Summerabbacat

"After VBS I went home. Showered. Got dressed. Margot texted me what to wear." and "She was quiet for a minute, processing. Margot processing was never a good sign. It meant the gears were turning and the risk assessment was running and the spreadsheet in her brain was updating in real time. “Is he going to be a problem tonight?” Margot showed herself to be way more than a manipulative, controlling bitch, she is a c u next Tuesday. By the end of this story I hope Owen is happy with Ryder and Margot has been dumped by Jules from Vermont. She is such a fucking liar, she doesn’t give a shit about anyone other than herself. “There they are!” Eric said, wrapping Margot in a hug. “The newly engaged. How’s it feel?” “Amazing,” Margot said. “Like nothing’s changed except now I have jewelry.” Oh fuck off, you have to be kidding me bitch. Margot is so fake I am beginning to doubt she loves Jules. The only person I am convinced she loves is herself. “You could do petting zoos at memorial services,” he said, and I couldn’t tell if he was joking." No, no, no. Eric needs to be castrated, he should not be allowed to breed. Petting zoos are a nightmare for the animals, with grubby fingered children and their stupid fucking parents thinking it is cute to stress out the animals. I hate to imagine the shit the animals would be put through in such an environment. Prior to this chapter I thought Margot was selfish, but mostly harmless, and Eric a little quirky. I have underestimated or is it perhaps overestimated them. They are a nightmare, and Lauren a Stepford Wife in the making. Absolutely brilliant chapter @mastershakeme. Apart from Owen, Ryder, Aunt Beth and Jules, the adults in this story are monsters. Margot is the worst of them all.

I suspect you are right @VBlew. I also suspect Charlie will repeat his previous behaviour and then blame Nathanial again. I don't trust Charlie at all; I think there is something inherently creepy and nasty about him. What a treat for we readers @J92, three new chapters posted in a relatively short timeframe.

This story is compelling @Gary L. I think the quality of your writing in this story is even better than what it was in volume 1. You are writing with such confidence and conviction. The historical account although unpleasant to read, is fascinating for someone who has lived in a stable democracy for their entire life

The first time I heard this song I could not stop weeping for about 1 hour afterwards. It was a profound moment. We had been living with fucking COVID for almost 2 years, Bassey and Ava had passed away within the last 6 months, and then this miracle occurred. I think I would be overcome with emotion if I ever saw the ABBAtars. Smelling salts, brandy, good quality champagne, I am not sure if anything would work.

I thought I was going to make it to the end of this chapter without any sudden hay fever symptoms @Mark Ponyboy Peters. I had made it until: "He saw a boy who was struggling with coming to terms with what life had thrown at him. He saw a boy who needed someone to guide him, to hold him, and so that was what he did. He opened his arms and let Levi in, and just like the last time, Levi embraced his father, hugging him tightly, almost as if he was scared that he might lose Matt also." I had not even thought of this, but it is a very realistic fear for Levi to have. First his paternal grandfather, the cranky tyrant, who lauded it over both Julie and Levi (may he rot in his grave). And then his mother, a still young woman, dying from a horrible disease. Levi's less than flattering appraisal of his grandfather gives credence to @Charles26's comment "I wonder to what extent her failure to tell Matt was her own choice, and how much her father's." I think it a very distinct possibility Levi's grandfather demanded Julie have no contact with Matt and reveal nothing to him about Levi. Utterly selfish on his part and a sign of how embittered he likely was. As Julie herself stated, after a time it did not seem right to contact Matt and surprise him with a son he knew nothing about. Tremendous chapter @Mark Ponyboy Peters. Given the serious discussion of faith in this chapter, a discussion Matt is handling so well given he is not religious, I am posting this song about faith, not necessarily of the religious kind. The message of the song is what @chris191070 would refer to as awesome. No song has ever moved @Summerabbacat as much as this song, not even The Day Before You Came by ABBA. Hay fever to the max from start to finish.

Maria, the redhead, reminds me of one of my favourite Almòdovar actresses, the gorgeous Marisa Paredes @Gary L. Sadly neither are with us any more. Marisa was fabulous in my favourite Almòdovar film, All About My Mother.

I also loved Baccara's 1977 disco smash Yes Sir I Can Boogie @Gary L and @centexhairysub. They did Paco and his fellow countrymen proud @Gary L, and the residents of Blighty loved it as it was a #1 smash. I also loved Santa Esmeralda @Gary L, another Spanish disco act who had a top 10 hit in Australia, as did Baccara. I just love the complex choreography in the video by Baccara (LOL) and the heavily accented vocals by Mayte and Maria.

At least 2 million Americans liked Disco Duck @centexhairysub as it went platinum in 1976 and topped the Billboard Hot 100. Much to @Gary L’s dismay I don’t like classical music at all and like very little opera. I think he only tolerates me because I love dachshunds, Almòdovar, ELO and Duran Duran. LOL.

