Summerabbacat

Vesuvius, Pompeii, Krakatoa. We ain't seen nothing yet. The banter on the way to the cinema was very amusing, the dialogue snappy with double meanings aplenty. A very well written chapter @ChromedOutCortex. I am a bit worried about Calvin though. He does not like musicals? What sort of gay boy does not like musicals?

He loves me, he loves me not. He loves me, he loves me not. Teenage angst so brilliantly captured @ChromedOutCortex.

Calvin's outlook on life is remarkably mature and is challenging Jeremy's attitudes, particularly towards Ken and the part that he, Jeremy, has played in their strained relationship. He, Calvin, also has a wicked sense of humour and playfulness as evidenced by his flirtatious behaviour with Jenny and Cathy. I hazard a guess that Calvin has changed his class schedule primarily to match Jeremy's and added an extra class to make it appear that this was the reason why. He is full of surprises. I loved the reference to him in the previous chapter as Einstein on wheels, perhaps not as outlandish as it sounds. A chapter of significant growth for Jeremy. Well done @ChromedOutCortex.

"Outside, the sun felt warmer, the sky bluer. Sam, Alex, and Jonah were waiting near the steps." A ray of hope, a change of attitude, a friendly overture from Calvin. To quote Dinah Washington or Esther Phillips What A Difference A Day Makes. Maybe he can take up Calvin's offer to teach him how to skate, buy a skateboard and skate to school (LOL). I still think a bicycle should be an option, at least when it is not snowing, which I imagine occurs frequently in the colder months.

You certainly launched your inner @Summerabbacat with these comments @drsawzall. I had the same thought about Ken regarding his excuse he did not have time to send a text. I don't necessarily think Jeremy needs someone to watch over him, but given Ken was so adamant he would collect Jeremy after school, all he has done is damage his credibility even more. I do think Jeremy needs to put in more effort at home; why could he not have cooked dinner when he arrived home? Jeremy's grief over his father is understandable, but I have to wonder if he has ever spoken to someone professionally regarding the impact it is still having in his life. Might he benefit from the feedback of an impartial third party?

Possibly "parroting" Daddy Prescott @Paladin as his homophobia does not strike me as arising from religious convictions. There is always the possibility he has been molested when younger and associates that molestation with gay men. It may also explain the vehemence of his hatred of Neil now, a hatred which seems to be very "personally" motivated rather than merely motivated by a belief or moral viewpoint.

I assume Jeremy must live between 10-12 kms from school if it takes 2 hours to walk home. It is probably not realistic to expect he walk that distance every day, particularly if the weather is inclement, but what is to stop him from riding a bicycle to and from school. This would cut down on the time to get home considerably, be much cheaper than a car and provide him with some exercise, which would have the added benefit of increasing his serotonin production and possibly make him a little happier and easier to live with. And given his mother, stepfather and stepsister are all working, why could he not prepare dinner for the family when he gets home from school. As my learned fellow reader @drsawzall alluded, it is time for Jeremy to put his big boy pants on and stop with the whining. He does not know how good he has it, his mother and stepsister are seemingly aware he is gay and don't seem to have an issue with it, something which many teens his age would be relieved to experience. Another impressive start to one of your stories @ChromedOutCortex.

Perhaps Bella Vista @Wombat Bill? This would put it in the vicinity of Crystalline at Castle Hill.

Literally "shit for brains" @Lee Wilson.

I am very pleased Alan and Mason are taking the initiative to talk to Grandpa about the potential dangers he may face in exploring his newly realised gay self. This has had me concerned for some time. I believe Grandpa will appreciate the concern and not be annoyed or angry the boys have invaded his privacy. That in of itself is a valuable lesson for him, how to erase his browsing history. Excellent chapter @Tallguyct.

"Unfortunately he didn’t remember the best part of the situation. Scott picked him up in his strong arms and carried him to the sick room, like a Mills and Boon lover, after he fell to the floor." I assume Scott's pecs were straining, his muscular chest heaving and covered in a sheen of sweat from the exertion of carrying Joshua, but did his manhood respond in the same manner as Joshua's did when he exerted himself and rode up hill on his bicycle? I assume Scott has a swimmer's physique @Wombat Bill rather than a physique like Fabio, the famous Italian-American model who graced the covers of many a Mills & Boon novel. I can fully understand Joshua's frustration with his body's lack of response to gym workouts. Back in the day (many moons ago) when I used to go the gym 5 nights a week, then swim afterwards and on the weekends, I found it very frustrating that the appearance of my arms remained, as one of my brother's so kindly described them, like chicken wings. Whilst Joshua is invisible, he does not appear to be socially inept. There is also no evidence, at least not yet, of him being bullied. He is just an ordinary boy in a sea of what is likely to contain many other ordinary boys, after all not everyone can be like Scott Henderson.

