Anton_Cloche

Interesting start to this story. Mikedup is only partly correct, "this happens more often than we would admit". Before Covid-19 there were an estimated 2 Million homeless, hungry, scared and desperate 10 - 19 year old children on the street each year! (according to official U.S. government statistics). Of which at least 250,000 may be LGBTQ kicked out of 'home'. Since Covid-19, with virtually no safety net, no shelters, no restaurant dumpsters to eat from, few people working in buildings ergo no one for desperate teens to beg money from, the picture is bleak. The numbers of desperate youth (and other people) who see no way out is exploding. Sorry to darken anyone's mood. If you see someone who looks like they need help, ask them gently "do you need help, OR Can I help you"? If you are able to, please do so. Depending on where you live, winter is coming. And for the sake of everyone who is, or could be on the edge, please VOTE. Thank You.

I think if Will 'accidentally' food poisons Sascha just enough to have him runnin for outhouse, that'll take care of Sascha the shit disturber. (puns? What puns?)

What? You couldn't throw in the accidental discovery of a Covid-19 cure? Although I must say ending with Nels sitting adoringly next to his Dad Alan, well that works for me. We could all use a little 'happily ever after' these days. Who knows, maybe a mini-happy update 5 years on is hiding in cast off chapter outlines? Thank you.

I seem to have misplaced 'Uncle' Alan's email, phone # and address in Clarion. Would you refresh my memory?

(*) John/Christian's road in life has been hard and challenging at almost every step. His love for, and honouring of his original Mom and Dad with his visit to their grave hits close to home. The death of his second and adoptive Mother, Emily, who along Phillip gave John / Christian love, help and support when he needed it most will affect him deeply throughout his life. The other losses in his life, shown in this chapter, sadly seems to be drawing the book towards a conclusion. Not necessarily the end of his story, since we know it continues in The Boot. I hope we at least get a few more chapters of Lost Soul, and if not a second book about John/Christian, then perhaps a recurring role in The Boot and its sequels. I enjoyed reading your late father's works including Edward Langford House, under his non de plume @cognac69

Hmm? Two things. 1. For prying eyes (from road or elsewhere) on hot tub boys or men. Should've put tub behind the house, but then no view of river, SO, Alan gets Noah to build a Black Walnut (from their own trees) decorative screen / fence around the hot tub but instead of stationary vertical 1"x 4" planks, Noah uses 1"x4" Vertical Walnut Louvers. They can be opened for ventilation or the view, and closed for privacy or cold breezes, AND Louvers can be locked in place for security of a solid fence. 2. Unless Alan, Cody and Andy are slow drivers, 8 hour drive (at 100 kmh or 62 mph) from Niagara Falls to a Ski Resort as described, gets them to Blue Mountain 4 1/2 hrs northeast of Toronto. OR almost at Mt. Tremblant Quebec (better of the two IMHO for skiing, sledding down mountain, skating in villages, condos, wine/dine and amenities). Decisions, Decisions. But tipping the scale - Tremblant Old Village atmosphere mirrors European ski resorts with LOTS of food choices for all.

Chapter does seem a bit disjointed, and meanders as was pointed out, but life has been shattered, and a process to try and put it back together. For Tyler, the physical and psychological pieces need to fit together. He's trying to make pieces fit. The problem is some things refuse to fit properly. Then there is the fingernail-sized shard of glass. Will Tyler use it to hurt Zeke, or more likely to hurt himself? Zeke must reveal who he works for, if only to help Tyler not hurt himself. But can he while grieving the loss of his partner? Question. Was story previously posted elsewhere and now being re-edited for posting on GA? It seems very familiar, but timing of chapters posted suggests it is 'a work in process'.

I think that any judge would allow a quick name change, perhaps a family middle name or even just 'Divoc'? Oh crap, I just realized if you add an 'e'... Anyway perhaps you can have Kevin do a school 'ancestry' project where he discovers Australian authorities mis-spelled his ancestor's name when they arrived from Europe. An all too common occurrence back in the day. For example, Corvid is part of the European Corvus genus for high intelligent birds, (such as Australian Raven) Just putting that info out there.

Wow, talk about 'an albatross around your neck', or a 'monkey on your back', or any other kind of name that could bring bullying on a child. But family name 'Covid' during this COrona VIrus Disease (hence the name) ? Young Kevin certainly has a cross to bear.

It does seem a little one-sided in how courts, whether judges are elected or appointed, decide on issues such as adoption and custody, often depending on particular views. Gays fought long and hard to get right to marry, foster and adopt children all primarily within the last few decades. In many cases one parent adopts the child/ren and the other may obtain custody if so named by the adoptive parent. The other option is surrogacy where one is the biological parent and their (married) partner adopts. These and other hard fought legal rights can be taken away, putting children like Jamie and Nels at risk. Hope Cody assigns guardianship of the boys to Alan, without whom this family would not exist. MJG

I haven't gotten to the next chapter, (18) yet, but I see from chapter list a title 'Sad News', only 100 words and 'Long Term Hold'. I do hope you're both well and it's nothing health wise that's thrown this 'spanner / monkey-wrench into the works. You as a team have been inspiring authors! With appreciation. Tony

Wake up from this induced dream, reset to TJ book 2 ch 5, chalk all this up to 'hazy vacay' in CO, and resume 'real' story? As it stands this is more cra-cra than a bag of cheese doodles. IMhO

Alan's day is a sad reminder of 'Business Sense' or lack of it. Many businesses (not just British) will hire experts to make them profitable just so they can take the company private to avoid paying shareholders. It's math, where Greed + Stupidity* = Bankrupt. *In Brit's case, substitute "Thick as a plank". Good to see Nels wanting to latch on to Alan. Think they're simpatico.

