Talo Segura

@Stompingrigs isn't the only person with apprehension about how things will end. I too am wondering if things will work out, because Dany is seventeen, not eighteen. We will have to wait and see what happens, it could go anywhere, anyway!

Superb chapter which beautifully and very realistically captured a moment between best friends sharing their selves. Nate was a true best friend and Danny saw a glimpse of how much Nate loves him and will miss him when he leaves. You could feel the stomach churning angst of Danny having to say goodbye to Jake. You could almost see nature's magnificent sunrise. A metaphor perhaps for the change happening in Danny's life.

There is a theme running through the story of growing up and the restrictions placed on Danny (and equally, I think, Nate) by his parents, his mother, are noticeable. I can't help wondering what other readers experience of being sixteen going on seventeen were? For myself, I was within reason, allowed to do what I liked. Not stay out all night, but my parents educated me to be responsible and trusted me, they did not interfere in my life!

I thought I should add a comment to say I am happily surprised that this first mystery story has picked up some readers. It is mainly EKS behind the story, I just contribute a little with some suggestions and writing. It's also a first for me to write with someone else and that is another plus, the collaboration. The comments really help because we don't always agree 😁

Leaving aside the language difficulty I would like to address this point. I don't believe anyone can write if by writing we mean authoring a novel. To say anyone can do it, is in a certain sense true, but it is also like saying anyone can sing or anyone can play a musical instrument, paint or draw a picture. Of course, anyone who is literate can write, but not anyone can write a good book. Certainly practice helps make a better writer, singer, musician, painter. Knowing a few tricks, methods, construction of plot, etc. gives your writing an edge. But, there are virtuoso musicians, talented singers, and exceptional painters, and it is not within everyone's capability to reach great heights, because there is an element of God given talent which can simply not be learned. It is perhaps easier to think everyone can write because you don't sound terrible or out of tune, the music doesn't hurt the ears, the painting is not stick people, but neither is the end result a literary masterpiece. You do have to recognise that excellence is something to strive for, effort has merit, and writing has its own rewards even if you never reach that pinnacle there is still satisfaction in achievement. The goal is not the destination it's the journey and the people you meet along the way!

I have wondered where the non-sensical expressions we see more and more of originate. Then it was revealed in a casual article I read, that they are the constructs of Gen Z (The generation born between 1997 and 2012). It was a minor relevelation that a generation could influence the Emglish language in such a stupid way. Take the Olympics, various sponsors have their one line slogans, for Toyota it was "Start Your Impossible." I am not, judging by the questions posted in online forums, the only person who found it difficult to make sense of this slogan. "A friend in France has asked how to translate the above: he says it's everywhere in his locality at the moment." one British person posted. Someone in the USA replied: "According to the company's Canadian website it's réalisez l'impossible (realise the impossible) in Canadian French, at least. The overall meaning is shifted a bit." Another response, this time from Quebec (French speaking Canada) added, "Which one are you saying is gobbledegook? Start your impossible or the French adaptation Réalisez l'impossible (realise the impossible)? I may be biased, but I for one prefer the French adaptation." I wont go into all the other replies which had equally valid translations, however the actual official French expression and explanation is this: Start Your Impossible » (Dépasser l’impossible) traduisant son engagement à favoriser la mobilité pour tous en vue de créer une société plus durable et plus accueillante où chacun pourra oser ce qui lui paraît aujourd’hui impossible. Translated: overcome the impossible, turn your engagement towards encouraging mobility for everyone in order to create a society which lasts longer and is more welcoming, where each person can achieve that which today seems impossible. Overcome the impossible makes sense, it's a catchphrase for overcome what is today impossible, and in the context of the Olympics and Paralympics is perfectly understandable. Start Your Impossible is somewhat meaningless. Another example of Gen Z vocabulary is, "See the garden? It's giving relaxation." That one is more easily understood, but is it English or is it stupid?

The excellent part of this chapter was not simply the neat progression of the story, but the introduction to Nate's brother, the description of the interplay between the three of them and Lachlan's characterisation which was so real it almost slips into the story unnoticed. The great strength of this work lies in the simple way that the lives of the boys are narrated, the place and time evoked. It reads so fluidly and is so absolutely believable, which is not something easy to create and reflects great craftsmanship from the author.

I don't believe discussing life in different parts of the world, in different countries, or making comparisons between the UK and US is political. A subject becomes politics when you advocate one thing over another and want to persuade other people that your view is right and an opposing view is wrong. Here, we are discussing differences, not advocating that anything is better or worse, for me it gives an insight to life elsewhere, different cultures, and societies. But to take note of @W_L's observation, please only discuss and let's not start waving banners!

I'm thinking the biggest difference between the US and Europe is socialism (Europe includes the UK although that country left the EU it is still somewhat socialist). These are your social rights enshrined by the EU (do they exist in the US, UK, and elsewhere?).

UK versus US sizes more bang for your buck or over indulgence?

Nice story!

