Summerabbacat

No need to respond @John Henry. I have just noticed on one of the earlier gifs reference to Schitts Creek which I have heard a few people at work talk about. I shall have to look it up to determine who he is.

I have to ask; who is this very handsome man? I have seen images of him that you and @Demiurge have posted on more than one occasion. I assume he must be from a TV show and as I have not watched TV for about 20 years and don't stream from Netflix et al, I have no idea who he is. And if you know, are they his real eyebrows as they are certainly perfectly shaped and quite "severe"?

He isn't really dead; he changed his name and his appearance and now works as an Elvis impersonator in a Las Vegas wedding chapel.

How very unfortunate. It gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "shitting your life away", something which Calvin aka sperm donor has done.

Not murder; euthanasia. A mercy killing for those whom he is affecting with his bias.

Unfortunately Ollie's mother's reaction to his beatings and sexual assault did not surprise me at all, in fact, it would not surprise to learn she knew of what was happening and chose to overlook it. When the historical charges are made she may change her tune, but I would caution the decision-makers to ever allow Ollie to be returned to her care. Regardless of her personal circumstances and what she may also have suffered at the hands of this man, she is a despicable c..t. Given what Ollie has gone through at the hands of his mother's boyfriend and his mother's rejection of him, I believe Chris and Andre would make ideal foster parents, particularly given Andre has suffered some of the same treatment (I don't recall he was ever beaten by this man). Andre would be better able to understand how Ollie feels and able to console him when it affects him most. It will be a challenge for Andre to disclose to his parents, Beau and Skye that he was also a victim of sexual assault at the hands of this man. Unlike Ollie, I envisage he will get nothing but support from his family. I just hope that neither of his parents takes it personally and blames themselves for this happening. This story continues to entertain, enthral, educate and at times enrage (Ollie's mother) @Paladin.

I don't think that is too much at all @Lee Wilson. A man of his age "falling" down the stairs could very well sustain multiple broken bones and possibly a head injury too.

Phil aka Dolly Levi is a crafty and wily old man, a little like the delightful Mr Wilbur who encouraged the romance between James and Dion in Taking Off The Mask. As commented by @Paladin, the generation gap between Phil and Colin isn't really all that wide. Their "humanity" is what they have in common; social conventions may have changed, but they have much in common. Vocationally both worked to help others, albeit in different fields, both have endured difficult times, both hid and in the case of Colin is still hiding their true selves, and both appear to have an innate kindness. Adult angst is so much more relaxing to read @Ronyx. The direction this story is heading continues to delight and hold the readers interest for more. Most enjoyable reading (and I look forward to the development of the "budding romance").

Judge Crustypants clearly needs to have his adult diapers changed as he has "shit for brains". Neither the DA nor the police found Charlie's behaviour threatening, yet he totally ignored this. As I stated in my comment on the prior chapter, he has clearly shown his hand, he fully intends to award custody to the sperm donor because Bryan and Caleb are living with sodomites. It may take a private investigation of Judge Crustypants sex life to foil his intentions. I would not be at all surprised if this God-fearin', gun-totin', old boy Republican stalwart has a few little secrets of his own. Bryan's actions were short-sighted again, the actions of someone desperate to help himself and his little brother. The only way to stop him from behaving like this again is to overturn Judge Crustypants ruling, so hire that private investigator Billy to uncover the sleaze that he is covering up. Look for hookers (of either gender and of any age), bestiality, wife-beating, money laundering, drug racketeering. Sex crimes would be the best ones to find though as the Republicans are obsessed with sex outside of marriage, unless it is they who are involved in it. @John Henry it is time for some limbs to be broken (at the very least). Judge Crustypants is older and should therefore be easier to injure.

Agreed @Gary L. His pacing is spot-on.

Thomas' workplace sounds like an architectural travesty. Thank goodness he has the delightful Alison for company. A weekend at a spa for Thomas and Keith? I agree with @Gary L. It sounds like fun, so ditch the worries and have a good time Keith. Apart from the bleak and dreary man-made landscape @Robert Hugill, this chapter sparkled with humour from Keith's “I managed to introduce myself rear first!” to Alison's "So, I need some civilised and entertaining company”, her eyes sparkled with mischief as she said this." As with Owain and Colin, Keith and Thomas are progressing their blossoming relationship at a leisurely pace which suits both admirably.

