Anton_Cloche

Thank you @Lee Wilson for this expedited chapter, and while things with CPS worked faster than normal, we'll take that anytime. (IF only they worked that way in real life for ALL the children harmed or at risk 🥹.) (Sorry for the length of comments, but my 'advocate' side kicked in) I believe all the other commentators (and I) are on the same page about what the children haven't, can't or won't say. But all of them are suffering from PTSD related to physical and emotional torture at the hands of their "POS-rents". Undersized due to lack of proper food. Not attending school because " POS-rents" were afraid of abuse being discovered and reported. Jill, likely sexually abused (repeatedly?) the most. Steve's stutter, likely an emotional result of his abuse and fear, but repeated head strikes could have caused neurological damage that needs an urgent MRI, and complete medicals for all three children. Finally, Brendan has two angels on his side. Greg obviously, and older brother Rich who is also as an "Angel Investor". As for seizing POS-rents house to live in: (1) you just do NOT return abused children to that environment, where it would be a life long trigger; and (2) house probably in hock with unpaid mortgage, waiting to be seized. IF they still own it, sell it with proceeds to benefit Jill, Nick and Steve. 👧 🧒 👦 💓 🫂

Now, now Dr. Let's not be unduly harsh on the 'alt Reich'. As for Dante's? They've increased capacity of 'stadium seating' by a factor of 4 by turning stools over to accomodate more. NO "Southern Comfort". Also bicycles seats deleted but left stem posts. Something for everyone!

A challenging chapter @chris191070 both to read and most likely for you as the author. From the happiness of Ricky's tour, to the challenges of Joey studying law and Ricky writing the story and score for a 'telling' stage show (quietly 'based' on his life), to a horrible (and inevitable) tragedy of his sister's ex-boyfriend driving drunk and plowing into a group of young children waiting for their school bus in the morning, killing four and wounding six others, one of them Ricky's Uncle's grandson. This causes Ricky to cry put in anguish: "Oh God, please bless those innocent little children!” 👼 Finally Ricky's self-financed play, "A Different Kind of Love" goes from off-Broadway (The Village) debut, to Broadway and International acclaim and financial success. Will success and touring again put Ricky and Joey's life-long love for each other 💞 at risk? While I hope not, challenges exist. 🤞

OMG, It was a dream? More like a nightmare, dropped the soap and almost caused ... Thankfully @John Henry only a 'blip' in this incredible story. Judge Crustypants not only found his heart, reason and empathy, he righted many things. First chucking out Calvin's case, then throwing the book at Calvin, and converting Bryan's Community Service sentence to time served, but with the caveat that Bryan continue Court ordered (and monitored) "Anger Management" counselling, which will help Bryan in the long run. A few more chapters, before a HEA ending and perhaps an epilogue that looks on on the Padilla family in 10 years, with Bryan in college (psychology major?), Caleb just starting university (law?) with Diego and Steven helping grow the boys' inheritance. Heck while I'm wishing for things ... Winning Lotto #'s?

Paternal and Maternal grandparents bought fishing 'lodges' on small islands (5 and 11 acres) on Superior near MN and Huron/Georgian Bay in the early 1930's during 'The Depression' for a fraction of pre-1929 prices. These 3-season, water access 'lodges' had indoor amenities, running water, toilets, etc. thanks to original owners being "well off" businessmen. My grandfathers being architects and engineers saw "sound" bargains, buying for pennies on the dollar. Unfortunately, neither families (American and Canadian, with Irish and Scottish/French ancestry) placed or kept the properties in 'trusts' (designed to forestall taxes for generations, specifically inheritance and capitol gains), and intended to "pass" them down. Between deaths and family/sibling fights (not just squabbles), they wound up being sold off before 2000, and for a lot less than they now sell for. One (albeit greatly improved over the years) saw its 3rd sale for 7+ figures. 😭 (my Granda's saying: "stop that blubbering, you're watering down good scotch").

