Welcome back! I missed your writing so very much. And the great thing with your writing, there's such a conversational style and it's so natural, I'm immediately able to get right back into the piece. And that's because Lee is such an engaging character, which means you're an engaging writer.

I loved Lee and James meeting. What is so great about your writing is that how there's really no bad guy in this story is that you make Melissa and James really sympathetic and human and not just foils to Lee and Mary. I felt so bad for Melissa, I'm glad Lee came clean to her, because it would be so much worse to go through with it.
James is a... (oh gosh I can't myself... a peach). (slinks away ;) ).No but seriously, he's a really decent guy,I love how you don't make anyone the villain, even when they mess up we can see them for the wonderfully complex humans they are, that's an incredible skill as a writer.

Lee's scene with his mom was pitch perfect. I'm so interested in Jacqueline's New Orleans upbringing. And for her to be cut off from being able to mourn Lida, who sounds more like a mother figure than her own mom, that would take someone to a dark place.

THIS line is tremendous: I didn't tell her she didn't have to apologize for trying to kill herself, didn't have to try to be better. Looking back, I wish I had. My mother is better than all of us and shouldn't have to apologize for a thing.

And this made me smile: Darry reading The Once and Future King.

I'm so happy to read you again. :)

really love this story! if possible, i would love
to get more action from ponyboy and the rest of the gang. :)

i love this story- definitely one of my favorites that i’m keeping up to date with. if possible within the storyline, i would love to see more action from ponyboy. thanks for updating!

I love your take on young love thwarted. It's a perfect Abby twist on the conventional 'we're getting hitched' story which means I love it very much. Is it just me...because I actually like James! I think you know I have a soft spot for him before, but I liked getting to know his background. He seems like a good guy (the fact that he's gorgeous doesn't hurt!) under father's shadow. And it's unfair, but he's not not wrong about reputation especially for someone like his dad. I feel sorry for Mary in this situation (and Lee and Melissa too). That what makes this so interesting, four basically good people who made/make mistakes. It would be a lot less interesting if Melissa and James were just regulated to EVIL category but that's not what you do as a writer. Even with characters like Vickie Harper Washburn (send my regards to Georgie) you keep their humanity. That is a beautiful trait in a writer.

My favorite part was going through the mementos! STELLAR. Abby I felt like going through my own family mementos, and in the way you write your Stevens-Mathews etc families, it very much is.

I am so frustrated Abby even while I'm floating on the beauty of this chapter. BUT DAMMIT LEE. Why can't he just call it off? And be with who he loves? And listen, of course his reason shouldn't have anything to do with politics and reputation, but at least James has the balls to marry Mary. And, he's gorgeous so that's a plus too. (I'm trying to be okay with mary and james, okay? Just let me talk myself through this)

You have the most beautiful and smooth style of writing. I'll never tire of reading it. Like I said, I float on it. I always love to hear your deep thoughts on things like time passage and aging. My favorite part was Lisa and Mary going through the box of their mother's momentos. I know you gave great thought to every single item included and it was so nostalgic for the reader, because we got to be present at many of the occasions these items represented. I appreciate that sense of history you create and allow us to be a part of. ANd yes, even fifty will one day seem young when you're seventy. And I know exactly what Lisa's trying to say about her parents actually were once normal people. I love that quick thought Mary has in this moment, maybe realizing a little bit that soon she'll be a new Mary once this baby comes, and her own child won't be able to imagine a life when Mary was just a girl. I think one of the many signs of becoming grown is finding out your parents are actually people and had a life when they didn't even know you. This scene was right up my alley! :)

I love the Mathews family. They just all took a walk with mary. They're so warm and loving. (I laughed that Lisa actually checked her shoes! ) And they're all just being there for mary at this difficult time. I literally can get teary thinking about how painful it is to watch Lee marry someone else. It's not fair. And it makes me so mad at him. I don't think I can forgive him, even though he's sweet, even though he's Darry's son. Especially when he calls her to the park (I love how you mention Darrel Sr.- not forgetting the original source of these Curtis genes) and she still has that hope he'll do something. She wants to hear that he's going to step up and call it off. But nope. He won't. And I could punch him in the face, no matter if his dick is magical.