I have to agree with @Joie J. @Laura S. Fox, the masked audience should be caputred and imprisoned. Do not kill them as they deserve to writhe in agony for their term of their natural lives. Describing them as fuckers as @Joie J. did is not nearly harsh enough. I was ecstatic it was Otis who saved Hudson and destroyed the putrescent evil Keres. As many of we readers had commented it seemed rather too coincidental Otis had only recently fired a gun for the first time and shown such remarkable prowess. Unlike @akascrubber I did not realise the significance of Hudson instructing Otis to lay down after shooting Keres to protect himself from being shot by the police when they raid the club; I assumed it was to ensure the police did not suspect Otis of shooting Keres, although I was unable to reconcile why the police would find Otis' actions reprehensible given the circumstances. Jackie proved himself a worthy ally in the end too. I wonder if his rescue of Jasper will forge a relationship between the two. Although I have not read any of your stories before @Laura S. Fox, I am aware of your reputation for HEA, as you yourself allude to in your comments after this chapter. Hopefully the HEA does not confine itself to Otis and Hudson. And if the HEA acronym can be flipped 180° to satisfy @Joie J. and I, hell ever after for the masked audience and Watkins. Perhaps the latter could be placed into isolation with only the putrescent corpse of Keres for company.

"Inches away from where he lay, crouched and gasping, an unsuspecting ground beetle emerged from under some dry grass and began to putter across the dirt in front of him. Overcome by rage, Cosmo brought his fist down on top of the creature with all the fury that his broken heart could muster. He felt its hard shell crunch beneath his skin and withdrew his hand, blinking owlishly at the fresh devastation he’d just wreaked. The insect’s delicate legs were broken, its wing cases crushed and torn. At the pathetic sight of its antennae twitching their last, a fresh wave of guilt and shame coursed through him. Luca’s right. I’m a fucking disease. Hot tears began to form at the corners of his eyes. He let them fall, darkening the dry, dusty dirt, sending the flattened beetle to a watery grave." Cosmo's genuine reaction to his heartless cruelty demonstrates he is a boy worth saving in my opinion. He is also a boy worth removing from the clutches of the venomous Elisabetta. I had not thought of this, but I believe @drpaladin is correct in his assessment of the Elisabetta/Cosmo friendship "He can't see the reason Betta hangs with him is he is lower than her and makes her feel good and powerful". Perhaps, with any luck for everyone else, but particularly Cosmo and Giorgio, she will accidentally do herself great harm in an attempt to harm Pietro. I was not surprised Giorgio came a running when Cosmo finally returned his texts. Giorgio, like Cosmo, has been starved of and craves love and affection. He like Cosmo, is not genuinely evil and nasty like his bitch of a sister and any attention, especially the attention of another boy, is likely to be well received. Fortunately he had the sense to bring Marco along with him, although I strongly doubt Cosmo would have raped him (not while sober anyway). The chapter was not as dark as I thought it was going to be @James Carnarvon as I feared there was going to be genuine contemplation of suicide by Cosmo. If it had been Elisabetta I would not have shed a tear as I find her despicable and without the possibility of redemption, however, I don't believe Cosmo has reached such lows yet.

As my fellow readers have attested, this is a beautifully told story of two men Owain and Colin. Ordinary mature men, with ordinary lives, getting on with the business of living. After a tentative first meeting their relationship develops and blossoms to the point where they are very comfortable with each other, such that family "issues" are jointly resolved or determined as not worthy worrying about. Filled with humour and some wonderful local idioms, this story has much to recommend it. A true 5 star experience. The only "negative" with this story is that it ended. Robert's readers have begged for more of this story and hope that one day in the future the lives of Owain and Colin may be revisited.

Definitely not the Green Day song reference from me. Tony Bennett had a hit in the 1950's (even before I was born) with a completely different song of this title. I can imagine your beloved Pet Shop Boys doing a cover of it and doing it well. The only "bête noire" I know is an album of that title by Bryan Ferry. Rather appropriate for him I think. I thought Black Betta appropriate because of her dark nature/soul, her penchant for black clothes and her black hair. I recall Vincenzo referring to her as an "emo chick". The ABBA and Bee Gees song titles were completely coincidental for once. It was not until after I wrote and then reviewed my comments that I noted them. I may not have noticed them at all except I had already mentioned the Tony Bennett song and its "link" to the avenue of oleanders (such a beautiful description which I am sure you have used before in prior stories too). I had forgotten my reference to Kate to Chris. I have made a number of references to her in the stories written by @Robert Hugill, so you are both in exalted company IMHO. Although the content of your stories and Robert's stories are nothing alike, I find myself often reminded of music by them. Such is the power and impact of your writing. And Ram Jam courtesy of @drpaladin. It was an enormous hit in Australian in 1977 and a hit again in 1990. They were certainly a one-hit wonder.

