ReaderPaul

Great story!

France, Cheese, Franchises, and Forgiveness? One of the few things I remember from taking a little French before college. What a teaser! Sounds like Thomas has reached the point of considerable anger with Jared. I see Dr. Winston as a possible problem. In the United States, we have what are called "mandated reporters" -- physicians, nurses, medical doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, school teachers, school and college administrators, social workers, ministers, and emergency responders, and sometimes others -- which must report forcible sexual assaults and many other crimes to the relevant legal authorities. I don't know if Australia has anything similar in law or not to mandated reporters. The ones most reluctant to make such reports seem most often to be Catholic priests and school and college administrators. I also do not know if the laws on mandated reporting apply in all states if the criminal is deceased. Is Desmond a bit jealous of Thomas? I'm glad Thomas confided in Andy. I also am guessing that the fascination Jared had with pain had to do with something that happened when he was in the military. If he was captured temporarily by bad persons and tortured, and collapsed under the torture, he may have been using increasing pain as a way of increasing his tolerance in case of a future need. I have heard of some women who were raped becoming (seemingly) promiscuous as a way of becoming "in control" of their own sexuality. Fascinating chapter, @Wombat Bill. I look forward to seeing what @chris191070, @NimirRaj, and @Summerabbacat have to say.

Wow, glad you and your partner appear to have been spared. I would like to see the bushfires addressed, but without the Covid crud. Address the devastation of the bushfires, but let Covid elude and evade this fascinating Australia you have created. The parallel world you have created will be better off without Covid, In My Humble Opinion (IMHO).

@Wombat Bill, I like the way you are showing us layers of Bernard. The more I learn about him, the more I think he has some hidden humor that is just starting to appear. I also liked Virginia's comment that she was glad Jonathan was "getting" Bernard. And Desmond, as well, has a sense of humor, though we have not always seen it shining through. Justin is going to need much healing. Craig is trying to be sensitive to Justin's feelings and emotional rawness, but he is also trying to keep Justin from sinking into despair. This is not an easy balance to do, as Craig is finding out. I still feel that eventually Justin should talk to Edward. Edward knows more than he shows, and feels more than he reveals. Only a few persons, such as his beloved partner, and possible a few close friends, ever see more of Edward than Edward outwardly shows the world. If Edward does not want you to know something about himself and his feels, you and not easily going to find it out. Dean might have added insight as well -- or perhaps not. Virginia learning to drive??? My mother taught her oldest sister how to drive when Aunt was 62. After a time she became a good driver, but only in towns of less than 20,000 people. She refused to drive in bigger, faster-paced places. Fortunately, almost all of her relatives lived within 20 miles of her house. One sister lived 5 miles away, one lived 12 miles away, and the other relatives lived within 20 miles, except one brother who lived in Chicago suburbs, and another who lived 1600 miles away. They often visited, however, so she did not have to worry about that. Aunt and her husband, Paul (I was named after my wonderful Uncle Paul) had no children, as she was almost 43 when she married Uncle Paul. I will be interested in seeing the layers of Lachlan highlighted and laid bare over the next ten or twenty chapters. Thomas, also, will need much healing. I am curious what the significance of the sofa is in the hint of the next chapter. I think about several possibilities, and all of them could be wrong. I look forward to seeing what (in alphabetical order) @chris191070, @NimirRaj, and @Summerabbacat analyze in this chapter, and their insightful comments. Hopefully, others will also chime in with observations, guesses, and analysis.

Welcome back.

@Wombat Bill, a good and sensitive chapter.

Glad to see this story continuing, R. Eric. Good to catch up a bit with the guys.

Wow, talk about proverbial fodder for a lot of story subplot lines. This news affects not only Justin and Craig, but Thomas, Jonathan, possibly Desmond, if Price decides to make him his driver again; and many others who knew Jared. Now, the question comes up -- what and how much will they tell the others? If they wish to put this behind them as quickly as possible, they will just put forth that it was a tragedy. Of course, Justin may have to have some therapy. Probably, in the long run, the accident has saved a lot of legal hassle over the previous events.

