Summerabbacat

Just like The Swimming Hole, I enjoyed this story even more the second time around @drsawzall. Although I knew what happened at the end, I think I sat on the edge of my seat even more. The suspense was almost suffocating, in a good way. I am not a fan of golf as you know, but that mattered nought. Your skilful writing and knowledge of the game made it appear fascinating. The Larry Duggan's and Arthur Jacobs' of this world are about as Christian as what I am. I fail to see how Tim's marriage to Harper has an impact on them in any way. Why cannot they just mind their own fucking business. If they are so devoted to their saviour, why not follow his alleged example and help those who do not have the advantages they have had, visit the elderly and the sick, give to the poor. I had no idea where Augusta National was, until now. It is in Georgia, the state that gave us such luminaries as the B-52's and Jimmy Carter on the one hand, and on the other the likes of Arthur Jacobs and Marjorie. And it is of course, the adopted home of the legend we at GA know as @Lee Wilson. Such a great story @drsawzall. My hay fever has been a little improved the past two days, but it suddenly flared again when I read Tim's name in the second paragraph, and has not let up yet. It is worth it though to read another gem from your pen. Hopefully some of the "regulars" will notice its publication and be drawn to it like bees too honey.

Has there ever been a prominent Kennedy male who did not "step out" on his spouse @drsawzall? It would not surprise if the senior Kennedy helped himself to some of Joan's earning. Behaviour akin to Doris Day's 3rd husband, Marty Melcher aka Farty Belcher, who almost bankrupted Doris because she trusted him with her money. Luckily he died before she was declared bankrupt. A scoundrel and from all reports a real creep. Dixie Mae's ugly goes clean to her bones now, at least those in her skull which Shir "rearranged" with the steel chair.

Truth be known @BecSun, I had a good old fashioned sob when I read of how Richard's circumstances, both personal and financial, have deteriorated. No wonder his self-esteem is low and he is wearing "brown cardigans". LOL.

I have conjectured before @Wiyot that pickings in a town the size of Shelby were likely limited when Bertha was a younger woman. Bertha being the elder sister, may have "suffered" from Dixie Mae's reputation too, tarred with the same brush as a slut, even though there may have been no evidence to support this. Bertha revealed Dixie Mae had an abortion at the age of 16, which I imagine would have earned her a reputation as a slut. By default, the townsfolk may have drawn the conclusion Bertha was equally "easy". I don't recall anything being revealed to date about Bertha and Dixie Mae's parents. Given Dixie Mae's obsession with being thought of as a "good Christian woman" and her rampant homophobia and racism, I am strongly inclined to believe their parents were very conservative Christians of the flat-earth, knuckle-dragging variety. If this was the case, young men may also have been too scared to ask Bertha out on a date, for fear of harm from her father. Being the elder daughter I assume she was expected to set an example for Dixie Mae too, and she may have taken this "role" very seriously. While Bertha was playing the role of vestal virgin, Dixie Mae was out flat backing her way through all the young bucks of Shelby, before setting her sights on their fathers and thereafter their grandfathers. If you look up the word sperm bank in the dictionary, you will find a picture of Dixie Mae, "resplendent" in ruby, turquoise and electric blue.

"As Tate drove Richard home, he listened to him talk excitedly about his feelings at the bar, his heart aching with tenderness. The boy he had once thought of as an angel had stepped into the world with a heart full of kindness. Twenty years later, he had returned to Tate carrying wounds no one could see. He was still the angel Tate had always held in his heart. Only now, that angel was battered and bruised, covered in scars the world had left behind." Fuck, Tate's inner dialogue is so moving; his judgment of Richard unaffected by the disparity in their wealth and Richard's dishevelled state. He is almost too good to be true, particularly as he seems to regard himself as the lucky one in having found Richard again. This story and its characters are developing very nicely @BecSun. I like both Tate and Richard, each one brings something different to the table.