Jordan's father, mother and sister have shown what appears to be, at least superficially, an overprotective attitude towards Jordan's new relationship. Admittedly, Jordan and Cameron have already professed love and a "forever" commitment to this relationship, which in of itself may have initially been a concern for all three, as it was for Cameron's parents, but I am certain there is something as yet unknown to Cameron, which is prompting this overprotective attitude. I believe Cameron is at least aware there is something more to it too as evidenced by this exchange with Jordan: “Just that she saw we loved each other and then asked me to take care of you. Was that significant?” Jordan paused before answering. “Nothing to worry about. I’m the youngest in my generation of siblings and cousins and they all still tend to think of me as a kid who needs looking after.” That wasn’t the whole truth. Cameron felt that it meant more than that, but for the moment shrugged off any concerns he had." I am wondering if a previous relationship break-up led to Jordan having some type of breakdown, perhaps one which required his hospitalisation and/or a period of therapy and/or a protective restraining order. I sometimes think I notice the oddest of events in a story, and this one was no exception: "Still enjoying being naked together, they prepared and ate breakfast. After eating they dressed, transferred the clothes from the washing machine to the line and went shopping." The text in bold pleased me no end @Paladin. I have noticed in stories written by American and European authors that if doing laundry forms part of the plot (and you may be surprised by the number of occasions in which it does), the clothes are always transferred from the washing machine to the dryer, even in climates where drying the clothes would be possible. I know it is only a story, but I assume this reflects behaviour in the authors' homeland, behaviour which at a bare minimum irritates me because of its potential damage to the environment i.e. using electricity unnecessarily. Another well-crafted chapter @Paladin. I particularly loved the fact Jordan's parents' home in Mosman is an architectural travesty, or as Jordan so poetically described it a "pig's breakfast", thereby proving that money does not necessarily buy taste.

Marjorie snaps and emasculates Ron while he is asleep ala Lorena Bobbitt. I shudder to think what Ron has done to Tanner to bring him into line. I am sure that it is more than just the threat of a life of poverty and professional ruin. The man is evil, a sociopath, in the running for one of the top jobs in the Republican Party. It appears Marjorie is at least uncomfortable with Ron's treatment of both of their sons, but fears his retribution. It appears that whilst Sophia and Sarah are intimidated by their father, they have little regard for their brothers if it means they will somehow be deprived of what they believe they are entitled to. I believe I was wrong, they are more their father's daughters. I think the credit card will receive the Lorena Bobbitt treatment @drsawzall.

Your skepticism was certainly warranted @drsawzall. Sophia and Sarah are if nothing else their mother's daughters. Manipulative millennial princesses who seemingly have some sort of hold over Tanner too. I suspect from their comments and the comments Tanner made in chapter 1 that Tanner is more like Robby than Robby realises. How deliciously ironic, two sons who like cock, and not just their own. Sophia and Sarah (they should have been named Nancy and Lauren) are hopefully going to be in for a very rude shock. It may be that once Tanner establishes himself in his medical position he is able to distance himself from Ron and Marjorie, and Sophie and Sarah, and hopefully tell them to go fuck themselves. If this occurs he can reconnect with Robby in an honest and more meaningful fashion. I am intrigued how Ron and Marjorie have acquired their fortune. I am hopeful it has been made dishonestly or at the expense of others, and that investigations are underway to expose them. It would be most fitting if Ron and Marjorie become convicted felons, and Sophie and Sarah are reduced to penniless social pariahs. You have created at least two monsters @ChromedOutCortex, however, they are still very believable, not caricatures as is often the case with characters who are vile to the extreme.

Mom and Dad, Marjorie and Ron, are delusional, irrational, confrontational and transactional. Intellectually, emotionally and physically constipated, I could suggest colonic irrigation, but it would likely take an industrial-strength, high-pressure hose for any movement to occur, which would possibly cause death, which although not unwarranted, defeats the purpose. I am not at this stage convinced of the genuineness of Robby's siblings to re-connect with him, like my learned fellow reader, one @drsawzall, the jury is out at the moment on their motivations. Manny is a peacemaker in the making, encouraging Robby to take a step back and not react with passion to each slap in the face. Robby reminds me a lot of myself, strongly principled and nearly always right, reluctant to compromise because we do not trust the "other side". An impressive opening chapter @ChromedOutCortex, with Marjorie and Ron, clearly in the running for Republican parents of the year. What a pair of c#*ts.

