tesao

I guess what seemed obvious to me may not have been at all apparent to others. For some strange reason (can’t think why 😉), I was struck by the realization while reading this chapter that the Canadian Don is eerily reminiscent of the New York mob boss Don (who now tragically occupies the official residence in northwest Washington). While the first paragraph of my comment was written with the Washington Don foremost in mind, it also seems to apply in lesser degrees to Cobourg Don - which is the only reason my words were relevant to your story. In other words, this chapter triggered a rant. 🤨 I suppose that Bush 41’s recent passing just threw everything into stark relief.

Don...the heartless, clueless narcissist on an ignorance-fueled power trip...out to control and possibly destroy the lives of those who don’t subscribe to his dark, small-minded, petty, amoral worldview. Using right wing-nut religion as a means of forcing compliance to his will, even though he personally has no spiritual interest or conviction. I’ve truly come to despise his existence. Oh...and I don’t have the highest opinion of Robbie’s adoptive father, either.

Bravo! That was so satisfying. Not even close to Karma, but definitely in the right direction - especially for Dustin.

Very sweet and endearing. Loved it.

You certainly know how to push your readers’ buttons, Dodger! 😉 Symmonds’ dodgey character and ugly attitude are hardly surprising, given who hired him. After all, “dicks of a feather fuck together”. Yeah, that might not be exactly the expression my mom taught me, but then she didn’t know Don. Robbie should definitely record sound and video of his next session - just to protect himself. (I don’t know if secret, unilateral electronic eavesdropping of a private conversation is allowed under Ontario law; it’s not in the other CA.) Robbie should still do it, or get a live ally to hide in the closet. (Ironic, that.) Walter would be ideal. Seriously though, at first opportunity, Robbie needs to inform Mr. Andrews. STAT. As Robbie is a minor, his well-being is still under the jurisdiction of the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. Conversion therapy on minors is legally banned in the Province of Ontario, and any action even reminiscent of that should be reported. I’d love to see Don squirming (ok, writhing) under the glare of a horrific public outcry - not to mention, legal jeopardy. Don and his sycophantic “Pence” (Sue) must be stopped before they cause Robbie serious harm.

AMEN!

Oh no!

So, Marcus is a bottom? 😉

Damn, that was so hot - and sweet, at the same time! You created a beautiful, delicate balance.

That dialogue was FAR too coherent for this [not my] president! You’re an exceedingly kind, generous gentleman and author; his thought processes, sentence structure, and grammar don’t begin to rise to the level of the words you gave him. Just sayin’. To be fair, you wrote this many months before his latest rambling, delusional rant following the midterms. Wild, entertaining story, by the way.

Really touching, insightful chapter. It’s ironic Brett began by helping Dustin when, in the end, Dustin did an even bigger favor to Brett by helping him put Billy in proper perspective. Loved it. This is in alliance I didn’t see coming, but I’m glad for it.

Fascinating and engrossing! I just discovered this very entertaining series and, although it’s outside my usual area of interest, I couldn’t put it down. Now I’m hooked and need my next fix. Hmmm...a familiar theme. You turned me. 😈 This is belated, but your loss of Daniel breaks my heart. I am so very sorry. Your writing is a great tribute.

This could just as easily have been titled “Scott’s Amazing Transformation”. Great story with a very satisfying, sweet conclusion.

Sweetly innocent. Loved it.

So...the commoditization of Scott...which is even worse than objectification! Small wonder he’s offended. Dave and Alex’s altruism may seem noble to them, but it’s dismissive and insulting to Scott. Ironically, the person who really suffers from their “road to hell is paved with good intentions“ approach is Devin. Thankfully, loving aunt Marie is there to provide perspective and understanding to Scott. Now that I’ve totally castigated poor Dave and Alex, I have to say that their devotion to Devin is touching and provides an important moral object lesson to Scott. That Dave is giving up someone he really wants out of love for his younger brother shows real selflessness. It seems that in this new environment, Scott is finally learning what family and loyalty are supposed to mean. I propose a suitable update to that oft-quoted biblical passage: “greater love hath no brother than this, that he give up the sexy, blond California hunk-who-kisses-like-a-porn-star to his emotionally devastated but adorable and deserving younger brother“.

