Summerabbacat

"No worries. Strictly a hands-off evening. I feel the same way. After being burned by Zach, I'm taking... What" I am curious @Lee Wilson if Jackson was burned literally by Zach and it is this which has caused his disfigurement. I daresay this may be addressed in a future chapter. It certainly appears Dylan was lucky he did not become more involved with Zach as he is obviously a complete psychopath. Salvatore does need to be a little more discreet I think as Dominic is only 7 and 1/2 years of age. Mind you, Dominic is one very smart and witty boy. Is the "big game" baseball or gridiron?

Jackson is hot. Those nipples. Yum. Salvatore is delightful and very observant. Are you sure Dominic is only 7 and 1/2 years of age @Lee Wilson (LOL). I would caution Dominic outing his father to all and sundry though as this could invite unwanted attention from another Aunt Jessica clone. I have not been able to logout yet as I am totally rapt in this story, which seems like a good introduction to the posting of another great song. This time from my all-time favourite American band, second only to ABBA as my favourite band. The lead singer is also one of my favourite female soloists and a goddess to boot. It is still hard to believe she will be 80 years of age this year.

Binge reading your stories has been a comfort, along with my feline "daughters". Even my music has not been of comfort this week as my receiver needs "attention". I do not stream music or play it on my phone, I still listen to it on CD or vinyl.

Indeed I am, although I shall have to finish shortly. I have been sick this past week with an early season 'flu or something equivalent, which has given me more time to binge read.

Aunt Jessica. Bitch needs to die, and like now @Lee Wilson. What a hateful, malicious, ignorant, harpy. I hope Lacy did not leave her anything in her will. I daresay she will not appear in the story again, but I hope you at least reference her corpse, and sooner rather than later. Still a great story, one of your very best.

Hopefully Aunt Jessica got slammed by that out-of-control semi-trailer driven by a man who has had a heart "episode", the one I have suggested on several occasions to address homophobia in some of your stories @Lee Wilson. What a fucking bitch. I assume Simon is her husband; well bitch he is more likely to molest a child than Dylan you ignorant imbecile. Dylan's father was a wonderful surprise, and a far more suitable relative for Dominic to be exposed to than Jessica Muffmange from Minnesota. This story is superbly written @Lee Wilson.

I had no idea there was so much to be done when someone dies @Lee Wilson. This story, although now very sad, has been an effortless to read to date. The pacing and chapter lengths have been perfect. Unsurprisingly, this story seems to have generated more comments than any other from your back catalogue that I have read thus far.

Death was the kindest release for Lacy given the circumstances and prognosis had she "lived". I agree with those readers who felt Dominic knew his mother had passed away. He is as Dr Greene surmised, a very intelligent child. I believe Dylan's calm demeanour in a time of crisis also helped Dominic cope with his mother's passing. A very well written chapter @Lee Wilson. My eldest cat, Kiki, passed away 13 months ago from a suspected brain tumour which in hindsight I believe she had for 4-6 weeks beforehand. In the last 24 hours of life she had several seizures, one of which was scary to observe, and passed away relatively peacefully at the age of 17. The sensitivity with which you wrote this chapter was truly beautiful.

It certainly sounds as if Lacy has had a major seizure, although I think she may still be alive, but perhaps in a vegetative state. Dylan is extraordinary in that he has to date been able to forgive and forget. He has been a wonderful father to Dominic, and I suspect will soon become a sole parent. More good work @Lee Wilson.

How very true @Celian; often not done out of fear.

Lacy to Dylan "It is my turn to be Peaches tonight". Dylan to Lacy "No it's not. Just because you Shake Your Groove Thing at him every time he comes over to take you out on a date, does not mean you are his Roller-Skatin' Mate. And you can forget about us ever Getting Down, Getting Down or Reunited". No you did not telegraph the "twist" @Lee Wilson, which was hilarious. I wonder how many people have found themselves in such circumstances without knowing beforehand. At least Lacy did not blame Dylan (yet) for her misfortune on this occasion. A very humorous chapter @Lee Wilson which could have been anything but if Lacy had turned Miss Sourpuss or Psycho Bitch again. You are a deft hand with the unusual and have an appealing black sense of humour.

