Anton_Cloche

Story is engaging, but the last few paragraphs of this chapter are chilling. A single explosive shot, usually means either a close shot or a powerful weapon, and the description of a "loud crash" and "... the broken glass... all the shattered glass... a body lying in the middle... and Bao lying there unresponsive" doesn't bode well. Tick, took, where's the next chapter???

Glad to see Edwin back again in this latest story, Preston. Now, with his latest good works in historic property restoration, and other ventures, Edwin has been recognized by HM, with his new and expanded titles of, The Rt Hon (proper shortform usage BTW) Lord Crawford, Baron of Fordell. Hopefully we'll see Edwin reconnect with his long-time mate Lucas? Stay Safe. Socially Distant. (2m or broadswords apart?) and #WearTheDamnMask.

Andre, your "attention to detail" is a great part of the backstory of this "semi-autobiographical' tale, if you will. Andrew and Ryan's lives and careers are dependent on getting the details right. It's almost as if it is spliced into their DNA. So please continue as you have so far. If however you stray into the amount of bergamot infused into the bath salts, or the number of berries (8 - ) in each scone, someone will no doubt let you know. Your 'details' make me long for a return to a time where travel and hospitality can be resumed and enjoyed. It will just take some hard teamwork and time. Take care, Stay Safe.

Never camped out in a cemetery, but one Halloween outside Boston (Ipswich) we played touch football using monuments for goal posts. Until someone tripped and fell onto a newly filled grave. What's in Grandpa's mysterious hidden metal box? Money? Deed? War medals? IMWTK

Liked the Grand Opening of the Lodge. Certainly done up right. There are a few spelling and grammar errors. Canuk's mention of "abdominal" is the outstanding one, but perhaps he's not stayed in a property where fabric headboards, are often adorned with buttons to 'tuck the fabric' creating separate 'squares' that actually resemble his avatar. Or, yes, abdominals. I chalk most of the errors to AutoCorrect, SpellCheck, and Predictive Spelling Apps you may be using. And, I can confirm that even when 'live' editors fix errors, programs used by some sites to upload 'documents' often screen the text using their own versions of said Apps, without human interface, so errors reappear, as if by magic. I've put the 'editor' to sleep. Maybe the obnoxious old biddy matron just overstuffed herself on the snoek and some of the spiny little teeth got stuck in her cheek, throat, or perhaps next morning on their 'exit' through her back door. (too graphic or too funny?). So now it's on to Mauritius for some well-deserved R & R for Drew and Ry!

Interesting chapter. Grown-ups forget little people (children) have ears and eyes, to hear and see things, including the very negative comments Tristan heard Kevin say. If he stops being a dick maybe he'll get his back. As for your health, and the shoulder, I hope you get some help. Bag of frozen peas works if you don't have ice gel packs.

Another great chapter Bill. After the first two Castaway Hotel books, I wondered if you'd be able to successfully extend CH intergenerationally. I'm glad you've been able to do so, and I hope to be reading this family saga for some time to come. Keep well. Stay Safe, 6 ft apart & #WearTheMask. (Especially if you join others doing important 'paperwork' the first Tue of next month. I recall Josh taking the boys to Philadelphia to teach them about the nation's history, and the right & obligation to vote).

Interesting story, about life, loves, and longevity (or sadly lack of). Then there's the tribute to finding a lasting relationship. As for the author's note at the end... reminds me of a math joke (told by an old comedian about Hugh Hefner)... How many times does 80 go into 25? As many times as the blue pill lasts. (drum beat). Stay Safe. 6 feet apart. #WearTheDamnMask * * til at least Groundhog Day

Another good chapter. I unfortunately have heard of people who developed a new, 'safe' life while in coma to protect themselves from the harm of their 'real' one. My late father did while recovering from a near death illness. When he woke up "all the way" he suffered from depression because as he said: "This isn't how 'better' was in the coma." Elliott will work though this and recover with the love and help of his friends. Looking forward to coming chapters (and possibly a next book, or continuing series of books?). Stay safe, 2m / 6 ft apart, and yes, Wear the damn mask. (be inventive, photo-shop and print your smile on the mask). Ps: if you haven't yet gotten a flu shot, do so to boost your overall immunity. My Dr said "Fluzone Quadrivalent is what we take as it offers 4x the protection". He said ask for it by name, ask to see the vial it's your right and it costs no more than generic flu shots and works much better.

Interesting story so far. Like Queen says in the opening of Bohemian Rhapsody: "Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught in a landslide, no escape from reality." As real life seems to be sliding towards a schism, perhaps not unlike portrayed in 'Imprisoned', many hope and pray for good people like Elliott to emerge, just not to meet his apparent end. Does 'Hope spring eternal'?

Weinerdog is right. Some doctors refer to it as the 'Mourning Dove' syndrome. These birds mate for life, and seldom out live the other. My parents were together for 63 years. Four months after Mom passed, and despite saying he wasn't going anywhere, Dad was gone. Dr said he died "of a broken heart". Thankfully Thomas' boys and grandchildren will be there to support him.

"...drama that might ensue if the wrong video was uploaded"? Aside from Kevin's rant on his Mum and Dad that would cause untold damage, there's also Kevin's nude ballet dancing. From arabesques, jeté, plié, and possibly Derrière to Devant, everyone would 'see' Kevin at his most exposed, physically and emotionally. Or maybe they'd just repost it as another nude selfish, after satisfying themselves. (kind of like people who go to wresting matches at Uni to view 'extras' in singlets). The best thing for Kevin is Steve previewing the video, realized it's potential harm and did not upload it. With perhaps a chance to become intimately connected. And there we are. Or are we?

