it clear that Saul and Cody were talking about Jonathan. In a way yeah it was related to a string of one night stands, or partners, Cody had sought out. Why he ended up with Jonathan is simple, because Jonathan chose him. So no the passage wasn't about married men, or Cody's father. Though to answer that yes Cody does know his father... there will be more about that later. Just as there will be more about Saul.

I think that covered everything. Let me know if I missed anything

Steve

That's interesting, Steve. To me, Julie was lonely as her relationship with Joe seems to be deteriorating. They don't seem to communicate well either, so that is a sign that all is not well. Blaming only Julie is rather unfair, because Joe is hardly an innocent party. As for Cody and his hook-ups, I think he still loves Jacob and is simply trying to fill the void. At the same time, I think Joe is more into Cody on an emotional level. That trumps all sexuality as far as I am concerned.

.......In all fairness to Julie, things between her and Joe seemed to be disintegrating before her 'party-waking up with a strange guy inbed night' (is that even legal to write like that?). Whether or not Joe is bi or gay, it's too early in this story for it to have an impact IMHO. Cody needs to resolve isssues before trying out a new relationship. BTW, I noticed he didn't get his $1,000 check yet

Well, you know, society does hold double standards for women. If a woman is involved in a relationship, it practically expected that she's not sleeping around. And we understand from both of Julie and Joe, that they consider themselves to be in a committed relationship, regardless of the fact that they're having problems. Now, Cody does not consider himself in a committed relationship, and since the story is written in a way that we do not empathize with Jonathan, then well, we don't care that Cody's sleeping around... well, we care, because it's unhealthy, but not in the context of Jonathan. Jonathan's kinda like this black box that Cody takes out an steps on every once and a while.


I think this was the part that we were confused on... in this part, he's talking about Jacob, rt?


... which I think it kinda weird, because according to Jacob, Cody left him high and dry...

hrmm... I am interested in this Jonathan as black box analogy. It makes Cody sound like a prick, and granted the way he treats Jonathan may be prickish, I don't think he sets out to do it on purpose, I think it is just a safe guard so he won't be hurt again.

And yeah that double standard in our society sucks. I however used it to my best ability. Joe would loose allot of credibility if he stepped out first. That said, it is sad how relationships decay, and it usually happens without notice. One day your sailing along the Bay and everything couldn't be more perfect. Then before you know it what seemed like it could go forever, slowly ebbs away.

I particularly don't find fault in either of them over their actions. Even though they both know their relationship is done, they don't want to admit it to the other, for fear of hurt feelings and broken promises. Sadly I had to show Julie as the baddy this go round, but whose mind wandered first?



Ahhh... yes that was Jacob he was referring to, yet another wonderful case of he said/ he said I guess. hrmm how do I best describe the two differing opinions. I guess Landon Pigg summed it up in a lyric. "Our love didn't die, it just never had a chance to grow."

Cody may have never called, but Jacob never went back to the school, so each see abandonment in their own right. Plus Cody is also dealing with the fact that he never appreciated what was there until it was good and gone.

Agreed that it does, and it's one of the things I bitterly oppose.

I think I'd have reacted the same to any cheating character. Infidelity is infidelity in my book, and I agree with the Shadowy one that if Joe had strayed, he'd have come off as damaged goods, just as Julie has.

Jonathon... Hrmmm. I have mixed feelings there. If Cody led him to beleive it's a monogamous relationship (and Jonathon did seem to have that impression) then that is a negative for Cody, though IMHO mitigated by his psychological issues a little, and a little more by Jonathon being kind of negative himself). I think I may have expressed some concerns regarding Cody's reputation in this regard to His Shadowyness early in the story.

Now here's an interesting conundrum; now that Julie has cheated, what if Joe strays? IMHO, turnabout is fair play, BUT, what if Joe strays without knowing that Julie has? In effect, he's done the exact same thing as she did IMHO if he does that.



Hrmmm... A wandering mind? Sorry, I don't think that can compare with wandering, errrm, other parts. HOWEVER, was that wandering mind a factor in the breakup? Seems to me it is, though subconscious.

Regarding Julie, one thing that made her look good IMHO (or at least, less bad) was that she felt guilt.

Cody indeed never called Jacob (until much later, anyway). Cody basically let Jacob take the fallout from the "incident", so Jacob IMHO has by far the lessor burden of responsibility and blame here. Cody, while he did the right thing and didn't sell Jacob out to the PI, also didn't tell Jacob that a PI was poking around. That has long puzzled me, but perhaps it's explained by lingering resentment, at some level, towards Jacob?

It isn't surprising that each of them seem to have their own "versions" of what actually happened. Indeed, IMHO it would be surprising if they didn't.

Ohhhh look at all that stuff to respond too



Sorry, did Cody give him that impression, or did Jonathan produce it all on his little lonesome? Who "Dumps" who when they think they found something better? In that vein who comes running back when the something better doesn't work out?

Granted, Cody should tell him to stay gone, but there is that whole marble thing, and some activities are better when two people are involved. Does that make Cody weak in terms of physical desire? Yeah it does, but He is realizing that no matter how good something is, the price that must be hefted for it isn't usually all that great.



Awww, but Cj as soon as you have given up on something mentally, you are much more likely to give up on something physically. Sure it took the social lubrication of alcohol for Julies resolve to snap. Joe almost made the same mistake, he just happened to be a lot closer to a amiable resolution then Julie was. What would have happened had Cody not showered? What would have happened had Joe gone in that door instead?




but what did she feel guilty about? Was it that she cheated on Joe, or was it that it had been with a person whose name, or general description, she cant remember.




