Summerabbacat

The beauty of nature mirroring the beauty of the developing relationship between Adam and Kai. Evocative again @Andr0gene, but on this occasion it was not a sensual masterpiece by Barry White which came to mind, it was the calm beauty of Rod Stewart's Sailing which I heard echoing off the lake's surface. I just had to listen to the song in full immediately and I had a strong image of Adam and Kai basking in a languorous state, soaking up some rays in quiet contemplation (maybe it was the chamomile tea which I am told is sleep-inducing). Beautiful chapter. The reminiscences of Nan were a joy to witness, making me think of my own grandmother who died in 2012 three months shy of her 96th birthday. Much like Adam's Nan my grandmother (Nanna) was adored and I often think of her. I hope Adam reveals more about her as the story progresses because she is no doubt one of the primary reasons he is the person he is.

Quite likely @CincyKris. As @Paladin has noted, his father seems to have been a wonderful influence on him during his early years. Perhaps it is a blessing in disguise his mother has essentially abandoned him given what a fuck-up she is, as had he remained in her "care" he may have become a very different boy. His new life with his Dads, whilst not a guarantee he will be happy and reach his potential, certainly puts him in a better position than had he remained with Crackhouse Chrissie.

Most of my family and friends don't like the high humidity and heat @Cane23; I am the "odd one out" because I have always loved both. 35°C and 90% plus humidity, pure bliss. Today it was 15°C with 41% humidity. I have had my heater on all day, wrapped in a blanket and wearing two layers of clothes. Hideous.

Although in hindsight I recognise they were not great pizzas (I am trying to be kind), Pizza Hut was the only fast food chain I ate at when I first moved to Sydney as it was the only one which offered any vegetarian options. The burger chains offered nothing for vegetarians except for fries, which were possibly cooked in animal fat anyway.

"Your" Song For Guy is magnificent and the one by Elton is pretty impressive too.

The one in my hometown is long-gone too. I have no idea what replaced it, although I would not be surprised if it is now a light-industrial estate or housing.

The Sandman if I remember correctly and it wasn't just in Sydney. I remember they were very popular on the north coast of NSW where lots of guys were surfies. They were often the "choice" of vehicle for the local drive-in too.

A very impressive "debut". Fortunately you did not suffer a "sophomore slump" as your other three stories published to date are all wonderful.

It must be the high humidity @drsawzall. Perhaps there are more mould spores in the air because of this and all those gym workouts you have been doing in the high humidity.

Almost the title of a Meatloaf song @drsawzall. As soon as I wrote this comment I immediately heard Meatloaf singing it with the partial new lyrics as written by @drsawzall and it is surprising how well they fit in place of the most famous lyrics (to date). Perhaps this new version could be played as the "trump" song at that person's next rally as it has been reported Meatloaf was a fan of that person. A bat out of hell indeed.

Networking, schmoozing, butt-kissing, all allegedly for a good cause. Thomas has no doubt seen it all before (and then some). I half-expected Vaughan to make an appearance to stir up proceedings and get the well-to-do to part with some of their money. It was probably too "low brow" for Francis Heyward to attend. Jonty enjoyed himself, reluctantly perhaps at first, but by the end of the evening he seems to have not only survived intact but made some potentially very useful contacts too. Thoroughly enjoyable as is the case for all your literary servings @Robert Hugill. I know you have not done it to date, but I saw so many opportunities for a "guest appearance" by characters from your other stories, such as the aforementioned Vaughan.

It was very busy with all the movement of equipment and then the awesome4some unpacking products for review and playing video games (at least I think they were). I was exhausted by all that activity.

The consummation was immaculate (and thankfully did not result in a conception). You wrote it beautifully @Mark Ponyboy Peters. I heard distant rolling waves and smelt the salty air, and all the time Kiki Dee was singing Amoureuse in the background. I don't know if you recall the song, it was a big hit here in Australia in 1974. I was 10 at the time and had no idea what the song was about, I just recall thinking it was a great song. And now we await with baited breath the arrival of Song For Guy. It is rather apt I heard Kiki's vocal during this chapter given Elton will make a musical "appearance" to herald the next story.

Ollie is like a sponge, soaking up the love from his new Dads, Chris and Andre, and his "big brother" Jackie. As observed by Chris, he is a remarkably polite and well-mannered teenage boy; clearly his father had been a very good influence on him before his demise. I was pleased Andre revealed to David that Crackhouse Chrissie had lied to Ollie about ensuring his father had a plaque on his headstone. I was even more pleased David promised to include it in her file to ensure Ollie is never retuned to her. Another nail in her coffin, however, I daresay unless there was a financial incentive to her obtaining custody of Ollie ever again, she would not be interested in having anything to do with him. I am by nature a "glass half empty" person, but I have reservations about Ollie's face appearing in a Youtube on the internet where it may be possible to identify where he now resides. I do not trust Crackhouse Chrissie at all and the thought of a possible kidnapping attempt of Ollie continues to niggle in the back of my mind. Excellent chapter @Paladin. Ollie appears to be adjusting very well and very quickly to his new home with his Dads.

You must never let science get in the way of 'good God fearing folk' who just know those homersexuals are to blame for all manner of things @Paladin. All I can say is if I had as much "power" and "influence" as these people claim, most of these fuckers would not be living to tell their preposterous lies. I would make Carrie look like a Sunday school teacher.

