Summerabbacat

I think you left out a critical word in that question @CincyKris, and the word is when. Unless the house is not for sale or is infested with termites, I think it is a fait accompli Tony will buy the house. I just hope he consults Aaron before doing so as I fear their substantial difference in income and ongoing earning capacity may be something they will need to work hard at to address. "Why didn’t you want me to know?’ I asked. ‘Because I knew that you would have come back. And I didn’t want to be the one to be blamed for you not achieving your dreams, even if I did want you to come back." Aaron's selfless act almost destroyed him; it demonstrates the depth of his love for Tony, and I doubt this depth has decreased. Likewise, it is very evident the depth of Tony's love for Aaron has also not decreased, if anything it is possibly greater than ever as he has come to realise it is the true measure of his happiness and success. No melancholia in this chapter @Mark Ponyboy Peters, but it was still a bit of a weepy, for me at least, but they were happy tears.

Although I am disappointed Lucas is confined to a wheelchair and is paralysed from the waist down, there is hope he may be able to walk again: "His doctors were hopeful that someday he might be able to walk short distances. However, he would still need several years of rehabilitation to learn to walk again." I am pleasantly surprised how positive his attitude is given his disability. I imagine his friends, new family and time have helped him get to this point. Sammy and Alex, Gerry and Paul, perhaps Neil and Chandler, and of course Mr Collins and Brenda; love is in the air at Farmersville High. I assume Brett and Emily readily accepted their father is gay and Dwight is his husband given the scene when Neil is presented with his new car. Ultimately a story of friendship and the adversity that can be overcome if one has true friends. A very good yet again read from @Ronyx.

Creme fraiche perhaps? Ask Delia Smith, she loved it.

Nothing more than what you deserve @Mark Ponyboy Peters. You give freely of your talent, a talent which clearly has universal appeal, even though your stories are quintessentially Australian (apart from those wretched "flip flops", LOL). For me personally, I have appreciated the fact you have not reduced Australia to a cringeworthy cultural embarrassment like that ghastly tourism promotion ad featuring Lara Bingle (where the bloody hell are you?) or Crocodile Dundee. Australia is so much more than this.

Would it take as many as 5, especially if said boner was of "epic" proportions?

This felt like a very "natural place" to provide more detail of Eric's childhood @northie, particularly as it relates to sex. The boys have not that I can recall talked about sex in any detail with Eric before now, and to have discussed it after watching a gay themed film or TV show is very apropos. It also illustrates the relationship between Andy and Eric, and to a lesser extent Adam, continues to evolve into one of an even greater and more equal friendship. The evolution of their friendship is quite extraordinary when examined clinically, they are several generations apart by age, and come from vastly different backgrounds when consideration is given to their social status, educational achievements and financial wherewithal. The fact that it has done so authentically is testament to your literary talents, their friendship is believable and has progressed despite these vast differences.

I think good stories promote or provoke comments, debate, speculation, disagreement or even off-topic silliness (I know they do this for me at times), further enhancing their worth and contribution. It is perhaps a cliche, but to me it sometimes feels like a community.

You have created some delightful younger brothers in your stories posted to date @Mark Ponyboy Peters, Toby, Oliver and Peter, although the part he played was much smaller, so WTF happened with Stuart? The first adjective which came to mind to describe him was dickhead, followed closely by moron and fuckwit. 13 going on 5. I suppose there always has to be one bad apple in the bunch, or perhaps I am being too quick to judge him and he is not always such a dickhead. I liked the reversal of roles, Charlie now the confident boyfriend, supporting Kieran the insecure boyfriend, a sign of their love, respect and support for each other. And what of Kieran's fist bump with his father? This really surprised me, was this a "she'll be right mate" affirmation or a sign of comradeship or affection. The $64,000 question is @Mark Ponyboy Peters, will the shit hit the fan, and if so, who will be covered?

I thought Kevin's reaction interesting too @Paladin. Perhaps the fact Stuart behaved like an excitable 5 year old and already blabbed what they both witnessed so surprised Kevin he was rendered silent. If he was disgusted I would think he would have said something to Kieran and Charlie, so perhaps his silence equates to tacit support. Depending on the outcome of Stuart's blabbing it could be part of the dysfunctional family Christmas tradition, an all in verbal stoush with insults and accusations flying left, right and centre. If such events take place I am very concerned the impact it could have on Toby as he is ultra-sensitive, and I believe he would be devastated if anyone started insulting or abusing his beloved brother or Charlie. The least we can hope for is Stuart's parents' response to his childish behaviour is, so what?, and the rest of the extended family agrees, and the day moves on without further comment.

I was thinking 5 @weinerdog. Stuart appears to be the type of "child" who would likely also shout out "Kieran's got a boner! Kieran's got a boner!".

I agree @pvtguy; his father especially may surprise if needed.

Very observant @CincyKris. I suspect your speculation may be correct.

Rob is adorable, a good friend to add to Eric's growing "collection". David Bowie, now there is an English musical genius to admire, almost as good as Kate Bush @northie.

