Summerabbacat

Dawn scored multiple brownie points from me for her diss of those dreadful "K" creatures, one of whom at least, has an arse that likely requires its own postcode. I too would enjoy a Dawn/Bas gossip session, one at which Vince and Gray at least could just sit back and howl with laughter. Peter would likely cope, but I am not sure Matt would be ready yet for such a session. As noted by @drsawzall another Hugillism appeared in this chapter, bumph. I also don't recall ever seeing this word before, which is perhaps unusual because many British slang terms make their way to Australia eventually. I think Jacob is going to add some interesting "spice" to life at Philpott Towers. I cannot see him restricting himself to his rooms, he is much too gregarious to do so. I think he will integrate himself into the household at large, frequently, and I cannot imagine he will not be welcomed. Thankfully for we readers, your writing is decidedly lacking in bumph @Robert Hugill, quite the opposite in fact.

I particularly like Olivia @Paladin. She is an independent thinker with strong convictions. I cannot imagine her participating in cyber bullying of her fellow female teens, which is apparently a widespread problem. I sense she is a teenage girl with a much greater degree of maturity for her age than many of her contemporaries, one not obsessed with her appearance, popularity or the latest trends. Her response to Josh's revelations was exactly as I anticipated - sympathetic to Josh, with controlled anger towards the perpetrators of his abuse. Kevin and Daniel seem to be quite taken with each other, which would make Josh the only straight male in his family. One of my friends is one of four sons, three of whom are gay, including my friend. His only straight brother has two sons by two different wives and both of his sons are gay. This is not uncommon I believe. Another delightful chapter @Paladin. Keep them coming.

So far. Is he all he presents himself as, or is it a show to lull Killian into a false sense of security? Unfortunately for we sceptics, I do think he is what he presents @drsawzall, decent and genuinely interested in Killian as a person, not just a "cherry" to burst. Unlike several of my fellow readers, I like Killian. He is a little flighty at times, probably should listen a little more to advice he is given, and probably should refrain from driving, but his motivation is usually to help others rather than a purely selfish motive, unlike Arsehair. It was a relief to have no Arsehair in this chapter (and no shaving cream and razors were needed to achieve this @drsawzall). I sense the end is nigh @Josh Aterovis, the identity of the killer is no more obvious now than it was earlier; a real puzzle this one.

He never got the opportunity to laugh all the way to the bank on the royalties he would have received for writing the song. Dr Hook's version was a top 5 hit in Australia, USA and Canada.

@Altimexis and @drsawzall have made some very good points about mental health problems and the treatment thereof, and @Altimexis has supported his comments with professional and personal experience. Whilst I have no professional experience with mental health issues, the comments made strike me as well thought out and reasonable. The only additional comment I would like to add is one I have made in at least one prior chapter, and the comment relates to Nick's eating habits, in fact the eating habits of all of the main students - stop eating so much junk food and drinking so many soft drinks. There has been little mention of the food provided at mealtime by the school that I can recall, but if it is similar to what the students eat and drink at other times, then they are rarely eating healthily. Some may argue, but I think it is essential to fuel one's body with healthy food to support physical and mental wellbeing, particularly at a period in life when many are experiencing growth spurts, significant hormonal changes and the "issues" that invariably accompany such changes. @Altimexis' comment about the circumstances of Nick's father's death possibly contributing to Nick's depression may well be fundamental to his treatment and recovery. A very thought provoking chapter @LittleBuddhaTW, an achievement in and of itself.

