Summerabbacat

Unless you have a powerful religious institution behind you and then it's the child's fault.

Just adolescents @Paladin? I know plenty who would hardly qualify as adolescents who still have difficulty "fixing it". The divorce rate in Australia in 2023 supports my findings too, with 30% of first marriages ending in divorce and 60% of second marriages 60% ending in divorce. Both my male siblings have been married and divorced twice. I have to say of the four wives between the two, I only liked one of them even an iota. The other three were that unspeakable word. The most bizarre I find are those who marry and divorce the same person more than once. Why?

I think the four stories published by @Robert Hugill on GA to date have had this in common @Carybr. If you have not read the other three I highly recommend them.

What a difference many years can make to what is important to one @Mark Ponyboy Peters. I remember when I read this chapter many years ago on crvboy I immediately spent a significant amount of time searching the 'net for Southern Star University. I just had to know where it was located, not even initially entertaining it may have been a fictional university. I thought perhaps it was a fictional name for Southern Cross University which has campuses at Coffs Harbour and Lismore. Not satisfied this was the case I was annoyed and then realised it really did not matter, it was the story that mattered. Reading it now many years later I have to wonder why my younger self was so troubled I could not be sure of its location or "realism". I thought Matt's father's little outburst may have been the result of his realisation his son was "moving on", growing up and becoming his own man, no longer needing his fatherly love or guidance. The real reason for his outburst was reassuring, he really has come a long way from the man who at first was displeased his son was a "poofter". The reunion of the boys was a joy to witness. I recall what it will lead to, but will not spoil it for those such as @Paladin who have not had the pleasure of reading this story before. I had a chuckle when Luke was contemplating faxing off his university application. It was not that long ago faxes were still being sent; they are virtually non-existent now. I don't think my employer (a large Commonwealth Govt department) even has a fax machine anymore. I had a guilty chuckle when Luke spotted Kerrie while he "was carrying some cartons of dog food, while she was arguing with her mother about something or other." I suspect it was completely unintentionally, but I initially thought how ironic to have them meet amongst cartons of dog food. Another marvellous chapter @Mark Ponyboy Peters. With this chapter you almost attained the impossible, for a brief moment (a millisecond) I felt one of those beautiful summer breezes carrying the perfume of Tropical Blend Coconut Suntan Oil (only SPF4 thank you) through my cold, wet, wintery apartment in Sydney. At least I have the joyful sounds of several of Bright Light Bright Light's CD's playing whilst consuming this tasty morsel of mid-north coast life.

"Kenny giggled, "Yeah, it'd be funny to get a black guy's, or even a girl's arm." "It'd be a hell of a conversation starter. Would you be half-gay with a girl’s arm?" I have no idea how Rocky drew the conclusion, even if jokingly, that a man may be half-gay if he had a female's arm transplanted. Perhaps it's my prickly nature. I think Rocky showed remarkable maturity and pragmatism in learning Kelly was not his biological mother, and that his biological mother had been killed in a bomb-blast. Bobby's parents appear amenable to the idea of Manny and Bass speaking to him about being gay, but not so Paul's parents. I am not sure what their problem is, although @weinerdog has speculated they may be extremists. Whatever their concern, they need to be made aware Manny at least is perfectly 'armless.

I have stated before on a number of occasions that your writing inspires musical accompaniment for want of a better explanation @Robert Hugill, and this chapter found my mind awash with music, not with a tune from your fellow Brit, Kate Bush, but with a well known tune from the 1940's written by Rodgers & Hart, Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered, a song covered by many a singer since then. It was Doris Day's version which accompanied my reading of this chapter. Why this song, I am not sure, but maybe: there was something rather beguiling or bewitching about Greg and I don't think it is just his apparent physical beauty, he had an air of mystery about him there was something about Greg which bothered me, perhaps his brusque manners or the fact much has apparently bothered him since his time with the "old git" there was something rather bewildering about Greg; in the relatively short time Dante and Vaughan spent with him his mood seemed to swing abruptly and greatly, almost as if he was on some kind of drug-induced trip Despite Greg's somewhat confusing behaviour, it appeared Vaughan and Dante enjoyed their visit to see him and the environment in which he lived. I have to wonder if Len is maybe more than a friend, perhaps someone who has brought a sense of calm or at least reduced the chaos which apparently had plagued Greg's life. I don't know why I sense this, but I sense Francis Heyward's motives are sincere and that he will help Greg too. A very intriguing chapter @Robert Hugill. I feel Greg is going to become someone important in the lives of Dante and Vaughan and perhaps even Francis Heyward (or maybe I am on a drug-induced trip even though I don't take drugs). Whatever the aftermath of this chapter, I feel something significant will come from this meeting with Greg.

