wildone

I don’t know if I should tell you this but I have a friend who treats me like you say you treat your friend. Every Christmas I get 1 sock. He says it is cheaper to buy a pair and then he has two Christmases covered with one trip to the store. 😉

Well it finally happened, all If you are thinking I finally ended the streak of being a 57 year old virgin, I'm not talking to you anymore I guess the 1st of September is the start of meteorological fall. Today, I got my first sunburn of the summer 😮 Yes, I had sunblock on, and yes it was only 22 C/72 F out, but there was nary a cloud and I was sitting watching a flag football game for about a hour and a half. It doesn't hurt and it isn't too bad but when I jumped in the shower a few hours ago, and turned the water onto my normal temperature, I nearly jumped 3 feet in the air. I only have one full leg and was sitting on a shower bench, so jumping 3 feet in the air was quite a feat I know we have talked about those of you that burn and those that don't in the past, so if you want to tell us how your body's toaster setting is set for low or high, feel free. Instead, I want to talk about a little kid that came up to me at the football game that was quiet fascinated with my prosthetic leg. I always encourage kids to ask questions, as if they don't they will grow into a parent that says, "Don't stare, it is rude" while staring themselves At least If I let them look and ask questions, I think I might be normalizing it to them. Unlike their parents. So I'm wondering, are you missing and digits, limbs, or any other body parts? If you want to share how, feel free. Me, car accident with semi truck and then catching flesh eating disease in the hospital. 😮 I say I won in that accident as I'm still alive. Maybe you know someone who is missing something. How did you react when you first noticed? Did you stare or did you just act like it was normal and then work it into conversation on what happened. Or do you still pretend nothing is missing? I know this is a difficult topic, as maybe I might react to being asked then what someone else might. What I don't like smartass comments. When I was in the rehab hospital fresh after losing my leg, I made friends with some other amputees. The 3 of us were going down the hallway to physio in our wheelchairs, all missing a leg, and an older gentleman said to wife, "Look out dear, it is the Amp Dumpling Gang!". That still bothers me to this day. Yes I know about the Apple Dumpling Gang, but it was just rude IMHO. So from that uncomfortable topic, let's see what happened this week Monday, the month of fun came to an end Finally the final blog came out for GA's Secret Author Contest. It was interesting to see after all the guessing, the fibbing (as suggested by @Mikiesboy, instead of lying ), the reversals and backhanded conniving to not let people guess who wrote what! It was marvelous! Two shout outs, @Gary L won the contest for most popular story. This was his first year participating 😮 We need to keep an eye out on this guy 👁️. Second goes to the goddess @Cia who does all the planing, the executing, the tabulating, the teasing, and everything else to do with this contest. She went above and beyond again Oh, there was a blog on this : Tuesday, Mry was back with a yuk, yuk or 2, with this weeks Deep Dive: Myr brought up a blog from a week or 50 weeks ago, to remind everyone that there is only around 4 weeks to get in your yearly Anthology Entry: Here were the Words of the Day: patience, strengthened, resolution, equilibrium, continuation, calmness, hope Upcoming Writing Events 2026 Yearly Anthology "Horizons" & "Unspoken" - Due October 1, 2026 - Find all the information right here. Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!! Ask an Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292 Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292 Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets! 1 Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories The Goblin Heresy by Topher Lydon 10 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories Carter's Line by Topher Lydon Take the Long Road Home by kbois Charlie vs the Union of Doom by Topher Lydon TRAVISTY by Mark Arbour The Goblin Heresy by Topher Lydon You Don't Have to Dance by Topher Lydon **Complete** Out of the Blue by Mark Ponyboy Peters The Prince and the Sorcerer by Topher Lydon **Complete** Roping the Moon by Headstall Carter's Asset by Topher Lydon **Complete** 47 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories Alpha Awakened by Painawakened From Maine To The Pentagon by Lee Wilson Love, Death & Lattes by Boy Mercury X The Blood Between Us by mastershakeme Self-Portraits by Richie Tennyson The Tor by andy cannon Heart of Teutonburg by Mark Paren What I Want by Paul Zhy Out Of Order by Nuno R.F.C.R Beyond suspicion by Thomas Lindblad Unraveled by jkwsquirrel My Straight Best Friend Asked Me to Be His Boyfriend by StoriesByTroy Fault Lines by sumtimesIwrite Sergeant Rick by DamonDarg All In Or In The Way by Thightide45 House of the Moon by Albert1434 Strife by CryingCircusConductor **Complete** At Tempest Island by Grayson Rose The Curse of Love by Yeoldebard Broken Hate, Broken Heart by Celian **Complete** Alex & Neil: Moving On by Robert Hugill Always Tomorrow by AusGlitterati **Complete** Parallel Lives by Tomkin Watts **Complete** Safe Distance by Tony S. Shooting Stars by Littlelovestories Time Stood Still by Jason Rimbaud Monstrum by Laura S. Fox The Mirror of Dreams by Lupus Dad's Helping Hand by M. Harding Arhavana 2 : The Price Of Redwaters by Hardianarcher THROUGH IT ALL by vanalas A Riot of Roses by BendtedWreath **Complete** Aethan's Reign by ValentineDavis21 Between the Two by Grayson Rose In the Barb by Vcs Confounded: Part III by Andr0gene Jason's True To Life Stories by Jason Rimbaud The Frat Dad by Evan S. Of Orcs, Humans & Void Beasts by Celian Noah's Quest by AquariusGuy turmoil by Paladin Seducing The Cambion by BendtedWreath 1st Love: Past by Grayson Rose The Field of Love by Enoch Under Amber Skies by Thightide45 Beyond the Veil by Laura S. Fox Repressed Mercy by Yeoldebard **Complete** Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)

