Anton_Cloche

Another wonderful chapter, with Peter returning home for the summer with Marty and Angie, all three of them seeking summer jobs to help get them through another year at school. Marty really wants to pull his own weight, and it appears a job, making scale models g or architectural firms may be a good fit (and it can pay well!). Pete's decision to go back to being a male model, including some trips to NYC (where his previous 'problem' happened) has his fathers rightfully worried. 🙏🤞

Sadly not Bill. In fact I've told people who sometimes include 'scratch' lotto tickets in birthday cards to save their $ for coffee as every ticket I touch turns into 'Scratch and Lose'. 🙄 But perhaps I "win" by not letting Tax people get any more of my money ? 😆

Another wonderful chapter Bill and a nice 'build up' to what should be a very Merry Christmas opening presents. Even through it's not all 'family' that's gathered, it would be wonderful if Dev and Mac gave Pa enough money to buy a scratch lotto ticket for each persons 'stocking' (along with the usual candy canes, nuts, chocolate and an orange in the 'toe').

@Bill W, Bill for as long as you've been offering us great, fantastic stories like this, WE (taking Editorial privilege to include all readers) will wait for whatever you have planned for us. However, you do not need to apologize to us (although I do appreciate and applaud your common courtesy in doing so. Indeed, it is very uncommon for people to do that these days, especially when bullying and bluster is spread like manure; so thank you). And while you're "doing the best I can to keep posting on a regular basis", what you do need to do, (getting back on my soap box), is to focus on your wellbeing. Physically, mentally and dare I say it, spiritually. While 'we' want the best @Bill W , what you need is the best you. Do what you need to do to make that happen. Don't be too proud or shy to reach out to others. In the meantime, take care, be well and stay well. Sending you best wishes, thoughts and 🙏. 🤗 And this Navajo / Dine 'asabikeshiinh' (Dream Catcher) to watch over and protect you.

Beware those Acme products.

Surprised that ML's Aunt and Uncle, at first proof of pregnancy, didn't get Plan B and let it be done. Making ML go full term isn't punishing her, it's punishing the unborn child that will be put up for adoption. 🤬👿. And ML would be turning tricks in Ambo on way to hospital if she could. SKUNT

"His aim was true, as his fangs and claws tore through the flimsy fabric of the shadow, making it let out a howl of its own". Ryder has, in deed, ripped through the fabric of time, and ended the witch's here on earth.

Danny, Vince, and Jack have to be more like Ryder (focused with one goal in mind), and not not waffling. (Pun intended). Plus, a plug-in Stainless Steel toaster is too bulky to pack. When Danny does mate with Ryder, they might spend more time in remote settings with only a woodstove or fire, so am antique cast iron one of these can be used for cooking AND defence. 😆

Hmm? Ryder and his mate to be Danny prepare for a trip to Pinemoor (in the NW?) with Pembroke trussed up in Kevlar rope (or ideally like Hannibal Lecter so he can't get free). Given the Big Bad Wolf's wealth, suspect he has a private plane, or access to one, that will allow a quick trip that Cassandra doesn't sense is coming. As for Keystone Kops, perhaps you're confusing them with others 3-Stooges amongst Keystone Kabinet Klub?

First off, ooh 😳 'Reminders' from @Lee Wilson to readers: 1. This occurred in chapter 9, if a review is needed. 2. This is present in chapter 12. So nobody ask questions as it was already addressed. 😆 Second, @Summerabbacat suggests "that the scene where Edward apparently murdered Claude with little planning or feeling was perhaps a figment of his imagination". But IF Ed imagined he murdered Claude, then that raises two questions: 1. Who did whack Claude? and; 2. Did Ed see it happen. Because something left Claude with with a splitting headache (too soon?) Axe me no questions, I'll tell you no lies. (says every politician 😮)

In a State with a high rate of 'Home Schooling' that should have been an option for Ed, or the school arranging teachers come to Ed's home. The Court (Judge, District Attorney and Ed's own lawyer) should have enough knowledge to foresee problems at school with Ed's return, unless the DA wants to prompt a negative reaction by Ed to prove their allegations. To paraphrase Marcellus in Act 1, scene IV of Hamlet (speaking to Horatio): "Something is rotten in the State"

A great new chapter @Bill W , but I was hoping we might learn more about Atsa, and if / how he is making out meeting the Navaho Hataalii POPS, Gramps, Devon and Mac know. Hopefully the Hataalii finds a way to change Atsa from the 'evil skinwalker' he turned into in hopes of scaring off the Spanish Conquistadors who invaded the Navaho territories around 1525, and into a 'good skinwalker' like Mac, Dev and the grandfathers. Perhaps even becoming a Hataalii / 'Medicine Man' like Atsa's own father and grandfather before him. The sad alternative would be to turn Atsa back into a 'mortal', but doing so would cause him to die almost immediately. 😢 But should that happen, it would at least release Atsa from his own purgatory of over 5 centuries being all alone. Ot as Atsa told Pops: "He has been very lonely for so many moons that he’s lost count – his words not mine. He also told me that no humans and very few animals want to be around him for very long, so he’s pretty much been all alone since the day he became a skinwalker.” 💔 As Mac, Dev and their families prepare for Christmas, finding a way for Atsa to truly live again, would be a Christmas Miracle. 🙏🤞 🦅 🪶

? On other side of fence ? 😃

You're missing an important word ... "Alleged". Despite what our illustrious author @Lee Wilson wrote, (and would be challenged in Court as "Hearsay" and ruled "inadmissable") all persons in the U.S. (and some other nations) are accorded "the presumption of innocence, until proven otherwise beyond reasonable doubt, in Court of Law". Or at least that is what the system says, and supposedly works towards attaining that lofty goal. As for Ed returning to school? Many schools (or school Boards of Education) would shy away from allowing in child in this situation to return to school; not so much as a threat to other students (unless provable in another legal challenge), but as a distraction to the "normal" education routine. We shall see where that challenge goes?

