Summerabbacat

You have a John Donne amongst your readers @Lee Wilson. Well done @Philippe.

I had the same thought @weinerdog. If it wasn't for that song by C W McCall I don't think I would have ever heard of a CB radio. It went to #1 in Australia as well as in your homeland, Canada and New Zealand. I have it on a K-Tel vinyl compilation from 1976.

Domenico is my favourite character. I have much in common with him too, apart from being of Italian descent.

Many, many years ago I had my left ear pierced, but have not worn an earring or stud for many years. The thought of having my nipples or scrotum pierced or having a PA ring inserted and reading of the procedure for the former two had my crossing my legs. Not for the faint hearted I think. The throuple have come a long way since the story started. Who would have thought Scott could become such a caring person and Joshua such a confident person. Well done @Wombat Bill. I like the story cover. I assume it is Scott in the blue speedo, Malcolm in the red board shorts and Joshua in the red speedo, spread out waiting for lunch to be served on him. Joshua, the human platter.

Jake and Domenico have formed a firm (in more ways than one) friendship. I like the way their senses of humour are gelling too, with Domenico becoming more of a "wiseass" as remarked by Jake. Domenico is very quick with a witty retort, as demonstrated on several occasions now.

Continuing with the musical "theme" of the comments on this chapter, I present a suggestion for Ludo to play to Jackie if he visits her in prison again:

"I still can’t quite picture you with boring Arthur. Perhaps that’s me though, bit too fixed in my view of things. Something to work on." Jackie cannot help herself, she always has to be such a bitch. @pvtguy expressed it well, Arthur brought stability and joy into Ludo's life, something Jackie could not and would not do. Selfish cow to the end. I hope she enjoys her "suburban" life in prison, not. I like many songs written by Sondheim, especially Send In The Clowns and Everybody Says Don't but I have to disagree with Arthur, Gloria's anthem I Will Survive was the perfect song to end this wondrous journey, just as We Are Family by Sister Sledge will be the perfect post-nuptials song to celebrate their "suburban" life for Ludo, Arthur, Damian and Adam (he might even have something to say (LOL). For Jackie, maybe Jailhouse Rock, or better still, Three Time Loser by Rod Stewart. A few of the Hugillites have spoken, predictably so @Robert Hugill. A revisit to this story at some time in the future would bring joy to many. You just keep writing these bloody great stories which leaves us wanting more. I would even tolerate an appearance by Jackie again if it meant another visit to the "suburbs" to see Ludo, Arthur, Damian and Adam.

Clearly readers read the GA newsletter as it cannot be a coincidence this chapter had a 300% increase in views. I wonder if you will get any new commentators out of it? You may achieve that elusive #1 yet, perhaps as a Valentine's Day gift? Well done @Mark Ponyboy Peters.

Presumably Ken was stalking Colin and it was he, Ken, who started the fire. The questions are how did it start and did he deliberately start the fire? He perished whilst Colin lived so in the end he achieved nothing. At least we know now it was not a hate crime like the Orlando nightclub shooting.

I don't use them as too rough on the nose and not good for the environment, besides that is what sleeves are for (LOL). I just let the tears fall unhindered.

Me too @weinerdog. I won't be surprised if Stinky Shane has realised it was Mike who reported his goons to the police and either he, or one or more of his goons, have threatened Mike and he has gone into hiding. Either this, or they have already beaten him up to teach him a lesson. Oliver aka Dribbles (LOL) is a cheeky little monkey who has obviously heard playground talk about "sex things" and is trying to learn more about it from Grayson. When is it appropriate to start to talk to children about "sex things"? "I then hugged my father, who surprised me by hugging me back, before then saying, 'I think you need a shower." Richard has certainly come a long way in relatively short period of time. This remark to Grayson shows he has a good sense of humour and seems to indicate he is not repulsed by the thought of Grayson and Rafael having sex. "I laughed, then I said goodnight and headed for my room as I tried to hold back a few tears that I could feel were building. I don't think that I had ever felt as close to my parents as I did right now." And this made me dissolve into tears, one of the most moving scenes in this story to date. Well done again @Mark Ponyboy Peters.

It's really only struck me in the last two or three chapters and we're up to chapter 28. At least his scenes did not end up on the "cutting room floor".

A restful and enjoyable holiday was had by Ludo, Arthur, Damian and Adam (presumably) alike. Adam has made many appearances in this story @Robert Hugill but I don't recall him ever uttering even one word. He is certainly an example of 'always a bridesmaid, never the bride'. Speaking of brides, I love Arthur's sense of humour, often self-deprecating, as it was again in this chapter. “It’s just. Sorry I’m not very good at saying this. But I’m really glad all this happened. You and me and that. I can’t imagine life any other way. When we get back, I think we should pick a date properly to formalise things.” “Yes, I think that’s an excellent idea. We should get things organised.” “I was thinking, next Spring once the divorce is settled.” “I’ll make a lovely Spring bride.” Damian obviously still feels a connection to Jackie even after all she has done. He is a forgiving lad that is for sure. "At the end of the holiday, Damian came up to Ludo and presented him with an exercise book, on the front it said Damian’s Holiday Diary. “That’s for Mum, for you to give her next time you go.” Ludo had no doubt that Jackie would be touched and delighted by the gift." I sense the end is near for this one too @Robert Hugill and I am not looking forward to that at all.

