Summerabbacat

No surprises @drsawzall, the virulent pus known as Walter Samson III, hired Damir aka the Wolf to rid himself of the embarrassment of his son, Walter Samson IV. The reason for wanting his son dead appears to be a combination of Walter IV being a "faggot" and having an African American lover. Walter Samson III certainly is a kindred spirit of the Cuntess of Chicago. Why didn't she marry him instead of John Renkin? It appears they would likely have moved in similar circles, although from what Melissa said, Walter Samson III appears to have a reputation for some less than legal activities. Peter Motts may formerly have been as big a c&#t as his despicable daughter, the Cuntess, but there has not been any suggestion that I can recall he was involved in anything illegal. Given this he may have discouraged such a union had it ever been a possibility. I have to wonder, or am I merely projecting what I would like to happen, if Peter Motts may somehow help in bringing about the downfall of Walter Samson III. It appeared from his very cutting remark he made upon arrival at Walton Prep, that he, Peter, has little respect for Walter Samson III. Thomas' calming of Boy to the point where he retreated into the recesses of Micah's mind and allowed Micah to reengage was extraordinarily written @empath. I have, as far as I am aware, never known anyone with multiple personalities, but your portrayal of the "battle" between Boy who was protecting Micah and Micah himself, was remarkable. I found it believable, frightening and sobbing-inducing. As I stated in comments on the prior chapter, I hope Micah's realisation as to what Boy did in protecting himself, Mary, Teyshawn and Walter, who would almost certainly have died before help arrived, has a profoundly cathartic affect upon him, even if that is not realistic. There is so much more I could write and analyse @empath, but I have promised myself I must try to stop writing too much in my comments and allow the story to tell itself without me having to analyse every word, sentence, thought or event. This was another fine example of why your stories are so beloved.

I wrote my usual long-winded comment on this chapter last night and thought I had posted it. Perhaps a blessing for my fellow readers that I obviously had a "senior's moment" given its absence. Prior to their arrival in Naples, Étienne, Alessandro and Giovanni had completed a charmed journey, revelling in their newly found love and companionship. The description of the countryside as the three boys travelled to Naples was vivid and very appealing @E K Stokes. Your description of the squalor of Naples was also very effective, I could almost feel its oppressiveness and smell its stench. I was not surprised Étienne chose to stay with Alessandro and Giovanni, but I was a little surprised at the sadness I felt when he bid Charles farewell, and at the generosity of Charles, a generosity which served the three boys well in Naples. I was also very pleased to observe Étienne passed that good fortune forward by pressing an extra coin into the hands of Marco for coming to their aid when they were arrested for "stealing" their own wagon, donkey and provisions. Given the story's title I have to wonder if we have not seen the last of Charles. Will he become the King of England at some point in time and be reunited with Étienne in some way? I look forward to reading more of this delightful tale. All in all a beautifully written chapter @E K Stokes. I rated this chapter with a sad emoticon solely because of the impoverished life being led by Marco, which overwhelmed me.

Jess strikes me as somewhat naive too @Paladin, which could explain the pregnancy. It is quite possible Bernard was her first sexual experience, and she may have thought she could not get pregnant the "first time" as apparently some people do have this belief. A lovely observation of Tony's reaction to Charlie Wong. I was shocked when I last saw my mother, not having seen her "in the flesh" for several years. At our age it is a reminder of our own mortality too (and I know you are a little older than me).

I have always believed one of @Robert Hugill's greatest story telling strengths is his ability to include the minutiae of life, without fanfare, and make it interesting and dare I say, appealing.

Oooh. I like the reference to the "next story". That means you have more Hugillicious wonders in your treasure trove to delight us with in the future.

I have just remembered @Robert Hugill both Gus Kahn and Madeline Kahn's family name is spelt Kahn. I knew he was Jewish and assumed she was and had noticed the different spelling of their family name, but had forgotten it until just now. What a duffer.

It was worth the wait, with Walter well and truly fucked after a night, early morning and morning, of passion. Amazing stamina for men of their age. It's now onwards and upwards for the newly-minted lovers.

