I enjoyed this story very much. You gave the reader a lot to digest. Ben and Adam had a deep bond. They shared grief with one another throughout the years. In a way, their relationship grew into a partnership. Lots to explore. Good stuff!

I understood the title as there are always sparks between parents and children and once older, the child wants out from the parent's/parents' shadow. I have also presnted prequels and sequels about Adam leaving and so I can understand why you positioned two exits for Adam; it's an enticing supposition with so many variations and you handled your singular variations well. 

A very tight story that focuses just on Adam and Ben and their struggles to escape one another and yet, not really desiring it; Adam and Joe are discussed but are basically non-entities and it works for the story--they are expendable for the story's purpose.

Nice little read this morning and I will post it in the Reading Club as soon as I find another story by someone I haven't read (I've read almost everybody!) to give me at least 3,000 words. 

Thanks again for this story. 

A well organized, skillfully written story. Youre very adept at illustrating exactly who Adam and Ben are, and the essential aspects of their relationship. You show us why it's inevitable there would be conflict as Adam struggles to grow beyond Ben's mighty shadow, and Ben struggles to keep the son who is almost a part of him. I like that the story is fairly sparse but has a tenderness that is not maudlin. You obviously know these characters very well and have the ability to share those insights with the reader.

What a touching and heartfelt story. I really like the deep father/son moments in it.