travlbug

Despite revolving around sexuality, this story is ultimately about friendship. On that basis, it doesn't bother me in the slightest that Michele's orientation remains unclear by the end of the tale: The contrast between the bully-boys' abandonment and Toto's loving embrace couldn't be more stark, the emotions more clear. James, you have a great writing style, making me feel like I'm actually in the story. Please don't wait too long before gifting us with more of your work! Thank you!

"Toto changed the rules." What Michele does not seem to understand--at least at first--is that Toto and he can write their own rules together: His decision to search for Toto is an excellent sign that he is now ready to work through their difficulties. (In fact, their friendship can now be more open/honest and grow accordingly, regardless of Michele's sexuality.) That said, Michele is lying to himself when he says that he is allying with Enzo for Toto's sake: He is obviously afraid of Enzo and feels pressured to follow him. Had he found Toto during his search, he might have had the courage (with his friend at his back) to decline any more of Enzo's toxic demands. Now, we'll just have to see what else the bully has in store for him.

So, Michele, who is more "wrong": Toto, who kisses you with affection; or Enzo, who tortures a cat, womanizes (and then insults the same women), and forces you to vandalize a shed--commit a crime? Toto has left you confused, but Enzo has left you with "crushing guilt." Do you really believe that Enzo, with his "nasty" smile and "big plans for you," is doing you a favor? Please talk to Toto and clear the air: It doesn't take a genius to know who really has your best interests at heart!

Michele is clearly of several minds about the kiss, as he experiences "confusion," "disbelief, revulsion and unwanted excitement." His discussion with Father Stefano shows that he thinks of the kiss as "wrong," with this view likely the result of his Catholic education. That he feels excitement, unwanted or not, suggests what his true feelings might be, though buried under--and viewed through the lens of--an anti-gay upbringing. Ah, so Enzo does find out about the kiss through Michele, though Michele is upset and not thinking about the consequences of his actions. At least, he also talks to Father Stefano, who makes two outstanding observations: First, that Toto is also hurting (don't just think about yourself); and second, that--even if Michele's denial of homosexuality were false--he "would not be the first." In a way, he is giving Michele permission to think about his answer and perhaps change it in the future. Unfortunately, Michele chooses to keep his mother in the dark--as if! (Does he really think she won't hear about the kiss?) We already know how Toto addresses the fallout from the kiss (at least he knows his own mind), but if Michele is as conflicted as I think he is--and especially if he is truly gay--he's in for a hard journey in the days ahead.

Brilliant, Giovanni: Nonna is the perfect secret weapon--the absolute right choice to make Salvatore see reason. I love that, even after their talk, Salvatore doesn't magically shed his prejudices: He still refers to homosexuality as the "path [Toto's] chosen," and he has to ask, in so many words, if Giovanni and Angelo molested Toto during his brief stay. ("They didn’t do anything to you…?”) At least Savatore is now trying, so mission accomplished. As for Michele.... Toto finds him wounded and emotionally distraught. They reconcile, but Michele's condition ends the story with a cliffhanger! (Can't wait to read the follow-up tale!)

Salvatore has provided for Toto but has been too busy to get to know him: He hasn't invested time in his own son. By offering Toto a camping trip (Really? You’d take me?”), Giovanni and Angelo provide Toto one of the things he truly needs--the attention of adults--and his heart is "uplifted" accordingly. (In fact, this chapter is my favorite so far because Toto, as a person, is beginning to emerge from behind the repercussions of the kiss.) I love that Claudia balances the gay kiss with a heterosexual one, and Toto has no doubt which he prefers.

Yay! Where the apartment was referred to as "Gianni's apartment" in chapter one, it is clearly referred to as "Gianni and Angelo’s apartment" in chapter two, with Angelo popping up at the breakfast table (to remove any doubt). I love that Alfredo and Ennio are given their own personalities. (Pets rule!) Mechele's character is besmirched by his presence with Enzo's "meatheads," though the culprit who actually told Enzo of Toto's kiss is unclear. Perhaps Salvatore himself has gossiped about it. That said, Michele may have looked "miserable" out of guilt from telling Enzo, but he might just as well have been concerned about his best friend being bullied; or his sadness could simply reflect a friendship lost. Obviously, we need more information to know what Michelle is really thinking. Interestingly, at least to date, Toto has been defined by the "gay" kiss: We don't know--as yet--much about Toto the person, and I'm looking forward to discovering more about his character in the next two chapters.

Ravello lives again! (Thank you!) We'll see if the townsfolk have learned anything in the intervening seven years, or if Toto will fall victim to the same narrow views. Nice to see that Gianni and Angelo have some sort of relationship, but I was hoping for more than a squeezed hand under a table. Perhaps the next few chapters will prove more revealing.

While access to adoption records has improved (for some) since this story was written, the issue remains timely. Preventing people from knowing their medical heritage is, in my opinion, an abrogation of their human rights.

Wow! When the novel starts, Jacob is 12: He is now 17, an accomplished mountaineer, and a high school graduate, looking to join the army in the near future. It will be interesting to see how he interacts with Chris (instead of his uncle) as he goes on one last adventure before embarking on his military career.