I thought Cia was up to tricks, and she was 😮 I got 2 correct by just listing the authors she listed in order of the stories listed @Gary L and @Mikiesboy, I was so onto you both Congrats to everyone who participated not only in the writing and editing, but participating in the blogs (should we call it the blog of liars 😮). A huge shout out to @Gary L, swept the floor with his first Secret Author contest. Take a bow Huge thanks to @Cia who always does this as a one woman show. Even though other staff beg and plead to help her out, she treats this like it is the national reserves in Fort Knox. You, Cia, take a bow yourself

Now, if he does it like this Will you do it like that? Now, if he touches like this Will you touch him right back? Now, if he moves like this Will you move it like that? Come on Shake, shake, shake, shake, shake it Shake, shake, shake, shake, shake it Shake, shake, shake, shake, shake it Shake, shake, shake, shake, shake it Shake, shake, shake, shake, shake it Why not start the weekly wrap up with an ear worm I heard it on the radio today and I keep singing it the rest of the day. The only thing that I'm saving you from, is the singing of the original lyrics and the video from Metro Station. Now this song might be for a younger generation, but I must say I'm a bit diverse in all different kinds of music. A song with a good fast track I tend to like, be it Beethoven or Sebastian Bach from Skid Row . Now the above song, I did change the lyrics when I hear it, to male. The original the band sings: Now, if she does it like this, Will you do it like that? Now if she touches like this. Will you touch her right back? I tend to do this alot. I think I always have made love songs where a guy sings about a her, she, etc. I change it in my head. I can't do it like for song like Roxanne, The Police, Lady in Red, Chris De Burgh, Fancy by Reba, or even Lola by the Kinks See, I'm eclectic So this goes out to everyone, is there a song that you change the lyrics to change up the sex in your mind? If so, what song? I'm curious what songs you do this with or if you do? Another week to find if I'm a bit crazy or not. Until I know that some people are doing this as well, my status will remain as Crazy . Now onto the Wrap Up. This week you can hold your breath to read all of them, except all the comments I don't want anyone dying reading the comments for Monday's blog 🪦 Yes, Monday's blog was yet another one of Cia's teases regarding the Secret Author Contest. Check it out Only 216 comments to go through. Hey, there is another question, do you think Cia will reveal this week? Only she knows She shares NOTHING with us. 😢 Done for the week! How about seven, yes 7, or sieben, or sept, or siete Words of the Day. What other languages do you know 7 in? reassurance, direction, restoration, purpose, unity, continuance, calm Upcoming Writing Events 2026 Yearly Anthology "Horizons" & "Unspoken" - Due October 1, 2026 - Find all the information right here. Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!! Ask an Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292 Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292 Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets! If you still think I'm going to post who all the Secret Authors were, you still have another thing coming Still!!! 1 Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories The Goblin Heresy by Topher Lydon 10 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories Carter's Asset by Topher Lydon Take the Long Road Home by kbois Charlie vs the Union of Doom by Topher Lydon The Goblin Heresy by Topher Lydon TRAVISTY by Mark Arbour Enthralled by Topher Lydon **Completed** Felix's Lucky Day by Topher Lydon **Completed** Treacherous by CassieQ **Completed** Out of the Blue by Mark Ponyboy Peters Roping the Moon by Headstall 40 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories In the Barb by Vcs Beyond suspicion by Thomas Lindblad From Maine To The Pentagon by Lee Wilson Parents Weekend by Boy Mercury X **Completed** Heart of Teutonburg by Mark Paren Aethan's Reign by ValentineDavis21 Under Amber Skies by Thightide45 How We Became Ourselves by Kevin Snell To Tame a Wild Heart by ha_yesha My Straight Best Friend Asked Me to Be His Boyfriend by StoriesByTroy House of the Moon by Albert1434 Between the Two by Grayson Rose The Curse of Love by Yeoldebard Self-Portraits by Richie Tennyson Designed for You by mastershakeme **Completed** IceBerg by J92 Alex & Neil: Moving On by Robert Hugill Unraveled by jkwsquirrel Of Orcs, Humans & Void Beasts by Celian Parallel Lives by Tomkin Watts Safe Distance by Tony S. Shooting Stars by Littlelovestories Monstrum by Laura S. Fox The Tor by andy cannon The Mirror of Dreams by Lupus Time Stood Still by Jason Rimbaud Out Of Order by Nuno R.F.C.R Fault Lines by sumtimesIwrite At Tempest Island by Grayson Rose Begin Again by Kevin Snell All In Or In The Way by Thightide45 Broken Hate, Broken Heart by Celian Pigsty by Jack Poignet turmoil by Paladin Seducing The Cambion by BendtedWreath The Field of Love by Enoch Beefy, Chalked Up and Taken Hard by Soren Kraft **Completed** Beyond the Veil by Laura S. Fox THROUGH IT ALL by vanalas Everything Meant Nothing by StoriesByTroy Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)

