Summerabbacat

Grandpa may have made his first gay friend in Jason. I don't know how far apart they live so an ongoing friendship may not be viable.

I like the cover of the album far better than the album itself @Ticklishboy30. The album features some great tracks because Carole is an outstanding songwriter (except for the execrable (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, which I loathe, regardless of who sings it and what gender it refers to), but I am just not a fan of her voice. It has a certain whininess to it which rubs me the wrong way, it puts me on edge. I loved Martika's version of I Feel The Earth Move, I love It's Too Late as sung by The Stylistics and quite like You've Got A Friend as sung by James Taylor, although his voice is a bit whiny at times too, but the standout song is Will You Love Me Tomorrow, an absolute pop classic as sung by The Shirelles. I also particularly like Roberta Flack and lesser so, Dionne Warwick's versions of this song too, just not Carole's. Now on to this chapter. Every time Father Time aka Bubba opened his mouth @Ticklishboy30 I thought of Jethro from The Beverley Hillbillies. Yee hah! His reference to the fun times he had getting stoned and/or "tipsy" with Mother Nature was amusing, especially his reference to her as a hippie chick. I had an image of her resembling Melanie, whose song Lay Down (Candles In The Rain) is an early 70's favourite of mine as is her sublime cover of The Rolling Stones, Ruby Tuesday. The song which resonated with me for this chapter is Someday My Prince Will Come, a song sung by many over the years, but my favourite version is by Cassandra Wilson, a singer I have admired for many years and whose albums I have enjoyed listening to on many occasions.

Felicity (wouldn't it be funny if that really is her name) is no fool. There has to be something still there in the relationship she has with Richard for her to continue with it. If there was not I believe she would have ended it and walked away. I am surprised though Felicity has tolerated and abided by Richard's demand not to speak of her gay brother. Richard is seemingly close to his daughter and perhaps to Oliver. Maybe he has little in common with Grayson and therefore does not know how to relate to him. Perhaps Richard feels a little uncomfortable, he may have had some same-sex desires as a teenager or in early adulthood which he suppressed because he wanted to live a "normal" life. Grayson may be awakening those suppressed desires and to some extent Richard may resent his son for doing so, and may be a little jealous that his son is not driven to live a "normal" life. Richard may have these same resentments towards Bryan too as he apparently has not subjugated himself to a heterosexual life for the sake of appearances. Don't you just love speculation @pvtguy and putting other people's lives under the microscope for examination and critique?

My goodness @Mark Ponyboy Peters, Esme certainly had a busy lunch break. She was thrilled to gossip about the lover's tiff between two of "those men" to her friends, Noreen, Doreen and Maureen in Womens Underwear, Sleepwear and Daywear. Maureen quickly told her friends Raylene, Kaylene and Charlene in Womens Sportswear and Nightwear. Charlene shared the gossip with her friends Louise, Peggy and Hilda in Young Girls Wear and Hilda is Tom's aunt. Gossip, gossip, gossip. All because bloody Esme could not wait to gossip about the shameful display put on by two of "those men". Little does Esme know that her husband Percival loves to suck cock at the glory holes in the Royal Hotel every Tuesday night while she is playing bingo and every Friday night while she is baking scones for the Church cake stall held every Saturday. I do believe her Percival is a good friend of a certain Mr Humphries too, a Mr Wilberforce Claybourne Humphries. I am still in two minds as to whether Mike was fully aware of the extent of Shane's rape of Grayson. He seemed genuinely surprised, or perhaps he has an oversized ego and assumed Grayson would be grateful for a threesome for his first time with two hot studs. The fact Mike has gone home "sick" suggests to me he is either feeling guilty or shit-scared. Tom Goodwin, a big boofhead football player, also with an oversized ego, one in direct contrast to his intellectual capacity and what he is "packing", or in his case what he is "not packing". Fortunately for Grayson, Claire Brady, Office Manager, is not scared of Tom and his Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Paltry Purple Spotted Peenie. She has seen it at a work Christmas party and was thoroughly underwhelmed. She often has had a good chuckle to herself when recalling its paltry purple spotted appearance. Richard by name and by nature it would seem. Felicity may still love him @pvtguy. Maybe she has not forgotten the charm and beauty of his youth or maybe she recognises he is a "frightened little boy" still coming into his own or maybe she loves sex and he is the polar opposite of Tom aka Little Richard. Richard, a handyman with all the right tools and he knows now to use them.