The Jazz Singer (Danny Thomas and Peggy Lee version), Pete Kelly's Blues, By The Light Of The Silvery Moon, On Moonlight Bay, Lullaby Of Broadway, That Touch Of Mink, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Suddenly Last Summer, Pillow Talk, Lover Come Back, The Graduate.

I may be 100% gay, but watching Deborah AND Joan in that video. Whew! Almost as hot as watching a video with Luther Vandross AND Teddy Pendergrass when at their studly best. What a pair of gorgeous women, long time friends, and both as hot now as ever. Did you notice the coffee mugs each was drinking from? Potty-mouthed me did.

The Women, Auntie Mame, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, There's No Business Like Show Business, Some Like It Hot, Sunset Boulevard, Alexander's Ragtime Band, Calamity Jane, Romance On The High Seas, Love Me Or Leave Me, All About Eve, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, How To Marry A Millionaire, Laura, Mildred Pierce, Move Over Darling, A Streetcar Named Desire, Thoroughly Modern Millie to name but a few @Vcs

I imagine his attorney will leave him Hanging On The Telephone @weinerdog. I doubt Bernie will experience any Rapture once Bubba sees him In The Flesh and gets his grubby hands, amongst other things, on him. Are Deborah and Joan prophets?

I think Bette was brilliant in All About Eve and thoroughly deserved all the accolades she received for the role. I also thought she was marvellous as the grotesque Baby Jane Hudson in Whatever Happened To Baby Jane, and in Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte. I don't think I have seen her in too many other films, apart from Dark Victory, which I can only vaguely recall. I think Joan was terribly underrated. I love Mildred Pierce and think she was terrific in it. Even moreso, her role in The Women, one of my favourite films of all time. She is superb as the scheming Crystal, amongst a cast of magnificent actresses, especially Rosalind Russell. She was also terrific in Whatever Happened To Baby Jane. Eat your din din Blanche. Grotesque. I feel Bertha has been somewhat misunderstood in the past few chapters. Her "scrag fight" with Dixie Mae may have painted her in a poor light, but I challenge any woman to come through a "scrag fight" with Dixie Mae and emerge as a "lady". She blames Dixie Mae, at least in part, for her HIV status, which is perfectly understandable. I also suspect the fact that Dixie Mae, her own sister, started fucking her husband when she, Bertha, was grieving over the loss of a child, must have hurt her deeply. If I weren't for the intervention of Shir, I strongly suspect Bertha may not have survived and Dixie Mae may have been charged with murder. We have already had an indication of what Bertha thinks of Reed in the previous chapter, sentiments which appear to be reciprocated. Bertha is more than likely the only stable and intelligent family member Reed has ever had.

Dixie Mae and scandalous @dboggs9700? Surely you jest. Bette Davis' alleged comment about Joan Crawford could be applied to Dixie Mae and the male residents of Shelby: "She has slept with every male star at MGM except Lassie" I am pleased to learn Bertha has survived being stabbed multiple times and will make a full recovery, and I am equally pleased to learn that Dixie Mae was not so fortunate. She brought all her misfortune on herself with her hypocrisy and viciousness. She could have slept with every man above the age of consent in Shelby and I would have thought no less of her; it is her hypocrisy and hiding behind her catch cry "I'm a good Christian woman" which has made her a target for scorn and hostility.

Time has clearly not be kind to Richard. His physical appearance and the shabbiness of his clothes a likely indication he is struggling financially. Has this always been the case in the past 20 years? What precipitated his dire straits? Both questions I am very keen to learn the answers to. To Tate's credit, Richard's appearance has not "turned him off".

I am too @dboggs9700 and I have a feeling a tissue warning is essential.

Loretta and Anthony certainly wasted no time in becoming reacquainted, suggesting perhaps there was a genuine connection between the two when they were dating prior to Kurtis' conception. If they find happiness with each other, in whatever form that takes, good luck to them. Still going strong with this wonderful story @Lee Wilson; its number of followers, comments and views evidence of its appeal and the quality of your writing.

Bernie's future is set. It's all written in the cell.