Thomas does not want to believe Jared is capable of that. It takes time to readjust one's thinking such than a person can believe that a loved one can do such horrible things. There are different ways of helping a person. I agree that Craig should not tell Justin to "calm down." But he didn't do that. He said "Don't get worked up" which is much less dismissive of Justin's trauma. It gives validation to Justin's feelings without being as off-putting. I think that dealing with Virginia Price and Jonathan Price and some weird others in the catering business has given Craig valuable experience with dealing in sensitive personalities. Thomas and Edward have also been helpful to Craig, not to mention Craig's nursing training. Craig is an observant person with some layers of personality and training we are just now seeing more clearly. Craig is caring, observant, analytical, and thoughtful, all in one package. It would not surprise me if, in a future chapter, Craig seeks advice and counsel from Edward and Rommel, or at least Edward. He might even ask Juanito how he dealt with sensitive and touchy customers when Juanito was plying the sex trade. In addition, Dean might be able to give hints on the situation, since bartenders often need sensitive ears. We are certainly in more agreement than not. Jared has been acting in multiple despicable ways. Justin needs supporting help with his trauma. Craig needs help with being both supportive of Justin and upset at the betrayals. Thomas needs to work on his feelings on all of it. At this point, no one knows Justin better than Craig -- Except our beloved author. Lots of things to work out in future chapters, @Wombat Bill. @chris191070 and @Summerabbacat and myself and (I predict) @CaJu will have plenty to comment on and guess about as the story continues.

Maybe Jared has a very small conscience and a very big ego, thinking that Justin would not tell what happened. As I was reading this, I was remembering back to how Thomas and Jared met, and Jared's focus on taking as much pain as possible. Perhaps Jared uses pain to -- sort of -- substitute for the punishment of the wrongs he knows he is doing. I do not know that in a way that is certain, but put that forth as an untested theory. Craig is being very supportive. I think eventually he and Justin will work things out and be closer than ever. The process will not be easy, but it can be done. If Jared and Ryan hit a pothole and roll, or a tire blows out, or they get abducted by an alien spaceship, or meet with a fatal accident, or a kangaroo jumps into the vehicle on Jared's side and fatally injures him, or a meteor hits Jared -- some things would be simplified. Who knows? Bernard may once again become Jonathan's driver. The comments from @chris191070 and @Summerabbacat are well-pointed and presented. I am curious as to see the comments of @NimirRaj and others. @Wombat Bill, a fascinating and well-written chapter.

Sounds like Justin got more decent genetics than Jared. IF Justin survives this trip, I think Jared will be toast -- if Justin can still talk. Craig's detective skills are improving -- after Thomas has started to hone his. More of Jared's true nature keeps coming out. I'm not liking what I see being revealed.

Condolences and sympathy, @R. Eric I can only imagine some of what you are going through. And also having to move! I am like you in that -- I hate moving. I also hate unpacking after a move. That is almost worse than packing to move. Fascinating chapter. Some of Matilda's behavior is explained, but as you said above, “Trauma explains a lot, but she should be held accountable. Abuse may be the reason, but is not an excuse.”

I think @NimirRaj is on target with his predictions and analyses. Some minor details may change, but that often happens, both In Real Life (IRL) and in stories. Bernard definitely seems to have some proverbial sour grapes growing in his attitude. Dean and Andy seem to be going along well together. Another good chapter, @Wombat Bill. I look forward to seeing what @Summerabbacat has to say on all of this.

Oh, @NimirRaj and @Summerabbacat, I believe you ae both right in what you have said. Our own @Wombat Bill is a master of comedic timing and tantalizing hints. I think some of Bernard's actions are deliberate so as to have some minor "digs" at Jonathan by being over-attentive at times. I also predict we will be seeing more of Lachlan. Wombat Bill, you are now officially on my list of top authors. You have been there for a while, but I had not analyzed it completely in my mind yet.

I think @Summerabbacat is mostly right, and his first paragraph is a well-worded wrap-up of much of what goes on with cat people. We have had several cats over the years, but my spouse has developed multiple allergies and now we cannot have one. So Virginia and Jonathan are parting ways (or at least preparing for such) in the next chapter, or is it Virginia and Desmond? Perhaps Edward was a bit over-enthusiastic in buying ALL of the cat stuff immediately. I also think that Thomas and Craig are both suspicious of Jared and Justin. @NimirRaj had some aspects in his comments that I had not thought about. He has some good reasons in the comments. But how many of them come to pass -- on that, we must wait and see. Another good chapter, @Wombat Bill.