The previous chapter may not have "sparked" many songs in my head @Ticklishboy30, but this one not only "sparked" a song or two, it ignited a firestorm of songs. However, before I comment on this I must apologise for an oversight, a glaring omission, a grave error on my part when commenting on the previous chapter. "Well, I'm sorry they didn't choose Prancer as the annual show, but you can't act like a diva deer because they didn't". Diva deer. I roared with laughter at this wonderful description, so vivid, so enchanting, so shimmering, so Mariah. Now for the songs which ignited like a firestorm in this chapter @Ticklishboy30. The battle between good and evil, the deployment of ray guns and the emergence of the Norpolettes as victors, brought to mind Star Wars Theme by Meco, Flash (Theme From Flash Gordon), We Are The Champions and Another One Bites The Dust by Queen. Reilly's anguish over Kris being injured "Papa, I wish there were something I could do" and "Papa's still alive but hasn't woken up yet," pre-empted Papa Can You Hear Me by Barbra Streisand. Bubba's arrival with "Right-cha-are, youngin'. An' I'm-a-guessin' yer that Sparkle Fairy critter that's got the entire Pole-a-gossipin'. Well, welcome home, your Majesty." had me humming along to Doin' What Comes Naturally by Doris Day and the realisation that Reilly is the Sparkle Fairy had My Fairy King by Queen make an appearance. But the song which would just not get out of my head for the entire chapter was Space Invaders by Player (1), an Aussie "band" with a song which was hugely popular in Australia in 1979/1980. A glorious chapter @Ticklishboy30, the best in this story yet, one of your very best, if not the best I have read in your various works.

He has "improved" quite a bit in recent chapters @drsawzall, such that I found myself thinking he was likeable in this chapter. The purchase of a gift for Calvin's mother and the concern he displayed about being "cheap" with the stall holder were both admirable actions, actions which pleasantly surprised me. Your descriptions of the beauty of nature and the photographs attached added immeasurably to the attraction of this chapter @KKirk. Calvin is quite the tour guide, perhaps this could be a post-COVID part-time job for him.

I started to write comments to this effect last night @Lee Wilson, but I was suggesting death by hurricane. I could not think of a more delicious irony. I was trying to think of a suitable name for the hurricane, one which acknowledged their homophobia or one which would offend them. It was about 2.00am when I was doing this and the closest I got was Hurricane Alaska Thunderfuck, but I was not sure if her drag name was trademarked. In the end I thought I may offend someone by suggesting death would become them, but now I feel comfortable to do so. Go for the jugular Lee or should that be jugulars.

The only one which did was The Goonies 'R' Good Enough by Cyndi Lauper. I did not see the movie and was not sure if a Goonie and a Gremlin were similar "creatures" so chose not to post it for that reason. I suppose I could have posted Girls Just Wanna Have Fun for the "fun" that SLUT and Marjorie may well have, but given they are "baddies" I did not want to post just a joyous and celebratory song to acknowledge them. And Cyndi rocks. A genuine supporter of the LGBTQI community and a genuine talent.

Boo hoo Rebecca. You're pathetic, childish and very petty. Spoilt little drama queen and millennial princess. I really don't like her @Lee Wilson in case you have not guessed. And it appears Daddy shared the homophobia gene with her and Mommie Dearest. A change of scenery to Texas for both Peter and Aaron Jr may be just what the doctor ordered. Perhaps the beautiful vocals of three great American songbirds will accompany the boys as they travel west. Excellent chapter @Lee Wilson. Hopefully we have seen the last of Rebecca and her treacherous parents.

I am very surprised, pleasantly so @Robert Hugill. Like @peter rietbergen, I found myself beginning to like Therese in this chapter. Her character growth has been almost as significant as Ralph's. Her statement “You’re not the only one embracing things. ‘Yeah, that’s my gay ex-husband" indicated she has a sense of humour after all, and a good one at that. I think @Gary L has commented in the past words to the effect that if you get her away from her poisonous friends she is relatively pleasant. Morrie, he of the wandering hands, had best be a little more careful and discreet as he may find himself on the end of a sexual harassment charge. He has possibly assumed he can get away with it with fellow gay men, but this may not always be the case. I thought Milly presented very well in the previous chapter and liked her sense of humour and subtle bawdiness. It seems from comments in this chapter she is as she presented herself and dead keen on Ivor. She is just what the doctor ordered for Ivor. Norman and Sheila are so predictable. I could snark and say they both need an enema to loosen their moral constipation, but I think it is so entrenched it would be virtually impossible to administer such a treatment to either of them. Risque, riotous and riveting. Great stuff @Robert Hugill.