Now don't be a spoilsport @Ronyx, we love overthinking, speculating the most outrageous and/or ridiculous scenarios, analysing every little nuance (LOL). As I have commented before I am so enjoying this story where your primary focus is not only a non-teen, but someone in his later years in life. I am constantly reminded of Mr Wilbur (as I have mentioned before on a number of occasions), one of the most likeable, charming, delightful and witty characters in any of your stories to date.

This has to stop @weinerdog. Have you somehow planted a chip into my brain and are harvesting my thoughts because once again I had very similar thoughts to you but was also puzzled by their sequence? I also immediately thought it might be Stanley whom Phil first observed through the window in this chapter, particularly as he did not appear to know who the boy was. Perhaps in her description of Stanley previously, Susan has given Phil a mental image of what he may look like subconsciously. It still does not explain the appearance of Stanley unless he is dead though. The only other explanation I can offer is that perhaps it is a boy whom Phil counselled in the past whom he does not recall, someone who found themselves in similar circumstances to Stanley, someone whom Phil was not able to help for some reason or another, someone who took their own life but is overjoyed Phil is going to try and help Stanley. Having speculated this though, I think it is unlikely that such an event would not have severely traumatised Phil and his memory seems very sharp still. Speaking of Susan, I am glad she kicked her husband to the kerb. He beat up Stanley and thought strike while the iron is hot and he beat up Susan for supporting their son. The man should be in jail. Donna Summer and the Bee Gees and my favourite Village People song, Macho Man. Absolute bliss @Ronyx. I have many albums by Donna on CD and vinyl (and many on both), and quite a few by the Bee Gees and the Village People too (mainly on CD). I have never been ashamed to say that disco is my favourite genre of music; the number of disco songs I do not like I would be able to count on 1 or 2 hands at the most. Donna, ABBA, Boney M, KC & The Sunshine Band, the Bee Gees, Chic, Blondie (in all their musical styles) and an assortment of short lived wonders e.g. Silver Convention and the fabulous Amii Stewart, ruled my mid-teenage years in the mid to late 1970's and it was a world of wonder.

I wondered about Jonty too @drsawzall. I cannot say beer has ever been a beverage I have enjoyed. I enjoyed Bacardi, bourbon, whisky, vermouth and various horrors when I was younger (creme de menthe, blackberry nip, Tia Maria and Kahlua to name but a few), but my tastes have changed over the years such that I really only enjoy vodka, champagne and some white wines now.

Best she not sniff too hard @Lee Wilson. The aroma may not be a pleasant one.

"Dan was an amazing dad for Ollie. He loved Ollie and did great things with him, but we always thought his mum, Chrissie, was rather flaky. I can’t say she was a bad mum but she certainly wasn’t a good mum. There were times when I felt she really didn’t care much about Ollie. I’m not surprised that she picked up with the wrong people.” Finally, a little revelation about Ollie’s mum from a third party. It seems 'Crackhouse Chrissie' was already indifferent to her son before his father died. This would explain why being separated from her has not been traumatic for Ollie. In fact, I would not be at all surprised if she knew what the paedophile boyfriend was doing to Ollie either. I am still suspicious that 'Crackhouse Chrissie' was either directly involved in her husband’s death or perhaps involved with the drug dealer who was the apparent intended target of the murder. I think the police should be looking at her as a "person of interest" in her late husband's death. Several of my fellow readers in @Lee Wilson and @Al Norris have commented they don’t believe we have seen the last of 'Crackhouse Chrissie' yet, and I suspect they are right in this speculation. My fertile imagination has envisaged numerous scenarios, the most likely of which is that she may learn Ollie is being fostered by a gay couple who are seemingly well off, therefore she attempts to kidnap him and demand a ransom for his safe return. Ollie displayed vulnerability over the loss of his beloved Dad, Dan, with his request to Chris and Andre to tuck him into bed. Like the good doctor @drsawzall, I found my allergies were activated by this request and the ensuing conversation between Ollie, Chris and Andre. Given the loving natures of Chris and Andre, I think Ollie will be often greatly comforted by such small and yet very meaningful gestures on their part. Carol! Is she for real. I will freely admit I can be a little prickly at times, but she is a little too much of the “she who must be obeyed and informed of everything” a little too often. She laughed after making her comment regarding Chris and Andre’s new foster parenting role, but the subsequent comment about being forgiven but not forgotten seems a little disingenuous. She is a bloody sticky beak and a know-all, even if unintentionally. I am sure her heart is in the right place, but I don’t think I could tolerate her in large doses. Another entertaining, enriching and very enlightening chapter @Paladin. I wonder how much more Logan and/or Ashely may reveal about 'Crackhouse Chrissie'. My only disappointment, not a cat to be seen (yet) after this chapter. Now there's a storyline suggestion for you, a feline friend for Ollie.

