Summerabbacat

Or had one too many vodkas.

A well-written chapter @KKirk. I felt Calvin's anxiety at the impending closure of the Residence Halls. His father's response was measured and more sympathetic than I thought it would be. I have not expressed it to date, but I have been somewhat disappointed in the reaction of his family. I can understand them wanting to protect Calvin's grandmother, but their steadfast refusal to allow him to return home to date has been disproportionate at the very least. Alan improved a little again in this chapter, such that he is not the complete putz (love that word @drsawzall) that I originally thought him to be.

A harrowing chapter @Jeff Burton. You wrote Ben's mental and physical deterioration factually and without a hint of melodrama, and for this reason alone it was more shocking and heartbreaking than had it been written as if this was a soap opera. Although the cause of Ben's snap in the bathroom is known, I had an image of him as a caged or feral non-human animal fearing for its life as a human animal endeavours to reach out to offer assistance and kindness. Ben, similarly to feral non-human animals, has little reason to trust his fellow humans; his fearful reaction and lashing out to an offer kindness is totally believable. I am hopeful he has reached the bottom of his pit of despair and mistrust, and that the action of reaching out and holding on to Josh as if he is a lifeline is the precursor to an improvement in his mental wellbeing. He also needs assistance with his physical wellbeing as the two are intrinsically connected and an imbalance in either affects the other. I enjoyed the first of hopefully many more "cross-overs" to come @Jeff Burton. Chris' appearance in this story felt completely "natural". I sense that a combination of friendship (or perhaps more at some stage) with Josh and friendship from the school group, Chris in particular, and the almost paternal care Gus is willing to invest in him, will help Ben enormously. He must however continue to see Gavin as Gavin holds the key to Ben's self-acceptance and recognition of his self-worth. Perhaps Gavin can, with agreement from Pam, convince Ben that living on his own is not good for his mental wellbeing at present, that living with Pam and Josh would be more suitable. This chapter, for me the most heartbreaking chapter from any of the three stories you have "in the works" @Jeff Burton, was also the most satisfying in the sense that it revealed Ben has far more support than he appeared to have, and I think (or at least hope) his embrace of Josh' kindness is a sign of positive improvement to come. Ben is also the character I admire most of all your characters, all of whom bring something wonderful to their respective stories, but none more so than Ben.

On the rare occasion it happens I don't believe them. Plain is the best I can believe.

If I were in Ethan's shoes I don't think I would trust either Dumarov or Volkov and I am still uncertain regarding Maxim too. I believe Eliott Carter is the only one he can trust without reservation as he has no vested interest in the wooden box or the scrolls, apart from learning of the part they played in the murder of Damien Moreau. Another suspenseful chapter @E K Stokes.

My moment of "insanity" disappeared completely with the revelations in this chapter. Spermie and the incubator as they have now become deserve each other. Neither has any redeeming features. If only Brendan had known his "throwaway" remark about the incubator wanting the children all to herself to molest was close to the truth.

It did not take Kathy long to become the c*#t we knew her as previously. And Abel began molesting Jill of his own free will. There is no evidence (yet) that Kathy's father ever molested her, but he presented as an arrogant bully. I have to wonder if had he remained living he would have had the same homophobic attitude to his son Brendan that Kathy did. It is remarkable that Brendan and Rich became the men they did. Terrific chapter @Lee Wilson. I have to say I despised Travis. Fortunately his appearance in the story was brief. For that we should thank the animal he swerved to miss (this really surprised me that he did so).

As someone who had severe acne from the age of 12 to 22 I can attest to how painful it can be both physically and emotionally, and although I was not overweight, I did have glasses from the age of 4 and "railway track" braces on my teeth from the age of 13 to 17 or thereabouts. To say I was dissatisfied with my physical appearance is an understatement, so I can well understand Abel's low self-esteem and his desperation to have sex with the first girl who ever showed any interest in him (fortunately I never felt compelled to sleep with a girl to "prove" anything). It appears Kathy had the "upper hand" from the very start of their relationship. This, combined with Abel's low self-esteem does not of course in any way excuse his later behaviour or diminish his culpability, but I have to wonder if his later abhorrent behaviour was his natural inclination or was it Kathy who instigated it. I shall have to read on to find out. @Lee Wilson I have to say that in isolation from his subsequent behaviour, I had some sympathy for Abel in this chapter, but I still could not bring myself to feel anything for Kathy even remotely approaching sympathy or even understanding. This chapter demonstrated that she was a manipulative bitch even as a teenager. I have to wonder if her intent from the start of her "relationship" with Abel was to get pregnant, perhaps to escape an unhappy home life.

I cannot believe a country lad like yourself would resort to such behaviour @Mark Ponyboy Peters. I thought that such behaviour was the sole domain of "unblokey", disco and feline-loving, vegetarian queens like me. I am shocked (LOL).

Beauty in simplicity. Never has this been more amply illustrated than by this profoundly moving and heartwarming story from the pen of @Mark Ponyboy Peters. Like @Al Norris, it is a story I have loved for some time. Reading it again a wonderful experience, like reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte for the umpteenth time, watching Victor/Victoria or Rocky Horror Picture Show for the umpteenth time or listening to ABBA or Donna for the umpteenth x 100 times or cuddling any one of my beautiful felines for the umpteenth time. And speaking of ABBA, a song with lead vocals by Frida is the perfect precis of this bitter-sweet story (sorry Al, but I had to copy you because it is just so).

