Summerabbacat

The sad 'emoticon' has been chosen by me, as much for Giovanni as for Étienne. Giovanni is clearly saddened and threatened by the developing friendship between Étienne and Enzo, one which he obviously believes will lead to a relationship, one which will include sex on the menu. I assume Giovanni is likely a runaway or an orphan and for this reason has formed an unusually close connection with Étienne in such a short time, a connection which he is very possessive of. The green-eyed monster of jealousy has reared its ugly head. Action similar to that of Giovanni's would normally earn a swift and harsh assessment from me @E K Stokes, but the personal circumstances of Étienne, Giovanni, Alessandro and Enzo, are such that one cannot but help feel sympathy for them. Perhaps the relationship between Étienne, Giovanni and Alessandro can extend itself to include Enzo too.

And we would not have it any other way @E K Stokes (LOL).

"He was maturing faster than I ever expected. I’d always heard that boys took longer to grow up, that they avoided hard conversations and ducked responsibility. But Alex was proving that wrong. Sixteen years old, and in this moment, he seemed older. Wiser. More grounded than I was at his age. More grounded, even, than Keith. Keith, who was technically an adult now. But more often than not, acted like the younger one, angry, closed off, unwilling to face things." James is completely blinded to the irony of his thoughts, too wrapped up in his own misconceived sense of guilt to recognise Keith is the not only one adult who is less grounded than the younger Alex, not the only adult closed off and unwilling to face things. Alex afforded his father the perfect opportunity to disclose his growing relationship with Jonah when he said: "It’s weird,” he said after a moment. “Like… I feel closer to you now than I have in years. But also like I don’t know everything about you.” “You don’t,” I said. “But you know the important parts. The parts that matter.” He looked at me again. “I think I’m ready to know the rest. When you’re ready to tell me.” This invitation was not given lightly. I have to wonder if Alex may have an inkling it was Jonah whom his father kissed outside the apartment block in which little Miss Homophobia, the ex-girlfriend resides. His comment “Jon seems like someone who hikes a lot, or who would enjoy it.” Alex said offhandedly." may be purely coincidental, but also may not be. James' intention to end his relationship with Jonah is nonsensical @ChromedOutCortex, although it does make for entertaining and provocative reading. I hope before he commits it to action he has a rethink, or even better, Alex reveals he knows it is Jonah whom his father kissed and that he is happy for him.

I remember you mentioning you had met him and how kind he was when I made comments, probably referencing Serial Mom, on Bleeding Hearts. I don't remember you stating you had been to his home though, which must have been thrilling to say the least. I have a number of his films on DVD, Serial Mom being my favourite. His comment about Jeff Stryker is one I will always remember too, when he referred to him as the 'Cary Grant of porn'.

Joey's dead in the pool. Shit happens. Next. If Joey has been murdered there is likely to be any number of potential murderers at the party as he was certainly not well liked. It appears he has left a trail of destruction behind him since starting college, a trail of destruction which began long before Will's confession of love. I tried to conjure some sympathy for Joey, to find a reason for his reckless, heartless, self-absorbed behaviour. After giving it a fleeting thought I confirmed I did not care why he is, or now was, like he was. He was a horrible person, and whatever the cause of this, if any, I don't care. Joey left behind a reminder of himself, one which Caitlin is charged with responsibility for, one way or another. Will's offer to help her raise the baby is indicative, I think, of how mentally unstable he clearly still is. He has neither the financial capacity nor the mental strength to care for himself at present without some concern, so how could he possibly assist Caitlin in raising Joey's child. Has Joey changed that significantly @Josh Aterovis? It was impossible to find anything likeable about the person whom Will confronted at the party. Alcohol and weed may have loosened him up a little, but did it completely change the essence of the man? It is hard to imagine it changed him that drastically.

Are you sensing Scanlon may deliberately sabotage the investigation to undermine both Juan, the faggot, and "Uncle Teddy", the bleeding-heart liberal Commissioner @drsawzall? If so, I hope for once you are very wrong. One comfort I believe we can draw is that this story is set in early 1997 and not the present day. If it was the latter I would be very concerned too, assuming of course people like Juan and Uncle Teddy still had a job at such a high level.

I have always been rather scared of birds, of all sizes and varieties, @centexhairysub (and I don't recall ever seeing The Birds). It's the cooing noise some make, the flapping of the wings, and in many cases their ferocity (think eagles, falcons, owls, kookaburras). I would never trust a bird by turning my back on one and would never attempt to handle one in any way, shape or form. Controlling the sex lives of members does sound cultish doesn't it, especially if the leader(s) of the cult start "encouraging" then demanding sexual favours for themselves, for the good of the cult members of course.

Good point @drsawzall. If Robert does turn his anger on Marie physically and Luca has taken photographs of Jamie, I would hope the charges of domestic violence/battery against Robert would be more severe. As suggested by @weinerdog, perhaps Jamie's Uncle Greg could be brought in to mediate as Robert does appear to have some respect for his brother, unlike his son and potentially his wife.

Crushed nuts anyone? Come on customers, get your bag of crushed nuts today, half price or a free bag with every kilogram of zucchinis, carrots or bananas you purchase.