Andrew's business acumen shone again, but equally his compassion shone too. His offer of employment to the employees of Fountain House and his generosity to the bereaved owner of Thatch Lodge demonstrated again his compassionate and kind nature. He may be wealthy, but he has not forgotten that he is fortunate to be in such a position and that there are many who are not. I must confess the discussion and description of the various aircraft under consideration for purchase went over my head @Andre Delport, but it appears Andrew's considerations were soundly based.

You had given us fair warning of this sad event @Robert Hugill, but like many other sad events in recent memory, I lived in denial. Now that it has arrived, I am not ready for it. It was odd, a chapter without the presence of Colin or Joe in the flesh, although both were mentioned with great love by brother and sister. The growth of the relationships between our four main protagonists is what resonated the most, particularly the relationship between Owain and Colin. From a tentative first meeting to an engagement, what a transition for both, more particularly perhaps for Colin, and yet it seemed such a natural and affable transition. I sincerely hope you wander by Netherwich in the not distant future and run into Owain and Colin and reveal more of their story to your appreciative readers who have been privileged to benefit from your literary talent.

"Marco wandered down the avenue of oleanders, not quite looking where he was going, ducking slightly when the overhanging sprays of pink flowers and glossy green leaves threatened to get tangled in his hair". The first mention of the avenue of oleanders for some reason brought immediately to mind the classic Boulevard Of Broken Dreams as sung by the late, great Tony Bennett, and admirably covered in more recent times by Diana Krall. Given the content of the chapter thereafter the lyrics of this song, were at times, somewhat prescient. I have not given up entirely on Cosmo @drpaladin, but have to agree with several fellow readers, particularly @pvtguy, that Cosmo has to recognise he needs help, ask for it and accept it when it is offered/given. The best thing that could happen to him would be to distance himself from the aptly named Black Betta (very cleverly named by you by the way @drpaladin). She is a negative force in the life of both Cosmo and Giorgio (every time I read his name in this chapter @James Carnarvon I thought of Moroder and his heavily accented vocal in Daft Punk's Giorgio by Moroder). Whoever would have thought in earlier books of Marco as the confidant, the peacemaker, wise beyond his years. He may not be "roaring" for himself yet @James Carnarvon, but he is certainly "roaring" for the underdog in the shape of Giorgio and may yet again for Cosmo. There may not be any new couples after this story @weinerdog, romance may not be the Name Of The Game (great song by ABBA @James Carnarvon) of this book, Tragedy (the Bee Gees version please @James Carnarvon, not the bloody awful cover by Steps) may be its primary outcome. And finally @James Carnarvon we are six chapters in and I have not made one reference to Kate Bush yet. There have been opportunities to do so, but I have refrained from doing so under great duress.

A wonderful story from which I learned a number of things too. I recognised behaviours of Alec's which I experience at times and thought I was making a "mountain out of a molehill". I am frequently told by many that I am too harsh on myself and that I need to ask for help and be kinder to myself. At the age of 60 this is very difficult to do. The HEA in this story seems wholly believable given the progress Alec made during its course. And I agree, Mae's death was 100% a good thing for all concerned. Thank you @Demiurge for this gift. I still don't like Kenji.

The leather sofa is completely impractical with pets (and I won't mention how a cow died so a fucking lounge could be made). Alec's taste in furniture appears to be monochromatic and sterile whereas Finn's "farmhouse" style may be just a little too much. How does one compromise when the tastes are so vastly different. A puzzle indeed. Another enjoyable and amusing chapter @Demiurge.

Alec has never mentioned a desire to have children prior to this chapter. Let us hope it is something that both he and Finn give a lot of consideration to before even contemplating how they wish to go about this.

Unsupervised visits with Bryan and Caleb. Judge "Crustypants" is already showing his hand. Let us hope that Billy manages to sever it.

I would like to place an order for a Finn of my own, with one slight modification he would be perfect. No running, any other form of exercise is welcome, but no running. He is the perfect antidote to Alec's anxiety and pessimism.

I thought Cameron a snotty little bitch. He must have other hidden talents because I would have left him at the rat and roach infested studio apartment. Lukas seemed very pleasant, Sage and August I think I could only take in small doses. Alec and Finn are certainly communicating far better now, resulting in less misinterpretations of actions and words.

River strikes again. The surprise guest arrangement has all the hallmarks of River's organisation. If Alec won't say it, I will. River you are crazy. Stupid. You need to come home. Mr Smug Charmless Watanabe is not worth it. I am sorry, he was too busy to even bother to come and meet you at the airport and leaves you alone all the time? Really, bullshit excuse.