Bring on James. I'm leaving Lee behind. I'm ready to marry James dammit LMAO 'Fake it till you make it' is as good a wedding theme as any, far as I'm concerned! That needs to be printed on the damn napkins. That's fabulous!

loved it Abby :)

Loved this chapter!

Oh my goodness. I don't even know where to begin. Everything about this chapter was perfection. I loved how Mary closed the door in her parent's faces when Two-Bit told her that he didn't think it was a good idea for Lee to see her. Oh, Bridget. This girl (woman now) is never on time, is she? Haha. And the guys were just fabulous as always. I actually felt bad for James having to go through "a process" with Two-Bit and the guys. James doesn't seem like such a bad guy, even though I'll always wish for Lee and Mary. It's a shame that Lee is with Melissa, even though that's a . . . completely different story from Mary and James. I'm actually glad that Mary told James about Lee and everything. I'm proud of her, too. This girl is such a wonderful character, and I adore reading her thoughts through everything! Also, I squealed when Mary read the note from Lee. And I was even more excited when she decided to go with him. Ugh, these two were made for each other. We know it. We all know it. You're torturing them. We know that, too. LOL. But you know I love the realism of this story, too, and your writing is absolutely captivating! That ending was beautiful with Lisa comforting her sister. "Lee Curtis and his magical dick" That's too funny! Two chapters left for this story? Oh my gosh . . .

Gorgeous writing! :3

Abby I'm so glad you're back with lee and Mary's story!

Details are everything, and you're the queen of them-of details that I can so understand. His mom's golf clap when Lee fixes the sink, is so fabulous. A golf clap! That's all I need to know to visualize everything! Anyway, that made me chuckle.

And with the "emergency" leaky faucet Darry and jackie have trapped Lee into a family dinner and I just love seeing Darry be a dad. I love how they're talking about him like he's not there, that's SO TRUE about parents! And Lee has such good supportive parents. They're having to tell Lee the news about Mary's pregnancy. In the gentlest way, or so jackie hopes, telling darry to go easy. And I love that Darry walked down the driveway before he drove off, telling him there's still time to make this right. Darry! What a DAD!

I feel sorry for Melissa too ya know. Getting all mixed up in this mistake. She has no clue the drama that's happening all around her.

Great writing on the bachelor party, right down to Dallas's flawless baritone! lol You do such a good job of painting the closeness of these boys that grew up together- the camaraderie is felt in just a few sentences. And Dallas is rightfully defensive of mary. It's like Dallas is nice, sober, good guy Dallas, he and Lee love each other, but first and foremost he HAS to threaten him over hurting his sister. It's his job as a brother. And yet he wants Lee to be happy, and if marrying Melissa is what makes him happy, only then can he forgive him. And Dallas can see here what we already know, it's not just that he and Mary didn't work, it's also the fact Lee's making a huge mistake in his life. Marrying a girl he doesn't love. If he's not making a mistake, then okay. Then we can all be on board.

Love how he gets drunk and talks to Tommy who can't comprehend what he's going on about, about being a good dad and talking about Mary being pregnant. "You're talking about the wrong girl" Great reaction. Yup. And then his whole muttering of who got him drunk? and if it's the center I'm kicking his ass. LOL

This line is my favorite: "yeah, he's yers for the night. Sorry Uncle darry." LMAOOO

And then Two-Bit is who he finds at the house instead of mary. And he's actually trying to make things right. And I love that he fesses up. And tells Two-Bit he does indeed love Mary. But Two-Bit knows it probably doesn't matter now, predicting Mary and James will be tying the knot. And it hurts Two-Bit to even say it.

Oh the dilemma here! Great chapter Abby! Flawless writing :)

I missed these two! I love Lee Curtis, amateur plumber. As always your characters have such great insights, I love just being with them, around them. Lee noticing how even though he's an adult who's going to be married soon, his parents are still talking over/about him like he's no even there.

Fantastic job with this conversation, we're inside Lee's mind worried/wondering what his parents talked with the Mathews' about and suddenly like a flash reality hits: Mary's pregnant. OMG, Abby I love this the senator's son who knocked up Mary Mathews coming down to Lee and Melissa's wedding guests are going to have stories to TELL.

Mary and I were written in the goddamn stars. Aww Lee. I'm breaking for him but I also am so in love with his insight and poetry. He may have the Curtis appetite down pat, he also has his uncle's poetic sense too.