I think Lacy is operating on the belief that life for her will be all ha ha hee hee going forward. Whilst it is healthy (apparently) to have a positive attitude, I think she is being somewhat naive or unrealistic about the future. Like several of my fellow readers, I am suspicious about what is motivating her to be so accommodating to Dylan. I am not convinced she was only a bitch to Dylan because of her brain tumour. Call me heartless, but I, like @kbois, think Lacy is quite manipulative and has an ulterior motive for playing Miss Nice. Your high quality writing continues @Lee Wilson. Unlike Lacy, you are consistent.

Now that's what I call music @Lee Wilson. Marvin was a great singer and a looker too I thought. I for one don't care if the medical possibilities in this chapter are IRL medical impossibilities. As you rightly pointed out in the preface to this chapter, it is fiction. I was pleased to see Tommy got into trouble with his parents for the unkind remark he made about Lacy to Dominic. I had a great laugh at the explanation offered by Dr Greene as to why he may have said what he said: "No. Dr. Greene told me why he may have said that. She said that sometimes children just say things that they shouldn't. They don't always think before they speak. Kind of like you said about hitting." If there is truth in Dr Greene's pronouncement, then clearly many nations in the world are currently governed by children, as are many states or their equivalent within those nations.

As is often the case, a particular song or sometimes several songs suddenly make themselves heard in my head when reading your work @Robert Hugill. The lyrics of the following song struck a chord with me regarding the dilemma Vince finds himself in, particularly the last three lines of the chorus: "Not until I'm ready for you Not until I'm ready for you Can I have it all" Words of wisdom from one of your "quartet", Kate Bush. Hopefully, Vince is "listening" and pays them heed; proves he is NOT the man his father was.

“Not the fine detail, no. But I thought, can’t you take a step back from the practice, become an associate or something, do more of the work that you love, deserving stuff, people that won’t care who you’re seeing.” Yes, it may be easy for Gray to say as he is an out gay man, but he is trying to help his brother, the pig-headed Vince. Vince is right though, it is his decision to make. Does he want to potentially be happy with someone he obviously cares a great deal about otherwise the decision would be easy to make, or does he want to continue living what appears to be a somewhat lonely existence to maintain the status quo. I think Vince should speak to Freddie as Freddie is the only person other than Peter who may find himself significantly impacted if Vince decides Peter is what he wants and to be open about it. I cannot imagine Freddie will disapprove or make a fuss of any kind. If Vince is already a partner in the firm he works for, what can his fellow partners legally do. I cannot imagine Vince's behaviour in the workplace will change drastically if he decides Peter is what he wants. Being open about Peter will also have the benefit of ridding Vince of Venetia Murray and her insufferable attempts at matchmaking. I loved Gray's reference to the period when Vince was an "apprentice solicitor". I can only but imagine the offence this statement would cause to some with social ideals the opposite of Vince. An excellent chapter @Robert Hugill. This dilemma of Vince's will likely sorely test the developing relationship between the brothers. Vince appears to be going through his "Ralph, pre-Nolan period". At least Vince does not have overbearing parents or a demanding ex-wife to consider or listen to in making his decision.

Illness of any kind is I imagine difficult to write about. If you describe the illness in minute detail and its impact with an abundance of emotion, is it too maudlin for the reader or does it have the effect of trivialising the illness? if you describe the illness and its impact superficially, does it present as cold and detached? I think you have done a fine job @Lee Wilson, presenting sufficient facts for the reader to appreciate Lacy's erratic behaviour, and illustrating the impact it is having on both Dylan and Dominic, without relying exclusively upon melodrama.

Lacy's brain tumour may have lain dormant for some time. It may account for her erratic behaviour, the accusations of infidelity, which were not always correct, followed by apologies and reconciliation, while still married to Dylan. The award of custody to Dylan was the correct decision, one supported by Lacy in her current condition. Dylan's moving back into the marital apartment should provide some comfort to Dominic, but both are in for a tough time ahead. A very well written chapter @Lee Wilson.

No, not buying it @Lee Wilson. Totally unprofessional and totally unwarranted. Clearly Tim has an overinflated opinion of himself and should just "get the fuck over himself", and has a warped perception of gay men. As for Lacy, I don't care what her excuse is. I am in total agreement with @kbois. Ultimately Dominic and to a lesser extent Dylan are the losers in this situation thus far. However, if custody is awarded to Dylan I hope he no longer has to pay alimony to Lacy, which is likely as she will presumably be in a psychiatric ward. You have begun stirring your Wilsonian literary cauldron again @Lee Wilson. Double, double toil and trouble.

