Summerabbacat

Perhaps this is what Ted Mulry portrayed in one of @Mark Ponyboy Peters' songs from the 1970's he is very fond of, Jump Up In My Car. He may have been practicing his calisthenics or changing a baby's nappy, Ted Mulry that is, not Mark.

I guess it would have made it easier to shell a bucket of peas, or string a bucket of beans or knit a nice cardigan in the front seat @Paladin. Knit one, pearl one, sister.

Bloody hell. You must have had nerves of steel @Paladin. Were you about 16 years and 9 months at the time?

I thought maybe I had imagined this, but I am almost positive the car I was taught to drive on by my mother, a Holden H-something or other, had the gears on the steering wheel. I hated the wretched thing.

A 'bit of a wanker' you say @Gary L. LOL. I would say a complete tosser, a total tool, a right prat. Another lovely descriptive Hugillism @Robert Hugill. Lummock. I can't say I have ever come across this word before. "Alex! What a surprise! Is everything all right? “Yes, Mother. I just wanted a quick word about Charlie.” >Charlie? Why? “Is he still doing things at the Centre?” >Why, yes. He’s working with his choir and helping lots of the lads with their English and reading. He’s really involved. Malcolm—who runs the Centre—is so pleased, and Charlie is earning money, too." Could this be the same centre and the same Malcolm from Not Just Another Summer @Robert Hugill? Neil was a little, well a lot more, saucy in this chapter. Love that word 'saucy' Robert, it makes me think of Barbara Windsor or Mrs Slocombe and her beloved pussy. As an Aussie teen growing up in the 1970's English TV comedies were a staple of my rural upbringing. Are You Being Served, Some Mother's Do Ave 'Em, Man About The House, George & Mildred, The Liver Birds, Bless This House and probably many others which I have forgotten. They were all shown on the ABC, not on the commercial stations, so were enjoyed ad-free. My all-time favourite comedy is English, and it is Absolutely Fabulous.

This smacks of being deliberately set up for a high failure rate @weinerdog. Does San Diego have adequate public transport or is a car virtually essential?

I was a terrible driver; grabbing the shaft did not present a problem, but changing gears was always a struggle and that wretched clutch thing, forget it. I wasn’t too bad with an a u t o-matic, just impatient.

As I have commented, shades of the Thompson who molested Aaron at the beach that time, amongst other boys.

Now, now don’t be greedy @drsawzall. You have your hunk-attracting vintage Volvo, your huge “guns”, ripped torso and sleeveless denim shirt. I imagine your dance card is still quite full. What more could you possibly need?

I think there is a third possibility @Ivor Slipper, one I expressed when Casey made his first appearance. He may be same-sex attracted and assume because Levi lives in the "gay house" he would be agreeable to experimenting with Casey regardless of whether he, Levi, has a same-sex attraction or not. He may have the same modus operandi as the Thompson who molested Aaron at the beach and who was convicted because Aaron and one other boy, whose name I cannot remember, was brave enough to report him to Sarge (I think that is the name by which he was known).

One on which he could take a joyride?

Levi has broken his expletive virginity, with the "brown" word being his first ever time. Methinks now he is learning to drive it won't be the last time he uses colourful language, he might even resort to the "f" word, and I don't mean fag, a word Casey seemed to be very comfortable using, a little too comfortable for my liking. If Casey wasn't a Thompson I would likely think him a friendly lad, one who is attempting to welcome Levi into a new environment, but he is a Thompson and for that reason alone he is tainted and cannot be trusted. It is quite likely he has an ulterior motive, whether to harm or humiliate Levi himself, or to set him up for harm or humiliation by a Thompson family member or members. Another WMP chapter @Mark Ponyboy Peters, one with a mix of amusement, the calm and steady demeanour of Matt as driving instructor (for the moment) and possible trepidation on the part of both Levi and Matt. I seem to recall Matt's beloved black Commodore has not been named before, but Aaron's ute was, she was known as Bessie if I remember correctly.

Hot dam @drsawzall, if that is you rocking the sleeveless denim top you won't need your Volvo to attract the moths to the flame. Show 'em your guns "Daddy" and they will be queuing for miles. And watching that video again I was reminded of how funny Burt Reynolds was and how young Willie was.