I truly appreciate the matter of fact way you deal with all of Mary's options regarding her pregnancy.

Lee's reaction is so human and realistic and now he realizes that even beyond his own upcoming wedding, he lost Mary she's now going to have another man's child. And I love how you juxtapose that with the memories of Mary confiding to Lee about her pregnancy scare in high school, they share so much and now from Lee's perspective it feels that everything is over.

And poor Melissa. I do really like her and you capture that awkardness between them even though she's really nice and they're going to get married very soon there isn't that connection between them the way it is for Lee & Mary.

You do a masterful job of writing male friendship that bond. And I'm over the moon that we see that same rough & tumble love loyalty between Steve, Two-Bit, Pony and Darry's sons.

"To me it always just been me and her." You have a gift of saying so much in one line.

Dallas and Lee. All those mistakes, hurt breaking over.

I love your writing and I love you capture Lee's sorta drunk/belligerent state as he goes on tangents about Mary's guy and on football and differences between the east coast ivy leagues and the midwest. And Lee talking about what a great dad he'd make and there's just so much here. You write his hurt and his grief so well and how much he's mourning his loss of Mary, his loss of being a dad to her baby.

Two-Bit and Lee, I love seeing Two-Bit as Mary's father, protective of her, trying to look after her from being hurt and he knows Lee never meant to hurt her. This line was excellent I can picture it so well "Two-Bit took a wobbly breath and tried to smile, but failed." When Two-Bit is unable to smile you know things are bad. And now Mary's getting married too.

Abby I'm so in love with your 3rd generation stories I was very much missing this one and so impatient to get back to these 'crazy kids' thank you! :)

Abby, each of your chapters always leaves me breathless. I always wish for a good outcome for Lee and Mary, but . . . ya know. Anyway, this chapter was so emotional, and you totally put me in Lee's shoes. I just felt everything here, and that was wonderful, and rocky, and just placed me right in the story. I really do enjoy reading Lee's perspective on things, especially his flashbacks to him and Mary. His reaction when his parents told him about Mary's pregnancy was cool and collected, at least on the exterior. But Darry knows, and I love his message there at the end of the scene. Oh, boy. (I also want cornbread now, thank you very much.) Well, I'm anxious to see how Lee meeting James will go. That's going to be fun. But what I'm most curious about is Lee and Mary. I'm jumping forward here to the very last scene, where Lee goes to see Mary but ultimately is greeted by Two-Bit. I love how he's so for Lee and Mary, and remembering Mary's confession to him and Bridget, I'm not surprised by Two-Bit's reaction to Lee showing up hungover and ready to talk to Mary. But that last line . . . Abby. Oh my goodness. I'm heartbroken. I know where things are headed, and I agree that Lee and Mary are written in the stars. Dang. Just let them be together. (I wish.) Why do we love torturing our characters so? I loved Dallas's conversation with Lee, by the way. Going back. Of course he gets drunk and goes on a rampage about Mary, and his poor buddies are just like: You're talking about Melissa, right? Lee? Uh, no. And here's where his true feelings pour out. And poor Dallas. He can't hate him because he loves Mary, who loves Lee. Gosh, this was truly a heartfelt scene. And before that . . . the awkwardness of Lee telling Melissa that Mary is pregnant. His frustration is clearly evident. I do feel bad for Melissa, though. I do. Abby, this story is truly one of a kind, and so spectacular. I can't wait to read more; it's always a pleasure reading any of your work! Fabulous writing! :3

The moon. Abby, that whole section is divine. I loved how the moon and Mary are connected. And Mary, calling out to the moon, her moon and to her father. You are so good. I want to almost weep reading this scene, it's painful for me to see what's going on with Mary and Two-Bit, but there's still this love there and it's beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time.

"We always find each other in the middle of the night" can you write a phrase. Beautiful and I love the the idea of Mary and Two-Bit bonded by the moon, by the night. And all of the things I thought and felt about him translated into loving him. That line captures young love so perfectly. And Lee with his football haircut with his dad's cologne on.

You write dialogue so well! I remember Space Ghost and Dally's love of it, and I LOVE the banter between Two-Bit and his son, I'll just leave you with your cartoons. LOL. But like you do so well, you effortlessly weave in humor and more serious matters, and we see Two-Bit look out for and defend Mary. He knows how tough this is on her.

