Anton_Cloche

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.

No doubt a hard chapter to write @John Henry, but you handled the subject of Caleb's school beating with your usual empathy. Glad to know you are "on the mend" with the right course of medications. Enjoy your well-deserved vacation and some R & R. Take care; we'll be here when you return. 🫂

Is the killer is hiding in plain sight, like this pool boy at the new (yet to be mentioned) 5th gaycation spot, 'The Hostess Inn, which caters to younger college age Twinkies, eager to hit the clothing optional pool and check out tasty treats like ding dongs, king dongs, snoballs, ho-ho's and more.

Since Phil still owns his home, and has his accountant look after the maintenance of it, that tells me that it isn't being rented out currently. Perhaps Phil would let Colin and Jason rent it, if they become a serious couple?

Phil absolutely needs to find a good attorney to revoke everything Roger has put in place to line his own pockets at his father's expense. The saying: "You can choose your friends, but you can't (always) choose your family" comes to mind. And unfortunately, many families have at least one 'Roger' in them. 😒 Great story so far @Ronyx and more to come. Hopefully Stanley and Maxwell have each other's backs, as they have some big oppressive opposition to deal with.

Thank you @Mark Ponyboy Peters. I like your re-telling of this classic story of the discovery of one's true self, even if not everyone embraces it, as Tony is discovering. Given the original tale's publication date, will we be waiting a similar "baker's dozen" gap to arrive at 'Thomsonville', or is this you dipping your toes into the water to see if it's inviting enough to jump in? 🤔 😉

WOW! Oscar reveals a bigger surprise than giant emus, when he talks about "my family's Country retreat." He reveals to Rebecca and Marcus (and perhaps more than Jarrad and Giles knew) that the true cost of this project is: "12 ½ million to build this, and apart from you guys, only Koen and Hugh, my Grandparents and the builders know about this unofficial place, not even the local council knows about it,” Ai carumba! That is a gargantuan amount, and it is just one part of land trust for Oscar. Hmm, why does this sound familiar? Sense of déjà vu all over again. Land holdings, storm battered island (in this case Rottnest), in need of investment to rebuild; aversion to media - “Bloody reporters, I hate their guts.”

After Christmas spent with entire family, Oscar reconnects with some of his close mates for a weeks vacation, including New Year's Eve on Rottnest Island. Just as they are preparing to leave, they get stranded by a big incoming storm that has shut down ferry service. After the island Rangers report on both the proactive work done by Oscar, Jarrad, Rebecca and Marcus to prepare for the storm and protect the guest cottage they were staying in; and the reactive cleanup of storm damage to the other cottages including broken window glass, tree limbs and other debris, I doubt they will be charged for the extra nights stay. Hopefully there was no damage to his grandparent's coastal home.

Or wants his 🍑 ?

OhGee what "guys" are you pointing out? Tom and George's 'OhGee' / 4-way (an intersextion 😉?), or the old farts, (oops I meant Dads), who after a full dinner, petered out and and "fell fast asleep before the boys got back". Back to our intrepid 19 year old sleuths (they aren't licensed 'private dicks'). I think all they need do is go for a nude swim at the 4th resort (where Ken suspects the next murder may occur) and keep their 👀 open for a young body in a tight speedo. If there's only one guy that matches ... Tom and George just need to play it cool, not blow their cover or try to grab the bull by the horn. (Any puns are only what you perceive ).

By the time many people have acquired an undergraduate (Bachelor) degree, they have a good idea on where they want to focus, either in terms career or more education focusing on a specialty. Others pursue education for education's sake. Oscar seems to have a hard time deciding what and where he wants to be. 'What' appears to include Bachelor of Philosophy, Neuroscience & Psychology. A separate 'Certificate 4 course in Training & Assessment' that would allow him to teach in "Vocational Education & Training Colleges ... in areas of my specialty, which for now is just in Agriculture". Oscar seems headed to become a "Jack of all trades, master of none." Someone with a broad range of knowledge but a generalist not a specialist. Someone who doesn't want to be "pinned down", and sadly that includes commitment to family and/or friends in a 'regular' basis. And on the latter, Oscar has (for now?) become alienated from his family, (literally separated by the width of the country), other than the occasional visit with Gramps and Gram, who as they age have leased out their larger 'family' properties and moved into smaller, 'independent living' retirement mode, near the ocean and Oscar's 'safe place / bunker'. All of this stemming from the high school groping incident with Rizen?

Recalling some of the original telling of this story, your statement about Luke trying to protect Matt and not quite getting it right may be very prescient (prophetic). Not knowing 'the rules' or how "the game" is being played, will have repercussions. Hopefully not insurmountable. One thing to keep in mind when reading an "updated" version of an author's story; they may have decided to change things for a different or better outcome. As Hemingway said: "The best writing, is rewriting". (Damn!) 😉

Despite being updated very well by @Mark Ponyboy Peters as to when this story takes place, the key elements of the story remain the same. Yes, it's a generational thing, but the confusion, anger and hated about sexual orientation and finding out is like a match to a short-fused bomb. Then if you throw religious backgrounds, teachings and beliefs into the mix, and top it up with booze and/or drugs; well what's going to happen is not good for anyone. Luke and Matt will get through this part, although not unscathed.