Since Uncle Nat is the sole Executor and Manager of the 'Trust' he knows ALL the numbers, including the amount Aaron will have access to in a few short days (on his 21st Birthday). As Executor and Trust Manager (as I have been and continue to be, and it's not worth the headaches), Nat has a fiduciary duty (by Law in all Commonwealth countries) to provide beneficiaries with an Estate Account. Why didn't he give Aaron (and us) full and complete details as to the value of the Estate, how much money is in the Trust to date, and what the recurring income will be if leases are continued? IMHO, don't think it's prudent to delay giving Aaron the details until his birthday. Still a good chapter. Next?

Glad to know you've got a plan / 'roadmap' (pre-GPS to those who don't know) for the next 13+ months Carlos. I enjoy back stories about characters, especially what some people see as secondary. It can help us learn more about the 'key' players. Next? Tony Ps: Stay Safe, Socially Distant & #WearAMask. Also if you don't / haven't gotten flu shot in a while, (Dr friends) "strongly recommend getting flu shot ASAP to help build immunity now, since reliable C19 Vaccine not likely available until 2021 at earliest". (Their words not mine, but worthwhile advice IMHO).

Don't have 'Spidy Sense' but my 'editor's interest' says there's more backstory for James and Nels. Starting with their missing parents. EVERY CPS file includes police info on parents and/or family members. As for pet dogs, the Lab sounds good but they need proper training because they'll eat everything until they fall. Danes can be Great, but the food bills equal a horse. And you can't saddle a GD. I'd suggest a Golden Retriever for similar attitude as Lab. I see additions to the house. Tony

Maybe Uncle Nat discovered: • Aarons late father owned a sizeable station (farm) that was life insured, left 'In Trust' for Aaron, and is basis of 'Trust' that paid for his education; • When he died, Aaron 's father left an endowment for Barngarla people (Poondondie aboriginal people where Station was ); • That despite his step-fathead and drunk mother's attempts to seize (and squander) Aaron's inheritance, there's enough $$ remaining to fund his college or University, living expenses AND money left over to pay for his younger brothers education as well (Aaron loves them like his mother 'should have' loved him) Of course wishing doesn't make things happen, otherwise we'd all have a lotto money. Tony

As I read this it appears Jacob has two stepbrothers, the oldest about 8 and I guess the youngest maybe 7. Which would mean they were only 4 and 5 when Jacob was thrown out. But judging by the tearful reunion, he must have been a good older brother who is loved and sorely missed. I'm betting Uncle Nat will uncover some small fund / inheritance in OZ that is rightfully Jacobs, and he'll use it to fund his brothers educations.

Interesting story so far. Still developing. Editing needs work, still many Sp errors (e.g. where instead of were). Either original text not in english, or editors using apps that are not doing job. Reading is fundamental.

So now Jacob has both a cousin and new mate, just two years older than himself. Aaron mentioned passing his 'levels' which hopefully were 'A' Level, qualifying him to get into Uni. However, being thrown out right after passing his levels, his loving (not) mum and step-fathead refused to fund his further education, hence living 'on the streets'. It now appears, (based on Uncle Nat's information), he may have some properly (or the value of if it was sold) and/or insurance money from his late beloved REAL Father, perhaps enough to into Uni. Keep up the good writing Preston. Looking forward to next dozen or so chapters. Or another volume. Tony

Wow, Tyler is really in a bad way. Trapped with a body that isn't strong enough to cooperate, and his mind still somewhat scrambled, because of the attempted overdose and his body lacking nutrients to help his brain. Hopefully he will let Zeke him; find out why the 'police' aren't very helpful and who Zeke and his partners work for. Next chapter ETA? T

Good chapter. Aside from lots of blackberries, wonder if Bradley has Peach or Pear trees as they grow in that area. Why? Well if he's 'putting things up' (cold storage for the winter), there's a method I use that has great results. If just berries, cherries etc, I rinse them and loosely fill 1/2 QT prepared Mason jars. Add eau-de-vie (tasteless alcohol distillate at 38% alc) to just about top of jar, sprinkle with 4 tbsp fine white sugar. Shake gently a few times over 24 hours until sugar dissolved. Label and put in cold storage at least 3 months. Serve fruit (and now fruit flavored alc) in glass topped with fresh whipped cream. Or spoon over PURE / All Natural (Breyers, Bulla, Haagen-Daz, to name a few ) French Vanilla Ice Cream. Or you can slowly bring to a boil (so berries don't turn to mush) which reduces alcohol to almost zero but flavor remains for topping ice cream, crepes etc. Is 'Santa' Bradley planning a birthday surprise or two? T

Be cautious As for CLJobe, another great chapter!

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Good chapter. Poor Jacob can't seem to catch a break (no pun intended). Let's see where 8-weeks recovery lands him (guessing DIO).