Should we start referring to you as Lee-dy Macbeth or Macbeth Wilson from now on @Lee Wilson, or at least for the duration of this story. I wonder if this chapter might have been more accurately titled School Begins With a Chop or School Begins With a Splatter? Edward Lamont certainly sent a strong message to Claude Moreau that he was fed up with his homophobic teasing. Claude won't be doing any more teasing any time soon, at least not in this world. I am intrigued how George appears to have known with immediate certainty that Ed has killed Claude Moreau. Is George Sr perhaps a relative of Avery Noonan and by default George Jr is as well? I imagine he is going to become embroiled in the investigation of Claude's murder. Depending on the outcome of Nelson's request to Marie-Louise, the "bang" may or may not cum in the next chapter. Billy is certainly entrepreneurial, seizing the opportunity to make money from his cousin's "friendly nature". A future in politics or his own mega-church may await, or ownership of property in Nevada. Whatever the outcome of Nelson's request, Billy appears to have "forgotten" the trouble he has already found himself in, with the trouble revealed thus far potentially only the tip of the iceberg. If, and when, the sperm donor is identified for Marie-Louise's unborn child, he may have to become even more entrepreneurial if he is identified as the father. Unlike Marie-Louise herself, raising a child isn't cheap. You have delivered many surprises in your stories published to date @Lee Wilson, and some of the violence has been truly grotesque (Kathy Nelson Taft's murder of the young boy whose name I have forgotten being the worst I can recall), but Edward's reaction in this chapter has easily been the biggest shock to date. His reaction was so unexpected, but then we do not really know anything about him yet, other than that he has a temper and should not be allowed access to any garden implements.

When they were Sharing The Night Together and they looked into her Sexy Eyes and noticed that Baby Makes Her Blue Jeans Talk.

One could also attribute at least part of Chantel's realisation to Walter Samson III aka The Turd @drsawzall; he does not know how to live any other life than the one he has lived. He has distanced himself from his sons because that is how he was treated as a son, apart from the molestation by his father. This is where the similarities end though. Chantel's primary motivation for distancing herself has been selflessness, whereas The Turd's motivation has primarily been selfishness, to ensure the family name is still held in high esteem. Of course, the irony is that his actions will do more to bring the family name into disrepute when his misdeeds are exposed, than Walter Samson IV could ever do. "Angelica realized now that she thought of him more as a Walter Samson than a son, but she had seen how Teyshawn Jones, a boy her husband vehemently despises, looked at him. Teyshawn loved her son, and she could only assume Walter loved him in return. The thought made her smile as she imagined Walter Samson the First rolling in his grave. She was suddenly glad her husband hadn’t been at the hospital to witness Devon’s nephew crying over his precious heir. He would have – Angelica froze. Seemingly disconnected memories leapt in her mind as the blood drained from her face. “Oh my God!” Devon and Sandra turned in time to watch helplessly as Angelica Samson crumpled heavily to the floor, neither having a clue that her entire, fragile world had collapsed from underneath her". I am in total agreement with @CincyKris; I believe Angelica has realised The Turd is behind the attempted murder of their son. I also think it is very fortuitous Henry is currently in the same hospital, albeit unknown to Angelica, because the brown stuff will hit the fan once Angelica reveals her suspicions to the police and The Turd becomes aware of this. He already appears to be showing signs of a complete breakdown, and once his mind is totally unhinged, who knows what harm he could inflict on his sons. I suspect he will either die in a hail of bullets in a shootout with the police or will take his own life. Superbly written once again @empath.

Maybe just A Little Bit More, after all they were Only Sixteen (in mind, obviously not in body).

You may find this difficult to believe @Mark Ponyboy Peters, but I rather like Dr Hook. I have a Greatest Hits compilation on CD, and like your favourite Kenny Rogers (of whom I also have a Greatest Hits compilation on CD), they are a "guilty" listening pleasure. We were one of their biggest markets. I can still remember Walk Right In being massively popular in 1977, and one of my brother's had the parent album on vinyl (the one who loved AC/DC, Judas Priest and the Sex Pistols). One could not help but like them because they always seem to be enjoying themselves (weed maybe?).

