Anton_Cloche

Given Gramps' apparent expertise in all matters financial, it is likely the majority of 'holdings' created for Oscar are in 'Trust' with him the designated beneficiary, and therefore not fully disclosed. Also, Gramps has wisely ceded all or portions of properties to be 'Nature, Coastal or other Reserves', and would have exchanged the value of these lands "in lieu of taxes", current and future. Many such 'Trusts', for HNWI (High Net Worth Individuals) and especially for UHNWI (Ultra etc) include either a Perpetuity Clause (generally means "taxes" are not due and payable for at least 21 years after the death of the last 'direct line' descendant of the original Trustee Benefactor aka Oscar and any biological offspring of him), or a "Royal Lives Clause", which extends the life of the Trust (and forestalls payment of all taxes including inheritance, death, capital gains, etc) for a much longer time. Theoretically in perpetuity. The "Royal Lives Clause" defines the trust period as: “…ending on the expiration of 21 years after the death of the last survivor of the lineal descendants of Queen Victoria living at the time of my death”. As of 2024, that means Charles III, William V, George VII, etc. etc. Considering 1209+ years of British (and UK) monarchs are direct lineal (proven) descendants of Alfred the Great in 871 AD, including Queen Victoria, it could be some time before the taxman gets their hands on OQK monies.

Philanthropy? It need not be monetary. But begin at home with siblings Amara and younger 'little' brother Deacon who love and miss him (and obviously don't understand family rift. They asked Oscar when he was 15 and they were 8 and six: “Oscar, don’t you love us any more? Why do you not come home more often?” Oscar needs to mend fences while he can?)

I think Ghil is due for a long overdue reprieve. Something or someone who's very existence depends on the kind heart that is sheltered within Ghil. An event that will awaken the empathy within Ghil before he learns to stop caring.

As an "Honorific", it is generally a title that conveys esteem, courtesy, or respect for position or rank, and is should be used when addressing or referring to a person holding that position. So, oops. (a typo missed). As to whether 'Crustypants' is "honorable"... well I see the jury coming back in, (from 100 Centre St. coffee shop).

"John Grisham, Your Honor, representing..." 😉

Try that again, with the understanding that you're asking a distraught boy about "discretion", a word not likely in his vocabulary. Was what Bryan said wrong? Not entirely, and while an older teen might have used better words, not likely one who has had been physically and emotionally abused by his sperm donor. His actions were wrong, but again anyone with an ounce of empathy could see where that anger is coming from. Another wonderful chapter @John Henry. If I were Billy, I'd get the Padilla's psychologist / psychiatrist on the stand next to explain Bryan's behaviour. Not to excuse it, but too explain it. Perhaps they'll discover that along with stuttering (sometimes brought on by childhood trauma) Bryan had occasional 'tick' or muscle spasm to account for water glass "knocked" in Calvin's direction? Unfortunately, with Calvin dropping Bryan (yet again) and focusing his demand on getting Caleb back, the question (as yet not addressed) is what's in it for Calvin? Where does the money trail go to, if there is one? BTW, I was torn between ANGRY and WOW 😱 emogi for this chapter, as I couldn't find WTF. Just saying.😉 Finally, JH you said this: "I think I'm an okay writer (and I'm prepared to duck whatever will be thrown my way). Sorry, but in this editor's opinion that is completely inaccurate. You are, in my humble opinion, so far beyond "okay", that word only appears in your rearview mirror. Glad to know you are getting better.

Agree with @chris191070 that something is looming on the horizon, (not a bloody big exploration vessel offshore 😉...) that is bound to intrude. With Oscar still to finish his 3rd year at SA Uni, Giles at Flinders and 'housekeeper/chef' Antonio at TAFE, the three 'students' will be living in the Grand's (Oscar's) newest home for a while. Great that Oscar continues to broaden his knowledge / talents with Auslan, but sad that one of his Auslan classmates has a: "little brother – Jordan is deaf ... with Jordan currently very sick and in hospital". Will Oscar try to help Jordan out (either directly or anonymously)? Will Oscar arrange for Jamison to come east for a visit, meet Antonio and see: "... if they got together, there would be a fierce cooking comp going on between them”? Will the "swear jar" become larger?

Another property added to the 'Trust Portfolio' for one OQK. He's starting to become a major Monopoly "player".