To paraphrase many comedians and quote a current 'CEO' who has said, "You're only as old as you feel... Take two 20-ish blondes at night, feel better in morning" :-p

It seems you're getting close to wrapping up. (and this is the point where my editor role kicks in to include 'continuity' and gets a bit lengthy). With this pre-epilogue (?) , Thomas starts tallying up his life, recalling important life moments, starting with him discovering 10-year old Geno being rejected by his church asking for some food, Thomas' heart both broke a little, and opened a lot. Geno accepted a meal from Thomas, but was clear he didn't want to do 'those things' (giving his body and soul to men to whom he meant nothing other than sex). After being adopted, and visiting America, Thomas and 11-year old Geno return to Italy and come across five of his 'street family' boys also looking for a meal. The oldest, 14-yeat old Roberto had been one of Geno's protectors. These boys ask about also being sons. With the adoptions done, Thomas takes them to his work apartment in Rome where he adds 2 sets of bunk beds to sleep the other 4 sons. And when Thomas takes all his sons home to meet their Nonna and Nonno, he talks about five grandsons. According to all previous chapters Thomas adopted Geno at age 10. One year later Geno asked Thomas to let him buy dinner for his friends, street 'brothers' and protectors: "Marco (no age indicated but guessing 13), Roberto - the oldest at 14 and his real brother Mario - 13, Luca and Nico - 12. After the meal, when Geno explained to his 'bothers' how he came to be adopted, Geno asked Thomas to adopt them and offered to help Thomas pay the expenses (from the sale of his late birth father's home). The adoptions went through, but no mention of Marco. What happened to Marco? Please don't leave him alone, and on the streets.* * (which we know, Fiction or not, does NOT offer a good outcome. Especially now that a potentially bad winter is looming in the Northern Hemisphere, which includes much of Italy, PLUS Covid-19, 2.0MG!)

This wonderful chapter, and the previous remind me of a poem. One that seems to encompass Andrew and Ryan. (partially below) 'And all I ask is a tallship and a star to steer her by, And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking...' '...And all I ask is a merry yarn, from a laughing fellow rover; And quiet sleep and a sweet dream, when the long trick's (trips) over. And so the Belle Catherine is born. I so look forward to the coming chapters. Tony B (Sea Fever by John Mansfield https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/54932/sea-fever-56d235e0d871e )

Wow Daniel's mum seems to have her mind set about who's at fault . And then there's the ongoing acceptance issues that are plaguing Kevin. When Jason tells his dad, "Relax Dad. All's well with your boys", I'm sure Daniel hasn't thought of the 'private lap dance' show Jason and Kevin shared. I'm afraid Kevin's going to be more messed up, unfortunately. Seems to be a recurring situation with all thing 'Covid'. Just when you hope things are improving, something else goes sideways, turning into the dog's breakfast.

Interesting chapter. At least it gets Thomas and the boys clear of any repercussions from the 'sleezeball' uncle (or his possible cohorts wanting a share of €uros for selling the boy). Wonder if Italian jails treat 'known' child traffickers the same as child molesters? Let's hope the next year's go smoothly for Thomas and his family. Nonna and Nonno going to be surprised with the new grandchildren!

Hmm. Seems like Thomas is inspired to make his own Italian Casa per ragazzi buttati via. BW inspired?

Who are you calling "old"? Oh, wait, you mean the 'vintage' radio programs. That's what reruns of radio and TV shows are for.

Just getting caught up on a very interesting Amafi Coast and Thomas' new career, travel and becoming a benefactor to a child in distress when he visits Italy. Bad enough poor 10-year old Geno looses his father, but then his evil uncle (Scar?) kicks him out of the only house he knows. Fate, in the person of Thomas, steps in to help Geno when the Church Priest ignores Jesus' teachings about 'Suffer the little children unto me' (protecting children) and slams the door in the face of a homeless and hungry Geno. Will Thomas and his lawyers be able to help? Is Thomas on the way to becoming more than just a benefactor? Perhaps a substitute father? Tune in tomorrow? Tony

It is another very good chapter! As for Mikedup's comment about "...worms climbing out of holes" my first thought was, he's just being punny with the book title. Then I realized perhaps he's comparing both the bullies and their victims, like Billy and Liam, also wanting to hide from being bullied or worse, being revealed. Or maybe all this hard apple cider infused (8% alc) steamed apples is going to my head.

Oh Kevin! You stopped your recording but didn't erase it. Is it going to sent accidentally, or? There is a saying, 'Act in haste, Repent at leisure'. It means if you do something in a hurry, in anger, in pain, impulsively and don't think of consequences, you may have to regret that later on, perhaps for your whole life. And in this age of "Social Media", in the blink of an eye, you'll ruin yourself, your Mom, you 'real' Dad who raised you.

WT_? No apparent threats. No indications of anything nefarious going on with Nat or Aaron. Nothing on the 'radar' with DIO. Tic tic...

I'm not IT support. Nor a teacher, but get that 'important assignment' submitted on time to count. ;

Research shows 60% of people don't read, watch or listen to 'The News' whether in print or any other platform. Surprisingly the majority of 'those' are over 50 years of age. (don't blame Millennials, they're not the only ones playing ostrich ). Think GA needs to add a 'Thumbs Down' to the 'Love, HaHa, Wow, Sad, Angry, I Read It, & Like' reaction totem pole. "..interesting, but unbelievable"? At least three times in last four decades 'Looking Glass' aircraft were 'actively deployed' on both coasts, simultaneously. Escape 'hell' via RV, problematic but not impossible if one's paying attention. But hey, it's all just fictional.