Lucas' irrational hatred of anyone gay has a catalyst, albeit an incorrect one, but hell he is only 17. His Uncle Franklin is an incestuous paedophile, who likely hates "faggots" with the same vengeance as Lucas himself. He undoubtedly views what he is doing as perfectly normal, whereas faggots are evil. He is one sick motherfucker. I only hope Granny catches him raping his nephew and reacts positively i.e. reports him to the police, and does not seek to blame Lucas for "inviting" his Uncle to molest him. As @Lee Wilson remarked Lucas needs help, like yesterday. I am not sure about Uncle Franklin needing help though Lee, unless by help you mean a piece of @drsawzall's much loved 4 x2 before being placed into a second-hand pine box and set alight or placed six feet under. Neil's reaction to overhearing his father reveal he is gay may signify many things. He may merely be shocked, he may be angry his father has withheld this information from him or any number of other things. The worst case scenario is he may blame his father that he too is gay, that he has "inherited" it from his father. Exceptionally well written chapter @Ronyx. I found the closeness expressed between Neil and Brian beautiful and very moving.

Scott compared it to pissing broken glass, which is not far wrong as I have usually compared it to pissing razor blades. The worst one I have ever had I was off work for 2 weeks with extreme night fever (and not the enjoyable Bee Gees kind), barely able to walk and peeing pomegranate juice, all because of an enlarged "love button". I now take 1 cranberry tablet per day which has worked wonders.

Little by little Matthew is breaking the chains that have bound him to his father's dogmatic and belligerent views. He must have felt positively "naughty" at the end attired in such "wicked" clothing attending church by Zoom. LOL. Way to go Matthew.

I may surprise you @Al Norris. I am not a hard-core liberal on all issues.

If my late grandmother were still alive and were to read this story, she would no doubt say "those boys look very tired, they must be spending too much time on the nest". Domenico is like a child with a new toy, and the best thing about this new toy is it does not require any batteries, an instruction manual which is only available by downloading it from the internet or on an app which is only available by downloading it from the App Store, and is freely available. Halle-fucking-lujah. Much of the time a thought, simple or complex, was not even required @drsawzall. The process was fully automated, or at least only required activation by a gust of wind, the sight of a delectable derriere, brushing against a table leg or the fabric of certain clothing, a jockstrap, the "scent of a man", eating a banana or hot dog, waking up. Jake provides the type of training I respond to best, on-the-job training. "Scripting" written so that one is crippled with arthritis from mouse clicking at the speed of sound or blind from reading page after page of text written in too-small font and densely packed on pages so that it resembles a Senate ballot paper, is not conducive to learning as much as the "experts" like to insist it is. His training is interactive too, with his trainee, Domenico, encouraged to thoroughly test his newly acquired knowledge and skills, and when appropriate taste-test any product produced. The training is having the desired effect, with Jake and Domenico sementing a close friendship which may transition to something even deeper.

As someone who has had more than his share of UTI's I can attest to the excruciating pain. I am not one who likes to take antibiotics or synthetic medication, but when it comes to a UTI they are a must. I think it highly likely Scott's passion for sounding may be the source of the infection. I have watched a couple of porn scenes in which sounding was featured (Devin Franco seems to like it), and whilst they were somewhat fascinating to watch, there is absolutely no way I would ever do it to myself or consent to someone doing it to me (a bit like fisting). A UTI is not to be taken lightly, they can be fatal if not treated quickly and decisively. Mrs Henderson (is her given name Florence by chance @Wombat Bill?) thinks Scott's being "fond of" both Joshua and Malcolm is not "normal". Whilst it may be unconventional, it is not abnormal. What is abnormal, is being honest about it. I think Florence will grow to accept it, but will Scott's father, Ambrose, share his spouse's liberal views. A "painful" chapter @Wombat Bill, a reminder of times past.

"Animal is pissed about what happened to him, about his losing his job, but now he's losing the plot." and "You'll be fine. I know stuff, and Animal knows what's at stake if he does anything, so he'll see reason." These two comments from Mike regarding the behaviour of Stinky Shane appear to contradict each other. I think Mike is being overly optimistic in thinking Stinky will refrain from taking any further retaliatory action against Grayson and/or Rafael and/or Mike himself. Unless Mike has hardcore evidence e.g. photographic or video evidence of Stinky involved in murder and/or drug dealing heavy drugs, I think Mike is calling his bluff. Stinky is used to intimidating others and having them cower in fear, in fact, I think it likely the thugs who assaulted Grayson will not snitch on Stinky as he has probably threatened them into doing his dirty work. Grayson's first time topping Rafael ignited passions for both. The night sky lit up, dogs were baying at the moon, male cats were peeing on anything and everything in their quest for female companionship (yeah right, a quick fuck more like it) and koalas were completed stoned on a eucalyptus high. More joy and fun for the boys @Mark Ponyboy Peters, but I don't think Grayson's paranoia is without a basis. I don't believe Stinky has played all his cards yet, particularly if he is "losing the plot".

