Summerabbacat

Were they perhaps 3 little sex pigs?

My fellow learned reader @Al Norris said it best "Father Costas is a breath of fresh air! It was good of him to lay Katherine's fears to bed. Of course, Toby wasn't even bothered by it." I will stick my neck out and say that if more priests/pastors/clergymen were like Father Costas and churches more welcoming to all, they may be a little more popular in Australia. Most Catholics I know believe in birth control, divorce, abortion (or at least access to it) and are not anti-gay. Very few of them attend church at any time of year. As @Al Norris also said (the "hardcore liberal" agreeing with the "hardcore conservative" again), wonderful chapter @Mark Ponyboy Peters. I am looking forward to the next chapter with bated breath, anticipating perhaps some familial conflict with some of Kieran's relatives. If any are rude enough to admonish or attempt to shame him, I will not be surprised if it is his father who tells them to "go fuck themselves".

Australians by and large are not religious @weinerdog, or if they are, they have the courtesy to keep it to themselves. Church attendance rates are somewhat similar to the UK and are very low in comparison to your homeland.

The absolute last person I would have come out to as well @centexhairysub, particularly given I am not a Catholic and have little respect for most organised religions. Your second comment is one which crossed my mind too. Was Father Costas perhaps not wanting to upset other parishioners if he admonished Kieran and he made a "scene", or has Kieran perhaps confided in him at some stage, or is he, Father Costas that is, someone who has an appreciation for reality and does not agree with his church's stance on matters of sexuality. Perhaps we will find out one way or another in due course.

Such "filth" @Mark Ponyboy Peters. I love it. A just "reward" for me after having spent hours trying to access GA, rate stories, rate other readers' comments, quote other readers' or the author's comments, and make my own comments. Thank you for the e-mail response too as it gave me some comfort that it was not my laptop which was misbehaving (or basically fucked), rather it was the site itself or server which was misbehaving.

I am not surprised you do not recall it @Tris as it was included on ABBA's 2021 one-off "comeback" album, Voyage, their first album of new material for 40 years. I absolutely adore the song, even just thinking about the song makes me weep (I know, a complete wuss) as it was released within 3 months of the death of my two eldest cats, Bassey and Ava, who died within 1 month of each other from kidney disease, and my stepfather who died a week later from cancer. It was a fucking hideous year, much like last year when I lost two more of my cats, Kiki and Zelda, within 3 months of each other to cancer. Zelda is my profile photograph, and the photograph was taken the day before she died.

Chris Lamington, Marty Martin, Zach Washington and Silas Thompson all have much in common, stupidity beyond belief. The latter three died at a young age. Is death on the cards for Chris Lamington too? Has Danny genuinely changed his tune or was it a momentary bout of pleasantness to satisfy his father's demand? So many questions remain to be answered after this chapter @Lee Wilson

Many opportunities I should think with the following: I Want Your Sex Outside Wake Me Up Before You Go Go Freedom Fastlove Club Tropicana (maybe)

I too suspect Chris and Danny will join forces to cause trouble for Kevin. What the trouble is remains to be seen. Another most enjoyable read @Lee Wilson.

Damn, always the bridesmaid never the bride (LOL).

Any time you quote David Bowie @Lee Wilson your "star" blazes on the @Summerabbacat scale. Although not my favourite male soloist (that would be George Michael), he is top 3 along with Prince. A genius, like his fellow Brit, Kate Bush. I suspect @drsawzall may be correct; the jealous Chris has intervened.

The mess Kevin left for the landlord to clean up was immature, but I still had no sympathy for the landlord, a man with no compassion. Leaving cum for the hotel maid to clean up was inexcusable though. A young male groupie for a band member, not what comes to mind when one thinks of groupies and bands, but I am sure it has happened to well known bands with openly gay members or members on the down low. I can think of several off the top of my head in the hard rock/metal genre for starters @Lee Wilson, aside from several deceased band members/solo singers. A rollicking start to this story.

I I have it on a K-Tel vinyl compilation an ex-flatmate gave me years ago. It is one of the few songs on the album which plays without so much as a snap, crackle or pop. I hated it in 1976 and still hate it now. It sold over 2 million copies in your homeland and I somehow doubt that all who bought it were immature 15 year old teenagers. I have been "bagged" because I particularly like Boney M. who were immensely popular in Australia, not so in your homeland as they only had one top 40 hit with a disco remake of Rivers Of Babylon. I am not ashamed to admit it and was never ashamed to admit my adoration of ABBA either. As you have commented on many an occasion, we all like what we like musically.

