Summerabbacat

The guy reminds me a little of Bright Light Bright Light aka Rod Thomas, a Welsh New Yorker singer whom I only "discovered" in May of this year when my beloved Zelda (my profile picture cat) passed away. He has a very attractive voice and holds a special place in my heart as I think the first time I ever heard him sing was the night before Zelda passed away. He is gay and I think may also be a cat lover.

OMG sheer perfection. The cat is absolutely gorgeous and the guy is rather scrumptious too. I will have one of him and four of the cat please @Ticklishboy30.

If Jackie's solicitor does try the adultery angle in either the divorce or embezzlement proceedings I have to wonder if even a hint of amore with DS Marcus could "muddy" the waters @centexhairysub. I doubt Jackie will have any consideration for anyone's feelings other than Jackie's and that includes Damian's feelings. She showed little concern for anyone other than herself before she was arrested and I cannot imagine her character has changed since her arrest. I think every move Jackie makes is calculated to maximise the benefit for Jackie. Women are usually much better at assessing the characters of other women, and as Arthur so eloquently stated, the other Mums at the school assessed Jackie as a bitch.

I had not thought of this, but your comment in bold text does seem to be a strong possibility @gmc. Perhaps the bank believes the damage to its reputation for having "allowed" the embezzlement to take place unnoticed is potentially more costly than the embezzlement itself. They will care nought for the disruption and unpleasantness which may be suffered by the families of those who perpetrated the embezzlement in the first place, unless of course any family members are significant investors or shareholders, in which case their arses will be well-kissed.

"She stepped away and muttered angrily, “You bitches.” Jessie’s eyes widened as she asked surprisingly. “What did you say? We try to help you, and you call us bitches.” “You’re not helping me,” she hissed as she stared angrily at the girls. “We’ve all known Neil since the first grade.” Tears started to flow down her face. “And you want to stand here and stab him in the back because of some rumors started by Owen?” Maggie insisted again, “But Neil is gay!” Sammy wiped tears away from her cheek. “So, what if he is?” she responded. “He’s still our friend.” She started to turn, but Jessie grabbed her arm." Sammy is a rare creature swimming in a sea of stupidity. A student capable of thinking for herself, one who is not frightened to express her opinion even if that opinion is not popular or is considered uncool by the herd. Who knows, she may even be a teenage girl who is capable of going to the bathroom by herself, without the company of one of her friends. OMG, she is a revolutionary. Lucas' obsession with Neil's sexuality is disturbing to put it mildly. If he is not challenged soon he is going to cause some real damage, if not to Neil, then to one of his sycophantic followers. We could "pray" for Neil's protection from this imbecile, but realistically the best solution to remove this threat to Neil is an out-of-control bus, one on which the brakes have failed or the driver has had a medical episode, and unfortunately for Lucas but fortunately for everyone else, he is in the wrong place at the wrong time. Oh well, shit happens. Ms Shelton is potentially an ally for Neil, but given her inexperience will she be able to effect change. Her youthfulness will likely mean she is well aware of school "politics" and the power of peer pressure, but will she carry enough weight when trying to address the issues resulting from the herd mentality. Only time and @Ronyx will tell. Excellent writing as one expects from your pen @Ronyx.

"Think of the German bloke.” “Andreas?” “His wife”, Lesley looked at them. “He does have a wife?” “Believe so.” “She has to come here to see him. All that travel and expense.” “Shit, never thought of that. Wonder what she’s like?” Stout, like Marianne Sägebrecht, but nowhere near as beautiful. If she is anywhere near as good an actress as Ms Sägebrecht, she may well have been involved in the embezzlement. She may have been her husband's accomplice in prior embezzlement. “First question. Why do you want to divorce Mrs Wilson?” Ludo looked at Arthur who gave a sort of ‘over to you’ look. The answer popped into Ludo’s head immediately, almost without thinking. “To marry Arthur.” Wrong answer Ludo. Take a leaf out of Arthur's book and answer truthfully, because she is a c*#t. “One final point. This has potential to get very messy. There is the possibility that your relationships with your wife, Mrs Wilson, and Mr Hanson, here, your adultery with him, will be put under the microscope. You might think that you have nothing to hide, but I assure you that it feels very different when a QC is reciting your dirty laundry list in public. Very different.” Is adultery still a ground for divorce? I am amazed that this is the case. “I think the least disruptive course would be for me to regularise things and put my place on the market now, rather than having a fantasy plan to do it up. OK?” “Wow. Yes. And I think I need to sort out, get Jackie’s stuff properly boxed up and put into storage.” Ludo, Ludo, Ludo. Stop worrying about Jackie's possessions. Sell them all in a fire sale and give her the money to pay for her legal fees and then tell her go fuck herself. “Not at all. Before then. She was just a bitch. Sorry Ludo, but”, Arthur shrugged. “She wasn’t popular with the Mums at the school gates.” I am not at all surprised Jackie was unpopular with the other Mums at the school gates. I have no doubt she would have looked down on them, spoken to them in a condescending manner if at all, thought they were very suburban, whilst believing herself to be the sophisticate. If I were Ludo I would be very reluctant to let Damian go and visit Jackie in prison. She has proven herself to be untrustworthy time and time again. If she wants to see him it will be to try and leverage something for herself, not because she genuinely wants to see him and express any remorse for her actions. If he does go to see her he should be accompanied by someone, preferably not Ludo. Perhaps Lesley or Frances. A woman would likely be far better at seeing through the artifice Jackie has created, more likely to call her out on her bullshit and far less forgiving, particularly for her treatment of Damian. Thankfully the double helping of Ludo, Arthur, Damian and Adam was accompanied by only a very small serving of Jackie. I echo @Gary L in wishing you a Happy Christmas @Robert Hugill and also thank you for the gifts of your literary talents that you have showered your readers with all year.