Your aunt has a penis 😮

I wonder if Cia is playing one of her tricky games... Here I go The Ledger of the Howling Void – Topher Lyndon The Ledger – Cassie Q Wrong Window - Myr Subtle Signs – chris191070 Coffee with Supervision - Mikiesboy Sweet Sour Paradox Logic – Lee Wilson Just the Facts, Man - Ieshwar Murder At 9th and Tom - drsawzall No Official Reason – astone2292 Undeliverable - Thirdly Gemma – BendtedWreath Peeping Tom – Bill W The Ivory Fig Ceremony - Kileoli Emptying the Library - GaryL Unexpected Discovery - kbois Wonder if I will even get 1 right

Well, at least I know where it came from now

Greetings my little chickadees. Let's get everyone to shout out a chickadee call. Chick a dee dee dee No, sadly I'm not drunk. Just a name I occasionally call people. Why, i don't know How about yourself, what is a name you call a group of friends that you know? Mates, pals, gals, ladies, men, boys. girls. Please don't light up the Moderation Teams PM and Alert system by using that British term for a finch, as it is not allowed on GA. Why you ask. There are certain words that Google Adsense bots search for. Also some pictures too. If we get too many warnings, they cut us off from that revenue stream. So please don't say that word. Or, even if you call your friends other sexual names, maybe don't say that either. I have one gay friend that calls everyone gurl, and no, he is just a normal guy, not into any other letters of the rainbow. I know some people are in my mind hypersensitive of referring to men as boys, but in sports culture, I think everyone is one of the boys. Boys, men, boys to men they all are males So what did you all think about the blogs on Monday and Tuesday? Usually one of us log in and unfeature the previous days blog when we wake up. Monday, was my error, as I didn't realize Cia was going to have a Secret Author Post So I wanted to do this months Review for the Review Team, so I sat down and read a story that I loved when I heard @chris191070 was going down under, so I wanted him to read it in his downtime and go find the characters in the fictional towns in Australia . So I was up to like 12:30 AM on Monday AM reading up to the end, then did a blog on it and posted at 2 AM, then went to bed for a nap and went to work. Turns out Cia had a blog loaded up to go Monday AM too. So you had 2 blogs on Monday. Then we added more fun, on Tuesday, Myr's blog I guess came up and none of us 3 noticed so everyone had 3 featured blogs I see all 3 got love, so that is a good thing I think that about covers the wrap up, so I'll just say good morning, night, afternoon, or wherever you are 👋 No? Not enough? Okay here is the weekly update: Monday as mentioned we had 2 competing blogs. Make sure you check out both of them: Then Myr popped in on Tuesday and added yet another : Yet, that wasn't enough for the week, Cia was back with another Secret Author Contest entry: One thing that was not posted repeatedly on multiple days were the individual Words of the Day: redemption, closeness, stability, reconciliation, determined, poise, assurance Upcoming Writing Events 2026 Yearly Anthology "Horizons" & "Unspoken" - Due October 1, 2026 - Find all the information right here. Member Participation Blogs - Great way to promote yourself!! Ask an Author 3.0 If you have a author you want to get some answers from, write a PM to @astone2292 Author Guess Who Get our members to guess who you are and also let everyone know who you are. Also write a PM to @astone2292 Here is the look at the past week's postings on all our Authors and Poets! If you still think I'm going to post who all the Secret Authors were, you still have another thing coming Still!!! 1 Recently Updated 'Premium' Stories The Double Hex by Topher Lydon **Complete** 10 Recently Updated 'Signature Author' Stories Take the Long Road Home by kbois Enthralled by Topher Lydon Carter's Asset by Topher Lydon The Double Hex by Topher Lydon **Complete** TRAVISTY by Mark Arbour Hastings Tale by Topher Lydon **Complete** Out of the Blue by Mark Ponyboy Peters Treacherous by CassieQ Roping the Moon by Headstall Cory's lie by Topher Lydon **Complete** 1 Recently Updated 'Promising Author' Stories Blades of Ashes by lilansui 41 Recently Updated 'Author' Stories In the Barb by Vcs Aethan's Reign - Exile by ValentineDavis21 Self-Portraits by Richie Tennyson The Tor by andy cannon Safe Distance by Tony S. Fault Lines by sumtimesIwrite How We Became Ourselves by Kevin Snell GFD 13: Fallen Angels by MrM From Maine To The Pentagon by Lee Wilson 1st Love: Past by Grayson Rose Designed for You by mastershakeme Six Months of Silence by Lupus **Complete** All In Or In The Way by Thightide45 The Wayward Brothers by CasualWanderer82 Parents Weekend by Boy Mercury X IceBerg by J92 Blades of Ashes by lilansui My Straight Best Friend Asked Me to Be His Boyfriend by StoriesByTroy House of the Moon by Albert1434 Heart of Teutonburg by Mark Paren The Curse of Love by Yeoldebard Alex & Neil: Moving On by Robert Hugill Unraveled by jkwsquirrel Shooting Stars by Littlelovestories Beefy, Chalked Up and Taken Hard by Soren Kraft Monstrum by Laura S. Fox The Mirror of Dreams by Lupus At Tempest Island by Grayson Rose Time Stood Still by Jason Rimbaud turmoil by Paladin Ly's Pandora's box by Kileoli Between the Two by Grayson Rose Beyond suspicion by Thomas Lindblad Alpha Awakened by Painawakened Seducing The Cambion by BendtedWreath Begin Again by Kevin Snell Never walk alone- Walk on by Andre Delport The Field of Love by Enoch The World Out There by Drew Payne Beyond the Veil by Laura S. Fox THROUGH IT ALL by vanalas Read, Write, and REVIEW!!! (Don't forget to Recommend too!)

Correct me if I'm wrong, in North America, we have Insurance Companies to cover you for unexpected loses, but in other countries, including Canada, you have Assurance Companies I remember the Western Assurance Company which when I googled was a member with the British America Assurance Company.

