Dodger

Thank again, Albert. Robbie has been lucky, not all schools are as good, same as everywhere else I'm afraid.

Thanks, Albert. Just noticed this. Yes, of course, you're right. I'm afraid some of these early chapters need quite a bit of editing. I've been working my way through them gradually, but it's time-consuming and boring. Thank you for your review, as usual, it's always appreciated.

Nice chapter but I can't see Will waiting until graduation. Probably not a good idea to plan something like that so far ahead.

I don't see the point in having these dances at school. Things are getting better but there were a lot of straight guys and girls at my school who avoided them as well. A lot of meaningless hype and extra pressure put on kids.

Love the video. There's so much going on it that you have to watch it a few times. A lot of passion and some amazing plays. Thanks

Very true JayT. It's possible that Don may regard Nathan as the corruptor in all of this. I wonder what Daniel will make of his friend being banished from the house?

This is a fantastic review, well-done @William King I confess to not having read any of Cassie's work. I will make a start though with 'Rule #3'

I just came across this and I'm glad that I did. This is a wonderful poem and very moving Molly. Families generally cause the most heartache, but it seems that you have been able to draw inspiration from your experience and turn it into something beautiful. It says a lot about your character.

This is a good point. Don, from the beginning, was talking as if he knew that Robbie and Nathan were in a sexual relationship, but even Sue had no actual proof of this. Robbie had denied this just minutes before when questioned by Sue, but as good as confessed when interrogated by Don. There is a chance that Daniel may have said something to his dad, but it seems more likely that Don is treating the boy's relationship like it was some kind of extra-marital affair, something purely sexual. This obviously wasn't the case and Don's heavy handed approach didn't give Robbie the opportunity to explain this. Don asked 'how long it had been going on for' and Robbie replied 'two months' which was how long they had been dating. They really didn't have much of a sex life, but Don obviously believes that's all that they have been doing. Thank you @1brokNangelfor your comment. " I was wondering about that too. Because homosexual activity was de-criminalized in canada in 1969. Yes, the age of consent is 18 for Anal sex and 16 for oral and vaginal. There is a close in age rule that protects minors, as long as the minors are close in age, which Robbie and Nathan are it is not considered illegal. But I'm sure that was also partially just Don being angry and spouting off what ever he could to scare Robbie. I don't think that Don bothered or even cared to get his facts right before launching into his verbal assault. He obviously understands very little when it comes to this subject. He wasn't interested in listening to what Robbie had to say at all and as a result, he has totally misread the whole episode anyway. Time will tell if he will ever regret this, but even if he does, will he be man enough to back down? Will Robbie ever allow him back into his life, at the moment he has no intention of ever returning to that house!

It's possible to see positive changes in Robbie's character. He has a lot more confidence than when he first arrived and is more mature. Nathan has helped a lot but Robbie's been figuring it out as he goes along too. Fran, Nicola, and Rory have all influenced him in certain ways. Don's unnecessarily harsh reaction threatens to undo all that good work and send Robbie back to the dark ages, but I think he has enough good people around him to stop that from happening. They will need to find him first though and at the moment Robbie is intent on running! Thank you for your comment @SolarMaxx

Thank you for your comment @silentreader3 I think that Don's reaction has surprised everyone, even me!

Thank you @Dahawk for your comment, the next chapter will be soon.

Thank you @Magicstate for a beautifully worded comment. It means a lot to me, hope you are well.

Thank you @Jeff1 for your comment and your interesting take on Daniel, which of course, I cannot confirm nor deny. Anyway, next chapter will be posted before the end of the next week. Love Mutley! Cheers.

As I mentioned to wenmale, it all depends on how far Robbie is prepared to run. He knows that he would be easy to find in that town. Thank you for your comment as usual @Kjamieson

Thank you @wenmale64 for your excellent review. I think that Don's reaction has shocked a few readers. It was admittedly well over the top, but Robbie was warned about him from the very beginning. Nicola, Sue, and Daniel will all need to step up and show a united front and maybe Don will realize that his family is more important than his status in the community. It all depends on how far Robbie is prepared to run, and will he ever want to go back?

Wow, @wildonethat was just a fantastic comment and a lot of insight into the characters. Truly amazing, what can I say other than you've nailed it! I think that this has to be the best comment from the whole story. Thanks, Steve.

Yes, I agree, Don is a control freak and this was something that he was unaware of until the very end. He totally overreacted of course, which could now cause him more problems than he could have imagined. He may as well cancel his little party. Thanks, @Israfilfor your comment as usual.

You're right @croydethe big wigs of the town are definitely Don's priority, even over his own family, which is a shame. Thank you for your comment.

Thank you @clochettefor your comment. I think that you make an excellent point here because Robbie, unintentionally did take everything from Daniel, up to and including his best friend. I don't think that Daniel is in any way like his dad and there has been no evidence at all of him being homophobic. I think that it's more of a jealousy thing along with a feeling of being overlooked, in which case he would probably have come around fairly soon. Maybe he just needed a little attention himself. Don's reaction has thrown everything into the air and caused enormous problems for the whole family and of course Robbie.

This is a good point. Don, from the beginning, was talking as if he knew that Robbie and Nathan were in a sexual relationship, but even Sue had no actual proof of this. Robbie had denied this just minutes before when questioned by Sue, but as good as confessed when interrogated by Don. There is a chance that Daniel may have said something to his dad, but it seems more likely that Don is treating the boy's relationship like it was some kind of extra-marital affair, something purely sexual. This obviously wasn't the case and Don's heavy handed approach didn't give Robbie the opportunity to explain this. Don asked 'how long it had been going on for' and Robbie replied 'two months' which was how long they had been dating. They really didn't have much of a sex life, but Don obviously believes that's all that they have been doing. Thank you @1brokNangelfor your comment.

Thank you @tesao for your comment. I have also met and known people like this, but I'm not sure if Daniel quite fits this bill. He seemed to be okay with Nathan, but not Robbie. Maybe it's just Nathan and Robbie as a couple that has annoyed him. As yet we don't know if any of Don's traits have found their way into Daniel. We will soon see. Thank you for reading.

You're right, Robbie's options are very limited. Under the circumstances, I'm not surprised by his decision to run away. It wasn't planned and he didn't have a lot of time to think about it, but he did feel the need to escape from the house as well as Don. Cobourg is a small town, it will be extremely difficult for him stay there without being found by the police and returned home. Rory or Fran may be options, but he would be easily tracked down at either of their houses. The hospital may provide temporary refuge, another option would be for him to leave town.

Thanks, JP. Yes, I think that Sue could have done more to protect Robbie. When she did decide to intervene, it was probably too late. Maybe she will accept some of the blame, possibly Daniel too, but ultimately it's Don who should be held responsible for this, as you say 'malicious attack."

Thank you for your comment, Wesley. It seems like Daniel and Nicola have somehow managed to swap their personalities.