I concur with my fellow readers who have already commented @Bry Bryant, a very impressive literary debut. What I particularly applaud is the fact Bry has been true to himself. I get the sense he has a degree of angst that at the age of 24 he is still a virgin, but it is not all consuming, such that he has felt compelled to have sex merely for the sake of losing his virginity. There is extraordinary societal pressure, even more so amongst gay men, to have sex frequently, and if one is not doing so then one is in some way lesser. I also admire Bry's courage for seeking employment in a job he enjoys, one in which his tertiary qualifications would not have been a prerequisite. As someone who loves music (I have almost 2200 albums on CD and/or vinyl), a job in a record store is very appealing. Bry's body image issues are very real, and something not exclusive to women. I think you are presenting them in a very authentic manner. Well done on many fronts @Bry Bryant. I too look forward to being able to read more of this story.

I think this would be one of the hardest things to achieve when major characters from one story make appearances in other stories as minor characters, with a plot common to both but from the others point of view. Kudos to you for achieving this.

A very educational chapter for me @Robert Hugill. I had assumed, quite incorrectly, Russ' father was likely of Indian or Pakistani descent, which would have made Russ of Indo-Caribbean descent I think. I had no idea that by spelling the family name as Kahn rather than Khan it signified the family was of Germanic Hebrew origin. I had wondered at the variation in spelling from Russ' very first appearance, having never encountered the spelling as Kahn, but did bugger all about researching it. Now I don't have to. The receipt of the photographs of Warren in an Iverson thong and the discussion between Russ and Brian and Gordon, specifically Russ' suggestion that Brian and Gordon should participate in a photoshoot modelling the gear as "ordinary blokes", has cemented in my mind the timeline of this story and these events as they appear in Ralph: Breaking Free. I had been a little unsure up until now, which in the grand scheme of things is of no importance, but for someone who likes "completeness" (read anal retentive), it was reassuring.

I forgot to press the 'Quote' button again @Mark Ponyboy Peters and cannot do so now. The comment below was made in response to your comment: "Wow! Some effort went into that one @Summerabbacat. Thank you. ❤️" As noted by @pvtguy, this was a "loaded" chapter, which I assumed meant densely packed, with a lot of revelations and relationships growth, plenty of "fodder" for a long-winded wannabe critic like me to get my teeth into.

One of many poignant moments as you have commented @Paladin. Perhaps @Mark Ponyboy Peters should change his nom de plume to Poignancy Ponyboy Peters?

I don't think Patrick is Nan and Pop's son @CincyKris, I think he is their nephew. If he was their son then he would be the brother of Kieran's mother and Aunt Trish, not their cousin. I suspect he is the son of Nan's sister and brother-in-law or Nan's brother and sister-in-law, and it is for this reason she was particularly emotional i.e. he is a "blood" relative of Nan's.