Wow, I'm being worked to the bone here 😮 2 blogs in 2 days So when I heard one of our Review Team Members was heading down under, I thought I might take a stab at writing my first review for the Review Team. I need to warn you, I usually only copy and paste the amazing work the Team does. So with @chris191070 in Australia, I thought I would review one of my favourite stories from there. Heart of the Tree by Graeme Reviewer: Wildone Status: Complete Word Count: 192,398 Have you ever read a story where one of the main characters is a tree? Not any tree but a ancient Moreton Fig Tree that took up a large part of a town's park in rural Australia. This story is a amazing tale of the fate of that tree, but a tree that all the locals know has much more significance than any other tree. It is magical in many ways. It is what holds this community together and has done so for years. Yes, there is doubters, probably like you. Give it a read and see if you still doubt it's mystical ways. In the beginning we are introduced to a local group of teens, fresh out of Senior High and are making plans to go to university or apprentice or just continue on working for any of the local employers in rural wine growing area of Australia. That is until a stranger comes to town one night and goes under the tree and is found dead there the next morning. Not long after, limbs and branches start to fall from the tree as it is dying as well. A wonderful Aunt to the whole town, Aunt Cynthia, feels the pain and sorrow as she was once was the Heart of the Tree. She is there to guide these young adults to search out and find the new Heart of the Tree as she approaches her latter years. Will she find the new Heart before it is too late? This tree is kept alive by love and bestows love on anyone who wants to be united by love under the tree. It is a mystery though on what can heal the tree. If you haven't had the chance to read Graeme, his characters are amazing to say the least. From first meeting them to new ones being introduced, your imagination is alight with images and profiles that Graeme hasn't outright described, but they're mannerisms and traits help cement their images in the readers mind. Graeme is a bit of a trickster too. You might have preconceived notions of what kind of people are in the story. Be prepared to finish a chapter and look back and wonder how did I get it all so wrong! I know he only used Drama, General Fiction and Romance as genres, but you could add in Mystery easily too! Graeme gives you just enough rope, to either save yourself or to, well we won't say that. The lovable cast of characters makes reading chapter after chapter a delight. You may hate some of them only to love them later. The mystery comes in as you never really know what is going to happen next. This story was also written I believe over 20 years ago but it could easily have taken place yesterday. The story has a unique way of standing the test of time. Don't let the size of this story scare you away. Once you are done the prologue and Chapter 1, I think you will find it hard not to click on the next chapter. One of my all time favourites here at GA and where it was originally hosted at AD, I hope you give it a try and it will become one of yours too! Category: Fiction Genres: General Fiction, Romance Sub-genres: Drama, Romance Tags: young adult, australia, no sex, coming out, friendship Rating: Teen