Better to think of 'it' as an acronym and refer to them as someone who "can't understand normal thinking".😉 Saying that phrase instead, gives you enough time to run before they figure it out. 🤣

Ironic that a writer like Andy can't string together the words he needs to say to Matt. Or at the very least, send a copy of his book to Matt, with an inscription inside that says: "Matt, You were my inspiration for this book, to tell the world what's happening, even when I couldn't save you at the time. Your freedom now, is my attempt to right that wrong." Might that start a conversation between them? 🫂 Matt's trip "home" to see his mum, isn't providing the answers or help he is seeking. Gwen just isn't the nurturing type. Matt needs some urgent counselling, perhaps Andrew had some contact names in his book research, and can forward those to Matt on next email. At the very least, Matt can use this time back in NY to get his important papers (birth certificate, drivers license etc.) replaced as he will need them soon. A really good chapter @Mikiesboy that leaves me (us?) longing for more. Lots more. BTW, my Scottish heritage knows those windswept islands well, (almost as similar small islands in the Great Lakes). They make for good 'boltholes' but may encourage 😉 Scotch consumption even with a companion. Which is why a 'closed- in' boat with a reliable engine is necessary to get you to shore and civilization. 😀

Hmm, based on the state where some of this story takes place, "what is best for the child" (not), and "what is the so-called moral decision should be" (again not), has me seeing Red, from anger and not political bend. It is possible that Kathy has been and continues to be physically, emotionally and even religiously abused by Abel, especially when he drinks, and passes that on to all three children. Sometimes "Bible Thumpers" use "the Good book" as a literal weapon, as it doesn't leave discernible marks. Just saying.

(What might this perhaps allude to? Hints? Connie's wedding. Lake Tahoe. "Sleeping with ..." The shoe about to drop is too obvious). As far as @chris191070 'Randy by name, and by nature'? If someone's determined to cause a problem or "get even", we don't need a map or gps to see where this is heading. Looking forward to next BONUS chapter. Let's hope Enrique uses Arn's connections for his UHNWI clients to get la famiglia on a private NetJets to Florida ASAP and keep them safe from harm, until Randy is either behind bars or ... 😴 🐟 🐠 ?

I was going to thank you @chris191070 for another wonderful chapter, (which BTW it is); until the last paragraph: Four very young men parted feeling exceptionally good about life. Fortunately they were all too young to have been hit by any kind of adversity… yet. Tightly lace your shoes, so they don't go off a precipice... again. Or fall into the hands of bargain shopping 'cat ladies'. Or get stuck "between sofa cushions". Or some other fate that's Just Dumb. We trust that should anything, (kidnapping, robbery etc.), happen to Ricky and Joey or Brett and Sven, that Ricky's 'investment counsellors' John and Arn will make valiant efforts to save them.

Or as Ronald Reagan said to Mikhail Gorbachev "doveryai, no proveryai" meaning 'trust, but verify'. 😉

Of course not. Not even a teasing bread crumb from @Mikiesboy Ahmet & Defne's Turkish bakery? And after a meeting, the results of which we pretty much knew, Matt leaves without a ekmet somunu (bread) or some baklava to take back to hotel? Türkiye (Tur-kee-yeah) can be potentially dangerous for a stranger visiting for the first time. Especially a young, single, good-looking American male (whose health Andy began to restore). Especially if Ahmet's ex-employer Kanaan is keeping an eye on him. A bribed Customs officer? A harmless taxi driver whose company is owned by? Offering Matt a private guided tour, which likely includes a visit to a Turkish Bath/Hammam which can be traditional or perhaps 'dodgy' (run by questionable men?). Matt needs to keep his 👀 wide open and his guard up. ⚠️ 🚨 just saying.

@john henry I do very much appreciate your comments, and the freedom to make them. I extremely "dislike" (since even using "H8" is frowned upon by 'some' net nannies), having to be careful to avoid any reference to 'leanings" of politicos, spouses and/or functionaries lest I get a "time out" and "warned" as I once did by naming a person or including comments on religious leanings. (Like "Christian or 'Moral' Conservatives" as other have, even as they pertain to this story). NOT by author or commentators. (Read between the lines to determine gatekeepers? ). I seem to recall a comment 'Alt Reich' in reference to Moral Christian Majority (again strictly as it pertains to fictional characters in stories. Thank gawd for being able to quote Billy). Or being "reminded" about comments about Trump. As someone once commented "...strange how 'some people' use the 1st Amendment as a cudgel against others speech ..." (in a fictional story). One of your comments resonates with me: "...was John McCain, who was probably their last moderate politician". I think Sen. Mark Kelly (AZ) may fit the "moderate" term as well, especially in the coming 100 days. Keep up your great writing and comments! 👏

And for knowing how to make a 'slip knot' from his shoelaces, (if Caleb was a boyscout, it's the first knot taught), and having the presence of mind to do so. BTW, the slipknot makes for a quick, but not permanent knot. It is meant to be used as a temporary stop that easily unravels (when you want it to) for use of the string or rope later on. Just a simple tug on the short end undoes it. (Releasing it from Calvin's neck and putting back as shoelaces). Another amazing chapter @John Henry, and as dumb as Calvin is, surely he is learning not 😉 to mess around with Diego's boys.

