Anton_Cloche

That may be "a bridge too far." If one or all four of them changed into her, entered the house and she saw herself everywhere she turned, it would probably cause a heart attack that kills her. Who'd want that on their conscience. Or what if by changing to resemble her, they got stuck and couldn't change back. Oh, and there's a little matter of the huge empathy Mac, Devin, Gramps and Pop have for others in need.

A few things popped up in this chapter @chris191070: 1: Despite Ken in previous chapters saying that any vehicle driven by Tom and George would be "in top condition, checked by Police Dept. mechanics", the boys post Turkey Day drive back to University in Binghamton "... they didn’t miss the auto’s defunct heating system". 2. Maggie/Sharon caught and charged (but Ken didn't charge her mother Rose with original illegal "withdrawal" from Sperm Bank); 3: The dinner Joe's cook Mattie left warming in the oven for him and Ken? 4. Christmas in Florida for the whole family. Will Joe help Ken with stuffing? Chest Nuts roasting by the fire? 'You-all' Log for dessert? Can't wait to see what you're cooking up Chris. 😛 Have a Punderful day.

Oi Vey, I'm pretty sure you meant to say "boys". I didn't want to 'carp' about it, but 'felt' ... (puns from Seinfeld shtick)

Did Brady somehow follow them? Did a beach crab or scorpion somehow find a way into their hotel room and Jarred step on it? Oscar's new SUV with all their gear is missing? Glad to see Oscar to the rescue. Hopefully this ends well for both Oscar and Jarred.

Thanks for this new chapter @Bill W. I was concerned when Mac and Devin went up to the hunt camp and "immediately spotted a group of boys that appeared to be around 11 or 12-years-old and they were standing near the cabin where we usually transitioned. They looked startled when they saw us pull in, but they didn’t try to run away, so we got out of the SUV to speak with them". My immediate thought was the boys might be homeless and hungry and were looking at the cabin as a possible refuge. And then I thought M & D's reaction would be to try and help the boys, because that's how good hearted they are.

In this @quokka chapter, Oscar and Jarrad appear to have settled into their jobs at the "new" station when something happens. It sounds like a more intense sexual interference of Jarrad at the hands of another station worker(s?), than what Oscar experienced years ago when Rizen simply "grabbed hold of my dick from outside my shorts", that sent teenage Oscar spiraling out of control with PTSD (in Chapter 6) and triggered multiple events afterwards. All of which oddly led Jarrad to become a close 'mate' to Oscar. Now both are beginning Uni, and while "on the surface" they seen to be simply "best mates", are they struggling with their true identity and feelings (a recurring "undercurrent" in many 'Q' stories)? Are they both experiencing duck syndrome? Surprisingly, as Oscar takes a distraught and naked Jarrad from the cold shower, and "... look at his cock, which was the first time I had seen it, and it was an impressive size and uncut", Oscar does not suffer his own panic attack. Why? Will what happens next perhaps see the two "best mates" accept the comfort each can provide the other, or will Oscar (like other protagonists) do a runner?

Is Terra in trouble? I hope not and that Billy can help her. Kids seem to be getting the worst of it? 💔 Bryan and Caleb to testify in court "day after tomorrow". Trust that Diego, Steve and Billy will protect them! 🤞 Another great chapter @John Henry. Waiting for other shoe to drop (or ton of bricks) on Calvin.

Thank you @J92 for this well written, thoughtful story. It is nice to see that (as far as this story goes) Thomas has a happy ending. If Thomas gets the new financial management position, and if Zack's cancer results are negative, then they have a HEA, but that's the next story. 😉 Or perhaps a "5 years later" epilogue? 🙏

I think the songs lyrics are: "Oh home they're deranged". Or at least they should be, especially every four years 😉. “Aww shuckins’ mam, ‘twern’t nuttin.” I looked down at the floor, had my hands in my jeans pockets, and scoffed a foot back and forth. That little performance may not get 'Best Actor' award, but Pete is definitely worthy of a "Humanitarian Award". Thanks @Al Norris.