Wow, what a chapter! Very eventful. I was reminded of my own mother's stroke a few years ago. She was one day from being discharged from hospital after a broken hip; nurse checked on her at four and she was laughing and joking. At five they brought her evening meal tray and she was unresponsive. Fortunately, she was where she needed to be. The blood clot was dissolved, but damage had been done. She had to have speech and physical therapy for a couple of months, and was never completely recovered, though she lived eight more years. I don't remember Paul Reader being mentioned before, but I might have missed that. He sounds like one of the good guys. You handled the situation with Paul, Pat, and Edward in a sensitive and caring way. I really appreciate that, and it also reminded me of my own stroke in September of 2020 and how caring the staff of both hospitals I was in (I was transferred to a larger hospital where a neurologist was on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year). The other events of the chapter are setting up some potential conflicts. Desmond's advice to Virginia may cause problems if Jonathan decides to be generous. Virginia and Desmond having a disagreement over him finding an outside job will eventually have to be resolved. Jared attending the inquest may also raise red flags with prison officials or investigative personnel. However, perhaps not. A week off would be helpful for many of us. @Wombat Bill, I hope your time off from publishing is productive in both restfulness and writing. If you should need to take an extra day or two, go ahead. We (or at least, I feel this way) would rather have you healthy and happy even if it means an extra day or three off from publishing.

Hmmmmm, what is Virginia up to? Virginia is developing a sharper tongue in the last several chapters. What Rani is up to is more obvious. One Eata seems to be enjoying her role. The interview with Justin and Craig could be tricky. Hopefully, Justin and the waiters will not be TOO bare. One Eata's answers to Daniel were great! Obviously, One Eata is more pro-marriage than Daniel at the immediate juncture of time, but who knows? Daniel might pop the question yet, and in less than 5 years (possibly). I also think Daniel has resentment against Rani for the chastity cage some time back. In my personal opinion, that was going too far. Obviously, Rani had a different opinion. Will Max and Charles show up before the expo is over? Sybil's comment about Daniel and Rani locked together make me wonder if a break in at their residence will end up with them handcuffed or chained together at some time in the future. Great Chapter, @Wombat Bill.

@Summerabbacat and Winteroasistrump, in checking IMDB dot com, the movie Nimir came out in 2018, but is now called Arise. I don't know if it is an Indian movie or a Malaysian movie; IMDB was not clear. (For any who might not know, IMDB stands for International Movie Data Base. So, @Wombat Bill, will we see a throwaway character, Summer, who is told by someone, that "the cat you are trying to pick up was owned a big fan of the musical group ABBA. We here at the animal shelter call him, Summer, ABBA cat." Or maybe a proverbial bookworm named Paul, who is told by Dean or Edward, "You're quote a reader, Paul." Some readers of palms, tea leaves, coffee grounds, tarot cards, etc., have a much better record than others. There may be more to Sybil than meets the eye. I have also heard of videoing the wedding night sex I read of that on another website, in a story of two gay anal virgins who were shown where cameras were located. They were given three choices: Have the videographer in the room using one camera up close and personal, or leaving the cameras as placed with no camera person present and hitting the switch so that only they saw the action and recording, or choosing not to hit the switch at all and having only their personal memories of the event. They chose option three., having their memories only. Justin and Jared both are skating on thinning ice. On the other hand, some behind-the-back cheating goes on for years before getting caught. Love the character of Edward, but also the adventuresome nature of Brett and Jeremy. I will be interesting in hearing the comments of Daniel and Rani on the movie, Nimir.

I love the idea of the time calibrator! It must really be powerful in its own way if it can reach through the Door effect by one layer, so to speak. As for the alien tech the guys are using, Mike and Derry are very cautious. Cally seems a bit more adventurous, as is revealed in the first adventure. He is also leaning slightly more toward the tech geek side than he was at first. It's good to see him stretching a bit at times.

Well, Jared is devious, so I'm not surprised they were really at a resort. I look forward to hearing some of Justin and Jared's comments when they get back, and also some of the questions the guys ask. I can see Thomas and Craig asking Jared and Justin a question and getting enough of a differing answer to raise a question in their minds when Craig and Thomas mention the question and the different answers -- if not right away, some time a few chapters later. What will Mr. P have Thomas doing? I look forward to the answer to that question. I also wonder when Daniel, Dean, Jeremy, and Brett will again appear. And also am interested in seeing what will happen with Bernard. Will Virginia and Jonathan try to keep the divorce amiable? Will Jonathan hire a surrogate to give himself an heir? (Or is that allowed in Australia?) Near the end of the chapter, @Wombat Bill, when you said --- While they were looking at the photo of their grubby men, Craig’s phone sounded also. “It’s from Thomas” said Craig, “I hope Justin hasn’t had an accident.... Oh I’ve got the same message and photo. Must have used the same phone.” I think you meant to say "It's from Justin," said Craig. I look forward to seeing what @NimirRaj and @Summerabbacat notice that I've missed. They seem to have careful and observing insights.