"I don't think I'll ever understand why my family hadn't come down on me like a ton of bricks, though I am grateful that they didn't, because chances are I would have rebelled even harder. As it was, I was given the opportunity to find my feet, and that is probably why I am still here today. I can tell you that through some of those dark times, as I mourned lost friendships, suffered at the hands of bullies, and hit rock bottom, I had thoughts that could have easily overwhelmed me. But now, that was all in the past, and as I lay in bed that 'new me' mantra was all I could think about, and it was going to start first thing tomorrow. When I finally accepted that reality, sleep then came to me, and while it had been brief, I felt all the better for it when I woke a few hours later. Friday morning dawned bright and clear and my state of mind finally seemed to match it. There were still details to work through, you know, to dot the i's and cross the t's and all that, but I was confident that the future was looking better, even if I knew that there were also some challenges in front of us." A drastic change for our young JJ @Mark Ponyboy Peters. JJ, a lot less Sex Pistols, a little more S'Express. I did not mind the former and loved the latter. I remember S'Express were very popular at the height of my clubbing days. And yet another embarrassing faux pas. I have continually spelt Pearce incorrectly as Pierce. Clearly a little more Guy and a lot less Brosnan is the answer to this problem. Felicia would not be impressed.

I had a similar thought @Philippe. If Timmy is the "slurpee" then I fear the "slurper" has been "doing the slurp" under duress, as I cannot imagine anyone volunteering to slurp on his icy pole. I hope it is the two boys whom JJ recognised when they emerged onto the balcony, although if he recognised one of their voices in the bathroom, one would think he knew them to some extent. Maybe the voice was that of "Mr Repentance", the younger student who branded JJ a sinner for having been caught by Tommy blowing a guy at the mall toilets.

A crutch to the crotch such that Timmy has to crouch to the sound of the crunch. Ouch!

Perhaps one of Morrie's "posing pouches" then @Gary L, or a wrestling singlet with the butt cut out? Embrace your inner Almodovar.

“What would you do if they were, you know, doing it. With each other. Would it freak you out? Your dad and your uncle?” ‘I think it might have done once, but this year has been so odd. Doing all this, seeing Dad naked, seeing Jason naked, finding out Dad likes guys. All that stuff. And when the idea popped into my head I just, well, I took it on board.” He was quiet for a bit and then continued in a low voice. “And it’s not as if Mum is around. It’s ten years. Dad explained about all that when I was old enough to understand; that he might have another girlfriend, but it didn’t mean he’d forgotten Mum.” “Shit, I’m sorry.” “It is ten years, and Dad needs someone. I like Jason, I like having him around. It’s just a bit freaky that he’s my uncle, though it’s not against the law.” This latter said rather fiercely. " This is what you do soooooooooooooo well @Robert Hugill, write tender moments between father's and son's or between men, without it seeming overwrought, trite or sickeningly sweet. This discussion although not between father and son, discussed the relationship between father and son and the impact of a sexual relationship between father and uncle. Matthew's fierce defence of the legality of such a relationship between his father and uncle moved me tremendously. The characters in this story have grown in leaps and bounds, and I am enjoying this story so.

I have little doubt it will involve butts and balls again, with a "bat" thrown in for good measure. I wonder who will be the first to raise the suspicions of the girlfriend or tire thereof.

I don't remember that at all; I will have to ask my siblings if they can remember having such a thing as they are 3 years and 8 years younger than you and I.

I am just full of good cheer and an endless well of meaningless trivia (as well as shit) @Mark Ponyboy Peters. A comment which I have meant to make thus far on numerous occasions but keep forgetting to do so, is the mention of home rooms when JJ, Dallas, Merry, Pete and the rest of the students arrive at school in the morning. I know it was a long time ago when I was in high school (pre-Madonna), but I don't recall attending homeroom upon arriving at school. Did you have homeroom Mark, and if so is it a Catholic School "thing" (I think you have mentioned you attended a Catholic School, although again I could be full of it).