Wonderful writing as usual @Andre Delport. I am very impressed with the quantity, quality and variety of the vegetarian meals on offer. They are clearly not an afterthought, a "nuisance" minority to be catered for with minimal effort. Aubergine is a WINNER every time it is served in my household of one, me (LOL). No surprises Marie and Paul want to return home now Marie's parents are deceased. The safari sounds spectacular and the game reserve well managed, with conservation the name of the game. I assume such a reserve would have to have high level security to protect itself from poachers. I hope the coming year brings an improvement to your health Andre and more reliable technology (the bane of my existence).

I suspect there is an element of provocation to the invitation @pvtguy, but I also suspect she may have done so to allow Grayson to meet Uncle Bryan on neutral territory to seek his advice and to celebrate the announcement of the baby. Richard may be able to bully Felicity in their home to not mention Bryan's name or invite him to their home, but he cannot do so in his daughter and son-in-law's home, unless he wants to be about as popular as a pro-abortion, disabled, HIV+, black, Jewish, gay man in Florida.

Just be patient @weinerdog and wait for the one of Rafael in a Speedo and the one of him in a thong with the Australian flag on it, well at least the corner of the flag. The latter one will be most appropriate as the flag will be hoisted, although the flag pole will be a little different from the conventional flag pole. Now fluff, I mean hoist that flag, Grayson. Good job lad.

"Did you know about this?' he asked mum. I could hear the simmering anger in the tone of his voice." "We all looked up to see the rest of the family standing there looking down at us. The scowl on my father's face was priceless." Oh grow up Dickie and stop behaving like your name. What are you, 12? Perhaps you are jealous because Uncle Bryan drives a BMW so is presumably successful, whereas what are you? A loser? If Meaghan is anything like her mother and her husband anything like both of them, they will not tolerate Richard misbehaving in their home. He can slam the back door and go throw a tantrum somewhere else. Perhaps he should visit a shopping centre and lay on the floor like a 3 year old brat, kick his legs up and down and put on a little performance for all to see. I assume Rafael is of Portuguese descent given his family name is De Silva and is likely to have numerous family gatherings he attends throughout the year. This may explain why he is not responding to Grayson's texts and Facebook friend request immediately. His physical description sounds appealing, apart from the hair. A mullet, WTF @Mark Ponyboy Peters? That mullet has to go, it is about as appealing as the Leyland P76 or Scomo.

I lack the talent @Ticklishboy30 for such an endeavour and adventure.

Nickeilly (so much more believable than Bennifer or Brangelina) are a power couple for sure. They are very in tune with each other and their relationship is a joy to witness. Another delightful chapter @Ticklishboy30, soothing and reassuring, like some of Dolly's very best material. The song posted below is from the album entitled Bright & Shiny released in 1961 (before I was even born). The title could be applied equally to Nicholas or Reilly. .

"Damian had got all anxious, seeing his Mum and the word trial mentioned in the same sentence, yet as far as the boy was concerned nothing had seemed to happen." “And if she gets time off for good behaviour, risk Damian having to go and live with her?” "He’d put his career on hold, trod water whilst he looked after Damian. Did he resent that? At times, but he would not have put Damian second for the world." “I’m worried about Damian.” Arthur wrinkled his brow, “What way?” “That they might take him away, if, you know…” Damian is clearly at the forefront of all Ludo's concerns and is the major consideration in his decision-making @pvtguy. Could one truly say the same about Jackie. Not at all, I think you once described Damian as "a charm on her bracelet" or something similar. I have only ever seen him as an inconvenience for her. It is hard to know what is best for Damian. This is where having him talk to a therapist as suggested by many may be just what the doctor ordered. I think it would be very unwise to let Damian visit Jackie in prison without him being accompanied by someone else. I do not underestimate just how low she will sink to get what she wants, if it means using and manipulating Damian so be it. I may be too harsh in my judgment of her, but she has given no indication she can be trusted or that she has concern for anyone other than herself.

Obviously "poor Eric Griffin" was wrongly convicted @Lee Wilson, a victim of a "woke" conspiracy, headed by a faggot no less. The good God-fearin' folk of the south would not be fooled by Peter Noonan, who was obviously in cahoots with Satan with his supernatural ability to predict hurricane paths. Modern day witchcraft from a heathen homersecshal. Peter followed in his father and brother's footsteps making life better for all, regardless of their personal beliefs or status. His and Aaron's adoption of twin sons testament to his innate goodness. I wonder, not that I care, what good Rebecca did for humanity. The greatest service she could have performed was not giving birth and inflicting her bigoted beliefs on any offspring. I look forward to your next instalment involving members of the Noonan family.

One could quite accurately describe Lucas as a "shit head" in such circumstances. I like it @Lee Wilson, but would it be a "final solution"?

My recommended treatment for Lucas in chapter 2 may appeal @Lee Wilson. I have just seen a message pop up that you have quoted me in chapter 2, hopefully an appreciation or even an endorsement of my recommendation.