SLUT has been given enough power to wreak havoc and destruction for 24 hours. She reconstituted her most bloodthirsty hound, Marjorie, and called to arms her dark sprites Nancy, Fontelina, Lauren, Kasharyl, Ron, Dysentrina, Matthew and Putridena to begin the disruption to and harassment of the Norpolettes i.e. the residents of the North Pole. I am hoping the combined forces of good from the Norpolettes will be enough to destroy SLUT and her evil posse, such that their "souls" will forever live in torment in Texas or Alabama. I sense either Nicholas or Reilly must be the last surviving Sparkle Fairy. If it is the latter, he may not be 100% human after all. Perhaps a forefather or foremother had a liaison with a Norpolette, whether knowingly or unknowingly, and a child was born of the union, and that child has passed on his or her gene(s) down through the generations. I am looking forward to the destruction of SLUT and her helpers/followers @Ticklishboy30. The Great Spirit of Darkness should not be underestimated either.

Many may think me insensitive, which at times is probably true, but they had only known each other for a relatively short time, although she was "intense" very quickly. It was better for her to find out now than after they had married and/or had children together. Playing the "woman scorned" in these circumstances really rankled me. And the mother, what a bitch. Perhaps a little too much make believe courtesy of what I envisage is her likely religion, and too little reality. Daddy is an unknown quantity at this stage. It will be a delicious irony if he too is gay and his son's coming out encourages him to do likewise. Mamma may turn South American guerrilla if this occurs.

I thought you only moved from the UK to Spain when you retired late last year/early this year.

I knew I had read this in a story recently @empath but could not remember if it was this one or another with a similar theme (I thought it may have even been the latest one about Joshua Renkin). I should have researched it, but I was too lazy to do so and too eager to get my comment published.

I included all the 'Cards' as part of 'those involved in the boyflesh trade'. One very well known woman in recent times came to mind when I made this comment, one born in to a life of wealth and privilege. The age of the boys involved is what has shocked me the most @pvtguy. 7 year old boys traded as sexual commodities. I am not naive enough to think this does not happen, but it has been confronting to have had it laid so bare. @empath has done an outstanding job in revealing the ugliness of the whole racket, giving we readers just enough of the sordidness whilst making it still possible to read. Had it been too graphic I don't think I could have continued to read it.

I searched far and wide in comments you made recently, likely on one of Robert's stories, for the name of Lilebeth aka Spawn of Satan. I remembered how you commented you caught her eating duck fat out of the garbage, but could I find the comment, no. I look forward to a story with an appearance by both Greta and Lilebeth, a bit like the twins in Ralph:Breaking Free. It appears your literary debut has impressed quite a few "familiar faces" with @Tonyr, @drsawzall, @Tris and @Flip-Flop commenting. I expect this story might also appeal to @Cane23, @pvtguy, @CincyKris, @akascrubber and @centexhairysub as they often read and comment on Robert's stories. Your stories have a similar appeal to Robert's, a quintessential "Englishness" to them, a sense of whimsy and wry sense of humour, even if not set in the UK. I look forward to some unique @Gary Lisms, something like those Hugillisms, maybe with a Spanish twist.

One "trap" I think all we readers have fallen into @empath and @pvtguy is we have assumed all those involved in the boyflesh trade are men. There may be some women involved just as there may be some women who have procured the services of the boyflesh. Women are not immune from this kind of behaviour, in fact their gender may be helpful in protecting them because of the presumption they would not be involved in anything so heinous.

Unlike @pvtguy @empath, I am not always peaceful when contemplating the punishment for the "trash" of humanity, of which there is much, for crimes committed against animals and children especially. For this reason I am more than happy for the 54 cards, including Charles Miller and especially the Jack of Spades, to be tortured in any way you say fit. If it results in their death, so long as it is excruciatingly painful and slow, then I am all for it. I am not sure what Dominic De Luca has in mind for Roger. It is clear Dominic is disgusted with the "trade" Eddie was involved in so I do not think he will be at all upset if it is shutdown. If I am reading the story correctly, which for me is difficult due to its emotional impact, Dominic is not aware of who the Jack of Spades is, but he may be able to find out through his network of criminal associations. He may in fact assist the FBI and CPD in shutting down the racket. Riveting is the word I keep using to describe this story @empath and it was once again the most appropriate. I so hope Oliver survives, for his own sake and for the sake of the boys he is protecting. He may also be crucial to the case to ensure those involved never see the light of day again.