I can only add a prayer, a fervent wish, a hope for? An answer for Danny and Aziel to be graced with salvation? Or a release from pain and suffering to a place where none of that exists? Near "God's Creek? 🙏 I hope Aziel finds hope against despair.

Ave NYPD Detective salary (2024) is $92K. Not exactly "Rich". DNA companies like 'Ancestry' and '23 & Me' probably slow down over holidays, and although they may provide "expedited" service (for a fee), they can't put a rush on things like a police dept supposedly can. Maggie helping with dishes after Turkey Day dinner at Joel & Ken's means nobody "snagged" her wine glass for fingerprints or DNA. Kidnapped after exiting Taxi, means in-car video cams won't be helpful, although CCTV if in area might provide pictures and/or video. Hmm?

Hmm? @Bill W leaving us hanging? That's not like him 😉. So has someone tracked them down? Did kidnapped woman see license plate on their SUV or trailer? Or just the old biddie from next door come snooping?

I think Manny may find that the swimming pool(s) may be 'au naturel' when the female staffer aren't around; in which case he may try a fisherman's trick of catching Bass 🐟 by hand. But considering the 'security' issues at hand, and people 'Russian' around, the female and male staff are probably "live in". Then there's Rocky Jr's thoughts and wishes to be considered first and foremost. Speaking of Rocky II, I sense a kidnapping coming.

And "The Abduction of Margaret O’Shea" happens in the ride back to her place in a cab? Driven by someone who has a problem with Ken because the detective previously busted the driver? Or someone who has an issue with Joe because of "business" deals that went bad? Or because of something Maggie's reporter fiancé Mark - a UPI reporter on assignment in The Middle East - discovered and reported on, or is about to? Or just another day in NYC? Decisions, decisions. Oh wait! @chris191070 already knows.

As Abe Lincoln, (not to be confused with one A..Blinken ) supposedly said: "Good things comes to those who wait".

In lieu of blocked DM ? Wow, never had ANGRY emoji at me. My WA, NT & NSW cousins agree (with me) and don't particularly like seeing American (AND OTHER outside nations, like China), interfering and imposing on traditional and historic Australian culture. But won't avoid Macca's? My reply, was to show differences between Australia & U.S., and yes it stated that all governments (WA incl) have accepted some different wordings or diminutives AND feature those descriptors on their official websites. (obviously to attract tourism dollars, which doesn't make it right). Apologies to anyone upset.

Tomato, tomatoe? Some say it's a matter of 'semantics' or word meanings and relation. However, ALL states / governments in Australia now legally recognize the term 'ranch'. (sorry @quokka 😒 ). Historically the word 'station' originally referred to the just the main residence and outbuildings of a pastoral property but now generally refers to the whole land holding Traditionally and historically in Australia, large expanses of land holdings (whether 'open' or fenced) used for livestock production are known as 'stations'. Smaller land holdings (than those for cattle production) or 'mixed' production of agricultural products / crops, and livestock production are referred to as 'farms'. In America, 'ranches', primarily used for cattle or sheep production, are much smaller in size than those in Australia, largely due to the availability of usable grazing lands. Dryer conditions in Australia require much more land to meet the grazing needs of cattle and other livestock that feed on 'grasslands'. The King Ranch in America is the largest at 334,000 hectares whereas the Anna Creek station in Australia is 809,371 hectares.

Well, since @chris191070 titled this novella "The Abduction of Margaret O’Shea", the cats not only out of the bag, it's halfway between 5th & 8th Avenue and heading for Central Park. 🐦 🐈‍⬛ Not only will Ken eventually call Margaret (does she go by 'Peggy'?), he'll likely rescue her. 1,000's of male college students, gay, straight or whatever, from many decades, made extra money making 'deposits' into paper cups at sperm 'banks'. Definitely not 401k -'Pension Plans' (with penalties for "premature withdrawals").