Enough to correct those "flaws" due to the ageing process, at least, @Mark Ponyboy Peters. Whatever you do though, do not use the same surgeon as Madonna as you may end up resembling a pony in more ways than just name, or worse still, find out afterwards you have accidentally been "gelded". I agree wholeheartedly @weinerdog; the Monolith needs to be afforded the same treatment that she has afforded her children. Like @Al Norris commented, I think she would dismiss out of hand any feedback from her children and/or their "deviant" cousin and/or his "deviant" friends. I vaguely recall her sister, Luke's mother, trying to reason with her in After We Danced, and she did not budge in her self-righteous condemnation of Luke, so there is next to no chance she would heed anything said by a bunch of homosexuals and/or lesbians. She is one Happy Clapper who would not be missed @Mark Ponyboy Peters. Most of my fellow readers have commented on the unusual circumstances of Jess' pregnancy. I may have jumped the gun somewhat with my comments in the prior chapter, as it does not appear Jess is expecting anything from Tony, including sympathy, and it appears she is taking full responsibility for her actions and not blaming anyone else, including the father of her child. I can understand her reticence in disclosing his identity to Mike given the comments she made regarding Mike's temper. Perhaps rash behaviour is something Mike "inherited" from, or at least learned from the actions of, the Monolith. I have to agree with @Al Norris again in that Bernard, being Kelly's brother, is an "ideal choice" as father of a baby for Jess and Kelly to raise together, if this is what eventuates. Although it makes little difference @Mark Ponyboy Peters, was Tony's father the Monolith's first husband, and the father of Michael and Jess her second husband? The only reason I ask this is because of a recent remark Tony made where he stated he could not remember much about his father at all as he was quite young when he left. Another chapter @Mark Ponyboy Peters where tissues for some (sleeves for others) may have come in handy. On this occasion, it was the comment of a secondary character, Charlie Wong, which moved me tremendously 😹😹😹😹😹😹: ‘"You two. You should not be apart. You are good for each other. But you are so blind.’ ‘I’m beginning to see that, my friend.’ ‘Then you must do something about it,’ he scolded. ‘You must be happy in life, or there is no magic!’ ‘Yes, Charlie. I think you are right,’ I said, as I reached across the table and placed my hand over Aaron’s. ‘Always good boys,’ Charlie said. ‘Always good boys." And finally, speaking of Madge, this song of hers, the double A side with Vogue when released in Australia, seems rather appropriate given the revelations of this chapter:

Nikki is soooooo baaaaaad. Part of me finds her very interesting and hilarious, part of me thinks she is a pretentious twat who would annoy the hell out of me after a while. Perhaps she is a pleasant mix of each, each diluting the more extreme of the other. The image I had of her brother Dante was even funnier, a mix of a young Captain Peacock from the English TV comedy from the 1970's, Are You Being Served, any stereotypical "superior" butler in many films seen over the years, and an Italian/Spanish porn star with swarthy good looks. I just hope Will has not signed some agreement which will come back to bite him on the arse in the future as I am not sure I entirely trust Nikki. Aidan has clearly moved in social circles with people of "class", or should that be crass as those with wealth are not guaranteed to be those with ethics and of upstanding character. Interestingly Nikki assumed Aidan and Will were an established couple, and appeared genuinely shocked they are not. The most striking thing about this chapter though was that whilst Will enjoyed Joey's visit, I don't think he is anywhere near as upset about Joey's absence from his life as he was before he moved in with Aidan. I think moving in with Aidan has been a very healthy thing for him, forcing him to become more of an adult than what he was whilst still living at home with his parents. "Loud electronic music poured out of the open door of Avant Garde and drifted down the plaza, drawing me in like the visible scent of a fresh pie cooling on a window sill in an old cartoon." Brilliant imagery @Josh Aterovis.

That will be the next thing to "go". Mind you, given the drivel that comes out of many fellow humans mouths purportedly as conversation, entertainment or news, a decline in hearing may in fact be a blessing.

You are too modest Mark. I think you "get it right" more often than not. Perhaps it is because I am a fellow Aussie, but your depictions of ordinary life, although universal, always seem so natural for want of a better description. I like drama, but I equally appreciate serenity, and your slices of Aussie life invariably feature a healthy dose of the latter. Languid, like Tropical Blend suntan oil floating on a summer breeze whilst eating a Pine Lime Splice. Bliss, utter bliss. I don't wear a hat, but given how fast my hair has now decided to go AWOL, I will hold onto that instead. Trouble is when holding onto it I think it encourages more of it to go AWOL. And what is left of it is the right colour to suit that fat jolly guy who visits each December 25.

Jonathan Thunderbird Waya. What a great name @Ticklishboy30. And that dream sequence; in any other circumstance I would think maybe Antboy had toked a little joint or two before bedtime. Bring on the fireworks.

I love how the family members are not afraid to embrace colour in their lives. From purple basketball shorts, to a light pink long-sleeved shirt with mint green sleeves, to a yellow long-sleeved polo shirt. And they visited Kylie's younger sister, Dannii on more than one occasion too. Boys, and one girl, with taste. Dannii's appearance has changed significantly in the last 35 years, for much the better I think.