Scott appears to have dropped the selfish, self-centred, egotistical persona he had in his initial encounters with Joshua, and then with Joshua and Malcolm as a couple. Is this change of attitude genuine? Only time will tell. I am still skeptical, but am prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt. The fact he gave both a blowjob suggests he has moved some way at least from the arrogant jerk he was. I initially thought when the waiter waved the credit card in front of Scott's bulge that Scott must have prepaid for lunch with sexual favours to the waiter, but then I remembered he was carrying the credit card in his speedo. My brother pays most of his in-person purchases using his Apple watch. Perhaps Scott could become the first person with an Apple cock. He wants a PA ring, so why not an Apple cock?

As is your custom, you are off to a great start with this new story @Robert Hugill. And the afterword gave me a real chuckle. I vaguely recall a few William Higgins directed porn films released in the 1980's about brothers, only one of which, "Brothers Should Do It", I remember the title, although I don't remember ever seeing it. And there was the Rockland brothers who did gay porn in the 1990's. Hal, Vince and Shane. Hal was a real hottie, the others not as much. The only thing I know about Essex is that it was the birthplace of Alison Moyet and Vince Clarke. Together they were superb as Yazoo. I have enjoyed some of Alison's solo recordings and Vince's recordings with Andy Bell as Erasure. I don't often like recordings by other artists of ABBA material, but I loved ABBAesque by Erasure. I immediately thought of Owain during the interview between Graham and the journalist. The "troubled" gay son returning to his birthplace after the death of his father. I initially thought Graham a little selfish for begrudging the recipients of his father's estate for their "windfall", but after Graham's revelation the motive for the estate distribution was to spite he and his brother rather than one of altruism, I changed my tune. Assuming Graham has spoken the truth, Daddy clearly had a large ego which he assumed his sons would massage and flatter, and when they did not, he acted like a petulant child. And "the meeting". A chance encounter between Graham and Matt. But will it lead to friendship or something more? I look forward to the journey @Robert Hugill, another adventure in the Hugillverse.

I had forgotten that he has not done this. Fuck my "warming up" to him, which was really more accurately described as "thawing out" a little. You are right, he is still a selfish so and so (one cannot say prick or arsehole as both of those are useful). He did seem to willingly kiss Calvin once if I recall correctly.

Button, Hutton, Sutton, but please no fucking mutton or .utton. We will be well and truly fucked. But you are correct @Mark Ponyboy Peters, it could be so much worse, we could be "living" in a nation where the testosterone-laden musky odour is rank and society is saturated with malice, scorn and division, unless you are a straight male WASP. It is times like this I seek solace in the wisdom of an intelligent and beautiful species, one which spends its time sleeping, grooming, purring and being served by a less intelligent species, one such summerabbacat aka Jeeves.

“And Jonah, you’re probably wondering why. The answer is that this is something that will be new to you. This isn’t just a party. This is a Carter Lopez party. To clarify? His house is sixty-four thousand square feet—yes, I looked it up on Zillow. The house has two pools, a helicopter pad, a tennis court, a hedge maze, and fourteen bathrooms.” I will admit it, I am a killjoy, but the description of Carter's house pissed me off. People are living in abject poverty in New York, which will only increase under the current regime, and someone has a house like this. I know it's only a story, but people do live like this and think nothing of those who barely survive. Victor and his "girlfriend" seem well matched, both bullies and both cu#*s. I so hope Jonah and Will are able to wipe the smug grins off their faces. Better still, a stock market crash which wipes out their parental fortunes, reducing them to having to shop at Goodwill and apply for free lunches at school. And no designer clothes, plastic surgery or expensive cosmetics for either of them. Hideous people both. Clearly James is still alive and has not forgotten Jonah. Geographically they are quite close to each other too. I remember only too well parties of my misspent teenage years. If I ever needed to throw up and could not do so I would just ask one of my friends, usually equally drunk, to describe a greasy pork chop sliding down my throat. It worked every time. 🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮 Now I would not even need to be drunk to throw up to the thought of eating such "food". Great story telling @irivera. You have a real talent for portraying grotesque characters e.g. Victor and his "girlfriend" just for starters, with only a few words uttered. I do remember I was 15 once but I hope I was never as shallow as these entitled teenagers. And my nomination for the best line in the entire story thus far: "I even hear someone say, “Is that the triplet’s cousin?” Damn right, it is. And I’m about to be your new president, bitch!" Magnifique.