Damian is certainly a precocious 10 year old. A fascination with male body hair and the following statement an illustration of just how precocious: “But it affects me.” This was said with remarkable fierceness. “And what would you like?” “To live with you and Adam and Adam’s Dad. And you could marry, like Tony’s Dad and his boyfriend.” Damian has heard Jackie shouting down the telephone whilst working. It appears our resident sleuth @drsawzall and Lesley aka Miriam Margolyes are both "barking up the right tree" (and yes I know I have changed the axiom completely). If both are correct in their speculations, I can only but hope Jackie is exposed and incarcerated (I was going to say something much harsher but I am trying to play "nice" @Gary L), thus making it easier for Ludo to divorce her without any custody complications. If this transpires it appears neither Ludo nor Damian will lose any sleep. Another winner from you @Robert Hugill. This story like all of your others just keeps on getting better. I expect more top 10 placings for it in the following weeks.

The story was irritating. I will admit I am biased as I really do not like Tom Cruise.

"Alan took the dildo from my hand and laod it down on the desk. “Take off my briefs,” he said." I thought for a moment he was finally going to tell the truth @drsawzall and follow "Take off my briefs" with "and stick it up my arse and fuck me good Cal". I was amused by the discussion of the "male hotness" in Top Gun. I am a few years younger than Cruise, Kilmer etc. I never saw the movie when it was released in 1986 as it is the type of film which holds little to no appeal to me, what I think of as a "soundtrack movie". I watched it for the first time ever last year and found myself bored shitless, except for the parts where I laughed (and they were not intentional comedic moments). I felt sorry for Kelly McGillis, it appeared she was an adult female cast with a bunch of infant boys, and her "love scenes" with Tom Cruise were so awkward (they were the primary source of my laughter). Perhaps if I had watched it when it was released I may have agreed with Cal and Alan about the "male hotness", but the "current me" only found Whip Hubley handsome, the rest were little boys. As for the "story" and the dialogue ...... LOL. The sex scene was well written and hot @KKirk.

The re-read has been completed of all three stories and it was a very rewarding experience. Amanda is a delight and has quite a wicked sense of humour, which I found quite amusing on occasion. Now we wait with bated breath for some more new content to satisfy our "Burtonesque" lusts.

Very comfortably I would imagine. You might even get to meet Princess Anni-Frid, Dowager Countess of Plauen. Friends of mine, now both deceased, who were from a little town out near Dubbo, travelled to Europe in 1982 and when in Sweden met Frida outside Polar Studios. They had photographs of her with them (she was tiny compared to them, two strapping gay boys from the country) and recounted with great joy their hour or so spent with her. They said she was so unaffected and with a great sense of humour, just delightful. Frida has always been my favourite member of ABBA, and my cat named after her is today celebrating her 15th birthday. Her beautiful sister, Zelda, who is my profile picture, did not make it, but today she is remembered (as she always is) with great affection.

Perhaps P J Hogan who wrote and directed Muriel's Wedding could direct the movie The Seventeenth Summer with screenplay written by Mark Ponyboy Peters based on his novel.

The third eponymous album which featured those three great tracks you referenced plus Mamma Mia, SOS and I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do are what started our nations love affair with ABBA. I recall we bought it for Christmas 1975 as Mamma Mia had knocked I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do off #1. My mother, grandmother and I all loved it. I cannot remember if my brothers who were 9 and 4 at the time loved it, but certainly little 12 year old gay me did. Three months my other great "musical love" Donna Summer exploded with Love To Love You Baby which I was immediately in raptures about (I was soooooooo gay).

Only after rolling him in Honey Honey @Mark Ponyboy Peters will Danny plead with Jake "Lay All Your Love On Me". Jake to Danny "Voulez-Vous Danny?"; Danny to Jake "You are My Love, My Life, so Take A Chance On Me you Dancing Queen and soar like an Eagle when you pleasure my Ring Ring". At least Jake will no longer have to worry Danny with Does Your Mother Know as she is well aware they will Dance (While The Music Still Goes On).

So much ABBA on this most joyous of occasions. The sun is shining at last in Sydney, although it is still way too cold at 21°C, unlike the weather in Happy Hawaii where it is 28°C (still not quite warm enough for my liking). I have the day off so am feeling As Good As New in this Summer Night City (well the night is only 7 hours away and summer only 7 weeks away).

You were too quickly off the mark @chris191070 as I edited my comment to make it less nonsensical.

Never apologise for quoting ABBA @weinerdog. You are a real Super Trouper and clearly know The Name Of The Game, but only One Of Us can emerge victorious and The Winner Takes It All and the winner is our author @Mark Ponyboy Peters.I Let The Music Speak and the music is this wonderful creation of his, so Thank You For The Music @Mark Ponyboy Peters.

What a joy to re-read these earlier chapters @Jeff Burton, similar to revisiting anything recorded by Manhattan Transfer.

If I remember correctly Miss Brahms knickers were a regular object of discussion in Are You Being Served. My mother who is 82 always refers to her undies as knickers, but for men it is 'undies'.

Perhaps Chris can offer you a nice glass or two of his finest wine and a plate of his finest cheese and fruit (and if you are really well behaved a Tim Tam or two) to get those creative juices flowing.

My birth name is David. Green and orange would work for me too @Tonyr so long as it is burnt orange and not mandarin or something similar as that would like too much like the 'vomit' emoji.