How could they not? I am eminently likeable, although I have little patience, especially with technology and those who treat me like I am a moron when I don't know something about technology which they say "but everyone knows that".

I have yet to find the perfect expletive to express my frustration with technology on many an occasion, and there is only so many times I can f-bomb and c-bomb in one sentence before it loses its impact.

An excellent observation @pvtguy. Felicity (as I have named her), appears to have enough "spunk" that she would not stay with her husband because she feels obligated to do so, if he is a total arsehole. Dad, whom Felicity has referred to as Richard, presumably because this is his name and he is not just a "dick", may feel uncomfortable with his brother-in-law because he feels "obligated" to be so due to his upbringing; or he may have an inflated opinion of his own appeal and think that all "poofters" would not be able to keep their hands off him because that is what they are all are like and he is hot stuff. I have found, laughably on a number of occasions, straight men who thought I would take one look at them and want to bed them. Puhlease, I'd rather fuck a watermelon I said on one occasion. I am sure @Mark Ponyboy Peters will reveal more of Richard's character and his reaction to having a gay son as the story progresses.

I did not see the twist coming either, but unlike my fellow readers I am not feeling any sympathy for Rebecca. Neither Peter nor Aaron Jr intentionally hurt her, and to their credit both disclosed their feelings honestly without disparaging her in anyway. My response to Rebecca, what are you 12? Grow up Rebecca. So your ego has been damaged but Peter's non-attraction to you is not a judgment of you, just as his possible attraction to your brother is not a judgment of you. As for their mother, what a disappointment, like mother like daughter. Aaron Jr is better off without them. Excellent chapter @Lee Wilson. As you can see I am in the minority; no sympathy for Rebecca or her mother. Selfish hyenas both. Send them on a one way ticket to Peru.

WTF? I started to write a comment. It appeared to have disappeared so I reinstalled it and continued expanding on the comment thereafter, only to find it was still there. Fucking technology pissing me off again.

I think your hope is in vain @pvtguy, at least initially. As observed by @Al Norris: "Please . . . just don't tell dad,' I pleaded. 'Not a chance,' she quietly replied." and: 'Wait . . . Uncle Bryan is gay?' 'You didn't know that?' 'Fuck . . . oh, sorry . . . I mean, wow! No I didn't know that. Why didn't anyone ever say?' 'I'll blame your father for that one." there is as much a chance of Grayson's father welcoming a gay son as there is a transgendered Republican being selected to run in an electorate in Georgia or North Carolina. Mum, whose name we do not yet know so I am going to name her Felicity, is an eminently sensible, kind and patient woman. She is keenly aware of her husband's mindset and is enough her own person not to feel obligated to share said mindset. I suspect Bryan is likely her brother rather than Grayson's father's brother, reason being if his father is uncomfortable with Uncle Bryan being gay he would more likely have demanded his brother stay away, whereas to do so to his brother-in-law would incur the ire of Felicity. Oliver is a delightful child, and that is a statement as likely to come out of my mouth as one in which I state I agree with the Republicans on an issue. His sensitivity to Grayson's mood and state of well-being remarkable for such a youngster. He appears to be an affectionate boy too, without being annoying. Gotta love those bright green AussieBum undies @Mark Ponyboy Peters. All my undies, footy shorts, swimwear, T-shirts, trackpants and nylon singlets are AussieBum, so I am a big fan of their gear. And an excellent chapter. I am intrigued who the "mystery" texter is, presumably it is someone to whom Grayson has given his phone number.

I think your hope is in vain @pvtguy, at least initially. As observed by @Al Norris: Please . . . just don't tell dad,' I pleaded. 'Not a chance,' she quietly replied." and: 'Wait . . . Uncle Bryan is gay?' 'You didn't know that?' 'Fuck . . . oh, sorry . . . I mean, wow! No I didn't know that. Why didn't anyone ever say?' 'I'll blame your father for that one.'