Vickie Harper! As I live and breathe. OMG! I LOVED seeing return. And Love how Bridget bragged about her children, partly because she's proud of them of course, but also because she wants to show off to Vickie. And of course she doesn't want to use Dallas's name around Dally's one night stand.
And I love how you weave in Mary's difficult relationship right now with her mother and her feeling that her mom doesn't understand what she's going through with this meeting with Vickie Harper, and the story of them in high school and the infamous prom night.

And I love how you foreshadow Mary's pregnancy, the stirring early on, talking about Vickie's abortion and how Mary felt uncomfortable that her dad made it public, even the theme of the Virgin Mary. Lisa, she's a good sister and this line melted me: she was nice enough to hold me while I cried all over her new Wet Seal sweater.

Abby I ADORE everything about your writing, but as a poly sci major I was grinning so much at the Massachusetts and Al Gore reference. You are such a smart writer, the way you weave in pop culture, history, politics, music, movies, theater.

The conversation between the siblings, Mary not sure what to do about her pregnancy, Dallas's talk about how she and Lee are meant to be together. His passion on her behalf, even as part of him probably just wants to hear himself talk. You write these siblings so well, they are real people to me.

And Mary, the not-so Virgin Mary, Mary Mary quite contrary, the Mary with her moon that guided and protected Mary. Now she's pregnant and doesn't love the father. And I love Two-Bit and Bridget's reactions , they're not pressuring her to do one thing or another, we can just sit here. The three of them. Together.

What a beautiful beginning with the flashback. I've always loved Mary's relationship with Two-Bit and the moon. There's something so magical to that. And Two-Bit's trying to warn her, but no child could possibly believe their parent knows better, not when it comes to love. But I'm taken by this father-daughter relationship, because they're close even though they are so often at odds, even though she wouldn't see them as close. And maybe it's their being at odds which solidifies their relationship to me. You can get awfully close to the one you fight the most with. I love their night time drives and this: "We were always finding each other in the middle of the night" Gorgeous.

Loved the run-in with Vickie at the grocery store. Bridget was hoping she'd gotten fat! hahaha But I'm sad Bridget can still be made to feel small by her. I'm glad her daughters were there as a kind of backup. Especially Lisa, "she ain't shit" that was great.

And oh poor Mary. I was wondering how you were going to keep those two from really getting together. A baby sure does put a kink in trying to ruin a wedding and get Lee back. I'm looking forward to James entering the picture.

Before she tells her parents, I loved that paragraph that began with her name. When Two-Bit says it like a statement and then it launches into all the different Marys and moments, her name, the moon was hers, the Virgin Mary. That was an absolutely beautiful drift in thoughts. "Would you lookit that moon Mary? Puttin on a show just for you" And mary the protector, the one she prayed to, hung onto.

How sad to have to say you're pregnant and follow it with I don't love the father. She has no doubt at all she doesn't love James.

major credit to both parents for being so calm and soothing. She doesn't have to decide tonight. And Two-Bit is the best dad. "We can just sit here...we can just be here"

Poor Mary. I can't wait to see what she decides to do. I'm now officially shifting my hopes. That maybe James will come down and somehow sweep her off her feet? I want mary to be happy!

Beautiful writing Abby :)

You write such incredible introductions, even if I did't already love your work, if I came across your story for the first time, your introductions would suck me right in. Let me hear about these secrets.

A grin he could hear. Abby I LOVE THIS! This line, it's a great way to describe Two-Bit and such a powerful description. You have a tremendous ability to put me right into a mood and a scene, Two-Bit introducing himself to Melissa, Lee having a temper tantrum inside; Two-Bit's threats under his Will Rogers grin.

more in-sync than a bunch of girl-friends' periods. I LOVE Lee and you think of the best lines to give your people. You know, there is not one person that I wouldn't want to meet in real life and the way you write them, they all feel like real friends.

The accidental (maybe) suicide attempt heartwrenching, especially with no one knowing, or maybe really wanting to know if this was a suicide attempt or not. The kids trying to make sense of it , and Darry who always likes to deal with things head on, being unable to do so in this case. But the families coming together, uniting, 'swarming' in Lee's words, that's exactly what they would do, they are family.

LMAO, how do they end? flaccidly. You are so good at dialogue, it's this smart banter that I can't get enough of.