Oh thats right, you haven't seen that part yet just remember things aren't always as they seem. having said that who left who high and dry? Jacob never went back to the school. Cody did. The two of them, In my opinion, could have tried harder to remain in contact.

Steve

well, that's an understatement! I can't think of much that isn't!


I specifically remember Jacob telling Matt (or Valerie?) that Cody took the easy way out the the situation and dropped Jacob like a hot potato. Did they really not talk again at all? Am I confusing this w/ Duncan's story? *sigh* They say the memory is the first thing to go... I'll have to go look it up when I get home...

Hrmmm, I thought Cody dumped Jonathon? And is it Cody who comes back?



Good points... What would have happened? Given Joe's mindset at those times, yeah, had Cody shown any romantic interest...


I recall the mention of the boxers on the floor, and the realization that they weren't Joe's. To me, I got the impression that she was guilty for both reasons.



Hrmmm... BUT, Jacob tried to contact Cody.

From the narration of LIS, Ch 01,


So, what means did Jacob have? I'd say he at least had grounds to believe that Cody wanted nothing more to do with him. Jacob couldn't return to the school, as I recall.

Hrmmm....

Superb story, Steve, and beautifully written.



Conner

"Jacob," he smiled warmly as he pulled on his own helmet, straddled the bike and fired it into life before looking at her expectantly.

......I fear his Shadowyness is leading us astray, do I see a hint an evil chapter coming up?? Yet another motorcycle accident is in the wings ( well, if can call a Yamaha a motorcycle!!) His misdirection is evident, Joe outside walking around in nothing but his boxers, Julie is already forgotten, indeed whose mind wandered first. I trust his Shadowyness is up to his evil cliffhanging ways, while we are being blinded by trust.

Ben, that would not surprise me at all. His Shadowyness does happen to love misdirection and evil cliffhangery as he and The Goat are the resident masters of both.

.........Yes, I fear his silence is only the prelude to something truely evil and cliffhanging in his next chapter!! 'Gasp' could it be that he is threatening to reclaim his throne!!!!

I think you're right, Benji!!! His Shadowyness is indeed up to something! Misdirection with a distraction... Yes, he would do that, and he's so good at it!!!



Yes, this is true!! He's said to want his throne back, and here he is making a move for it... I'd also like to point out that his timing is most auspicious; July 5th is the one-year anniversary of LiS 26, the Mother of All Cliffhangers! Yes indeed, I think he's making a move, and wants his throne back in time for the anniversary.

......Of course, his anniversary of the most shocking cliffhanger of them all, he's been brooding for a year?? This sounds very onimious, stand quick his Shadowyness is Back!

Please... let's put a bit of rationality back into this discussion.

Shadowgod is a fantastic author, and he really gets us feeling for his characters. He'll put them through some trials -- look at what Cody is already going through -- but he also cares for his characters. Unlike some others, he's never killed a significant character, and only given one major injuries (and he survived them).

Leave him alone and stop scaremongering

Shadowgod is indeed a fantastic author! That's what makes trying to prognosticate so much fun!

I've never meant to imply that he uses too many cliffhangers; quite the contrary; in a display of his consummate literary skill, he save the big ones for when needed. However, when he decidedes to give us a cliffie, it's a doozie, and that's all part of why he is unrivaled at the precipice-dangling art.

Oh, BTW, never killed a major character? I beg to differ. He has indeed done so, in one of his short stories. (I won't mention which one, as that would be a spoiler, and I fear your anti-spoiler spines).

CJ

Then why do you scream "cliffhanger" at the end of every chapter???

.....Of course Steve is a fantastic author, I never said anything to the contrary. Scaremongering?? That word definately belongs in that thread about unused old terms

I beg to differ, it may have been a character but I would disagree about his level of importance. I mean he was only physically in what 1 scene?

Well, um, yes.. But he certainly adds to the high body count in your stories.

CJ, which universe do you live in that '1' is a high number?

Psssst, Steph, have you read Prelude to Destiny? If yo, you might be, shall we say, slightly numerically challenged?

I thought we were talking about major characters?

What intrigues me is the assumption on the part of some readers that Julie did the nasty with Jacob. She wakes up in a strange bed from a drunken party, and Jacob offers her a ride. Apparently, Julie's closest female friend in SF is Valerie.

And, of course, we already have had Joe playing Cody's boyfriend, back in Klamath Falls, to scam Raul (that's Raul not Saul) -- and Cody's interior thought that it's a dream that might sometime come true.

Essentially we had:
Cody: Sacramento > Klamath Falls > San Francisco
Jacob: Sacramento > alternative high school > Oak Valley

What will happen when Jacob and Cody come face to face? Something, uh, surreal, I'm sure. We already know where Jacob's head is on this; he had to answer that question already. But where's Cody's head? Has he really gotten over Jacob? I look forward to some interesting developments here.

In the future: Saul's business is threatened by Offshore Baking's introduction of tequila bagels. Cody learns that he does best when he doesn't try to think things through but instead acts on, uh, instinct.

And exactly what role is Benji going to play in all this?

You're right, this is definitely not true. Jacab was just waiting nicely to give her a ride home. I believe the guy was still asleep in the bed?


good catch! but Joe wasn't aware of that scam, right?


me, too! me, too!

THere is probably going to be some resentment on both sides, what could of been.