Date: 07/27/14 09:06 pm Title: Chapter 17
Oh no, that chapter brought tears to my eyes :( Poor Howie :( New Year's Eve is always a time for high suicide rates isn't it? But I hope Nick listens to that message and gets to Howie in time to get his stomach pumped at the hospital.
Of course he'd be missed :(
Author's Response: Aww, thanks Steph! Yes, I believe New Year's is a big time to commit suicide. Alcohol is a big factor, as it was for Howie. Thanks again for the review!
Date: 07/26/14 04:46 pm Title: Chapter 16
The relationship between Howie & Leigh just fascinates so much, I guess ‘cause I know the least about her since she seems the most private. I don’t even know what her voice sounds like. (Is there any video of her speaking). I wanna tell Leigh, “Aww, listen to his pleading tone. Take him back, girl. Who cares if he’s gay, he can probably still get it up for you. Oh wait, I keep forgetting he gave you and your son HIV after he cheated on you. Hmm, I’m torn.”
lol “white sheet draped across his godlike body”, Howie sure was seeing Nick with beer goggles in his dream. Poor Nick not wanting to infect anyone with his bleeding knuckles.
Author's Response: Thanks so much for the review! I don't know much about Leigh either, including what her voice sounds like, now that you mention it! She and Howie seem to have a very loving relationship in real life, so this is definitely a stretch - but under the circumstances (which are also a stretch LOL), I could see any wife/mother reacting this way. I think it's the HIV/Holden that really has her upset, more than him being gay and cheating on her with a man. Thanks again for taking the time to type up your thoughts. I love reading them! :)
Date: 07/25/14 01:30 pm Title: Chapter 18
So, I know that this chapter was supposed to be all serious, but I laughed at Lauren's comment about her having to carry Kevin and at Nick's internal dialogue about wondering whether or not he spelled Howie's last name correctly. :P
My gut instinct is telling me that Howie will pull through and that the whole ordeal will help to bring him and Nick closer together. I suppose I will have to wait and see where you take this though.
In response to your comment on my last review, I could totally see Howie trying to take his own life in a situation like this. Mostly because he feels as though he's destroyed the lives of the people that he loves. If it was only his life that was going to s*** then I couldn't see him going to such extremes.
Author's Response: Thanks! I had to throw a little comic relief in there, so I'm glad you liked those lines. Hopefully you're right. I agree with you; I think it's mainly the fact that he made Holden sick that's tearing him apart inside, but obviously Leigh and Nick too and the fact that they both seem to hate him. That's a lot to handle. Thanks again for the review! :)
Date: 07/25/14 12:02 pm Title: Chapter 18
I love that you used the 6 miles, 12 lights to his front door line! I really do love that song! (Am I the only one that's noticed that so far? :p)
I am glad that Nick is showing what we know the guy to be...full of compassion. Its totally justifiable for him to be furious with Howie. Good on Lauren on helping him see past that anger. Lauren to the rescue! lol But I'm glad that, if Operation #SaveHowie does work, it looks like Nick and Howie may get closer and help each other thru this. Howie certainly needs the support.
GREAT chapter!!!
Author's Response: You are the first to notice that!! Thanks! :) Yeah, this may have made Nick realize that, despite everything, he really does care about Howie. He doesn't want him to die, anyway! #SaveHowie Thanks for the review, Jen!
Date: 07/25/14 07:32 am Title: Chapter 18
LMAO you are so bad with your end notes. #Insensitive. I'm glad Nick got him to the hospital in time but lets see how much damage Howie did to himself. Good on Lauren for telling Nick while yes he's justified in his anger, compassion is needed too. Great chapter! #RedRibbonForHowieAllTheWay
Author's Response: Thanks ZDR! Nick and Lauren save the day! Or did they? Dun dun dun... #AIDSAIDSAIDS #SoIntense
Date: 07/25/14 05:53 am Title: Chapter 18
I feel like we need a new hash tag after this chapter #SaveHowie
And happy new year Nick indeed. What a way to ring in the new year. I am glad Nick feels guilty, it is his fault just as much as it is Howies. I had to laugh at the part where they said if it was Kevin they'd be screwed. I also liked that Nick brought Howie to the hospital himself because he didn't want the paparazzi to find out, that won him some brownie points with me. Can't wait for the next chapter, Julie. You're so twisted and I love it.
Author's Response: Thanks Tracy!! This was definitely a wake up call for Nick, seeing Howie like that. I wanted him to be the one who had to deal with it. I think this showed that, despite everything, he does still care about Howie. But will that be enough? #SaveHowie (LOL, love it!)
Date: 07/25/14 12:16 am Title: Chapter 17
Tho I'm sure its the alcohol fueling the pityparty Howie is throwing himself, I can almost see why he's feeling that way. How alone he must feel. At least Nick still has Lauren. I can imagine if it were me, I'd probably contemplate suicide too..if we are being honest..who wouldn't?
I can't wait to see how Nick reacts to that one phone call (haha..sorry..had to! :p). I know everyone is expecting him to rush right over to Howie's. But I dunno...he's SO full of rage against Howie right now. So its going to be very interesting to see what happens!! I CAN'T WAIT!!! UPDATE PLEASE!!!!