'Hands-on' experience on a version of this years ago. You could definitely skip the gym membership because of the workout this gives, (mostly upper body). Nice modernized older cottage setup for Oscar in exchange for helping out on Jake's farm. Just needs to remember to stoke a small fire in Metters woodstove to keep cottage warm overnight. And cottage 10 minutes away from shopping plaza for most of Oscar's needed items, and about 1/2 HR drive from Uni. But questions remain.

Binoculars better than microscope ?

@weinerdog makes an extremely valid point, and is all the more reason for some of Joe's "consultants" to join them ASAP. Second: Tom and George have valid observations and suggestions (backed by research) that should be considered. Third: Ken's 'cop-to-cop' conversation with Miami Beach PD Det. Alejandro 'Alex' Guzman, he learns the murders of 3 young gay men, including Juan, occured every other day at a different 1 of 4 'gay resorts'. If the next 'serial' murder occurs tomorrow, then in 6 days (the next Saturday) the murderer may return to Honeymoon Hotel where Ken, Joe, Tom and George will be on the last 2 days of their 9-day vacation.* And may put Tom or George at risk! * U.S. college and university 'Spring Break' normally last 9 days; the first weekend, the next Mon. to Fri. and the following wknd.

Wow, a poster featuring a banker ... the Loan Arranger. 😒. Speaking of this (epic?) movie version; Arnie Hammer as legendary good guy John Reid, and Johnny Depp playing his faithful partner Tonto? In the 21st Century Hollywood couldn't find an indigenous actor to play the role? In the end Depp (barely) helped recoup the $250 Million costs, bringing in $260 Million at Box Office. Now, back to a really good story.

There's a special place in Hell (or prison) for those who abuse others. A place where the stools are all turned upside down so the extra large peg legs point up for them to be forced to sit down on and stand up ... repeatedly, Forever. (But facing outward so they can't see anyone else). 🔥 (But I'm not bitter...)

Nothing a couple of paracetamol can't help. Oh wait, is that for something else 😉 ?

Happy Birthday and surprises all around?

I am so sorry to hear about your TN diagnosis @John Henry. I hope and pray doctors find a treatment that works for you to alleviate the pain and that you have a remission. We will patiently wait for your story to resume . This chapter was very encouraging for Diego as it appears "Judge Crusty Pants" is finally gaining a conscience and doing his job properly (or re-election is coming up and he wants to save his maga job?). Diego arrives home in a somewhat good mood, and with dinner, only to find an empty house? He realizes his cellphone was off (required in courtroom) and after turning it on: "it blew up with notifications from Steve, Bryan, Kenny and Trevor. Despite all the details given, the same message was clear: Caleb had been in a fight...and in the hospital...." O M G Since the fight likely occured at school, Caleb was probably defending his family, himself or both. Was he pushed from behind? Into lockers or down some stairs? Obviously someone saw something and called 9-1-1 to get him to hospital. Please Take Care

Interesting chapter. Giles and Oscar had a good finish to this cross country trip, with Giles safely settled on campus in Adelaide. Oscar finally arrives in Canberra after an overnight visit to farming property owned by friends of Gram and Gramps, about 90 minutes away from Oscar's Uni. Their son Jake is in the Army, but has his own smaller farm block nearer the Uni. They offer Oscar a part-time weekends 'farm hand' job if he is interested. He thanked them for the offer but said: "I need to get settled into my studies first before I start doing any other work". Surprisingly, Gramps only has Oscar booked into a 4 night B&B "until a more semi-permanent solution could be found ... before the start of the first semester"? Given the significant financial portfolios of both Gramps & Gram and Oscar, how have they not secured something already, for the next 3 years? Perhaps a purchased home or condo? (To be sold at a profit after Oscar graduates?). Also ANU offers all 1st year students room in student accommodations*. Will Oscar settle in "on campus" for his first year, or will his need for a quiet, safe space overcome any interest in "the full university experience? Will he eventually accept a weekend farm job, and possibly meeting Jake? Is Jake a possible danger? * (from anu.edu.au) We guarantee an offer of accommodation in one of our Halls, Colleges, Lodges or other approved accommodation to all students who apply through the direct application process. ANU has nineteen different residences for undergraduate students. All have laundry facilities, outdoor spaces and study rooms, and are within easy walking distance to shops, cafes, restaurants, sporting facilities, nightlife and public transport. When you apply, you will be given the option to indicate preferences for self-catered, catered or flexi-catered accommodation and indicate one residence preference.