And ALL contrarian views aside (from swampy 'Foggy Bottom' adjacent 'houses') "islands" are disappearing due to Global Warming and other events that show Mother Nature is P.O'd.

Or was it a double entendre @Krista? I cant be the only one suspecting there's more to Davin than just being Gavin's identical twin. And more than just "reading between the lines" raises possibilities. One, that Davin suspects Joel's "leanings". Two, that David shares those "leanings" and three, that Dad is interested in Joel. As for Gavin, despite indications that he is straight, beer + hot tub + horny equals ? According to a number of published JAMA studies: "Monozygotic (identical) twins were found to have a 65.8% rate of homosexual orientation. Dizygotic (non-identical) twins were found to have a 30.4% rate for homosexual orientation. Of all twins studied, only 0.012% have Bi-sexual orientation". So, ? As for the obviously well off Keplers' what is the real 4-1-1 on these absentee breeders? "Enquiring minds want to know"

First @Philippe, I am saddened for your friend who got (pardon the vernacular) "screwed over" and wound up paying support for children that weren't / aren't his, while his money intended for the children is / was likely going for alcohol and drugs by step-NOT father and the skunt puetrid, I mean petrie dish hatchery. (BTW I never use those terms in front of children who were innocent victims 😢 in this). As for 'adults' like that, if we are encouraged to control animal overpopulation by spraying and neutering, perhaps that shoulder apply to 'humans', with dull implements and not painkillers (ooh frightful Friday? Coffee hasn't kicked in yet 😳? ) As for ML, I've tried to imagine that she wasn't like that before being traumatized by the 'Death Cloud' that killed her immediate family. A 'psych eval' and one of various IQ assessment tests could determine if that is the case or if she's just ...

Interesting story (and some terribly sad back stories of Author @Topher Lydon and Editor @Jeff Burton). As much as I love stories involving the True North, Canucks, Beavertails etc, as an editor I do need to discuss the story photo. Ottawa does NOT have LRT (trams) that uses rails on surface streets like the one in the pic which is from Toronto / TTC. Also the bldg in rear may resemble Parliament, but no such Boulevard with those lamp poles adorn Ottawa. Other than that, keep up the writing Topher. ❤️

"The detectives left... but they returned to the Lamont's to arrest Ed", and introducef him to Detectives Hand and Cuffs. (Sorry, thought my calendar said Punday, oh wait there's my glasses 🤓.) I guess @Lee Wilson will introduce us to George Jr's new cafeteria schoolmate (soon to be friend) in the next chapter or to. @Flip-Flop is likely correct in his comments about Ed's actions. For decades discussion has been ongoing over whether sociopaths are born that way or created as a result of external forces, like long-term bullying. Did 10 years of bullying by Claude simply make Ed snap? "So-called sociopaths are more likely to demonstrate a lack of self-control and f1other volatile behaviours. Sociopathy is often associated with environmental factors, such as childhood trauma or adverse life experiences." (Born or made? Understanding antisocial personality disorder. Wolverhampton University, UK)

George need to do much more than watch his back, he needs to tell his father ASAP what he suspects about Ed, as he's obviously a psychopath danger to everyone, including George's younger "brothers".

Hmm? Could Mac and Devin morph into "altered" animals, like pigs with wings, that shit all over Louella and her car? Just imagine the cop's reaction when that old bat Parsons reports that to Fort Collins PD. Yep, ... "When pigs fly". Just in time for Christmas, some grinch gets a well deserved Psych Hold. 💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩

But then I remember this: "Angelica froze. Seemingly disconnected memories leapt in her mind as the blood drained from her face. “Oh my God!” Devon and Sandra turned in time to watch helplessly as Angelica Samson crumpled heavily to the floor, neither having a clue that her entire, fragile world had collapsed from underneath her". Has Angelica found out about the mysterious bandaged (like a mummy) boy just down the hall from Walter III's ICU bed? Once 'Harry's' nurse went to tell FBI Devon (in his ICU bed) about the young white boy found by EMT's rushing to Cabrini Green, did she tell him while Angelica was within hearing distance? Had Angelica returned to Harry's room to comfort him, only to put together the puzzle pieces in her mind, (likely seeing the name 'HARRY' written above his bed?) 😳 😮 😱

Cramped fingers and hands make writing or typing difficult and likely a cause of delays in completing other work. Unless you're bidexterous (aka ambidextrous), in which case you can give yourself a hand. 😮👌

Unlike UK (and other countries) where "the Postman always 'rings' twice", in U.S. they usually open 'box' or slot and stuff it in. Unless it's a large package. Like ALL 'RED" states, TN (Tennessee) has an absolute BAN. Other than "back alley" abortions, IF she is found to be LESS THAN 6 WEEKS pregnant, Aunt and Uncle can road trip 371.9 miles to Atlanta Georgia to a proper medical clinic for an outpatient abortion. (OR simply take the bitch to vet and also get IT SPAYED). It can be done laparoscopically, so once healed ML will look 'normal' to resume being "pass around Pat". After surgery, they can take ML and the boys out for some famous Atlanta foods like collared greens, pornbread, fried chicken and top it off with Banana pudding with praline nuts and cream. Hmm. 😋 (although ML too dumb to understand irony).