Anton_Cloche

Speaking of Tropes ... Pat's 1980 single, came from her album 'Crimes of Passion', which seems sadly appropriate given that Darnell Mayer's killing of convicted and 'Registered' pedophiles, could have been argued by any competent defense attorney as "Crimes of Passion resulting from PTSD", following the rape of his teenage son Nigel by Ian Braun, the first "Offender" he 'took out'. The bullying of Nigel by his "schoolmates ... already (thinking) Nigel was gay", and Nigel's suicide by drowning days after the bullying at school only added to Darnell's PTSD and his need to make the guilty pay. "Needless to say, Darnell was incensed". The final "Straw that broke the camel's back", (so to speak), happened the day after Nigel's body was recovered in the reservoir. "... the loss was too much for his wife to bear. She was found in her bathtub after having bled to death". Darnell Mayer should have been found "Not Guilty by Reason of PTSD-related Diminished Capacity". He would likely have been sentenced to prison with a requirement for counselling. But not for "Life". However, the "survivor's guilt" Darnell would be dealing with, following losing his entire family, would likely have resulted in him tragically taking his own life. Sorry for veering away from your story line @Lee Wilson, which was very well written. I think Gennaro will reappear sooner than we think. (Perhaps with the discovery of Darnell's apparent suicide in prison)?

Fed up with boring police work, 'flat foot' Gennaro decides to roll the dice and be a private eye 🕵️‍♂️ aka 'gumshoe' (so called for moving stealthily in quiet rubber-soled shoes). Will he stick with the new job, or will a lack of generous paying clients see him try to return to his old beat? Enquiring minds want to know ... Everything!

Does Skylar's mother's 'evil exorcism episode' clip her wings and deny her passing through the Pearly Gates? Does it earn her a 1st 'Crass' ticket on the Stygian Ferry to an unhappy eternity in a place with no A/C, constant hot flashes and bars that only serve really warm 🍺? If it does, she won't have to worry about where to sit, as Beelzebub's Bar has quadrupled seating using bar stools in this orientation: As partially demonstrated by MTB and part of her cohort: Ooh 🙄 😳

Used GA's GIF search for "Warhol's Campbell Soup" et voila.

Troubles downundies? Don't mistake Wombat 'cubes' for 'Petit Fours'. 🤣

One can be smart, educated, etc. (ie being in AP classes) and still make dumb decisions and/or do 'dumb' things. Synonyms for 'dumb' include 'idiotic', 'Dim Witted' etc. There are too many examples in the news where someone with a 4.0 GPA, speeds in a car while texting, crashes, and kills or injures themself or others. Acting like an idiot in public by intentionally being dumb. People also often confuse 'Dumb' with ' Stupid'. The latter, (not Ryan?), are most often referred to as 'Unintelligent', 'Dense' or 'Ignorant'; however with the right motivation, tutoring, inspiration etc, they can succeed (to the surprise of many). Labels are for cans of soup.

SNAFU 😉

Hmm, a diversion from 'Encryption' as that pot boils (because it's waaay past 'simmering') on the back burner, waiting for more tasty ingredients? How many chapters has "@Inkognito" planned? Summer diversion reading is best done in Moderation ... a small town with excellent beaches, vinyards and wines to "enjoy, in moderation". 😅 🏖️ 🍷

As my late grandmother from Crookston would remind us, Minnesota has 4 Seasons that are unlike those in other places. In MN, Winter is the longest Season (your 'hibernation' comment applies), followed by Mosquito Season (aka Spring), then Deer & Horse Fly Season ('Summer'), with the insects a main event in a state whose slogan is "Land of 10,000 Lakes" and finally Fall. Enjoy your 'Summer' respite 🚣 🏊 🚴 🏕️ 🎣 or just relax. 🙂

In June 9th @empath said: "Don’t worry, I’m coming back to this story soon! Promise! ❤️" Okaay, but is "soon" being used as an acronym a famous author (name withheld to protect the ?) once opined as: Sorry Out Of Notions * 😳 * Notions as in 'ideas'. Otherwise, take care of yourself, be well. 🫂. We'll keep hanging on. 🙂

A remarkable chapter @FV2112, revealing not only Desmond's questions about himself, but also segreti di famiglia (family secrets) that most Italian families would "take to the grave" than talk about ... to anyone. Dezzy has learned so much about his late Uncle Jonny while revealing himself to his parents, and hopefully neither his Mom or Dad conclude by saying "now let's never speak of this again". 😥 Looking forward to the next chapter, but I am rationing myself to one chapter every few days, because your writing is so good that I'm tempted to "binge read".

Maybe the "All you can eat buffet" restaurant needs to hire a 6'4" (1.93m) Bouncer who will say if you go back more than twice for refills: "that's ALL you can eat"! 🤣 Another wonderful chapter @Bill W, but it poses more questions. Despite being soon to graduate college, Devin hasn't learned patience. That impatience combined with his stubbornness may soon put Mac, himself and their families at risk. Speaking of 'risk', what is going on with Prof. Preston and all this questions? Seems it's more than a passing interest. Does he have a connection to the stalking "evil skinwalker"? Dr. Jekyyl meet Mr. Hyde.