This story is a study in irony. Hunky Dave, who would seem to be more Scott’s type, is practically throwing himself at the new guy in town; yet Scott seems increasingly drawn to the fragile Devin, who epitomizes the type of boy Scott used to bully. I suppose none of this should be a surprise, given Scott’s awful history and the nature of internalized homophobia. To Scott’s credit, rather than simply go for the easy lay (Dave), he’s matured enough to find a beguiling complexity in Devin. I’m definitely on team Devin!

Sue the malevolent, miscreant, madre del infierno, mommydearest, ...

Wow, Dodger! Powerful chapter. It breaks my heart to see Robbie in such serious emotional and psychological distress that he’s contemplating joining his mother. Don and Sue seem to understand - in their self-serving, loveless, sanctimonious echo chamber - that he’s in trouble, but they’re so invested in their own social image and homophobia that they’re unable to appreciate how desperate is Robbie’s emotional state. The first anniversary of his mother’s death puts him in an even more precarious position, and that pain is still so acute - especially as it’s been badly handled (i.e. ignored) by Don and Sue. Shame on them for so egregiously committing parental malpractice. I’d day ‘a pox on their house’, but that’s unoriginal. That Don had arranged for Robbie to see some degenerate, reparative therapist is further evidence that he’s an adoptive-father-from-hell. Thank goddess for Mr. Andrews and his sense of decency and genuine concern for Robbie’s well-being. It’s heartening to know that the principal is willing to go to bat for him - and even do battle with Don the Bastard. When I learned that Robbie’s new counselor is going to be none other than the oft-requested Walter (mea culpa), I wanted to belt out, “Sing hallelujah, come on get happy!” FINALMENTE. However, my joy is tempered by the realization that Robbie is getting help just in time. I’m unsure about what Tom overheard between Nathan and Alex. If their worst fears are true, then it’s the most bitter kind of betrayal. No wonder Robbie is crushed. Nathan’s clearly projected antipathy toward Alex gnaws at me, though. Either something just doesn’t fit and Tom’s interpretation of the call was wrong, or Nathan is an insidiously machiavellian character who is best kept well out of Robbie’s life. I do suspect Nathan has been getting sex elsewhere; I’m just not sure his libidinous focus was Alex. Either way, I’m dying to know.

Now why couldn’t I have gone to such a high school (except for the part about it being in Arkansas - no offense)?! Team initiation, Huh? 😈 In spite of the drama du jour, Scott - by excelling at something other than mayhem - must be feeling pretty terrific about his place in the world - perhaps for the first time. I feel so badly for Devin; he’s such a vulnerable, wounded spirit. Makes me want to just take him in my arms and hold him. It’s telling how Scott began the morning by bullying Devin, and by PE class was giving in to a primal urge to defend him. I hope there is the possibility of a closer friendship there, as they should be able to relate to each other on a level that neither fully yet appreciates. Hopefully, Scott can earn Devin’s trust so that he doesn’t get shut out. Great chapter that lays the foundation for so many intriguing possibilities.

Yay [a chance to be] friends! 😉

A really lovely chapter. It’s encouraging to see Scott learning hard lessons early in his new environment - everything from having reasonable, non-punitive responsibilities at home to his realization that he is a bully. David probably did him the biggest favor he possibly could have.

So sweet! What a radical change of environment for Scott. He’s definitely in the right place with the right people. While love and acceptance are powerful, I just hope his new family has the foresight and wherewithal to get him serious psychotherapy. After years of intense emotional and physical abuse at the hands of those who should have loved him, he desperately needs it.

I’ve really been enjoying catching up with these charming stories. However, I don’t know which is the more unbelievable (but delightful) fantasy: a kind, wise, sympathetic, emotionally engaged flight attendant on a domestic US carrier - or an open minded, straight jock, southern farm boy who sings show tunes! 😉 Up until the last two chapters, I had a hard time feeling terribly sorry for Scott. The horrible abuse he suffered in his life barely explained and certainly never justified bullying with hate crimes enhancement, assault and battery, attempted rape, and taking steps in furtherance of a plot to commit first degree murder. However, you’ve managed to finally chip away your readers’ horror and resentment over his behavior, and create sympathy and genuine hope for his healing. Nice job!

If Robbie ever gets the help he truly needs, it will be in spite of Don and Sue’s best effort’s - not because of them. Such a shame he wasted a perfectly decent blowjob on such a tosser. Poor Robbie MUST have been desperate.

I think you may be right, especially after I remembered Nathan‘s stubborn refusal to ever allow Robbie to accompany him. It seemed like a red flag at the time.