I thought "the Mrs" was going to be another of your ghastly female characters @Robert Hugill but she turned out to be far more agreeable than she originally presented, particularly when she learned of Keith's "connection" to Michael Atkinson. It was with delight I observed the number of times Keith referred to Thomas as "my boyfriend" in conversations with "the Mrs" and Stanislas without giving it a second thought. He is relishing his newfound status as "the boyfriend" of Thomas, so much so I can almost see his glow all the way down here in the Antipodes. Once again you have presented me, at least, with an educational opportunity @Robert Hugill. I had no idea what a "real ale" is as I never drink beer. To my utmost surprise when I looked it up on the 'net it mentioned CAMRA which I assumed was an acronym you had made up and I had no idea what it stood for (my apologies if you have given an explanation of this in a prior chapter, if so, I have skimmed over it as it held no interest for me). Another chapter of Loineresque delights @Robert Hugill.

I was most pleased to read further education had not 'spoiled' Otis' unique view of the world or the manner in which he expresses himself. "He had been there, and he had missed his own childhood for the most part. Therefore, all the things he was teaching the little ones applied to him just as well. He was learning with them, and he was more like a child himself, one of them, and not so much a teacher". And here lies the key to his success as a teacher. One can only but imagine the unique bond he would form with young children with special needs. And Hudson. What a revelation. One could not have imagined him settling for a life of quiet domesticity with only one partner, and even more so adding children to the equation, when he made his first appearance in this story. His character growth was extraordinary, perhaps more than anything else testament to the wonder who is Otis. A story replete with the very worst of humanity and the cruelty humans will inflict on others whether for pleasure or gain or some form of oppression, but it was the joy Otis brought to the world of Hudson which stood out for me above all else. Otis a most remarkable man.

OMG Phil deserves an OBE if he tolerated Candice for the length of time you are suggesting @Mark Ponyboy Peters. Perhaps he would be satisfied with "some lovin' from Hoss as a "consolation".

This is becoming a habit, fortunately not a bad one, I am in agreement with @weinerdog AGAIN. I was struck by Manny's hypocrisy, particularly given he seemed to consider Bass' beating up of the bar bullies a joke. The only difference between the actions of Rocky and those of Bass were that Rocky was defending himself whereas Bass, to a certain extent, was defending Taylor. Does Manny think it is different because those on the receiving end of Rocky's self-defence were children? If so, I say so fucking what. Bruce and Bart started both fights and Rocky finished them. Should as speculated by @weinerdog Rocky have let Bruce and Bart beat him up, possibly causing him more damage than he caused them. I don't think so. If Manny considers it appropriate their medical costs be paid, Rocky should insist on Bruce buying him a new shirt, the same as the one Bruce damaged when HE started the first fight. And clearly Bruce has learned nothing from the altercation, once again trying to stir trouble with his comment about the 'fwuit' table. What a fucking loser or should I say a fucking woser. A future star candidate for the Republican Party in the making. Bwuce Wiwmer, Republican candidate for Podunk, Alabamy. Now I have finished bitching about Manny it is time to bitch about Rocky (because I am perfect of course). Rocky's "gay panic" routine is wearing a little thin. I know he is only very young, but is he not capable of assessing the behaviour of the three gay men who have featured in his life i.e. Boris, Bass and Manny when considering a friendship with Bobby and Paul? Has he ever noticed Boris, Bass or Manny hitting on straight men e.g. Patrick? In his defence, there are many adult men who share the same concerns. I find it ironic that many of those who are the most concerned about being hit on by a "fag" are not overburdened with good looks or charm, in fact are invariably quite the opposite. Marvellous chapter @Lee Wilson. I so love a chapter that appeals and allows me to express my unbiased opinions with gay abandon because if nothing else I am an opinionated SOB.

Sell it at a pawn shop? Give it to the next intended? Wear it on a chain around your neck as a reminder not to make that same mistake again?