Congratulations are certainly in order @quokka for your achievement of: "I have now written over 3 million words since joining Gay Authors just over ten years ago... Q". I'm certain "we" your readers look forward to many more, whether new stories, or previous ones revisited to add a next 'book' or just epilogues. Jamison seems to be fitting in to the group at Manakoora, although for how long remains to be seen. Will he continue his culinary career, or return to school to upgrade his skills and abilities? Perhaps at Le Cordon Bleu Australia, with a campus in Adelaide (close to where Giles is at Uni), another in Sydney, and the main one in Melbourne .

But did you know that IRS uses moles, voles and other small critters to spy on BLM? Dev & Mac need to snack on them. 😉 🐺 🐁

Thanks for this chapter Bill; as Devin, Mac, Pop and Gramps continue their search for elusive treasure. If you think about it, the most valuable "treasure" for Devin and Mac is the time they get to spend with Pop and Gramps. The valuable skills, techniques and knowledge being shared with them, and in time for them to pass that on to other generations, is a continuation of the oral history of native Americans and other indigenous people. And then there's this: The U.S. Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, states: "Any "Archeological Resources" ("treasure") found on public or BLM lands, belongs to the Government". This law has been extended to just about everything older than 100 years old. So finding then selling: the Treasure of Sierra Madre; Spanish conquistadors looting U.S. natives; or Civil War "treasures", it would all be forfeited. But all is not lost. They can still search for D.B. Cooper's $200,000 hijack ransom money, or millions of dollars in gold Americans hid to avoid turning it in the government after May 1st 1933 Executive Order 6102 forbidding ownership or hoarding of gold coins, bullion and certificates. On that date there was an estimated $4 Billion in coins, bars, and certificates in public hands. Less than half was voluntarily turned in or confiscated. The rest? (in grandparents backyards, under floorboards, at farms or hunting cabins)?

Jamison is becoming an "insider" with invitation to Manakoora. Perhaps an new "Master chef"? At the very least, an adventure he will never forget.

Interesting and in depth chapter Lee. It's a terrible injury but at least (for now) the necrosis on Manny's left hand and forearm has been stopped, likely saving his life. The next few days or weeks should show if the operation is successful. His life, while altered, should go on, albeit with modifications. Rocky's enthusiastic research into prosthesis is admirable, and worth looking into further. Silicon versions, which literally slip on like a glove, can be as simple as cosmetic, or have 'poseable' digits to hold or grasp objects, and new robotic versions can lift 50 lbs (up to 100 lbs) based on requirements. Thoughts are hopeful (didn't want to say ... You know).

@Lee Wilson: "You can't hate me too much; I really haven't had a cliffhanger in this one yet. Some foreshadowing, yeah, but no cliffies". Uh huh, how's that working for ya? Love it when somebody says, "Don't shoot the messenger". That never draws any negative attention does it? 😉 Bwa, ha ha.

Young Jamison's story is interesting, and not unlike a lot of first time / young travelers who forget important things. "The Mansion" reference, not sure if that means his family had money, OR was Jamison from the "former Youth Detention Center" ? Hopefully not as 'Jamie' seems an honest young man, (and budding chef who can turn SPAM into a deluxe meal).

Is it "hostility", frustration at constant bamboozling, tired of smoke and mirrors, BBB or redefining 1st?

As for those #!@*! BAC (Blathering Arse Craptions) Alt Reich, GooseSchepping, Red Cap Koolade drinking, Gold Idol worshippers with their $60 upside down "what a testimony" bibles? Steve learns after being summoned to meeting with school principal about Caleb's beating, that parents are complaining about him: “It's not a coincidence. They're all related. Debra Thomas, the father of the Beck children, and Lewis's mother are all siblings. They're also the children of Reverend Donald Beck, the leader of the group protesting the custody hearing.”? Did I fail to mention mouth breathing, knuckle dragging, banjo playing (no Deliverance from Evil), inbreeders? As Monty Python says: "Say no more".

