Summerabbacat

Are you suggesting some parents are manipulative @Cane23? Surely you jest.

Out of the mouths of babes. "Two Daddies would be nice." "It would be three if Mummy got a boyfriend too." You have just gotta love these twins (and I don't usually like children at all). Nervous Nolan and Reticent Ralph. If the two ever manage to go on a "proper" date which leads to sex afterwards it will be like the 4th of July. Fireworks, tsunamis, volcanoes erupting, earthquakes of 9.3 on the Richter scale, seminal dehydration. Ralph's parents should examine themselves first if they want to observe disappointment at its greatest. Parents who FAIL to love their children unconditionally, at least some of whom try to live through their children to compensate for their own disappointments or perceived failures, are the epitome of disappointment. Charming and delightful, words which describe many a chapter in the Hugillverse, both in Parborough and elsewhere.

I have to acknowledge admiration for Anthony admitting he is spineless when it comes to arguing with his father. I wonder if Anthony would stick up for himself if he and his father disagreed vehemently on something his father criticised him for. It may not be "wise" but it really is none of Anthony's business whomever Barrett and/or Todd date. If it happens to be each other I can certainly understand them wanting to proceed with caution given the fallout which could result if Daddy dearest becomes aware of it. And now the boys are on their first date, albeit with Barrett hardly dressed for such a special occasion. Each has been waiting with bated breath for the night. And proving Muriel is on the money, an ABBA song for every occasion. Take it away Agnetha.

"LCCal1277@gmail.com: You have to tell me Cindy’s response to my suggestions! He’s Alan and he’s in 315. I’ve seen him around but never met him until today. He’s tall – a little shorter than me – and dark and hairy. You’d recognize him, I’m sure. Seems nice. He’s from Canada so didn’t want to risk going home for break and having trouble getting back into the country. We’ll probably hang out some this week. Night, babe!" A very friendly interaction between the allegedly straight Calvin (to all bar Alan) and Bert. Was that a "slip of the cyber tongue" or is there something more to the roommate relationship between Calvin and Bert which has not yet been revealed. I had to laugh when I saw Bert's name is Bert Bandelier (which you may have disclosed previously @KKirk). I noted the alliteration in the first chapter too and meant to comment on it then. Calvin Christensen, Caroline Christensen and Cole Christensen LOL. Is this a widespread "thing" in the USA? John Waters, the film director, regularly employs alliteration for characters in his films, some of the best known being Corny Collins, Cuddles Kovinsky, Francine Fishpaw, Link Larkin, Motormouth Maybelle, Penny and Prudy Pingleton, Ramona Ricketts, Sylvia Stickles, Todd Tomorrow, Tracy Turnblad, Ursula Udders, Wade Walker and Wanda Woodward. It appears after one "sex lesson" Calvin is already feeling more than just lust if this thought holds true"Though I had only known Alan for about 6 hours when he left me alone and achingly hard, I found that I missed him immediately. I couldn’t fathom how I could feel lonelier after the exciting evening I had enjoyed with him than I had before we’d met. But I felt his absence in a very palpable way."

Anthony the asshat. I have seen you use asshat before @drsawzall. Numerous characters in another story set in Washington state, which I read on another site, regularly use the term asswaffle. Are these terms local colloquialisms as they are not used in Australia that I am aware of?

I read today, courtesy of Wikipedia, that the play was very successful when it premiered in 1955 in Australia (Sydney and Melbourne) and the UK, but in the USA it was not well received. It was later made into a film in 1959 (American) with an alternative happy ending. WTF?

My comment that once again your observations were astounding was a positive one @Paladin. That you have drawn parallels between SOTSD and this wonderful story after only two chapters of this story all the more remarkable. I have to confess I don't remember much about the lives of Roo, Barney etc before the 17th summer (I only read the play once), but what I do remember is that the 17th summer was bleak and suffocating.

Wars have been started for lesser "offences" @Al Norris. This would be a "skirmish" of monumental proportions. I don't believe my comment above has "given away" too much.

Once again your observations are astounding @Paladin. Suffice to say, whilst this story has some challenges for the three main characters, it is not if I recall correctly, nearly as bleak and suffocating as Summer Of The Seventeenth Doll. Jake, Danny and Nate have not lived on Planet Earth (shout out to The B-52's for a great song) for as long and have for all appearances had fairly happy lives even if predictable and routine (which is what most of us live), therefore they have not suffered as many disappointments and become as disillusioned as Roo, Barney, Olive and Pearl.

I am not so sure about that @Cane23. Anthony's actions are not consistent with what I would expect from someone who fully accepts his brother being gay. The main "cause" of this may be Daddy dearest's attitude, but I think Anthony may be of the mindset you have addressed in your comment prior to the one above i.e. I don't care if you are gay, just don't go being all gay around me. BTW, I did not express myself accurately in my comment above. I knew what "being a little less gay" was referring to and knew it was not something you were espousing. My puzzlement was not with you per se, it was with the stupidity of our fellow humans who make such remarks in the first instance. It is similar to the "when did you decide to be gay", the perfect response to which is "about the same time you decided to be an ignorant ............ (whatever expletive best suits the person who made the comment)".

And I am Mother fucking Teresa. Whilst I begrudgingly admire Alan for his directness, I cannot but help feel he is at least a little disingenuous. Calvin may be quite happy being a cumdump for now, but I suspect he will eventually harbour feelings for Alan that Alan has already put the kibosh on. An interesting story to date @KKirk. From a practical perspective the arrangement between Alan and Calvin appears to serve both very well, but will Calvin be able to maintain the detachment which Alan demands. Only time will tell.