Or neutering.

Well colour me gobsmacked @Cane23, not just shocked, but totally gobsmacked. Kieran's mother was the first to "break" the mould with her comment "Sometimes we mothers just know things, honey. And I’m fine with it,’ she replied, sitting down on one side of me, while Toby sat on the other side. ‘You don’t have to worry about anything . . . at least not from me." As moving as the discussion was between mother and son, it was nothing in comparison to the discussion between father and son, and more particularly the conclusion of that discussion "As he was about to get up to leave I reached up and put a hand on his shoulder, then I sat up. He turned to face me and I reached out for him. For the first time that I could remember I hugged my father." You brilliantly captured the awkwardness many fathers and sons experience in expressing affection for each other @Mark Ponyboy Peters. I don't ever recall hugging my father. I quite possibly did as a young child, but it is not something I can recall. And following on from the tsunami of emotion between and father there was this beautiful moment of catharsis for Kieran and Charlie, a moment which accelerated the healing process for each as individuals and for each as part of a couple "Of course,’ I replied, while leaning over him. Cupping his cheek in one hand I pulled him closer toward me and when our lips met everything in the past seemed to be swept away". A wonderful chapter @Mark Ponyboy Peters. I assume this is where the story originally concluded. I am glad you have recognised its potential for further development; hopefully the encouragement you have received from your GA readers has contributed, even if only minutely, to your decision to expand. And now for some words of wisdom from our Pop Princess, words quite apropos for the multitude of surprising events in this chapter.

Given you have now written a story which features elves, sprites, gremlins and sparkle fairies, perhaps you could write a story in which the "hero" is a reindeer named Roland. He already has his own fan club headed by the Son of Santa and the Prince of the Sparkle Fairies, so I am sure there would be others drawn to him. Perhaps the story could feature three cows (female reindeer) who are hot for Roland named Dolly, Reba and Dottie, all of whom will do anything to undermine the others to get her bull. Did you know that cows also have antlers? They are the only species of deer in which the female also has antlers.

Did he lick and tickle your stomach, making you squirm, giggle and squeal? And did you get to tickle his antlers?

I tried so hard to write a comment @Robert Hugill about you referencing Kylie in this chapter and use the word 'tret'. Alas it was not to be, I shall have to wait patiently for you to use it hopefully in the not too distant future.

What a chivalrous suggestion @Paladin. Whatever Roger has inherited from Eddie's estate could not be used more positively than to help the boys. I hope amongst the inheritance there may be a large home in Chicago to house some of the boys and/or perhaps a large building of some description which could be refurbished as accomodation and/or as a place for the boys to meet and socialise and receive the post-trauma counselling and care they are almost certainly going to need. I am still hopeful Dominic De Luca will be the one to discover the identity of the Jack of Spades and I will be very pleased if he is the one to torture him before killing him slowly and very painfully. Sandra may have found a new "calling" in life, one which she already has some experience with. Although emotionally drained and tired, she clearly was profoundly moved and humbled by the contribution she was able to make to the boys by being Sandra, Mum. The dynamic of Thomas and Roger's relationship was fascinating to witness in this chapter @empath. Thomas' growth in confidence and his occasional retreat into fear very believable and beautifully described. Hank's old-fashioned "non-sciencey" policing may be very useful in tracking and breaking those involved in the boyflesh trade. Brilliantly written again @empath with emotions for the cast and at least for this reader see-sawing back and forth, with the positive asserting dominance which was warmly received.

Geoff positively sizzled in this chapter. Woof. Let's hope he gets some interest on Silverdaddies and soon.

The word awesome is so overused and I rarely use it for this reason, however, after reading this chapter with its "bonus" material, the word awesome has never been more appropriate. "Then the lighting changed, Kylie Minogue’s I should be so lucky started up, and there were images projected onto the walls, men’s naked bodies, modesty hidden only by scraps of fabric". With this one sentence the rest of the chapter could have been absolute shit, which of course it was not, and I would still have been bursting with joy. The mere mention of Kylie is like the antidote to the mere mention of Jackie or the Republican Party in the USA. The festive season seems to be having a bizarre effect on some. Belligerent Barb was pleasant and less confrontational than usual, for once she seemed to be encouraging Therese to be conciliatory towards Ralph, acknowledging he could be far worse to deal with. She showed a terrific sense of humour, her comment "Frances’ husband has got the nanny pregnant, Gloria is in rehab, again, Kylie’s boyfriend won’t commit and has a gambling habit…” Barb gave Therese a wolfish grin. “Need I go on.” had me in stitches. The post-show dinner was a surprise. I felt sure the twins and Toby would interact more, but then if one thinks about it a 15 year old boy and twin 9 year old girls would have little in common. Gordon as expected charmed the twins and Brian and Toby were impressed by Ralph. I look forward to the future book in which the two families, which I assume will include Mr Russ, getting together at Evie and Drew's. I also hope Ralph and Nolan are invited to the impending nuptials. A wonderful 'Christmas treat' with a double helping from the Hugillverse, topped off with an "appearance" by the Pop Princess, and not one of these little wannabe pretender ho's. I feel like I have had my cake and eaten it too @Robert Hugill.

