Canuk

My partner is French-canadian (from Ontario, so he's not Quebecois - for those that understand that sort of thing), the french-language thing is cute.... but like his kind he is a pompous sonofa... but lovely nevertheless.... I can recommend foreigners as lovers.....

I doubt that Mark wants to go out on a limb with the hyper-conservative-christian thing; he's sort-of been there done that and after a while it starts looking like a witch-hunt. That said it would make sense for an ultra-conservative organisation to bankroll someone who already has the passion to go after "our" family......

why? they are good together. they have "issues" and after that long in a relationship who doesn't! Just most of us don't turn around and suggest to our "partner" that we do a little sleepin'about.... something you can do in literature...... if you suddenly notice i stop contributing to this you'll know I suggested this to my beloved. his response would be seen at my beautiful and v over-the-top funeral.......

if you need someone to carry your load, you know when I am..... Back on-topic....great chapter, Mark, neat twist to the story even if Brad is only sending Robbie on a wild-goose-chase. Though Robbie's last words imply we are about to find out something big......

I'm not good at this "music for the moment thing", but I can magine "Always on my mind ", petshop boys for the times that Brad and Robbie speak on the phone usually just after sleeping with someone else..... it's earlier than 99, but , at least to my mind, it fits!!!

OK, reviving an old post here, but as a Grainger fan , I am seriously suffering here, and I am sure there are one or two like me.... I know, Mark , you said you were "cruising the french coast" for "inspiration"(!), but while "inspiration" is looking after you, could you just toss us a morsel, something just to freshen the fantasy? please?

"I am not alone" what a great story - well written, funny, quirky and yet in some way all about the seemingly eternal seach for ourselves... hmmm sounds a little maudlin.... so perhaps I'll leave it at "congratulations, very impressive "

irregular sex.?.. like a 96 instead of 69?:wacko:

ok, which of you disloyal readers are NOT having sex with them?????

come on, among all his talents (and you'd have to agree, he has one or two!) we don't expect a mathmatical genius as well.... so cut the man some slack.....

Interesting thought - if it's not a vendetta, just people trying to make money, more money, then it doesn't have to be any person/group smarter than Steph, just someone who knows him and how good a money maker it could be - the person /group may have no intention or desire to hurt Steph - they just want "a piece of the pie", therefore the "suspects" could included friends / family......?

Relief At Last!! I feel so much better when Grainger is back in my life. not that I live vicariously through Grainger...well not ALL the time.... Thanks Mark , much appreciated !

and it took the second occiasion just to find out how ICK it was......!!!!

Yes, definitely. Though I m not sure Robbie realises how much he has put his own happiness into Brad's hands. Apart from complete break-up, Robbie has no say in how this relationship goes. Brad's use of this "power" will determine whether this relationship hs any future at all......

I agree the "choice" was a little one sided, I also agree that a relationship is built on love, respect and trust. Like you I have never been unfaithful, but men who are, make that people who are, do not disgust me, they are either devious (they want it all and are therefore somewhat child-like) or gutless( they can't bring themselves to break it off first). in Mark's characters situation there is still love, there is a degree of understanding and provided they can talk & listen before it all goes too far, then I think there is a salvagable relationship and the respect / trust can be re-learned/re-earned.

but the torture you put those poor misbegotten bastards through before they get to their "happy endings"..... evil, evil genius.....

How did the emoticons get into that last post? ...... I make no moral judgements.... must be the computer......

Interesting, but I don't see this as "infidelity"...the two of them have "agreed", albeit reluctantly, on a course of action, a "lifestyle", and they are both now pursuing it. Ok it's not somthing I could do (or cope with) but it's not someone sneeking around behind their partners back - that I'd find dishonest small, so while I want to find out who the villain(s) is/are, I find the matt /robbie development intriguing.......

Mark, Mark, Mark , , - just when I get a grip on how I think the story is going you mess it all up. I rekon yous playin' with me....... I didn't see the Cody thang commin', I didn't see Matt's "understanding" of Robbie's philandering, I just plain didn't see....... Either old age is making me thicker (mentally - I still have the same trim, taut athletic body I have always had... ) or Mark you are one bloody clever writer. I think I'll presume the latter; it's easier on my ego... Also Welcome JLK9N, seems to be your first post...?.... if you are worried by the "regulars" and their banter, don't be - they are all mad, bad and dangerous to know....

Mark , you are one wicked bastard!!! you obviously enjoy playing god with your creations.... I vary between pitying and envying them their master!

I have to agree with this post on so many points / levels. while I don't "hate" the rich lifestyle, it is one that is all too easy - if there's a problem you deal with it. Without money, if you have a problem its "what can we afford to do about it". the "mid-life crisis" seems more like an outburst of immaturity (which, I suppose is the definition of mid life crisis) and I agree with Mark M (he is Canadian and by definition Canadians are agreeable - after living with one for 10+ years I should know!). By a person's mid-30's if they can't discuss with a lover what's buggin' them except by announcing "the age of free-love has dawned", they have serious issues and are not relationship material. If my partner announced anything similar, I can guarantee, that as much as I love him and continue to love him, obviously we are not an "us" anymore. It has nothing to do with love and all to do with maturity and the ability to consider your partner and his (or her) needs. BWS is bloody killing me. I think the reason I prefer Grainger-stories to CAP is as I was told way back in English Lit classes - people are more interested in what's in a character's handbag than what's in their head. While both CAP and Grainger have a bit of both - Grainger is more handbag, CAP more head. to finish, that I am commenting indicates how much I like the writing - frankly if I read bad writing I don't comment I just pass on.... life's too bloody short. So Mark , please accept this illiterate diatribe as my version of a paean of praise from an unworthy acolyte.

based on the experience of my own two children (boys, now aged 23 & 26), it does amaze me what children hold as, if not grudges, then "significant memories" of their childhood. stuff that my boys feel was really signifcant and, for them, life changing, to me seem barely memorable. I think defacto brother sleeping with your dad, would be one of those events - it would change the family structure significantly for the boys, even if the relationship was only fleeting for Brad and Matt. ...... while I am happry with anything you write Mark:worship: , Matt and Brad is just icky....... mind you a "matt and Brad" almost, being stopped by an "out-of-the-mouthes-of-babes" comment by one of the boys would be good; and opportunity for a cliff-hanger!!!!

Mark M, I must admit that this post reinforces my image of you as the Energizer Bunny..... you just keep on keeping on, and I suspect many of us love you for it!!

Ahh, I never thought I'd say this, but Mark , NO!! Drop that thought This Instant!!! No Plushies!!! No where No how.....

I disagree, I don't think it was at all selfish what Aaron did, at least from his perspective. It only looks selfish from an era where being gay and gay realtionships are accepted, etc. From Aaron's 1940's view there was no way on earth that his sexuality or relationships (be it with Steven or anyone else) was going to be accepted. He had no way of knowing that his father's latent bastardry would come to the fore with his (Aaron's) "death". One question of my own - if Tonto knew of the diary, we have to assume that she didn't figure out the riddle of Los Negros..... second, while this is the end of the Box and Aaron has decided not to change things, hopefully he'll get some assistance from Steph/JP/Nathan etc.... - even today outside main town (Lae, Port Moresby) medical services are limited and at 70+ he's likley going to need some help in that area if only to make sure that when the time comes death is as pain free as possible ....