Cadbury chocolate, now that is a subject for debate, the percentage of cocoa in Cadbury chocolate is 27% which caused a big problem when the UK joined the Common Market in 1972 (now the EU). In Europe the European Union rules specify a minimum of 35% cocoa solids, the UK had to given a special dispensation, because in Europe you couldn't call it chocolate! Of course, no problem in the US where the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires only a 15% concentration of chocolate liquor. As an aside, you cannot get a chocolate milkshake in McDonald's in France, because you can't call it chocolate! Strawberry and vanilla are okay, but a strawberry milkshake has only 1.6% of strawberry juice concentrate and a vanilla milkshake doesn't actually have any vanilla in it! The chocolate shake in the UK has 7% Alkalised Fat Reduced Cocoa Powder (whatever that is?).

Nothing is more dangerous than being alone, add alone in a remote spot and it doubles the danger. Then it was in the middle of the night! Then again some homophobic reaction can happen anytime, anywhere, but in this case it was a serious crime and we are for the moment left with a vacuum. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” I think the two fuckers who attacked Jake have never heard of karma: As you sow, so shall you reap. Whatever one puts out into the Universe will come back to them.

Exactly... some foods are native to the country, others imported. In the UK one of the most popular dishes is curry and its history is fascinating (culturally and for foodies)! First heard of in 1747, the first curry house opened in 1810 and by the 1970s the dish was so popular it could be described as the national dish of the UK! This expansion of diet and taste with Italian, Chinese, Thai, etc. is a welcome multinational influence, the problems with international food also arrived in the 70s with McDonald's opening in London in 1974, although to be fair about junk food there was Wimpy who opened in 1954 serving only hamburgers and chips (fries). Marmite, if you like the indescribable taste, is full of vitamins and like everything, not bad for you in moderation. The only negative is it's very salty. First discovered by accident when a German scientist realised that leftover brewer's yeast could be concentrated and eaten, it quickly became popular. Established in the UK in 1902 it has now become a cultural icon in Britain, people enjoy Marmite with almost anything.

The English is fine, could perhaps do with a proof read, but so could the comments! The story has an interesting start, how it will develop I find difficult to imagine, there are no clues. At a remote Canadian cabin there isn't likely to be anybody else around. I'm eager to find out what happens...

Clotted cream is not a foam. It's as dense as butter. Whipped cream is a foam. It should also be nowhere near a scone. You can actually make clotted cream at home in your own kitchen. Everything you need to know about clotted cream... https://theviewfromgreatisland.com/how-to-make-clotted-cream/

Underwear, trousers and pants! This forever comes up as a difference between American and British terms, but it is simply a divergence founded in the history of the evolution of the terms. Trousers originates from Scottish and Irish origins, trews, trossers (1600s, about the time America was being colonised by Europeans). Pants originates from pantaloons (mid 19th century: abbreviation of the word). The term for mens underwear in British English has always been underpants, which is logical, it's what is worn under your pants. This got shortened to pants because trews or trossers became trousers and hence no confusion. Really American English is correct and pants are not underpants else that distinction would not exist, would it?

You wouldn't have a threatening cliffhanger without any purpose, so it's more a question of what happens after this confrontation and how it impacts on where things go. A spanner in the works!

Tea time: scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream!!!

"Give me art and beauty over smut, any day . . ." Another interesting question, when is porn smut and when is it art? One talented artist that bridged art and porn was Oliver Frey... https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Frey

This story raises the question of age of consent, not simply the history of what the situation was in the 70s or how it has changed, but the total mess which applies today. Australia, like the USA is a federation of territories/states and the age of consent is 16 with the exception of 17 in South Australia and Tasmania. In other countries you might say things are more liberal, but equally there are countries where homosexuality is a crime. A liberalisation of age of consent for gay sex involving minors is the so named Romeo and Juliet clause. This is equally complex where it attempts to address under age sex between two people close in age, where both are minors or one party is an adult. For example, in Germany an age difference of four years unless the younger party files a complaint. We have come a long way since the 70s, but there is still a very long road ahead! Thanks @Mark Ponyboy Peters for a great story and one which doesn't shy from issues still very much present today.

This is very 70s, but still a good film although you have to read the subtitles because not too many people speak Latin these days! How arty is that?

There are some big differences between the two countries and not just size or trousers and pants! You can’t turn right at red traffic lights (or left taking account of which side the UK drives on). Your kids have to wear school uniform. There are no big yellow school buses, or any school buses. Coca Cola is made with real sugar. Shops are open only from 10AM to 6PM on Sundays. There are sheep everywhere in the countryside. There are no dangerous wild animals, no bears or aligators. People hang around in restaurants after finishing eating. Nudity is allowed on TV (after 9PM when the younger kids are in bed!). There is a much larger choice of different types of beer. In court lawyers and judges often dress up in wigs!

I'll answer this before reading any other comments on the question. 100% a realistic ending and never a false, contrived and unrealistic happy ever after. The idea that a story must end with good triumphing over evil and the hero riding off into the sunset with his lover is a product amongst other places of Hollywood. It's an American influence which is suitable for kids, see Disney, but is not adult. That doesn't mean you can't have a happy ending, but it should be realistic.