I don't know why this is given the stupidity of so many of our species, but this popular belief still astonishes me even at my advanced age. I believe with many it may be a case of wilful ignorance or convenience, like blaming "the gays" for natural disasters and all manner of "God's other punishments". The only "comforting" thing is we are in good company as invariably its the "the gays and the Jews".

That is appalling @Mancunian. I imagine many were victims of abuse by family members or close family friends who took advantage of this relationship.

My fellow Hugillites have been in fine form over the past 17 hours with their contemplative examination of the behaviour of, motives for and interactions between those present at Francis' ugly and ostentatious home and the one absent from "the proceedings", Donald "the old git" Mitchell. As many have stated the relationship between Len and Greg seems to be mutually beneficial, with Len in particular protective of Greg. One gets a sense Greg may have been far more damaged by "the old gits" exploitation of him than he has revealed. Will the photography project bring Greg some kind of joy, closure or catharsis, time will only tell. He well may benefit from it and I am certain Francis will. I suspect Francis' concern for Greg may be well meaning, but I find it hard to believe he would do anything unless there is a benefit to himself, even altruism has its rewards if not financial then at least reputational. "Greg and Len arrived in an elderly Ford Fiesta; we joined them and walked up to the house." I had a great chuckle at this comment @Robert Hugill. I don't think I have ever seen someone describe an old car with such consideration for its "feelings". Wonderful work.

Arya has spoken and her assessment is positive. If there was any doubt in Adam's mind as to Kai's suitability, such doubt should now be erased. Kellan is obviously a very caring man as evidenced by his quiet word in Adam's ear regarding Kai's stubbornness and the significance of today's move from hospital to home, a home he likely thought he would never see again until recently. Love Unlimited sang and cooed Walkin' In The Rain With The One I Love (even though it is not raining) whilst I was reading the latter part of this chapter. I expect next chapter it will be Barry's bass voice on It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me which will swirl and rise in tandem with rising passions (fuck I should write cheap trashy romance novels). Terrific chapter @Andr0gene. Barry White would have been proud of you.

“I brought wine this time. Get some candles, kill the lights, put on some Barry White. We’re there. Oh, where do I put this?” I don't care how "inappropriate" or bald Dr. Kinky is, if he considers the music of Barry White the epitome of seduction, he has SCORED A HOME RUN. Barry and his "soul brothers" Isaac Hayes, Marvin Gaye, Teddy Pendergrass and our very own, Luther Vandross, just ooooooooooooooozzzzzzzzzzzzzze pheromones every time they open their mouths to sing even just one note about making luuuuuurrrrrrrvvvvvvvveeeeee. People of all genders just be dropping their panties anywhere and everywhere when these men choose to ooze. I was surprised Dr Kinky did not realise Kai was gay. I assumed it would have arisen in conversation. Either Kai is the butch straight-acting type (but maybe a screaming nelly bottom in bed) or Dr Kinky has no gaydar. OMG @Andr0gene, the reference to BW's music has me all hot and bothered. Some of his longer songs such as Your Love - So Good I Can Taste It are some of the best "come fuck me" songs ever (just like Marvin's Let's Get It On and Sexual Healing).

I have to agree with you @John Henry Silver Springs is a great song and there is no Fleetwood Mac without Christine. I do love Tusk though, both the album and the song, although I think most of Lindsay's other songs on the album, apart from Not That Funny, are underwhelming. Christine has some gorgeous songs on the album with Honey Hi, Never Forget, Brown Eyes and Never Make Me Cry, but for me the absolute standard track on the whole album is Sara (and it was fucking criminal when first released on CD that it was the edited single version included).

I do. You are much kinder than I, although I do think ignorance, unless it is wilful ignorance, can at least be improved with the right opportunity and attitude on the part of the ignorant.

I did not want to appear too insensitive and "grumpy old manlike" by making the following statement earlier, but I feel your comment has "freed my inhibitions" and invited me to do so @Mark Ponyboy Peters. Yes, the volunteer surf life savers are often ignored by locals and tourists alike, which is why I would not shed a tear if the number who were rescued was fewer. Selfish fuckers.

That is an extraordinary number saved @Paladin. I imagine that like our volunteer fire fighters, much of their volunteer work would be performed in the warmer months between October to March, but especially in summer.

I was thinking of including Monday morning in an earlier comment as it is almost 8pm on Sunday in Sydney, Australia, and Monday morning is approaching much too quickly yet again. Monday morning always brings with it a blue letter, unless of course, it is a day off for one reason or another. I have to say Lindsay's contributions to the five albums Fleetwood Mac to Tango In The Night inclusive are generally my least favourite, apart from the magnificent Go Your Own Way which heralded this examination of "the Mac". Stevie's are usually my favourite, starting with Rhiannon, although I often had little understanding of WTF she was on about. The joy of Christine's songs is their lyrical simplicity, honesty and poignancy, complimented beautifully by her haunting vocals. Whenever interviewed she always struck me as very unaffected and grounded, with a streak of mischief and inquisitiveness which I found very charming. Very English and maybe even a little shy. And let's not forget, Rumours must surely be one of the most successful public airings ever of the destruction of the relationships between those involved.