Brilliantly stated @drsawzall, dare I say a symbol of their success, which will be 'diminished' if it is known they are less than heterosexual.

It may surprise you, but I think it is quite average. Disco is usually something which is right up my alley, but even it has a few notable songs I am not fond of e.g. Blame It On The Boogie by The Jacksons, the atrocious Disco Duck by Rick Dees and the annoying Get Off by Foxy, all of which were very popular.

My favourite of all of William Broad's material. He was very popular in Australia.

You guessed correctly, although I do like some of their songs when performed by other artists, with Got To Get You Into My Life by Earth, Wind & Fire my favourite cover.

I think I have made that "error" before with the "Grandpa" series @Tallguyct, although I may not have committed it to paper.

Short and sweet, like a dose of Kylie Minogue. Well done @Lee Wilson.

Totally agree @pvtguy; one of this story's most appealing features and greatest strengths for me.

Well colour me shocked, pleasantly so. Father Andrzej was not only not repulsed by Jose's revelation he is gay, he made the same revelation to Jose himself. He is certainly fortunate to be living and practising his faith in Massachusetts as in his birth nation he would not be welcome by the church or the nation itself, much like many Eastern European nations which are either Catholic or Orthodox. I think @Tallguyct may have set the scene or a romantic liaison between Jose and Walter, whom I assume are of a similar age. A romance between the two may be just what the doctor ordered.

I agree @VBlew. What I cannot work out though is why Jose would want to share this with a Catholic priest and feel comfortable about doing so, given that Church's attitude towards the LGBT community. I assume it is very likely that being Puerto Rican he would be Catholic, but the disclosure still puzzles me. I suppose it is possible Father Andrzej may be a little more liberal in his beliefs, but I certainly would not pin any hope on this being so.

Obviously Tony "heard" your comments from the previous chapter @centexhairysub and @CincyKris and decided not to "ambush" Aaron. Whilst Aaron's reception appeared somewhat frosty, I think you guys offered good "advice" (LOL). I have not been as harsh in my assessment of Aaron as my fellow readers as I think he has really struggled mentally with Tony's departure, as evidenced by his alcohol problems and his apparent reaching out to Justin, with whom he has a stronger affinity than anyone else. Whilst I will not be surprised if he "blames" Tony for leaving town, I equally will not be surprised if he does not. He well may blame himself, acknowledging to himself that fear stopped him from accompanying Tony, fear Tony would leave him behind in a world alien to him, fear Tony would meet someone more exciting, handsome and successful, fear he would embarrass himself and/or Tony with his provincial ways. I think Aaron has lived a lot of his life in fear; his parents indifference to him caused a lot of harm to his self-esteem. I am pleased to see that I am not alone in my sympathetic attitude to Aaron, as evidenced by @CincyKris's comment. I loved Luke's political comment "and not to mention how industry in this country has been crucified, all for the sake of free trade! Man, we’ve really got it made here!’. In my mind free trade has only further encouraged the transport of live animals to non-domestic markets, many of which have little or no respect for animals and the slaughter of them. Despicable scum whom I would like to see treated in the same manner. Marvellous chapter @Mark Ponyboy Peters, even if Luke's comment riled me up. Well done Luke.

You could have left it as Wilson and had Denise or Deirdre named Rhonda or Barbara Ann.

Toby 'Attenborough' ? impressed those in attendance at the Wetland Centre with his presentation, and more importantly he seemed to enjoy himself. I tried to recall if Toby's family name has ever been mentioned, I even revisited chapter 1 of Brian:Taking Courage to try and find it. Have you ever given Brian and him a family name @Robert Hugill? Toby also impressed Noah with his performance of a less "academic" nature. I had completely forgotten Gabriel is also gay @Robert Hugill. This may be another reason for Val and Marina's recent hysteria regarding Noah's relationship with Toby. This recent concern is laughable though as Val and Marina have previously shown little interest in Noah's life, often being too busy with work or social commitments to accompany him here and there, as was shown again with his visit to the Wetland Centre. For this reason alone, I find their intrusive and frankly hysterical reaction to Noah's "interactions" with Toby ridiculous. Brian and Gordon take a much greater interest in Toby's life, have a much greater understanding of the type of boy their son is and what he can be trusted to do. Great work again Mr Hugill.