As Mathew and Jules begin their new life in south Florida (the Conch Republic being as far away from a "Sanctimonious" guvnor and his flooding 'Alligator Alcatraz' in Everglades), perhaps their altar egos Warren and Elliot find a similar welcoming community with a ministry in search of LGBTQ+ friendly Ministers. @drsawzall mentioned the Episcopals, but there are others in South Florida such as the Presbyterian Church, United Church of Christ, Unitarian and the nondenominational Metropolitan Community (MCC) Church in Key West (and other South Florida locations). MCC is also known for its outreach to anyone in need, including those affected by natural disasters, homelessness, hunger (especially children), etc. Perhaps "resigned" Ministers just need a 'sign' in the right direction, and find it down south? FYI, not a member of any aforementioned ministries. "To each, their own"

In more ways than most suspect. The Kincaid's inherited wealth and status may make them a target for many things. I would imagine a 'hardened' black Suburban may be in their garage soon (whether from Uncle Greg at 'Fibbie' or Walter at Spook Central). As to the gated stately home passed down from Grandpa Kincaid? A house with an imposing 'presense', that was probably built in the 1920's and survived both Prohibition Era in the U.S., and the Cuban Missle Crisis, most likely has 'special' features that became 'multi-purpose' rooms. An October 1962 bomb shelter becomes a wine cellar with extra thick and strong walls, floors, and ceiling to provide insulated temperatures to protect 'wines' and a bank-vault like door that is a novelty. Or is it a 'safe room' if things go sideways? Did Grandpa have a secret ways out of the house and off the property during Prohibition? Does Uncle Greg remember all the secret hidden places he, Dan and their siblings played in as children? BTW, my comments on the last chapter 'A New World' are still being edited before posting. Finally, Josh's PTSD reaction to being in another Black-on-Black Cadillac is not at all surprising. And really? A saddle / tan leather interior goes a long way to easing negative thoughts), ⌛

Bad days on Jersey shore for Desmond, then and now?

Damey's head is going to explode, just like ... and when Mom finds out he's gay...

Awwkwaard (drawn out on purpose). Had a few similar 'moving in' moments. There's definately a few hurdles for both Bryan and Desmond to clear, and those will help clear the air. Bryan recalls surviving the Reagan years of the 1980's and pachyderm "Moral Majority". Back then (as history and autobiographies have revealed) the "holier than thou" alt reich had more than their share of 'liasons', 'nooners', closed door meatings, 'fact-finding' trips etc., and at least 33 politicos who passed, either in office or after stepping down or not running again after acquiring "the flu" or "sudden health issues". Scores of GOProud and DEMoncrats made frequent trips to Walter Reed AMC and other 'clinics' regularly for "booster" shots. Kinsey's "1 in 10" ratio would have meant at least 10 Sens and 52 Reps, but his math was off by at least 50%. Despite their 13-year age gap, I suspect common ground will soon appear for Bryan and Desmond. 🤞

Justice can prevail, and not "be blind". Given the right circumstances, all the pertinent information, and overlooking or at least putting wrong, harmful or self-serving information, witnesses and yes lawyers in their place, a good judge can make the right decision. Today, "the Honorable Angela Winters of Sumter County, North Carolina", was that good Judge. Thank you @irivera for this well written chapter of what has been a remarkable story. Now on to the Epilogue (and perhaps a 'bridge' to 'A Life With Living - Book 2' as Jonah's life moves forward?).

And @kbois, posting18 hours ago said: "But nature is not so easily leashed." All of which (combined with other comments and POV) may lead to a conclusion not envisioned. Prior to the early 1800's animals were not even considered to be "sentient" ('thinking', 'feeling' etc. beings), and it wasn't until the 1990's that the international treaties recognized "Animals as Sentient" including the 1999 Treaty of Amsterdam. What if a worm becomes sentient? They have been considered to react to pain (earthworms cut in half recoil) for decades. Does that change ANY equation?

So less Freitagnacht in Berlin and something more Folsom? 😉

Yes @Wayne Gray you've dune good so far with this story about a parasitic (brain?) 🐛, even one from prehistoric 'Perma-Frost,' infecting the populace. (Note to all those TOO EAGER scientists, thawing out Jurassic Parcsicles ... 🛑 ), One hermaphroditic 🐛, even a junior, can wreak havoc on millions? Undercooked pork on a spork, hhs the abilty to fork far too many innocents. And when officials (in this saga) may not really be working on developing or supporting vaccines to benefit those at risk, well screams danger and huge incompetence. Reminds me of Andromeda Strain (and subsequent books and movies on the theme of contagions run amok). The characters thus far are believable. Should Atticus have said 'Boo' went he went to Dr. John's door? They both have a lot to handle. Ps. Does @kbois interjection mean a special HCD Tuesday? 🤔

'Oops' happens to the best of us, authors and editors alike. I imagine there's more in the pipeline, just waiting to be released. Or likely 'Beta' readers 'mis-queued'.😳

Sandy is a definite piece of something, but not 'work'. 🙄 She failed the Home Pregnancy Test, (she's likely not an 'A' student, especially in Sex-Ed), after 2 or 3 months without a period. She flunked 'Plan B' which only works 72 - 96 hours after insemination. She's also failed use of Mifeprestone which is only effective for 9 wks after insemination (although it 'may' work in early few weeks of second trimester). Proof that both Sex Ed taught in school, and Abstinence ("I have a concept of a plan"?), are failures in the U.S. across ALL socio-economic groupings. And with "right to chose" illegal in many States, Sandy has few viable options. Another interesting chapter @Lee Wilson. Let's see where you take us next. "Melton, the doctor is ready to perform your vasectomy". Can Mel doge that unkind cut? Perhaps "just a trim" or "a little off the tip"? Or does he avoid this by "just the skin of his ..." ? 😲

🎣 for reel or oh my cod you're sending readers back to school with possible ...