Author's Response: Thanks, Jen!! I'm glad you could understand why Howie did what he did. Yes, Nick's reaction should be interesting. (LOL at the One Phone Call pun!) I may post the next chapter tonight. :)
Date: 07/23/14 11:01 am Title: Chapter 17
This was one of those chapters that messed me up. It's to horrible that he's depressed I wish I could step in and give him one of those portable stomach pumps and hug the daylights out of him
Author's Response: Awww, I know. This was a hard chapter to write. Thanks so much for the review, Shania!
Date: 07/23/14 05:36 am Title: Chapter 17
I freaking love that you put Happy New Year, Howie! At the bottom. Poor Howie.
Really though part of me really wants to smack him for being a coward. I get why he's depressed and he hates himself for fucking up. But dying doesn't fix anything. It just leaves the lives he fucked up even more fucked up than before. He's just too depressed to realize that. *kicks his body*
And of course with that voicemail he leaves Nick to find him. Damn you HIV-Howie!
But seriously, great chapter lol.
Author's Response: LOL Thanks, ZDR! I totally agree with you about him and most people who commit suicide, honestly. It's a very selfish thing to do. That said, he was depressed and drunk and not thinking rationally. Yeah, you can imagine what poor Nick's reaction is going to be. Thanks again for the review!
Date: 07/22/14 01:18 pm Title: Chapter 17
I probably shouldn't have read this chapter right before I started work for the day because now I'm a hot mess!
Everything about this chapter seemed so realistic: Howie's behaviour, thoughts, what he said to Nick on the phone. Well done!! This means that you can't wait too long to post another chapter. I NEED to know whaat happens to Howie!!
Author's Response: Aww! Thank you!! I'm so glad it seemed realistic. It felt like a stretch to me to make Howie suicidal because, in real life, he seems like the last person I'd expect to ever consider doing something like this, but under these circumstances, who knows? I promise I won't keep you waiting too long. :) Thanks again!!
Date: 07/22/14 08:16 am Title: Chapter 17
Happy new year Howie. Oh man. I laughed at that and I feel almost terrible lol
I would not expect Howie to do something like this but I kind of do because he is so depressed and feeling guilty. The part about him wanting to remember his family as he faded away made me so sad :(
Cannot wait to see nick react to this phone message, looking forward to the next chapter Julie!
Author's Response: Hehe, it's okay, I was cracking myself up too! Thanks for the review! Howie's about the last person I could see doing something like this, but under the circumstances, I'm glad you could see why he would. It has to be hard to know that you've hurt your family and friends, even if it wasn't intentional. He hates himself and feels like he has nothing left to live for, though of course we know that's not true. The next chapter will be intense, for sure. Thanks again, Tracy!
Date: 07/15/14 08:01 pm Title: Chapter 16
Oh Nick. I kind of felt really bad for him in this chapter because he didn't want to tell anyone but I also agree with him that this was not the time or place for it. Everybody reaction was spot on too, they reacted the way I'd thought they would. I loved AJ for trying to be supportive because I feel if any of them were actually gay he would do the same thing.
Nick is gonna have to deal with how he handled the situation when karma bites his ass later. I also feel extremely bad for Howie because he was humiliated too. Can't wait for a new chapter Julie!
Author's Response: Thanks, Tracy! I'm glad you thought the guys' reactions were realistic. Nick flew off the handle, and even though what he was saying had some truth behind it, he shouldn't have said it, at least not there and not in front of the other guys. I felt bad for Howie in this chapter too. Thanks again for your review!
Date: 07/15/14 06:47 pm Title: Chapter 16
Wow great chapter! I love how you write the story in both POVs. Can't wait for the next update!
Author's Response: Thanks so much for the review! Glad you're enjoying it! :)
Date: 07/15/14 05:00 pm Title: Chapter 16
Rape?? - Wow, I didn't think that Nick would go there, but he did. Oh man!
"“Are you gay, man? ‘Cause, you know, if you are… that’s okay…”" - Thank you AJ for having the sense to try and say something positive!
I thought that you nailed Brian and Kevin's reactions as well - Kevin being the voice of reason and Brian clearly being uncomfortable, but still not willing to walk out on Nick.
I also LOLed at Leighanne's reaction. Totally her!!
I can't wait to see how this all plays out now that the other guys know!
Author's Response: Thanks for the review! I knew that word would just devastate Howie, and although it's not necessarily true, Nick does have his reasons for thinking it. I'm glad you thought the other guys' reactions were realistic. Leighanne's cracked me up too; I could so imagine that look on her face. Thanks again!
Date: 07/15/14 09:18 am Title: Prologue
Well, what a chapter. Amongst all the drama, I think my favorite part was the little bit about how maybe they should have just said "jinx" and moved on. It was a nice little touch. Now to theorize about that phone call...
Author's Response: Aww, thanks! They had that moment there where they could have made amends, but they missed it. It's sad, but I think the emotions were still too raw, especially in light of what just happened. Thanks again for the review, Emily!