Jeez Louise aka suspicious Sawzall, you are even more mistrusting than me, but I have to confess on a couple of occasions I had a little chill go up my spine when Micah made suggestions which Killian readily agreed to. My biggest suspicion regarding Micah though is as commented by @VBlew above: For a struggling reporter, Micah seems to have nice things, nice car, nice apartment, expensive restaurant. Indeed @VBlew, his lifestyle does not reconcile with his employment and upbringing. I strongly suspect his parents are not blue-collar workers and that he did not go to university on a scholarship. His parents well may be the Gerber's of Guilford, Baltimore or the Gerber's of Greenwich Village, New York City. I don't think they are the Gerber's of Greenmount West, Baltimore who shop in Wal-Mart and survive on food stamps. If however, he has been truthful about his family, then I suspect he is either a drug dealer or high class escort, in addition to his job as a reporter. It is possible his job as a reporter may be a complete ruse, he might be in the witness protection programme and his real name is Micah Rothschild or Micah Vanderbilt or Micah Dupont. Even if any of Caleb's story about his family is true, it is still difficult to warm to him; he is just not a likeable person. The father/son relationship between Adam and Killian, briefly touched upon in this chapter, was heartwarming and endearing. Both have filled a hole in the heart of the other that few others, if any, could fill. A simply and sensitively written scene @Josh Aterovis. I had a great chuckle when Killian met Carmen, as I suspected almost immediately Killian did not realise that during daylight hours Carmen is simply known as Ronald, a panel-beater, garbage collector or traffic cop. And that music @Josh Aterovis, the music played at Inferno for disco dancing kitty cats. So well did you describe the atmosphere I could almost smell the scent of man sweat and poppers, and hear the glorious vocals of ABBA, Donna, Gloria, Amii, Sylvester, KC, Chic, Silver Convention, The Bee Gees, The Ritchie Family, Village People and a myriad of other rainbow-tinged stars. Bravissimo.

I was not surprised Mrs Fierce Pierce stood up for Dallas and banished Mr Pompous Pious Pierce from the family home, and not without having given him a good bollocking before he left. I was perhaps a little surprised he left without apparently putting up much of a fuss, which leaves me thinking that my suspicion that Mrs Pierce is the one with the money might be "on the money". She may have come from a family of means and married "beneath" her status, although she does not appear to have any sense of superiority or entitlement. With Mr Pierce gone to a local motel to hopefully reconsider his opposition to Dallas' choice of partner (but I won't hold my breath), the Pierce household will likely be a far more harmonious and enjoyable household in which to reside. I just hope Mr Pierce is not a man who is prone to physical violence, although if he were I think we would have already witnessed it. I wonder if maybe he has had similar experience to Richard, Grayson's father in Stockroom Secrets (yay, I remembered his name @Mark Ponyboy Peters). Dallas with a pierced nipple? I guess it befits his name. Mr Pierce with his piercing. And finally a word of encouragement for Mrs Fierce Pierce and Dallas, not that I think either needs it.

@Mark Ponyboy Peters has on a number of occasions written strong-willed mothers who have defended, or attempted to defend, their gay sons from criticism and/or harm from their husbands @weinerdog. I am unsure what it was about Mrs Fierce Pierce, but she struck me as particularly likely to do so. Perhaps it was the authoritative manner in which she spoke of her husband to JJ which gave me an inkling she was not going to tolerate any of her husband's anticipated homophobia. And once he has done kicking Timmy's arse he can go and place the same boot where the sun don't shine on his father.

I have been waiting all day to Play In The Sunshine with Christopher, but alas it has been nothing but Purple Rain all day @weinerdog. I dare not go out in my Little Red Corvette looking for a Kiss or even a Glamorous Life as I would likely get shot down by a Sex Shooter, one without a Dirty Mind.

An interesting but wholly believable shift in the dynamics of Calvin and Alan's sexual compatibility. Alan formerly obsessed with being a top only and Calvin more than happy to be a power-bottom, have done a complete about face now on several occasions, none moreso than in this chapter, with Calvin adopting a commanding role, demanding Alan drink his cum and power fucking him with his own substantial manhood, before plowing him with the unprecedented length of Big Bob. Alan unsurprisingly enjoyed himself immensely, releasing his inner Joey Stefano with glee and unbridled lust. A scorching chapter @KKirk; write a few more of those and you might help reduce my electricity consumption at present, with Sydney experiencing the wettest and coldest winter I have had the displeasure of living through.

I have forgotten how old Marie-Louise is @Lee Wilson.

I have got to say I loved Beauty And The Beat and many of the tracks from the second and third albums too. I am not a fan of Belinda's solo stuff though, much of which was hugely popular across the board.