In the absence of known names for Mannly’s three assailants, I am going to refer to them as Chunk (the father, who if I recall correctly, was of solid build), Punk (possibly the older son) and Skunk (the acrid-smelling drunk at the bar). If they all stink, then the youngest one can be referred to as Drunk, and all three with the family name Skunk i.e. Chunk Skunk, Punk Skunk and Drunk Skunk. The chances are high all three stink, therefore Skunk is likely an apt family name. If Mannly’s assailants are locals then surely someone must know them: I find I hard to believe everyone in the town would stink, and being known for being smelly would make for being memorable. It will be interesting to see who Kidd is. Given Bass has referred to him as if Kidd is his family name, I doubt he will be a kid, more likely an adult, possibly a partner/lover. Another easy to read chapter @Vcs, rolling off the tongue like honey. It’s 12.41am and I should be in bed as illness has flared up AGAIN.

You are like Secretariat, binge reading @Paladin stories, "moving like a tremendous machine". Part 2 is a much longer story so it may take you a number of days at least to read it.

A thoroughly delightful and beautifully written tale of rarely explored intergenerational love between a teenage boy and his great, great maternal aunt. He is sent to stay with his aunt for summer holidays and he is not a happy camper. What transpires is a lifetime of joy and wonderful experiences for both until the aunt’s passing, an event which brings with it great sadness and a surprise you will not guess. Highly recommended.

Agreed @Gary L. A delightful story of intergenerational love and respect between a teenager and his surprisingly “hip” great, great aunt. Her passing brought him a mix of grief and guilt combined with an inheritance and a discovery of her private life to which none had been privy. Aunt Millie rocked.

Who needs enemies when you have a close friend like Ambrosia. LOL. The guarantee of privacy was the only reason for Julian undertaking research in the bathroom multiple times a day for extended periods. A delightful short story.

My youngest cat, Missy, enjoys "reading" stories on GA over my shoulder. She particularly likes "reading" the comments, even those posted by @weinerdog because she likes dogs. My ex-next door neighbours had a very small Chihuahua Jack Russell cross whom she adored. Missy only weighs about 3kg (she is the smallest cat I have ever had) and she was bigger than Peggy (the dog).

Who knew a birth certificate could provoke such emotions. @Mark Ponyboy Peters certainly did, and I have now experienced it myself. A pivotal moment in Matt and Levi's, father and son's, relationship.

You are a human dynamo. Father to 13 cats, husband, chef and avid reader and commenter on GA. How do you find the time to do all what having a feline family, husband and job entails, and what is your secret for maintaining such a busy schedule and having the energy to do so?

Your brevity is awesome @chris191070.

He may have gotten into trouble from his grandfather for incorrect usage of the word 'sick'. I don't think it would have been considered an expletive, but then again one never knows what zealots may think. I remember getting into trouble from my father as a pre-teen for using the word damn, which he considered an expletive. By the age of 13 my parents had divorced so he did not witness my usage of far stronger expletives subsequently @weinerdog. I do recall some years ago my father expressing his disgust at the lyrical content i.e. expletives on the music his 3 sons from his 2nd marriage listened to e.g. Eminem. I remember thinking I would not have been permitted to listen to such music at their age. He has mellowed somewhat, or given up, after having 5 sons after me.

By my calculations, invariably incorrect, we have another 20 chapters of enjoyment awaiting us @Mark Ponyboy Peters. With twice weekly postings. that is another 10 weeks, which takes us through until 5 October 2026 for the posting of chapter 39, just prior to @Summerabbacat's birthday. What a wonderful way to celebrate it. Perhaps Matt and the rest of the gang may wish to buy @Summerabbacat a birthday gift. If so, he would be happy to provide them with a list of suggestions.

I noticed you binge reading Andre & Chris and then this marvellous story. I am not sure if you have read What Brings Us Together (Pt 1) and (Pt 2) yet @dboggs9700, the latter in which Nathan makes an appearance. If not, I recommend them highly too. Both have some very moving plots, so have tissues on standby.