That never even occurred to me in this instance @Al Norris. I must be losing touch with reality.

I have to confess I cannot think of even one @Al Norris, unless Phil is genuinely bisexual. Even then though the effort required to satisfy her whims and demands hardly seems worth the headache for a fuck.

I think he has previously expressed an interest at least in computer science @Paladin. If this story weren't already completed a number of years ago I could have suggested he "speak" to your Chris for guidance, although he does have Dwayne to talk to as well. And I have to agree wholeheartedly with your second comment. I know many couples, mostly gay, but some straight too, who support each other through difficult times and times when difficult or far-reaching decisions have to be made. It is something I don't have and often think would be a "blessing" to have.

Barbie doll figure, blond hair, whiny voice, pouting and foot stomping when she is not the sole focus of her fiancé's attention and obeyed immediately, and named Candice to boot. Even if Phil isn't at least bisexual, Candice's usual behaviour (pre-Hoss kiss) would be more than enough for many men to seriously question an engagement to her. One has to ask given Phil's apparent blasé attitude pre- and post-Hoss kiss why he was engaged to her to begin with. Although I am not excusing Phil's treatment of Candice, she had no right to just walk into Matt and Luke's flat without asking permission. She was clearly a little "millennial princess" before there was such a thing as a "millennial princess". Methinks Phil might be a bit of a player, which given Hoss' inexperience is not ideal. Time will tell (as will the "pen" of @Mark Ponyboy Peters) if there is anything "real" between Phil and Hoss. I hope for the benefit of both, but particularly Hoss, that there is as I imagine opportunities are relatively limited in their town. DJ's indiscretion was not amusing. He needs to remember Hoss is not as comfortable with himself as DJ is, and given Hoss' comment about his parents, he may never be until he moves away from home. A thoroughly enjoyable chapter again @Mark Ponyboy Peters. Although the dissolution of Phi's engagement to Candice should have been a sad event, I could not but help laugh a little as it was such a farce to begin with. I doubt Candice will "suffer" for too long (if at all) and Phil seems to have "weathered the storm" already.

Mr Lamb appears to be anything but gentle. I would have thought a teacher who spotted blood on the shirt of a pupil would at least enquire as to how the blood got there in the first instance, particularly given it was fresh. @Paladin's comment that the teachers seem to be taking a very laissez-faire attitude to violence between students is on the mark. Perhaps it is not until they start stabbing and/or shooting that there will be a reaction at this particular school. Bruce and by extension Bart are not very smart lads it would seem. Perhaps Bruce thought by having Bart with him they could take Rocky down. If Bruce's parents wish to take action against Rocky it is likely there were enough other boys who witnessed the fight to disclose it was Bruce who started it. Given Bruce's unpopularity I assume he has bullied other boys before so there is no love lost between him and the other boys. He certainly picked on the wrong boy this time though. As many have commented, Manny's reaction to the loss of his hand (which I thought was actually the loss of his forearm), was perfectly understandable, particularly given his occupation. Given his role as Rocky's adoptive parent, I assume (perhaps wrongly) he would not have to worry about the cost of his current and ongoing care. I also wonder if Charlie has his employees insured for workplace injury, although I dare say any insurance company would try to weasel out of having to pay anything given the circumstances of Manny's workplace injury. I have never seen any of Sylvester Stallone's Rocky films @Lee Wilson as they are not my "cup of tea" (although I did like Bill Conti's theme song to the first film); however, I do know what they are about. It seems little Rockland (Rocky) Tanner is well named.

Perhaps Tim will just "pop in" on his way to performing some errand for Francis.

That was a faux pas on my account then. I think I recall that now.

Giorgio Moroni. Almost Giorgio Moroder @Robert Hugill. Now he is someone I am very familiar with and admire greatly. It appears Dante did not inherit the olive complexion from his Italian mother, rather he inherited the fair complexion from his English father (did I get his parentage right @Robert Hugill?) The accommodation will no doubt be luxurious and just think of the food. Italian cuisine is my favourite so a trip to Italy for the food alone would be welcomed by me. Vaughan is like a fine wine, improving with age. With each passing chapter he compromises a little more and becomes more attracted to Dante. He is perhaps the most evolving character you have created to date @Robert Hugill.

If he did the skills must have worn off relatively quickly. Maybe it is just the appearance of the tongue the first time that causes excitement. I imagine his dental hygiene leaves much to be desired too and he likely has halitosis.