Summerabbacat

Lesley Lesley Lesley. Another of your wonderfully drawn minor characters @Robert Hugill, or will she perhaps become a major character. And how very perceptive she appears to be, questioning if Jackie may be involved in something "dodgy" at the bank. I had forgotten Jackie worked at a bank, so my speculation about trafficking of women and children from Eastern Europe is less likely, unless of course the bank is funding the traffickers and Jackie knows all about it. Arthur's revelations of what led him to parenthood were quite a surprise, a deliberate choice by him as a gay man to father a child with a female friend. I wonder if Adam has any knowledge of this. Jackie's bitchy comment about Ludo and Arthur being "suburban" rankled me again. She has made this comment before and on both occasions Ludo has let it pass. Lesley's astute question "....... Or just fixated on breaking the glass ceiling?” has occurred to me before, and what could be more "suburban" than being so career-oriented at the expense of life's other offerings. Jackie needs to grow up, shut up and fuck off. She is clearly not a "frost free" model of refrigerator, and appears to have a much larger freezer than the average model. Another wonderful offering @Robert Hugill. I had a vision of Lesley as a younger, slighter, Miriam Margolyes, with perhaps a little more "filter".

I recalled Jude became aware of Danny's departure prior to it occurring, but did not remember her offering such unequivocal support to not only Danny but to Jake too. I had no recollection of the truth behind Danny's conception and of Jude's plans to leave Brad though, but have to say the latter did not surprise me at all as I have come to realise she is a very observant woman. Her love for Danny shone through, much more than a beacon of hope. I believe life will be much easier for Danny and Jake knowing they have the support of Jude, and if their relationship does not last, Danny knows he will be welcome to return home. Absolutely outstanding chapter @Mark Ponyboy Peters. Danny and Jake will be happy in their Tropical Loveland and Danny's mother and siblings will be safe with Jude's So Long to Brad.

That sounds painful. I hope you recover soon. How are the puppies progressing?

"And when I began circling his opening with my soapy finger, he moaned louder and pushed back more. It took almost no pressure at all for my finger to slip though his sphincter into his warm, moist interior. I finger-fucked him for several minutes with my middle finger and then with the index finger sliding in beside it." If that butt is virgin then I am the Dalai Lama. Methinks he has protested just a little too much @drsawzall. BTW how much is the asking price for the bridge?

I have tried "restrained" @Gary L, but it is so "restrictive". I find in life in general I either have no opinion or a strong opinion. I suppose most people are similar, but are politer than I. I often say what others think but they have a filter, whereas I tend to have a filter which only works on occasion.

I am re-reading the earlier chapters of your three stories here on GA and have started with this one @Jeff Burton as Benjamin is my favourite of all the characters you have created. 'My brain was on fire, as everything rushed in. I was done, I was free. It was over, finally fucking over. I had dreamed out this day, I had prayed for it in my darkest hour of need. Yet, I felt so woefully unprepared as it finally arrived." I re-read my comments made on 9 May 2023 and am surprised I did not make the following comment then, particularly in view of the thought above which Benjamin had in response to being told it was time for him to "join the real world". Benjamin is clearly NOT ready to be emancipated and live on his own. Did Mrs fucking Carson even bother to ask him how he felt, was he confident he could make this transition now at an earlier age. No, clearly she did not. I doubt she would have been able to do much to change the minds of the "powers that be" who make the decisions, but she could have at least tried. Benjamin is being emancipated because there is a shortage of homes for children in circumstances such as his. If ever he needed reinforcement that he is a throwaway, then he has just received it loud and fucking clear. Mrs Carson may as well have said "there is no more room for you, you are a costly burden society can no longer afford, so piss off and fend for yourself." Perhaps my anger is because of what I know eventuates in subsequent chapters.

For me it was Judie Tzuke's 'Stay With Me Till Dawn' which was a big Top 10 hit in Australia and Top 20 in the UK, but missed the mark completely in the USA.