Dylan is still young and his life has turned to shit. Yes he fucked up big time, but is he entirely to blame? I don't think he is. I thought Zach overreacted when he severed his and Dylan's friendship, a friendship which appeared to sustain Dylan and make his unhappy marriage less miserable than what it was. Clearly the "friendship" meant a lot less to Zach than it did to Dylan. And as for Lacy, I think she is a cold-hearted shrew, and has been since day 1 of their marriage. Admittedly Dylan was unfaithful, but is that sufficient reason for him to have been punished as he was in the "settlement" reached upon divorce? I don't think so. A realistic presentation of divorce and its aftermath @Lee Wilson. I am not one who automatically thinks all men are hard done by in divorce, but in this case I think Dylan was unfairly treated. Lacy is toxic, which certainly contributed to Dylan's dissatisfaction with their marriage. His "straying" ended the marriage sooner than it would have had he not done so. At least now he has a chance to find happiness going forward, although at this point in time he is drowning financially because of his additional responsibilities. As for Lacy, will she find happiness? I don't think she will and frankly I don't care if she does or does not.

Dylan is experiencing new pleasures with Zach, pleasures he is rarely experiencing at home now. He acknowledges he has never really been in love with Lacy, their marriage the result of a night of passion without protection, which led to her pregnancy. I think Stevie Nicks' song below sums up the likely outcome of this chapter very well @Lee Wilson. A well paced story thus far.

Whilst I think it is a good plan to have Aaron mow the lawn before the party, if all the guys are at home it may feel like an ambush to him as suggested by @CincyKris and @centexhairysub. Perhaps it would be better if only Tony is at home so Aaron is not overwhelmed, and he can express his feelings honestly and without fear Luke, Matt, Tim and/or Guy might overhear and/or seek to intervene if things become heated. Given the feedback the four have given Tony regarding the difficulties Aaron has faced since Tony left town, it would not surprise me if Aaron reacts like a frightened animal cornered if Luke, Matt, Tim and Guy are at home too. Tony's unreserved admission he still cares for and is in love with Aaron appears to be genuine. If Aaron still feels the same way, it may take him some time to allow Tony back into his life for fear of being abandoned again. He is not worldly like Tony, and has lived a comparatively simple and likely frugal life. If he wants Tony back in his life I think Tony will have to be very mindful Aaron will want to pay his own way, and not be showered with gifts which I daresay Tony can now afford. A transitional chapter for want of a better description. Tony's "memories of yesterday" are powerful and filled primarily with joy and a tinge of sadness, a sadness he is taking steps to address. I daresay it won't immediately be smooth sailing for Tony and Aaron; it will I imagine take Aaron some time to allow himself to be vulnerable again, and Tony's wealth may also be a barrier to overcome, as I expect this might be something which really challenges Aaron's feelings of his self-worth and appeal. I think if Tony is able to convince Justin of his true intentions towards Aaron it will assist him greatly. Flip-flops @Mark Ponyboy Peters? I can only assume you have Americanised thongs to flip-flops to avoid confusion for your international readers. The story title I hope is not only a reflection of the joy Tony is experiencing in being home in the physical sense, but also a reflection of a reunited Tony and Aaron, even if only as friends (but hopefully a lot more). The usual high standard of ponyesque writing.

I think I have got Mrs Prescott mixed up with another character of the same profession in Kept Boy To Made Man. I think you may have read that.

If my bottom falls out any poor sucker who sees it immediately regurgitates their most recent meal. I am skeptical too regarding the up, up and away that has happened in Bart and Noah's life since New Year's Eve. Was it the first-time anal sex that has brought them such good fortune since? If so, why play Powerball, just get a pair of balls, any balls, whacking against those butt cheeks. I loved the name of the tattoo parlour, Sailor Cher's. Is this in deference to Cher's video clip for If I Could Turn Back Time @Lee Wilson?

A much happier ending @Lee Wilson. The original ending essentially pulled the rug out from underneath the merry dance you had led us on from chapter 2 onwards. As many have commented, the joy of many of the stories on GA is their HEA conclusion. I feel the illusion of HEA is even more important now than what it was this story concluded on January 4 2024 (I still find it hard to wrap my head around the American date formatting). The world has changed so much since then, and mostly not for the good of humanity, and certainly not for our fellow non-human animal friends. If only @Lee Wilson could write the wrongs IRL with his magical literary wand.

I blame Bobby fucking Ewing. I have not read the alternative ending yet @Lee Wilson, but this ending was realistic as I felt the beginning of chapter 2 was a little contrived.