It certainly is difficult to make any excuses for Mike now @pvtguy. I strongly suspect Rafael's text has scared the living daylights out of him. I also suspect @centexhairysub may be correct in his speculation the encounters Mike and Shane had with Rafael and Grayson may not have been their first and second such encounters respectively. I agree @centexhairysub. Grayson has just completed high school so Richard had a legal obligation to care for him until such time as he turned 18. I have to say one of my pet hates is parents who whinge to me about how expensive it is to have and raise children. Depending on who they are, I invariably take great delight in reminding them they chose to have children, and that they received a significant amount of taxpayer funding to have and raise said children, funding which I as a taxpayer have contributed to without any choice or right to stipulate on what that money should be spent. In short, don't fucking whinge how costly it is to have children. If you don't want to spend the money on children then snip it and zip it.

Roland is "the bomb" @Ticklishboy30. "The stars sparkled brightly on the ride back to the house". The song came to me immediately, even though the lyrics are very different to this sentence. The song suits the proposal perfectly. Many, many singers from a wide range of genres including country, easy listening, jazz, soul and pop have covered this marvellous song from 1934. I like many versions of it, but one of my favourite versions is by Johnny Mathis, which is rather apropos as he is one of the best-selling "Christmas albums" artists of all time. I wonder if Johnny has ever heard of GA @Ticklishboy30, and if so, I wonder if he has ever read any of your stories? I have just had a thought, a duet between Dolly and Johnny. Maybe next time Dolly drops by you should suggest it to her.

And not even a smidgen of snow. Hooray!

Who needs enemies when you have friends like Owen. Owen supposedly the best friend, the best friend who started wrestling with Neil, the best friend who shoved his crotch in Neil's face, the best friend who asked Neil to suck his cock, the best friend who then gets all pissy when Neil did. Make up your mind bitch. Indecisive much. Lucas presents as thoroughly unlikeable. A bully who surrounds himself with much smaller friends whom he appears to delight in treating like lackeys, threatening them if they show any sign of dissension, demanding they stroke his ego. And we have not even got to the class/school bitch yet. A classic by @Ronyx must include a female of the species who is detestable in every aspect e.g. Ashley from Losing Kevin, Melissa from Dancing With Madonna or Stacy, the spawn of Satan, from Seth.

Colour me shocked if they turn out NOT to be bigoted, uptight, bible bashers.

In a small country town this is unlikely @weinerdog. The "fuddy duddy" gossip network would have picked up on an illegitimate child before he was even born. He was likely "branded" from birth, the offspring of a loose woman, no good bound to come of him. I was disgusted with Kieran's parents attitude towards Claire as stated by Kieran: "She was like a second mother to me, yet I always found it strange that even my own parents barely ever spoke to her. Claire was probably not of the right class, if you know what I mean." I am assuming Kieran's parents are Catholic given his comment about going to midnight mass, which might explain their hypocritical attitude towards Claire. I am surprised Kieran was even allowed to play with Charlie given this most un-Christian like attitude. Kieran's superficial mother pissed me off even more than his father with her bullshit lie "I’m sure we told you, darling . .". Lying fucking hypocrite.

If only Orkin's assassin talents could be "spread" more liberally @Lee Wilson.

A great start to this new story by @Mark Ponyboy Peters. As is always the case with a story from the "pen of the pony" well-written and believable characters are present from the get-go. Kieran, from whose point of view the story is written thus far, is instantly likeable as is his younger brother, Toby. Their parents, not so much, Mum appears to be somewhat superficial whilst Dad appears supercilious. And then there is Charlie, Kieran's teenage love, whom Kieran has been informed is now all alone, his single-parent mother having passed away some months prior. Charlie is not coping well at all, drowning his grief in alcohol. What a delight, two "ponyboy" stories being published concurrently. Who needs Santa and gifts.

Maggots and Mothers-in-law are fair game as are fleas and mosquitos. I don't knowingly kill anything except maggots, mosquitos and if my cats ever had fleas, they would be dead too. I don't like cockroaches but don't kill them, but I don't have to as I still have at least one cockroach assassin in my family.

Please @chris191070 do not demean rats by comparing them to Republican politicians.

Does it feel like you are living near the "gates" to hell at times? I like some music that originated from Florida, especially KC & The Sunshine Band. A big fan from the age of 12 when they first became popular.