Oliver is even more deranged than I thought. Felicity needs to leave him pronto. It would seem he has managed to con some other woman into enjoying his company, although given his "personality" he may have to pay for the privilege. I just hope his alcoholism does not result in him committing vehicular manslaughter; vehicular "suicide" would be more than acceptable though. Perhaps he may suffer a coronary "episode" when he becomes aware the article in Herefordshire Life about the "bloody queers" is about his son. How deliciously ironic, death by Herefordshire Life. Seriously Felicity, if you cannot leave him, take to him with a cricket bat next time he is passed out drunk.

It is very unlikely to ever happen, but I don't know if I would have the patience to go through all that is required for a wedding like Andy and Adam's. Andy is extraordinarily patient. The one saving grace is that there is no Bridezilla and neither of the grooms' mothers appear to be Mumzillas.

Kate will come a calling @Cane23 and it won't be pretty. Moggie may come a calling too, claws extended and a hiss at the ready.

Eric + Rob = romance - definitely not Eric + Rob = genuine friendship for each - a real possibility I wonder if Eric might get Rob to make something special and unique for a wedding gift for Andy and Adam. Perhaps if they are invited together, as friends, it could be a joint gift, therefore making it more economically possible for Eric. Brian has a heart of gold, watching out for Eric as Andy does, not as involved of course, but he cares all the same. And the weather, and it is supposed to be summer. Reminds me of English Summer by Eurythmics from their first album, In The Garden. It is what I am used to, but give me a hot humid Aussie summer anytime. 35°C and 85% + humidity. Bliss.

I live in Alexandria, close to the border of it, Mascot and Rosebery, but lived in Ashmore Street in Erko back in 1995/96. It has certainly changed significantly since then.

The quotation process, annoying me once again @Darryl62. A very "unforgiving" process if you make an error.

Let's hope Peter does not serve burrata with caramelised fennel as a starter. I have to agree with you @CincyKris, except I believe both Peter and Vince would likely be depressed. In their case, it does appear as if the attraction is one in which their minds and social ideals at least, have played a big part.

My patience with Felicity is wearing thin. Her rudeness to Emily really pissed me off. I do not understand her reluctance to leave Oliver; she has way more options open to her than what many other women have in a similar situation. Unlike many women who find themselves the victim of domestic violence, Felicity does not "need" to stay with her brute of a husband "for the sake of their children". Their children are grown adults who are financially independent and do not need her protection from their father. She also has the support of at least one of her children, Adam, who would gladly give her refuge and protect her from Oliver if she were to seek his help. There are no apparent cultural or religious pressures on her to stay with Oliver, in fact, I believe she would receive an abundance of support as Oliver appears to be universally disliked. She also should have her own money, unless she signed it all over to Oliver, in which case Adam may know how to address such stupidity on her part. Brilliant @Darryl62. I saw two young guys walking through Redfern Park on Sunday holding hands and it brought a smile to my face, as it always does. I am always at the ready to "mouth off" if any haters give them grief.

“Hmm.” Adam frowned. “I can just imagine my father reading it. Or pretending to. In fact–” He sat up straight. “That's as good a reason as any to take up their offer.” How very mature Adam. Not. Love it, just what I would do, although it could backfire on his mother.

I think Oliver is the only real bastard in this story, there seems little chance of his redemption and I for one would not waste my energy on him. Tyler is certainly unlikeable and has a real attitude problem, but given his less than stellar home life is it any wonder. There is a chance he may redeem himself if he meets someone who believes he is "worthy" of seeking to improve himself. I believe at this point in time Rob is that man. As for Deborah Turner, I agree with you @northie. She is harmless, however, Bella the bitch may not be. She appears to be a rather unpleasant dog, one I suspect has been indulged way too much and never trained, a bit like Tyler Jackson in that respect. Emily is very clever. I think her invitation to Eric to take a short walk around her gardens may have had several motivations, pleasing Eric and stirring an interest such that he would encourage Andy to take on the job to landscape and repair them.

Perhaps Felicity can borrow the mallet from Emily which destroyed his garden, or better still a shovel with which she can bash Oliver over the head, repeatedly, before digging a hole big enough and deep enough to put him in it. His snoring patterns sound as if he might have sleep apnoea, likely caused by his excessive alcohol consumption. Eric and Rob both are somewhat fractious regarding contact with each other. Hopefully Eric will find his balls in the morning and contact Rob. I doubt if either has grand visions of a meeting leading to a sizzling romance or even FWB, but for Eric especially it could be a very rewarding friendship.

It is just as well Andy has developed a very thick skin as sometimes Eric's curmudgeonly behaviour is beyond the pale. I do sympathise with Eric's reticence and disbelief that Rob would want to seek him out though as I would think likewise if I were in his shoes. I see a number of Eric's less attractive traits in myself, which is probably why they have annoyed me so at times. I would like to think I am nowhere as curmudgeonly as Eric yet, but then again I am only 61. I am far more impatient than Eric (mainly with myself and machines) and cuss like a sailor, which Eric seemingly does not do, well at least not out loud anyway. You continue to entertain, educate (I don't recall encountering Welsh rarebit before this story, although I may have mistakenly read it as Welsh rabbit), enlighten and sometimes enrage me @northie. A fine writer indeed who can tell a story about someone "invisible" by and large, and breathe life into him and his limited life experiences, particularly when that someone is not young.