The conversation between Mary & Lee, on whether or not they were addicted to the adrenaline on sneaking around, if there is something deeper underneath the veneer (is it veneer) is so well done. This is what makes you such a great writer, you can write humor like no one's business, and have these deep insightful character moments that make me pause and think, and of course remember way back and Two-Bit's not so happy reaction to seeing Lee kiss his daughter at church (and to be fair to my favorite cowboy, Darry would probably have the same reaction if Dallas kissed Joan or Martha,it's the nature of the beast being an over-protective father and having a daughter). Mary's line that even if asking Melissa to marry him was a mistake, he's not exactly trying to correct it and Lee's not being sure how to correct it rang so true to me. I love how you take a scenario that at first seems kind of funny, oh look an accidental engagement, but with your writing, your gift for character, it is so much deeper and so much more. I really don't know what I'd do if I were in Lee's shoes, there are no easy answers.

"And sixteen year old Mary has a curfew and for once in her life she's going to obey it." Superb line and we can feel Mary's determination not to take it further, even if she really wants to.

OMG that whole conversation with the uncles. MY stomach was leaden. I was right there with Lee, walking into the wolves' den, especially when we realized this was gonna be a trap. And the almost fight between Steve and Two-Bit, and everyone knowing that Lee and Mary secretly had a thing, including the mothers.

I love this story and these characters.

Wow, Abby, what a spectacular chapter! There's so much going on with our girl Mary, isn't there? I just love how much depth you give to these characters, characters that seem to have come to life right before our eyes. I swear I know each of them as I read along, hearing their voices as they tell me their stories, and I adore how much of a handle you have on everything, and how much insight you offer to this story overall, as well as its tellers. Mary is so relatable, and when I'm reading her thoughts and her story (flashbacks) I feel a sort of kinship with her. Her relationship with Dallas and Lisa is so realistic, and then the relationship she has with her parents, although seemingly more distant, reflects the one with her siblings. I feel that her and Bridget are actually more alike than Mary realizes, and going back (from Bridget's story), there really is a lot of similarities. I had a feeling that Mary was pregnant, and how intriguing it was to find out at the end that it's true. Oh, boy. I wonder how things will shift once James arrives. I'm very interested in finding out how that particular scenario is going to play out here. You have a true gift for storytelling, my friend. Also, what a great appearance from Vickie Harper, and seemingly the same uptight person, as always. Oh, Bridget; after all these years, Vickie is still able to make her feel insignificant. This poor girl. Will there be more from her? That would certainly be interesting. Yikes! Well, I'm stoked for your next chapter, Abby! I can't wait! Wonderful writing! :3

I can’t tell you how much I want Lee and Mary to be together. I keep reading and hoping that somehow they can make it work. I KNOW how it ends, I’ve read your other work, but COME ON! I need them to be together sooner rather than later!

And now Mary is pregnant by a guy she doesn’t love, and Lee is still engaged to a woman he never intended to marry... it just gets worse and worse for them.

I enjoyed the peek at a middle aged Vicki, and I really enjoy that you write Bridget and Two-Bit as realistic parents. They aren’t perfect, they make mistakes, but there is never any doubt that they love their kids. I also really love that they’re still very much in love.

I’m not looking forward to meeting Mary’s boyfriend, but even so I hope you update soon. I’ve come to enjoy being emotionally gutted by this almost couple.

Abby! God you crack me UP!

I am LOVING Two-Bit coming up to lee at that party. Whispering he's gonna kick his ass but then smiling at everyone! Then saying Melissa would LOVE his daughter Mary! YOU, Abby, are Two-Bit incarnate.. LMAOO

And omg I can't believe Jackie almost OD'd on sleeping pills (and you know I still love that Darry's wife is from Louisiana-always makes me smile when you reference that ) And omg you had me laughing again over the guys' smoking, as in synch as girls on their periods! hahaha I can totally picture this woman, all done up in her hospital bed. Moving forward like nothing happened.

Once again, you're always so incredible whenever you get the boys together, at ANY age. I can't believe they called Lee in to talk to him, and gasp!, they all know the ultimatum. I would die!

Though I'm sad that Lee and Mary are so star crossed, I love the energy of this story. You have a gift of making everyone come alive. Great job Abby!