Interesting chapter, with lots to filter through. One item that caught my 'editor's eye'; at the Olympic level, all sporting organizations, in U.S. and around the world are called 'Federations' not "Skating Confederation" (Editing, continuity, ghost writing, Devil's Advocate etc., it's pays the bills, sometimes.🤔)

The best laid plans often go awry. With Tom and George playing sleuth, I think Ken and Joe will need more than 'a rye' before Happy Hour even starts.😉

Or he could just pull the stick that's stuck up his ass out and use it? Sure fire way for Judge Crustypants to speed up court proceedings? Remind him the 'Seniors Blue Plate' dinner special starts at 4pm. Thank you @John Henry for serving up 3 Memorial Day Weekend chapters for our EduTainment. Your own version of a Blue Plate Specials. 😉

Yet another speed bump in the road of Oscar's life. Strangely, this upheaval caused initially by Julia's "family emergency" back home in Europe, turns from unexplained and temporary to 'total' with her stonewalling and then completely ghosting Oscar. And surprisingly no anxiety attack? If I were him (or Jarrad) I would make sure complete personal and financial security is in place, for himself, his complète family (mostly 'Grands' and siblings) and friends. Better to be safe than sorry. (Is Julia, if that's her real persona, connected with "bad" people, like "mob" whether Italian, Romanche, Russian etc.?). Speaking of mysterious "European" dealings, Dieter and Bastien? "... from Germany or Switzerland or that region. And have a special favour to ask? “OK, so what is the favour?” I asked. 🚨 Be afraid, be very afraid! Or at least wary as hell, and DON'T agree to put ANYTHING from them into your SUV Oscar 🚨. And immediately get a Satphone to go along with EPIRB.

I am stepping out of my normal single comment on 'some' author's stories, trying not to put editor's cap on, nor play favourites. But first, am I the only one here concerned that this 'reply' from @quokka was repeated 3 times? Just saying, hopefully it's just an Oops. (Now comes Ed's cap). Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but it's more helpful for authors if it's somewhat constructive, and doesn't sound like a rip. Having said that, I agree with many of the sentiments expressed, but I think The Good @drsawzall was more to the point. Those who are frequent readers of @quokka may have noticed similar traits (flaws?) in main characters of different stories, and that's every authors prerogative. But in Country Retreat, Oscar appears to have a lot of emotional unclaimed baggage, that has yet to be explained. Was he abused as a child and if so by whom? Did that screw up his psyche so badly that he's unable to figure out, let alone accept his own sexuality? Is there a nexus that we've yet to know? Now, Oscar's on the verge of a possible 'girlfriend' and a Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford University, that could put him close to 'seeing' Rizen? (Getting off soap box).

@John Henry Thank You for this chapter, and indeed this entire story, especially since there was a very real 'Calvin' and you where a 'very real victim'. This was one of those chapters that makes me wonder how difficult it was for you, especially recalling events. I just hope you compartmentalized the events so that you can observe them dispassionately, and do not suffer from recalling them. Take time for your health to improve. Oh, as to @BoyLove comment about burying Calvin. Perhaps FDAU, with his cheeks above ground, so that kids have someplace to park their bikes 😃. Ps: Billy going after EVERYONE involved in Caleb's beating, including the Alt Reich parents ... all I can say is:

A horrid turn of events. As Oscar appears to have (most) of his life on track, his NZ mate Hugh from boarding school (5 years ago), calls from UK where he's on a working holiday and ran into another school mate. One who is very remorsefull and wants to make amends - Rizen. "... Oscar… I am truly sorry for what happened,” a new voice said, and it took me a few moments to recognise it and when I did, I dropped the phone and dashed out of the building". Jarrad goes after Oscar who is having another panic attack, but is now able to control it and recovers, only to have his mobile ring again. Answering it to hear sobbing on the other end, and Oscar throws the mobile into the bushes. A week after returning to university in Canberra, he hears from Jarrad, to learn a seriously distraught Rizen, unable to fix the problem he caused years before: "was now in a coma, after a failed attempt to commit suicide, and that he would be in a vegetative state for the remainder of his life. I was quite shocked to hear this news, and. ... I was also sorry that he was in this position, but I tried to forget all about it and keep going with my studies". Is Oscar sorry that he was unable to at least accept an apology from Rizen? Or sorry that refusing the apology led to Rizen attempting suicide and winding up in a coma and permanent vegetative state? And those who think or say that Rizen got what he deserved? No one who is remorseful and reaches out to right a wrong, deserves to die or worse. IMHO as someone with similar experience.