I know I read this story back when you first started posting it on GA, Graeme. There was just so much that I had forgot and so glad that I read it again. The emotional roller-coaster as we felt like we were part of the story and could sympathize and empathize with the characters and the heartbreak and love that all of them found, well maybe not Susie , was remarkable. I think some authors have an amazing talent to bring their characters to life and you are an expert at that Looking back, I wonder if you thought maybe came to you about a short story of Rhys, maybe articling with the lawyers in town, as well as being the father of a couple of kids that he really hasn't grown up to be As for not wishing that on anyone, we never really knew what Rhys' dad was like as a teen. Maybe the apple doesn't fall far from the tree Thanks, Graeme Now I have something I need to do

It seems like everything is coming into place. I'm sure Matt and Vince will be doing a lot of studying As for John Young, there must be something deeper than just not wanting a gay heart of the tree. I've got some guesses but I will not share them at this time

I'm glad that Vince and Matt got to say what I'm sure the tree needed to hear or feel somewhat privately, only an audience of 4. I'm looking forward to when they can continually walk down the streets of Mourton hold hands and heads up high! With the injunction, I laughed so hard, I needed that, when the lawyers said all the work was being done for the tree pro bono I wonder if the tree had to sign a contract or give a dollar as as retainer I too love Mama Saviloni, much like Aunt Cynthia. I hope there is people that can take over the loving attitude for the whole town when they are both gone. Reading Trebs comment made me feel a sense of sadness but also a sense of warmth. I miss him a lot

Now you got me crying again 😢 I love the ending and how they got to it for Vince and Matt. Rhys continues to surprise me on how he has maybe taken some of the lessons he learned from assumptions of Shane, and outing people and so forth, and is now using it with Cameron, although he didn't really want to be around him. But he did the biggest thing I think you can do, he listened I have to admit, I haven't really like Mark's character most of the story. He seems to be an antagonist in a lot of the scenes. What he did for Vince and Matt today, made me change my mind and think he too is growing as well. Maybe uni was what was needed for everyone to get a different perspective to life

I loved the fact that Rhys went to the party, probably thinking yes, it would be educational, but also not realizing what could and did happen. I imagine that if any of my straight friends came to a gay bar with me, it would be interesting to see if they got hit on. And as Ryse learned, he got a small glimpse of how the gays have to be on guard as well. I'm glad that the meet the parents is going so well. The fact that Vince is about to call and ask about meeting up with Matt's parents, over a weekend, should be a nerve racking event for Vince, but one that will take his mind off of the worries of coming out as the Tree

I love Vietnamese Food. Now I'm going have to grab a coworker tomorrow and go have some lunch Nice way to start a chapter out. It is interesting on hearing the conversation in the bar, and how some are dead set against it and some are resigned to it. Cutting down the tree seems to hinge on Vince and Matt. With their commitment to not rush things and move forward with only declaring their love after they have time to learn if each others are the one, that pressure must be intense. At least they are past the lust phase and are acting like two mature adults than the horny teenagers that I was at 18/19

I agree with everyone. With Bobby off with Cindy, we were thinking that maybe Bobby might be finally finding a girl, and then the phone call comes in. I'm curious what obstacles the lawyers will do and what the townsfolk will do. I'm sure that most are just waiting for the heart to be revealed. BTW, how is the tree doing?