Wow @quokka, definitely a new challenge for both Oscar and his good mate Jarrad. I'm surprised that Oscar's grandparents didn't fuss about such a bold move by Oscar taking a one month "station hand" job 1,320 kms away in a somewhat remote area. Growing up on the family farm, Oscar is familiar with work that usually requires a lot of physical labour and heavy lifting. 'Station hand' daily work may be varied, so he needs to be flexible, and he's shown he is good working with animals (horses, cattle etc.) and able to use a range of equipment. As long as he and Jarrad aren't separated to different areas, they can watch each other's back and Jarrad can step in to protect Oscar if needed. (hopefully not 🫰 *). ~ ~ ~ ~ * NB: Those who haven't read all or most of @quokka previous stories, be prepared. He does have a penchant of putting his main characters into dicey situations (or chucking a bunch of spanners into the works 😉 ). This is not a criticism, just a "head's up". ⚠️

Thomas has had to go through so much in his life. From affirming his gender and becoming FTM on his own. To getting his education and a job caring for Zack. Having Zack now as his support and carer while he recovers from a terrible beating (that should ultimately be both a hate crime AND attempted murder by Adam), is going to make a difference in both their lives. Hopefully going through it together, for however long that is.

I was glad to see Oscar spending time with Amara and Deacon (Sp). Sorry 'Q', it's my 03:30 hr 'Editor's Eye' catching things. 👀 😉. I'm also intrigued with Oscar's and Jarrad's interactions. Speaking of catching things, along with @akascrubber, @chris191070 and @drsawzall I also noticed purchase and accumulation of more lands near the ocean coast just off main highway aka Marmion Avenue and Pipidinny Road, and wondered how "land banking" was working out for the intrepid grandparents (on behalf of Oscar) as a: “No Entry – Restricted Coastal Reserve,” and whether it makes sense (or 'cents'). Large land holdings, of any designation, have to cover expenses of taxes, maintenance etc. Agricultural lands use crops or grazing to offset expenses. 'Nature Reserves' may receive government 'grants in lieu of taxes' to offset costs. But large coastal tracts, especially those near spectacular oceans and rivers? They usually attract developers of communities for everyone up to and including retirees. (FYI, just for fun I Googled intersection at roundabout you mentioned. Low and behold I stepped out of Fiction and into reality of "elaVale Eglington, Lifestyle Community" new subdivision (with bungalow homes in the $400K+ price range). Have to say I prefer your vision of Oscar saving & preserving the environment for future generations. Ps: Just me throwing a spanner in the works @quokka.

Raccoons also have the ability to climb down trees headfirst. So Devin can see inside both ascending and descending to get a really good look at what is going on inside the cottage, including whether the two kidnappers are armed. If not, then the skinwalker can wreck havoc on the two. Hopefully the woman is blindfolded, otherwise Devin as a 'skinwalker' would terrify her, perhaps doing too much harm. Perhaps a 6'4" 220 lb (1.9m & 100kg) muscular Ranger Rick would work instead?

An Aww-some chapter Preston. If (hopefully not) that was Simba's last trip 'home', at least he has a great moment to remember it. 🐘

Jeez Manny, Er 'Truman'; lazy, more often than not drunk or nursing a hangover, an apparent 'man-ho' AND greedy AF! Did I leave anything out? Empathy? B'ah! But obviously, even without "a blind man's clue", Manny's figuring out how to milk this for everything there is to grab. All he has to do is put up with a smart-ass Rocky Jr, (who already seems to know the score), for five years and snag at least a 1/4 Mil. Since full disclosure of the enormity of Boris' Estate won't happen until Manny adopts 13-year old Rocky II. Can we safely think greed will out? Hmm? 💸 or 💰 Bring on more good chapters @Lee Wilson.