I believe Danny's mother knows it is NOT a girl with whom he is experiencing his first "love affair" and I suspect she may realise it is with Jake. Nate is acutely aware he is going to miss Danny terribly. Like the unselfish friend he is he has kept this to himself, although I think Danny is well aware of Nate's feelings. I have to say as the time approaches I am having second thoughts about Danny and Jake leaving without saying anything, at least to Danny's mother. I understand why they are doing this, but I think both are being quite selfish in doing so. I have to wonder @centexhairysub if part of the reason Danny is "sneaking" off is because of Brad. As for worrying about Pete, I believe Danny's mother is observant enough that she will notice if Pete starts behaving oddly, which one would expect if Brad begins to molest him. Another very moving chapter @Mark Ponyboy Peters. "As he rode his bike home he felt grateful that his friends had included him in discussing their plans with him, but it was then, even though he had known about it for almost two weeks now, that the realisation of what was about to happen finally began to sink in. Danny really was going. And there was nothing he could do about it." The flood gates opened again. My nose, eyes, teeth and jaws were already sore and inflamed from hayfever, so the tears just exacerbated the symptoms.

It is rather "cringe-worthy", but no worse than Crocodile Dundee I don't think.

Indeed she did @drsawzall. She celebrated her 91st birthday recently and she still looks in great shape, seemingly without having resorted to "cosmetic refreshment".

I was very moved by Nathan's reengagement with Chris in their much enjoyed pastime of dirt bike riding. This joint activity seemed to benefit them both emotionally as well as physically. Nathan seemed keen to "mend fences" with both Chris and their father, something which both insisted was not necessary, but for the benefit of Nathan they both accepted graciously. Jess' description of Corey as Nathan's "mood stabiliser" whilst delightful is also somewhat concerning. I hope for both Corey and Nathan's sake the latter does not become too dependant on the former to elevate his mood. Whilst Nathan is undoubtedly physically strong and improving mentally, there is an ever-present, at least for now, vulnerability which could overwhelm him if his relationship with Corey falters or cools any time soon. Overall an exceedingly positive chapter @Jeff Burton, not only for Nathan, but for Chris, their father and Corey too. And one has to love the acid-tongued Jess with the heart of gold, not to mention her abrasive sense of humour. “If I wanted any lip from you I’d scrape it off Corey’s dick. How’s the ribs sweetie” Jess replied with a hint of fake malice. “Not bad now actually, still a little stiff when I stretch the wrong way.” “What did Maximum Failure want?” She asked, referring to Max."

The tension in this chapter was palpable @E K Stokes. A most intriguing chapter, with perhaps a red herring or two thrown in for @drsawzall's consideration. Although it was entirely inappropriate given she is famously associated with another action hero, I heard a theme song (albeit one not yet written) as sung by Dame Shirley Bassey, on loop in my head, particularly as the "shadowy figure" continued to follow Ethan and Maxim across the border to safety in Finland. Memories of Pussy Galore, Honey Ryder and Mary Goodnight emerged, but none, not even Pussy Galore, could compete with May Day as portrayed by the amazonian Grace Jones, if Ethan and Maxim required any assistance to deal with an assassin. I also kept hearing interpolations of Rasputin by Boney M. as the boys were crossing the border, particularly as they observed the intimidating border guards. A teaser for what is to come I assume @E K Stokes and @Talo Segura. Keep up the good work.

Streuth! Ya flamin' galah! It will never end, not whilst my mother is alive anyway.

Stone the flamin' crows @Mark Ponyboy Peters. I have never that I can recall made a deliberate choice to sit and watch it, but my mother has watched it from the very first episode. When she visits on occasion she simply must watch it, so I have "heard" it on a number of occasions. I have found some of it unintentionally amusing as the dialogue is atrocious and the acting woeful.