I was hoping this wouldn't happen, but so to speak that we all knew it was coming 😢 This took a lot to get through. I was a tough go, but beautifully written. Aunt Cynthia was obviously so much more than the heart of the tree. The world will be one angle less living among them. I think this is a wonderful tribute to Codey, Graeme I know he meant a lot to you and that fact that he let you use the poem in your story meant so much to you. Hopefully my comment here so many years later, brings back a bunch of great feelings and memories of his life. He too sounded like an Aunt Cynthia for how he expressed from the heart.

I'm actually 😢 The whole chapter was a bit of a downer other then getting to hear the uni students are bunking together. I am curious of what will go wrong with Rhys's party!

A heavy chapter, me thinks. A lot of serious chats but we were not told what was said, yet In a linear sense, I guess we can assume that David was the child that was molested and Felicity was his mother. But I'm not 100% sure. Graeme, a moral question with what you are saying, that people hate for a reason they feel they have been wronged horribly? What about racism, especially when it is generational? I remember a older guy in a McDonald's talking to the only white girl at the counter and he was bellowing about her being the only person that deserved to work there and all the others should go back home and leave jobs for Canadian's. Since the managers and others were non white, they were obviously intimidated. I stepped forward and just told him that if he felt that way, he should just leave and never come back. He can rant in his living room where he can say whatever he wants, but in public, it isn't called for. He called me a name and left. The manager thanked me for what I said, and said yes, they were all intimated and didn't know what to do. More surprising after I sat down, a lady came over and thanked me for saying what I did and she has been telling her husband that for years, and hopefully he would now listen 😮.

Pink eye... ewwwww. I nearly stopped reading as I don't want pink eye 😮 With that out of the way, it seems like maybe others in town are finding out that maybe there are more gay people in town than the lawyers. I wonder if they are hearing rumours of the youngin coming out and thinking about their own history of coming out. If there is an illegal wedding, I love that term and 100% behind Rhyse, I'm sure they will be involved. Like they asked Ryse when he went to see them . Vince seems to be getting more comfortable in acting like he is the Heart of Tree, but we haven't had any updates if the Tree is still loosing branches. I think Vince after the convo in the privy, maybe realizes that more and more people are finding out, and so far, other than the old bitty that accosted Alex, everyone has been supportive.

Now we are planning an illegal wedding 😮 I agree, Mark and Shane need to both be there for Mia, she was essentially sexually assaulted. She may appear strong, and she is, but when your personal space and body has been violated, I don't imagine you can just put it behind you 12 hours later 😢 Karen redeemed herself it seems, turning the smart arguement back against Shane that handed his out so freely. I guess Karen might have some people smarts afterall

Wow, that was an eventful chapter 😮 So, there is: Vince and Matt Shane and Mia Jamie and Alex I do hope that Shane is okay

I guess this chapter deals with another main character that is back in the scene, the tree Interesting what Bobby is trying to do with a reluctant Jamie in a last ditch effort to save his parents marriage. Alex seems to know what his parents are like. I would have like to be a fly on the wall in the radiator hose section to hear what Alex and Bobby talked about after Jamie wanded off. Shane finally lit into Karen, who we seem to now know is a very insecure person but portrays her strength through her book smarts. I'm glad that she has been talking with Warren so she will have someone in Sydney as a contact. She needs to drop the fairy boy comments to Shane though. Shane is a interesting character still, he took her to task in front of everyone and embarrassed her, but knew he need to fix things before they had anytime to fester. Paul was funny as he realized he maybe was only looking that this girl for her looks. I can't say 'straight boys' because Jamie did the same thing with Bobby I think Vince is starting to realize that his friends are still his friends and they are 100% behind him. I hope he eventually relax with being around Matt outside the friend group. Great chapter, Graeme. A lot of info dropped for us, and you covered a lot!

Arrrgh, yes Bobby has the self confidence to stand up to most people, remember him calling Rhys to task for the homophobic comments when Matt first asked the question about gays, but he seems to sad about his parents. Maybe the reason for pushing away Karen is not only seeing his parents projecting into their lives, but that he has decided he can't focus on a relationship for himself until he saves his parents relationship Way to go Jamie, who seemed to pick up on the feelings in the room and knew when to stay quiet and when to be brave when to talk with encouragement from Bobby. You do have wonder, could Bobby be the Heart?