ReaderPaul

Considering what we have seen of Ricky's abilities in the 2020 July 4th story and in the 2020 Halloween story, I'm wondering if in this or some future Charlie Boone tale Ricky might start fulfilling Max's prediction from the July 4th story that eventually Ricky would be able to do a considerable amount of magic/power use, perhaps lower on the scale of what Max and Nicholaas might do (or at least that seemed to be partially implied). However, I am guessing that at this time, Rick's main talent is finding Charlie when split presence is activated, and any more than that will eventually be revealed in one or more of your stories (not necessarily this one). Since Kontus has been in two July Fourth tales already, I hold a little hope that he might still show up in this one, even if just in a mention or three.

Good start, @Geron Kees. I am still hoping Keerby and Kontus show up, but I won't be disappointed if they do not.

Well, Difris and Nyf said no one had come through the transfer station Difris maintains for a thousand years (approximately) until Cally and Derry showed up (then Mike with them their next trip). But there are other, smaller, transfer stations, as mentioned in an early chapter of this story. Have other persons, whether Armenti or other, come through to any of THOSE transfer stations? If so, has the station supervisor counterpart of Difris sent any of those on exploration trips? (This plot possibility is offered freely for your use, Geron.) Chances are fairly good that that the others exploring for Zyzahl (or whatever the Difris counterpart name might be) was not asked the question Cally asked Difris before Nyf was created, which was: "Yeah. Can you have kids?"

Wow, @Cynus -- this really spoke to me today I see some great stuff to quote in there, as well. Thank you!

Wow, I'm not sure what to think of this chapter yet. I have certainly heard of such things, but only in guarded whispers, hints in various stories, and sometimes mentions. It will take a bit of time to process this. I have heard that such things happen. I don't think the events are usually thought of in such a positive way. Maybe some Stockholm Syndrome going on? Certainly an extra touch of realism that the delicious-sounding for the temperature of the delicious food to be too hot. I've had that happen, even on food that I just cooked! My parents lived in Arizona and New Mexico for several years, and Dad was born in New Mexico, and they could cook up some delicious Mexican and Spanish style food!

My favorite way is to go to a clothing-optional campground less than eighty miles from home. That happens rarely. My spouse is partially disabled and I have to have someone stay with spouse if I am gone more than three or four hours. Being retired, I can wear shorts and sometimes no shirt when out in the yard.

I always enjoy reading this story over the years. Thanks, @Bill W.

I also like the rabbits, and lately you are keeping them under much better control.

Way to go, @Wombat Bill! You got us good on that one. But it is almost like some government budgets go. I've heard of things almost that crazy. I vote for having the wildfires show up, but not the Covid. That has caused enough pain and hassle in this world, without letting it invade the world you have created. Thank you for allowing us to share the world you have created.

Good chapter, @Wombat Bill. What IS Daniel up to? It should be interesting to see how Thomas gets along in France. So Bernard has a woman friend! Life got in the way of commenting earlier. Also os getting in the way of me doing more comments. Looking forward to the next chapter.

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.