I speculated an adverse reaction by Ben to his prescription medication at the conclusion of the previous chapter, and after reading this chapter I think it a near certainty this is what occurred. If I recall correctly, Ben is a relatively small build, therefore two of the prescribed tablets at once would possibly have a more powerful effect on him than a person with a larger build such as Josh. Whatever the cause of Ben's physical reaction and resulting behavioural seesawing, he must disclose to Gavin that he took two of the prescription tablets at the same time. @Anton_Cloche hit the nail on the head when he commented on the 'drag on' effect of some medications too. I was very pleased to observe Ben is awake to the type of person Alex appears to be. After reading the previous chapter I had concerns he may be used by Alex, although after the "incident" Alex may be less pushy in his desire to hang out with Ben, which as @weinerdog commented will not be a bad thing. I think it is even more apparent after this chapter that Ben is Josh's "love interest". I doubt Ben will realise this anytime soon, if ever, as fundamentally he still believes he is a throwaway. His fear of intimacy is likely clouding his thought processes too. Another very disturbing but enlightening chapter @Jeff Burton. Your description of Ben's panic-related symptoms at the outset was frighteningly realistic. Your portrayal of Ben is remarkable in its restraint and respect. You have infused him with a lot of emotional baggage, but I believe most readers are "rooting" for him. I know I am, not from pity but from admiration of his resilience and from a sense of justice.

Or perhaps something even more risqué @Cane23, something akin to a Robert Mapplethorpe photograph, in black and white too. I suspect Ralph's father would likely have a stroke if there for all to see was a black and white photograph of Ralph with Nolan deeply embedded therein. I am sure the picnic will be an eye-opener for Nolan, maybe for Ralph too. The twins will no doubt dominate the conversation and activities, and without a filter will ask Nolan any manner of awkward questions. If they know anything about sex (and in all likelihood they do), I imagine it will not be off the table for enquiry too. Marvellous chapter @Robert Hugill with Ralph opening up more figuratively and literally. I had a great laugh at the following second sentence which I misread, although after reading subsequent sentences it was not such a misread after all. "The twins weren’t around, Ralph felt that the air had cleared somewhat and started to relax. Nolan simply gave him his head and the two explored."

I vaguely remember a TV programme about Nimbin @Mark Ponyboy Peters when in my early teens, describing it as a haven for those seeking an alternative lifestyle in a commune. I recall my maternal grandfather bemoaning it as a place for dope-smoking long-haired layabouts who should be drafted into National Service or get a job. It had quite that reputation for a long time. If its Wikipedia entry is to be believed, it has not changed much since the late 1970's. "I hope you don’t ever leave,’ Danny heard Pete whisper. Thankfully Pete couldn’t see the tears that came to his older brother’s eyes." You certainly know how to get the floodgates to open. The whole time I was reading this chapter I heard Leo Sayer singing Moonlighting in my head. I still think Danny's mother has an inkling something life-changing is imminent for Danny, but unlike several of my fellow readers I don't think she thinks it is a girl. I have to say Jake and Danny are far braver than me (or is it foolhardy). I doubt I would ever trust any group of people sufficiently to invest money in a collective future like they intend to do. Danny's $400.00 was a lot of money then, especially for someone who has just celebrated his 17th birthday.

Of course @Mark Ponyboy Peters would never write anything so cliched and with such stereotypes @weinerdog. He leaves that "pleasure" to the "writers" of soapies set in Summer Bay and the like.

Nate will get a Panel Van of his own @weinerdog. He will meet Shazza, a surfie chick, who likes Australian Crawl, a bong and is honest enough to admit she likes a good fuck as much as the next bloke. Nate will become a tradie, a plumber, and will get plenty of work in Thompsonville, until he has a mid-life crisis. He will divorce Shazza and take up with Mandy, a younger version of Shazza and it will start all over again. Story complete. Of course, @Mark Ponyboy Peters, will reveal the story of Nate's life in a far more eloquent and polished fashion @weinerdog, I have just given you the abridged "bloke's" version.

The second time I read the chapter it was not confusing at all. It was entirely my muddled brain the first time that "caused" the confusion.

You could be right about the corporate skullduggery @drsawzall, although is embezzlement something which would be considered "sinister". Fraudulent and illegal yes, but sinister, I am not so sure. When I think of something as being sinister it usually implies frightening or menacing or threatening, which is why I suggested it might involve human trafficking of women and children from Eastern Europe via Germany and selling them into sex slavery. Or it might involve wild animal, arms or drug smuggling. Whatever Jackie is involved in I too hope it comes back to bite her on the arse. I pity the poor sucker though who has to do the biting. I bet it won't be anywhere near as "pretty" as the sight which bewitched Ludo in the previous chapter.