For all we know, Ahmet is alive, with his new wife and working at his family bakery in Turkey. BUT (a BIG but, not a Kim K 😉), as a Muslim, Ahmet would be stoned to death for being homosexual, even in Türkiye . Plus, it would be discovered that happened 'at sea' on wealthy Arab Kanaan's yacht involving kidnapping and sexual exploitation and online 'international' auctions of males. A crime that would see him publicly flogged and then beheaded. Not to mention ALL the 'buyers' of the slaves, resulting in Interpol getting involved. Matt arriving in Istanbul will immediately set off alarms with corrupt police, and others, putting Matt at extreme risk. Andrew need to get him a cellphone (mobile) so he can call for help. Andrew also needs to 'shadow' Matt on Türkiye to help. Is it Wednesday yet? Oh wait, you could post it when it's Wednesday in Australia. 😀

Maeve may be the seasoned voice of reason. (as many auld Scots women are).

We're not going to be preempted by in Seine athletics? (BTW some nation outfits are stylish, reflective or LOUD & PROUD, while others look like designs by Volturi Melanie, revealed at an abattoir. IMHO).

Don't worry 🌭, I'm sure @kbois has one of these waiting just for you.

Sow, sow, sow your oats, gently while you scream; merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is such a dream. 🤯 (with apologies to Eliphalet Oram Lyte 1881🚣‍♂️).

Money can't buy happiness, but it can hire a trainer to lose the fat and buff the bod, fix the eyesight and put hair on your head (and not on your palm 😉.) Larry or Red? Better the devil you know (greedy agent?), or go with Sam's empathy?

Definitely hitting a few octaves higher. Ricky will enjoy the trim, especially first time he looks in the mirror and sees more salchicha larga como chorizo.

Well, the security deposit would have paid when the family first moved in. But yeah, with a court agreement, he gets the money, fixes things however he wants, and has no rights to try to get more out of Kevin. Umm, hello? Anyone recall this from Chapter 1?* Kevin got screwed over, with a bad PD who didn't do her homework or she would have discovered it. Ditto for the band's legal beagle. Fortunately for Kevin, the two-month security deposit his parents had provided upon moving in was sufficient to cover the damages he’d left behind. The landlord wouldn’t have to forcibly evict Kevin, as he suspected. With no legal fees thus expected, he cut his losses and passed on chasing down Kevin. 🤬 * (sometimes an 'Ed's Eye' catches things 😉.) Ps: Before 'Ed' closes his eyes to sleep, one more possible oops? (sorry Lee). There are numerous references about Kevin "having to sleep in his car due to money issues", and while there may not have been insurance money when his Mom died of ovarian cancer, her medical bills were covered by his Father's health insurance as a school teacher. Unfortunately, Kevin's Father being murdered in a shooting at the high school, meant his Life Insurance paid out, as in this (also in Chapter 1): "Kevin had enough money to keep paying rent thanks to life insurance...". That doesn't include significant monies that will be Kevin's when lawsuits over the shooting and "Wrongful Death" of the victims is settled (FYI, the families of victims of Sandy Hook Elementary were paid $73 Million by gun maker Remington). Zzz

Often in Vegas it's both.

For a hospital based psychiatrist (neurologist), I think Jacobs might have some outlines on his office walls where diplomas normally hang. Or did he graduate with Dr. Nick? Scaring any patient waking from being unconscious, let alone a child? Thank God Bryan was still hooked up to monitors.

On 7/5/2024 at 3:45 PM, @Cane23 said: Fourteen inches?! 14"?! As 35.5 cm?! Now, you are not writing sci-fi anymore, it's fairytale - - - - - - This recurring story 'thread' reminds me of ad 'tag lines' and subliminal messages studied at university 3 decades ago.