Alan is delusional for sure. A little too wrapped up in himself and takes the whole dom/sub thing very seriously. He comes across as rather superior in this chapter, which I found quite off-putting. @Gary L was right though, the shower scene was very hot. Alan just needs to open his mouth less and open his hole more and he will be much more appealing.

There is a fine line between being attractively confident and obnoxiously arrogant. Alan is on a slippery slope to the latter; dare I say he is a little too cocksure.

I think Anthony is likely somewhere between what I originally thought of him and the more agreeable version of himself he presented in chapter 8. Your comment about Todd being "less gay" is one which has always puzzled me @Cane23. I can well imagine Todd's father saying this to him too. I equate it with being a "little less pregnant" or a "little less right handed".

You are not a cheap date if it takes 5 tall Gin & Tonics @drsawzall. After 5 G&T I'd expect you to more than just lick your lips, you had better "put out" big time. "Sexy stranger's" choice of outfit sounds very alluring, and more importantly readily removable. Now I just wonder is he wearing a jockstrap underneath.

This chapter was like a swinging pendulum, like being on a seesaw @Superpride, which made choosing the most appropriate emoticon quite difficult, but ultimately I chose the haha emoticon for this one thought alone "Holy freaking cow! Barrett just asked me out on a date! Or are we just hanging out? Never mind! That doesn’t matter. What the hell am I going to wear? What the fuck am I going to even say to him when he picks me up?" The text in bold a cliche? For sure it is a cliche, but like so many it is grounded in reality. This statement a universal truth, regardless of gender and sexual orientation. I had an image of Todd having this thought, with the biggest grin his face has ever had to accomodate. Not even Anthony's boorish behaviour could curtail Todd's happiness. Speaking of Anthony, he really is a chip off the old block as astutely remarked by @drsawzall in his comments on chapter 8. His vacillating attitude towards Todd's sexuality belies his assertion that he is comfortable with Todd being gay. I call bullshit on Anthony. He is as full of shit as their insensitive, demeaning, bullying father. I'd suggest both would benefit from an enema to relieve them of their constipated thoughts regarding their son/brother, but I believe it would be of no use. Daddy especially is not going to change his self-righteous dogmatic views. Todd is right I believe to remove himself from the toxic relationship he has with his father. Perhaps Barrett may be able to talk some sense into him or perhaps he will have an epiphany if and when he learns that Barrett is dating his youngest son. This story continues to entertain, enthral and at times enrage (courtesy of Daddy mostly) @Superpride.

The play has nothing in common with this story @Talo Segura, other than that it is set in summertime and the title includes the word "seventeenth". It is not a play where the characters live HEA, in fact the main characters lives are completely fractured upon conclusion of the play. I have never seen the play performed that I can recall and only read it the once in high school, but found it profoundly moving and realistic. It appealed to my melancholic nature.

They are well on their way @Paladin. They already have their own "Chris" and maybe on the way to have an "Andre" too if Skylar proves compatible. Now they just need some more friends their own respective ages, maybe a variation of the "awesome foursome".

This one is filling me with nostalgia, and not just for the events which have taken place thus far @Mark Ponyboy Peters. Each time I have received the e-mail notifying me of a new chapter and when I login to view said chapter I am reminded of the play Summer Of The Seventeenth Doll. I remember studying it in Year 7, 8 or 9 in high school and being very affected by it. Did you study it Mark as it was on the high school curriculum? Another beautifully written chapter. Danny is sooooooo wonderful, on the cusp of realising his sexuality and definitely drawn to Jake. Nate is a great friend to Danny and I am certain will not take issue with Danny's revelation he is gay if in fact he reveals it to Nate. And Jake, the "dope smoking homo" is every teen gay boys wet dream. Long blond hair, tanned, no beer gut and on this occasion dressed in a yellow and green tie dye singlet. I remember tie dyed clothing was very popular when we were teenagers Mark; I loved it then and still do now. The beauty of summer permeates this story such that it is almost "another character". My favourite season and I can almost feel it as I am reading this Mark. The beach, the sand, fish and chips wrapped in newspaper, a pine-lime splice (I loved them), the seagulls, the sound of the waves as they roll in and the fragrance of coconut oil suntan lotion. Sheer bliss.

Adam is the obvious choice, but perhaps you have chosen something a little less obvious like Noah, Methuselah or maybe even, Brian.

Time changes everything @Lee Wilson. Now Jill where was that pillow? Oh here it is. Put it to good use girl. Oh Mr Keys, you would like to have a go to. Well sir make sure you do the job properly this time. There you go. Well done Jill and Mr Keys. Now get this shit out of here.

LOL, I did not even notice that @weinerdog. I wonder if Jill's full name is Jill Eve Taft and if Steven or Nicholas have the 2nd given name of Adam. The question begs to be asked, do they like apples?

Or maybe this is what Dylan really wants from Liam @Cane23.

It was the word "hard" rather than my diet @Cane23. And I must complement you on a superb song choice, with marvellous vocals by Peggy Wood. Others have covered it, but I still like Peggy's version best. I have the movie on DVD and the soundtrack on CD. I really like Julie Andrews, particularly in Blake Edwards films e.g. Victor/Victoria (my favourite movie of all time), SOB and 10, but also love her in Thoroughly Modern Millie (with the fabulous Carol Channing), all of which I have on DVD.

On one hand I would like to see the incubator kept alive so that she suffers for as long as possible, but on the other hand I think why should taxpayers dollars be wasted on feeding, housing and caring for her. Jill's testimony will apparently seal spermie's fate. I suspect next time prison justice will be swift and final. I hope Joey Key's father is found not guilty, but he may very well take his own life.