It was a sham @Cane23, a well-scripted a well-acted "performance" by Ms Icelandia aka Jackie Reykjavic.

Firstly, and most importantly, welcome back @Jeff Burton. I read this chapter last night, but did not feel any comments I had to offer could do it justice without a second reading. I am glad I did as there were conversations last night that left me puzzled as to their true meaning which tonight made perfect sense, such that I wondered where my mind was, or perhaps wasn't, last night. The one constant though was how profoundly distressing and upsetting this chapter was (and this is no way a criticism of your story telling skills). "I felt funny, like something in my head suddenly stopped working correctly. I don’t know what this means. I mean I… What just happened? I guess I’m just a friend? The dude at work that occasionally hangs out? What am I? A throwaway. Am I not worth consideration? Why didn’t he tell me he met someone before? Is this for real? I guess I’m just… A throwaway." How quickly Ben has returned to his "normal" state. He has endured so much disappointment and heartbreak during his life that it takes very little for him to return to a state of almost non-existent self-esteem. A perceived slight which from others might provoke a "fuck you" provokes a sense of worthlessness in Ben. Some may find this attitude defeatist or self-pitying, I however find it plausible and worthy of comfort and understanding. He is a young man with much to offer others but he has had so little opportunity to do so, and even less opportunity to receive in kind what he truly deserves. Like several of my fellow readers I believe the person Josh is interested in is Ben, but Josh is wary of hurting him so is proceeding cautiously, perhaps a little too cautiously. I have taken an instant dislike to Alex (which is so not like me, would you not agree @weinerdog), and like @Mattyboy I am suspicious as to the source of his supply of crisp $100 bills. Counterfeit perhaps, or the spoils of a drug dealer. As for the Asian hooker @weinerdog, perhaps it was she who was doing the fucking rather than being fucked. Perhaps she was pegging Alex with a strap-on or perhaps she is a ladyboy. As for the conclusion"As I drifted off to sleep, for the first time in weeks The Hand grabbed me from the darkness, and this time I couldn’t scream", well this could signify many things. Maybe the 2 prescription tablets Ben has taken have had such a heavy affect upon him he is incapable of screaming or he may be concerned if he screams he will lose his home because Wallace will evict him or perhaps it signifies something more sinister as speculated by @weinerdog.

"When he glanced at his mother in the kitchen he caught her watching him for a second or two, before she then turned to Peter and asked him who was on the phone. Pete had simply shrugged his shoulders and said, ‘One of Danny’s friends, he said,’ before swiping a slice of cold meat from the plate that his stepfather was trying to fill as he cut the leg of ham for their traditional Christmas lunch of cold meats and salads." I think Danny's mother is aware something "big" is about to unfold in her son's life. She may not know what it is at this point in time, but it would not surprise me if she intrinsically knows it somehow involves Jake. I have been wondering for some time now if Danny reminds her of herself when she was young, before she gave birth to him, or perhaps even after she gave birth to him but before she met his stepfather. Was she perhaps a carefree spirit who followed her heart, only to find she had to compromise to ensure a better life for Danny. If my wondering has any basis, I imagine she will not stop Danny following his heart, even if there is a chance it may be broken. Nate's character growth has been nothing short of extraordinary @Mark Ponyboy Peters or perhaps it has taken something extraordinary, the imminent departure of his best friend, for him to truly shine. If only we could all have a friend like Nate. No matter what happens to Danny, it appears Nate will be there to provide whatever is needed to maintain their friendship. I had to choose the 'sad' emoticon again for this chapter @Mark Ponyboy Peters, although I don't think I can attribute it entirely to this chapter. The sadness is perhaps more akin to 'melancholy' again with Danny's realisation about the good things in life he will be leaving behind, some perhaps for good, when he departs his home with Jake for an uncertain future.

It should not have made any difference, but I found myself even more upset about the incubator's murder of Joey Keys knowing that he was one of Steve's friends who had come for a sleepover. I assumed he was younger and chosen "randomly" by the incubator. The adjective c#*t now seems inadequate in its offensiveness to describe her.