If your comment is sincere I am pleasantly surprised @centexhairysub. I thought I was the only one who liked disco, or at least the only one "brave" enough to admit it. Always have loved it and always will. I can only think of a few disco songs which I am not fond of, and only one, Disco Duck, which I absolutely loathe.

Neil seemed quite chuffed by the compliments paid to him by Frau Kostner. I was surprised when he referred to her as Anna. Perhaps he might even get to the point where he does not automatically dismiss any suggestion he has talent.

I recall Fernando is Mark’s favourite song by ABBA because of it’s folk/country flavour.

I did predict this, but not with the same degree of confidence had I borrowed @weinerdog’s crystal ball.

🥳🎉🥳🎉🥳🎉🥳🎉🥳🎉 Another top 10 placing @Mark Ponyboy Peters. Debuting at #1 in the General Fiction genre for the month ending 03/07/26. Not surprising given the quality of the work, but continued recognition must be pleasing. You are making the top 10 almost a permanent home now. Well done. Can you hear the drums @Mark Ponyboy Peters? I remember not long ago on a starry night like this. I have not read this chapter yet, waiting for this result. #1 with a bullet will only increase the pleasure of the reading.

🥳🎉🥳🎉🥳🎉 Another top 10 placing @Paladin. #5 in the Comedy genre for the month ending 03/07/26. Not surprising given the quality of the work, but continued recognition must be pleasing. You are making the top 10 almost a permanent home now. Well done.

🥳🎉🥳🎉🥳🎉 Another top 10 placing @Robert Hugill. #8 in the General Fiction genre for the month ending 03/07/26. Not surprising given the quality of the work, but continued recognition must be pleasing.

I think Levi has been having too much medicinal cannabis with his evening meal @weinerdog.

Owen needs to do two very important things and quick smart. Firstly, take that damn crucifix off his bedroom wall. It is creepy and it clearly depresses him, staring at him in judgment. Secondly, zip those lips. Do not reveal to Margot that Ryder has contacted him again. It is none of her damn business. I was thinking this evening at the bus stop, waiting to come home from work on a bleak winter day (I loathe winter), about Margot and Owen's lavender relationship and the fake engagement. Margot is clearly ecstatic about the engagement, and I don't for one moment believe it is entirely because it strengthens her heterosexual credentials. I think she is loving being the centre of attention and is going all gaga about being engaged to be married, even if the relationship is fake. I was also thinking how disrespectful Margot is, not only to her parents, both of whom are tiresome, but also to other family members and family friends. These people will feel pressured to purchase an expensive gift of gifts for a relationship which is a fabrication. Will Margot return the gifts unopened when she decides to call time on it? I strongly doubt it. Will she share the gifts with her "co-conspirator"? I strongly doubt it as I imagine most of the gifts will have been purchased with Margot in mind rather than Owen. I don't usually have a lot of respect for social norms, but I think willingly accepting these gifts under false pretences is just plain wrong. Perhaps she has a career as a politician @drpaladin.

I think it must be his blonde hair, lithe body and his coquettish sassiness, but I had an image of Bastien as Sabrina Carpenter without the heels. I think there is more to Bastien's flirtatious behaviour than meets the eye. Is he looking for The Perfect Kiss? Maybe. Might he be the murderer? Possibly. Is he suspicious of Lawrence? Most definitely. Very intriguing @Laura S. Fox.

@Laura S. Fox had to stop @drpaladin, she knew you were getting too close to that sweet moment, the moment of the 'little death". So you see, she has saved you. Either that or she is "edging you", building towards that titanic crescendo, when waves come crashing, wham bam it's the 4th of July moment.

Are you holidaying in the Dachshundverse?

Aarrgghh! So you do have some "taste" after all. That fabulous album and a 12" disco collection. Who knows, we may even have some of the same 12" and albums.

Glorious, Vicki Sue Robinson. Halcyon days @Cane23 and @Robert Hugill. Perhaps he was suffering from a little Love Hangover as he looked a little rough around the edges.

One of the reasons why our stupid species repeats the same mistakes, commits the same atrocities, time and time again. Combine this with the rise in religious fundamentalism in many parts of the world, and you have a recipe for disaster. I assume Uncle Carlos is as Ximo speculated, either a maricone himself or a maricone sympathiser. Your "Englishness" shone again @Gary L, the absence of excessive graphic violence more disturbing than an over-saturation. Your description of Marco's appearance the most confronting of all because of the degradation he had been subjected to.

I have not seen the movie, but I could happily exist on nothing but disco music, although not in a cold climate.

Five hours of disco hell @Cane23. You underestimate my collection. It would likely to take at least 5 months of daily listening to multiple albums to enjoy them all. LOL.