@NimirRaj is, I believe, correct. I think Thomas and Craig will compare notes. Who knows if Cynthia has said anything to Craig or if he overheard some gossip. And who knows what other conversations either Craig or Thomas has overheard. I am not really surprised that Virginia's child was really Desmond's. Justin and Jared are playing with fire. How much they get burned will depends on future revelations.

Well, THAT was interesting. Jonathan talking about Virginia and the loss of a child, of which he was the father. I guess one of the next steps is for Jonathan to officially withdraw from his campaign. The revelation should make the talking by Thomas and Virginia more challenging in some ways, and easier in others. But much will depend on the mood Virginia is in, and also whether Desmond is around or deliberately eavesdropping. Judging from the teaser, Desmond may well be around. This story reminds me of another, where a man who was secretly gay fathered three children with his wife, and one of his grandsons ended up gay, and after his parents tossed him out, ended up living with his grandfather. I am not quite sure why this chapter reminded me of that, since the circumstances are so different. Jonathan had a father who sounds quite homophobic. I have an early appointment which may take all day, so need to sign off and think about this some more. Very good chapter again, @Wombat Bill

Oh, indeed proverbial "stuff" has been hitting the fan. It looks like Jonathan is revising his idea of running for office, and that is probably for the best at this time. There is a possibility that the inquest will reveal more than Jared wants to know. It's too early to be sure; we will have to see what weavings @Wombat Bill has braided and built for broadcast on the web. Whatever it is, the trappings tied together we can be sure will intertwine, interlace, interweave, and as the intermingling of story plots and subplots are wedded and woven together, our inspired author will continue to create choice content. I look forward to seeing what my fellow CWB groupies have to say, especially @Summerabbacat and @NimirRaj, and anyone else who is up to commenting and expounding, elucidating and expressing the possibilities.

I would say Jared and Justin MAY have dodged a bullet here, but I am not so sure Craig is convinced. J & J should be grateful to Andy. for the diversionary tactic. However, I'm not sure Thomas is as innocent about it as he may be appearing to be. I think both Thomas and Craig will be thinking this over more than they let on. Edward is going to have his hands full with some of Brett's ideas. Brett seems not to completely understand the idea that not everyone is as casual about nudity as he and Jeremy are. Dean was smart to call Jeremy to tend to Brett. Sounds like One Eata is going to be a success. Lots of potential happenings are heralded -- helpful, hurtful, and hopeful. How many will come to pass? That's up to our teller of tales, our energetic expresser of eloquence, and our passionate presenter of perfect prose, @Wombat Bill! Oh, and I liked the chapter, too.

@Geron Kees, Have the guys ever had a conversation with Difris and/or Nyf about the below-the-clothing differences between humans and Armenti? In the previous tale, and I quote: "Ah. That may make more sense than you know." Difris emitted a faint sound that Derry had come to think of as a chuckle, but which apparently did not always denote humor. The spider extruded its legs and stood, and swept his voice globe about the room. "All of this, everything: this place, the doors, the empire itself, was created by the Armenti - the builders." The voice globe swung their way and came to a stop. "They bore a considerable resemblance to your kind. I can see how you could be mistaken for them, especially by those who only knew them from visual representations or descriptions from memory." A light went on inside Derry's mind. "Those were the guys we saw in the movies you showed us of what this place once looked like a long time ago, when it was busy. They looked like us, except they had big, round eyes, and no lips." Cally laughed, his eyes bright, and Derry grinned at him. "Well, they didn't have any lips." "You are correct," Difris confirmed "There are other differences, not noticeable when both your species are clothed." Cally laughed again, and bounced his eyebrows at Derry. "Aw, you're just guessing, Difris. You haven't seen us naked." The spider emitted the faint chuckle-sound again. "Certainly I did . I inspected both of you quite closely when you were unconscious in the station infirmary." Cally blinked, and his eyes widened. "You undressed us?" "A brief physical inspection was necessary," the spider agreed. But the voice globe wavered uncertainly. "Was this a taboo among your people?" Derry looked at granddad, who was trying to hide a smile. "Well, it's polite to ask, first," Derry said. "I apologize. I will not look again without permission." "I'll say you won't!" Cally responded. "I'm kind of particular who gets to see my goodies." His eyes briefly touched Derry's, and both boys couldn't help grinning. Derry felt his face redden, and hoped that granddad's smile didn't mean more than it seemed. The man appeared to be enjoying their brief discomfort, although there was no hint of maliciousness to it. But it was almost like the three of them were sharing some secret, and Derry could readily guess what that secret might be.... So, what are the differences between Armenti males and human males? Do they have three nipples, or a prehensile penis, or what? Enquiring minds would like to know! LOL