I had not thought of this but wholeheartedly agree with your speculation @Ticklishboy30, but I also think the fear of her husband's reaction is likely to have "slapped her in the face" quick smart too.

I look forward to his emasculation, even if it is only figurative rather than literal. I also wonder what his brother's response will be? From the brief glimpse we got of Uncle Greg, and from the opinion Jamie appears to have of Uncle Greg, I do not think Robert will receive his support. He may receive a fuck you from his brother too.

My immediate thoughts are: unsurprisingly, Daddy dearest is a violent bully who finally used his fists with a degree of ferocity to match that of his words surprisingly, Mommie dearest does have a breaking point and it was reached; Daddy dearest had best guard what he treasures most or he could find himself emasculated a la John Bobbitt was Mommie dearest revolted by the intimate drawing of Luca because she suspected Jamie is gay, or was her negative reaction to what she suspected is the truth motivated by what she feared her husband's reaction would be Much to ponder @Jeff Burton. It is in the early hours of Saturday morning here in Sydney, Australia, and I have to be up early tomorrow, so for once I am keeping my comments brief. I look forward to reading the comments of my fellow readers, which may in turn invite further contribution(s) from me. In short, a very powerful chapter, one which ironically may strengthen Jamie's resolve to be the truest version of himself he can be. His father's violent assault may finally result in Jamie's fuck you to him, something his father would not possibly contemplate.

The home state of the great man himself, John Waters. Beverly Sutphin for president. She would enact some long overdue laws @Josh Aterovis. No using the "brown" word at the breakfast table, compulsory rewinding of all videos for hire before returning them, no wearing white shoes after Labor Day and death by firing squad for any household which does not sort its recycling from its rubbish.

In the current political climate I can imagine public hospitals in some states may flout the law and expect to get away with it.

Graham to Matt - how's ya pecker, Woody? Matt to Graham - wooden

Perhaps watching some "bird porn" might get the juices flowing @Cane23. Buttfucking blue jays, fellating falcons, rimming ravens. The arrival of nasty Norbert may spurn Gray and/or Matt into action.

Not really something to restore it to its former lustre @Mel, LOL.

I think @Robert Hugill mentioned in Brian: Taking Courage, the first of the Parborough Chronicles, what the inspiration for Parborough is @bikerman, although it is entirely possible his first disclosed inspiration may have been for the fictional town of Netherwich, which is his invention based on elements of Crewe and Nantwich, in which his second published story No Going Back is set. I may have imagined he disclosed he was specifically inspired by a town or towns for Parborough, or you could be correct in your assumption.

I always like to do a little Google search on the villages/towns/cities you reference in your stories @Robert Hugill. Maldon appears physically the perfect town for a Midsomer Murder, although it may be too populous. The Maldon waterfront on the River Blackwater may be where it gets its "upstart" reputation from, being home to what appears to be some very expensive water craft. It does have one achievement of which it should be very proud though, its annual Taxi Day. Clacton-on-Sea has a hideously large and fucking ugly pier and Southend-on-Sea the pier on which a train travels. I found neither town appealing. I could not find any record on Google of a village/town in the UK called Seaward let alone West Seward. Is this a fictional village/town you have created like Parborough, Robert? The exchange between Gray and Matt although awkward, made them both aware there is at least an interest on the part of the other in pursuing something more than friendship at some point. Gray's track record of failed relationships and Matt's reticence are sobering at the moment, but hopefully the tide will come in soon and bring with it something a little more than a held hand, an awkward glance of admiration and conversation. They certainly appear to have sufficient in common to investigate something further. I am puzzled by Gray's apparent discomfort with Peter's state of dress in the main house. It does not appear he is desirous of Peter wearing less, which would have been consistent with his usual approach to nudity, it appears he is wanting Peter to wear more. Perhaps I have misunderstood though, is it merely because, as he states, he barely knows Peter? What better way to get to know him than seeing him casually attired, and first thing in the morning. Perhaps this is the "real problem", a little too much "timber" in the morning. A delightful little chapter @Robert Hugill, a precursor to the party at Philpott Towers. I have to wonder if Venetia will hear of the party and turn up uninvited, cause a "scene" over Vince's newfound sexuality, and storm off after launching an attack on Gray and Peter for leading Vince astray, and on Rowena for fraternising beneath her station.

Aaaarrrrgggghhh. Halcyon days, it seems like only yesterday that was a common occurrence. Now such a rarity could lead to a cramp, or worse still, a bloody heart "episode".

Classic porn not available on DVD perhaps. It's cheaper than plastic surgery.

I looked them up on Google @Lee Wilson. If I had not been aware of your appreciation for heavy metal/hard rock bands I would have been more inclined to think it was a brothel with a slight "kooky" name.

Would this apply to private hospitals which are owned by religious institutions @Al Norris?

Divine intervention perhaps @Josh Aterovis? A "sign" meant for Rev Keegan that his beliefs are distorted and not in keeping with Christian tenets. Mrs Keegan certainly appears to have seen the sign and heeded its "warning". Of course, she is "merely" a woman, a disobedient one at that. She does not have her husband's intellect, wisdom or capacity to understand the "bigger picture" of life; best she stay in the only place she can truly excel, the kitchen.

Legs 11? Bingo.