Elephants in the garden?! (And I'm concerned about squirrels and bunnies. 😂) Jacob shows his mettle by being the only climber who brings extra food (that's our boy!). Looking better is no guarantee of being better: That said, I am guardedly optimistic on Nate's behalf. Still, what does his doctor say?

Funny how Jacob and Nate have almost made a game of beating the press. (Actually, by avoiding interviews, Jacob has also avoided the temptation to develop a swelled head over his achievements.) Parting with his mother is sad, but at least Jacob knows that she is just a phone call away. 😊

The Hong Kong layover is a nightmare: Nate's precautions seem almost prescient, and I wonder if all military personnel are warned to be similarly defensive when in a Chinese jurisdiction.

Thankfully, Langley turns up very quickly, though it's amazing how fast the bullies can spot a target. Langley, gay? I guess I'll have to stop reading. (HAHAHAHA. 😂) Jacob doesn't have time for friends? Really? If he has time to work out, he has time for friends. (Perhaps Langley could join the workouts.) If there is no time to be together excepting during school hours, how hard could it be to befriend the boy when they see each other at school? For the first time, I am a bit disappointed in Jacob, as he is not even trying in this situation.

Poor Langley. Jacob's comments seem unusually brusque, but Langley's response (running away) also seems unusual for a 16 year old. (Of course, what do I know? 🤗) It's never a good thing when your charge vanishes and the phone rings....

Neat that Jacob speaks Swahili! (A friend had two nannies for her child--one Chinese and one Mexican--and the child grew up speaking English, Mandarin, and Spanish. What an advantage!) The family home in Marangu sounds spectacular. As it is en route to Kilimanjaro, it sounds like the bungalows are perfect rental property.

Glad that Jacob's out of the doldrums, and all it took is his mother's voice. 😊 The uncle and nephew have such wonderful itineraries, I feel like putting down a deposit. (I wish I were 30 years younger! 😂) With Baxter caught and Jacob settled, what could possibly go wrong? (BWAHAHA!)

Now that Baxter has been apprehended, has he told the authorities what he was doing and why? Jacob is showing signs of depression, with his parents working in Canada. That said, he is used to attending boarding school and seeing his parents only at odd intervals. Further, the situation is his own choice. I am unsure why he is developing depression under these circumstances; but at least, his uncle is aware. A simple solution might be for Jacob to move to Canada, but even there, he would be forced to live in a boarding school far from his parents. Continuing to live with Nate would seem more reasonable, though a behaviorist might help if he fails to improve on his own.

Baxter continues to shadow Jacob and Nate, so Dr. Mom's concern seems well founded (though "grounding" Jacob for events out of his control seems somewhat severe). Could Baxter be on their trail even at this time? And how is Baxter getting his intelligence on our adventurers' travel plans? I am intrigued that the Europeans rifle through Jacob's pack, as one would expect more expensive items to be carried by the adult (if theft were their aim). Could the Europeans actually have been spies? What is their true intent?

With Baxter still at large, I'm somewhat concerned that our adventurers put themselves at risk for a pleasure outing, but I am also aware of the view that fear should not dictate how one lives (otherwise, terrorists would "win" by their heinous acts). It is both amusing and worrisome that a covert vacation has catapulted Jacob to instant celebrity.

As Baxter was cashiered out of the army around eight years ago, why would he wait until now to get his revenge? (Could he have been in prison?) Who is his actual target? Why attempt to break into Jacob's parents' place at all? Finally, why didn't he shoot Jacob and/or his uncle during the trip where he shadowed them (when he had the best opportunity)? Is he stalking them or guarding them--did a second party commit the break-ins being attributed to Baxter? Loads of unanswered questions yet to be explored!

A fit, athletic preteen with cadet training who is now given security clearance: I can't wait to see where the story goes, but it seems to have echoes of an Anthony Horowitz, Chris Bradford, or a Chris Ryan tale!

The accommodation is not 5 star, but most kidnap victims suffer much worse lodging. I agree that someone has put a great deal of time and effort into this kidnapping--and in keeping Simba comfortable (even to the point of leaving him a small library)--so my question would be: Who stands to benefit by the kidnapping but is close enough to the victim to keep him well cared for?

"I wish I was a space man. The fastest guy alive. I'd fly you round the universe, In Fireball XL-5. Way out in space together, Conquerors of the sky, My heart would be a fireball, A fireball, Every time I gazed into your starry eyes." Thank you, Gerry Anderson: I kept hearing the Fireball XL-5 theme song in my brain as I read this story. (But Steve Zodiac never got so much action! )

Eerie story that would have been perfect for a Twilight Zone or Night Gallery episode! Using an abused child to garner sympathy, our ingenious author then adds horror to the mix by adding disproportionate punishments--disappearance and death--through magpies (which are thought in folklore to have devil's blood on their tongues). Then, finally, the devil is mentioned, but is the child's special friend merely a magpie or the devil himself? A chilling tale.