This chapter needed a "tissue warning" @Mark Ponyboy Peters; tears of joy are invariably as quick to appear as tears of sadness, although do not tend to be as emotionally and physically draining and exhausting. The comments from Nan and Pop were the ones I found particularly moving, stated with such heartfelt warmth. Kieran's father was also, perhaps a little surprisingly, resolute in his support of Kieran and Charlie. It was also very heartwarming to observe how readily Charlie was accepted as a member of the family, something he has never known to date. I hope we get to meet Patrick and a reconciliation can take place. I suspect Patrick may be Kieran's mother and Aunt Trish's maternal cousin as this may explain Nan being "particularly emotional" when farewelling Kieran and Charlie. The Christmas luncheon was a family affair, a real celebration of family, and unlike many families, they are not a dysfunctional one.

6,249 words and not a single word wasted @empath. What a densely packed chapter, a frenzy of life-changing events in such a short period of time. I, like @drsawzall, believe it is likely Walter's sperm-donor, the obscenely wealthy church goer featured in the Prologue, who hired Damir to murder his son, in addition to a few other students so it does not appear Walter was a targeted hit. What a despicable man. Perhaps he is the Cuntess' fraternal twin, separated at birth, unbeknownst to both sets of parents. The good doctor's suggestion Rocky and Orlando pay a visit to Walter's father is very appealing. Who better to "persuade" Walter's father to correct the error of his ways, even if he only gets to enjoy correcting his error for a very limited period of time. And, unlike Damir, Rocky and Orlando always clean up any mess they make in the execution of their assigned duties. I hope Walter survives, and once his father is arrested, he comes out with pride and dignity, a slap in the face to his despicable sire. If Walter does survive, it may be the catalyst for both Teyshawn and he to be honest and reveal who they really are, consequences be damned. Even if Walter does not survive, it is quite clear Micah/Boy saved the lives of Teyshawn, Mary and himself. Will this experience and knowledge have a cathartic affect upon Micah or will it cause him to regress into the world of Boy again? Qian and Arturo will no doubt be there to help him, but I feel it will be Mary Renkin who once again has the greatest impact on restoring this complex and emotionally fragile young man. And what of Sarah Pennington, is she any less a bitch than her friend Jessica Jameson? I hope her prick of conscience indicates she has at least some principles, but this remains to be seen.

Walter is wisely observing the tried and tested adage, practice makes perfect. When Jose finally has the opportunity to fuck Walter it should not be a case of "break and enter" just "enter".

I may well "drown" in that water @Mark Ponyboy Peters, and reap what I have I sewn if I have been too harsh on Jess. If that be the case then so be it, I will acknowledge I am a heartless bastard.

Kjell and Bella certainly belied the stereotype of the liberal Swede. Given his physical appearance Kjell may be constipated, and given her physical Bella may be dehydrated. Whatever their physical well-being, neither appears to have a happy and healthy state of mind. Perhaps they have overdone the sauna and it has "fried" their brains. I thought Vince showed remarkable restraint, likely due to his occupational training, in not blowing up when Kjell and Bella had the audacity to assume and level blame at Freddie for having "corrupted" Arvid. As if their piety was not insufferable enough, this assumption on their part, was the final straw for me. I was hoping Moggie would make an appearance and express her displeasure with unspeakable ferocity directed at both Kjell and Bella. She could have made Swedish meatballs out of both of them. I agree wholeheartedly with @centexhairysub; Dawn is a delight, Another Lesley, a delightful friend to have, one whom can be relied upon not to sugarcoat things, but to admonish gently and with tact. Vince's admission to her that he has bought the piano for Gray because he has come to mean something to Vince was terribly moving, brought a tear to my eye. As I have stated on many an occasion @Robert Hugill, a visit to the Hugillverse is always a joyous occasion, even if on occasion some of the "passengers" are a pain in the arse, as Kjell and Bella certainly were on this occasion.

I forgot to comment on them @drsawzall. Wasn't it wonderful observing such a formerly despicable pair still making such a positive contribution to lives of the unwanted sons, and to some extent in Mary's case, the unwanted daughter (although Rosa and her grandfather genuinely love her).