Summerabbacat

Speculating is so much fun though @dboggs9700, LOL. I cannot speak for Mark, but I believe speculation is an indication that, at least from the majority who speculate, they are truly invested in the story, an expression of their enjoyment of the story. I seem to recall some instances where authors have made a comment that speculation has even given them some ideas for future storylines too.

When Levi was first mentioned by Toby in Traditions he stated: "and he’s, I don’t know, a bit strange. Stranger than me, I think . . . but different. He’s always talked a lot about God, and about how everyone we know who . . . you know . . . are together with people the same as them . . . what did that writer guy call it . . . bunji-bunji . . . are sinners." These comments were made some time after Levi has presumably gone to live with Matt and the guys in Beachside Lane, so I expect Matt and Luke in particular will face some serious challenges in de-brainwashing Levi of these notions.

Me too @centexhairysub. I thought Luke's reaction was the one Matt should have originally given his parents. "Just . . . come when you can, babe. Please. I do really need you. I’ll be at home, in our old flat, when you get here." Matt's plea to Luke was nowhere near as inconsiderate as his parents plea to him. He had already informed Luke his father was fine; he could perhaps have added words to the effect "it's nothing life threatening, so no need to hurry", but in defence of Matt he was/is still in shock. Luke's mostly measured reaction and his suggestion they encourage Levi's input to his future living arrangements were exactly how I thought Luke would react. Cool, calm and collected.

A few of my fellow readers have speculated it may have been George who burned the treehouse down rather than Brett. Why limit it to George, it could have been Tyler, Christina, Amy or Rylee, although all four would likely have been too lazy to climb the tree to start the fire. Heaven forbid they may have broken a nail or sustained a scratch in doing so too. I say when in doubt Colt, exact revenge on all of them as it surely must have been one of the six who did it. The burning of the tree house was a low act even for these sewer-dwellers. I am certain destruction of Noah's beloved books was the main reason they did so, to send a strong signal to him moreso than to Colt. I must agree with @NDrewRndll that Colt is being way too optimistic in believing he can change the minds of these brain-diluted, sewer-dwelling, homophobes. I thought there may have been hope for Amy, but I now suspect deception has been on her agenda from the get-go. I am still enjoying this story @mastershakeme, particularly loathing the sewer-dwelling six. I hope you have something catastrophic planned for all six, something which will leave them permanently "scarred" one way or another.

A much easier target too; certainly a lot bigger than his brain.

One could say @Robert Hugill the title of this chapter could also have been 'Reconciliation with a naked bum'.

To quote Neil, using one of his favourite words, mebbe.

One gets a sense he is not open to discussing anything private with anyone at any time. This is not a "bad" thing until it leads to irrational or abusive behaviour because another party is not a mind reader.

I have to agree given his prior reticence for Gar or anyone to know anything about his new "interest" in same sex activity.

Neil likes rimming eh? No surprises there. LOL. And he wants to bottom, or take the passive role. Active and passive; those words take me back @Robert Hugill, long before topping and bottoming, one was either active, passive or versatile. I am not sure where topping and bottoming came from, Americanisms perhaps. Neil referred to himself as a berk. A Hugillism I thought to myself, but was shocked to read it is British and Australian slang. I don't recall ever hearing a fellow Aussie use this word before. I wonder if Alex's appreciation of the wood carving of his arse will encourage Neil to try further carvings. Neil has previously expressed an interest in trying his hand at this and from Alex's enthusiastic reception to his gift he obviously has some talent at least. A very relaxed chapter Robert. Alex does not hold a grudge, Neil's admission he was a berk perhaps softening any anger Alex may have retained at being treated so poorly. Neil's admission he had spoken to Gar about Alex surprised me. He was, I would suggest, fortunate that his presumptuous statement that he was "seeing a bloke" is still true.

SNAFU? Vince and Jack have accepted they cannot change the past, but they like Theo, are not certain what the past was. Was Theo the only surviving wolf from the Whiteflame pack? It certainly appears to be so, but reality has been blurred from the time Theo, Jack and Vince commenced their journey to go Beyond The Veil.

I was thinking Colt too @chris191070, but will anyone believe him. If he is quick enough and smart enough to film it on his phone he would surely have to be believed. I don’t trust George or the sheriff though, so it may take intervention of the law from outside the town to bring George to justice.

If George is raping Noah as I fear I hope he is caught doing it, but by whom I am not sure. Although it will be embarrassing for Noah to be observed being raped, I fear if Noah reports it he will not be believed given George is apparently a respected school principal. If it his mother who witnesses the rape I just hope she does not turn a blind eye to it, or believe her husband if he says Noah instigated sex between them. The other thing I fear is she may already know it is going on and has already turned a blind eye to it.

It may be the one time Bubba says "No, just no."

“Oh, so, let me guess,” Amy said angrily, totally ignoring her waffles. “This is all a secret and I’m not allowed to tell anyone.” “That’d be nice,” Colt said awkwardly. “Noah and I aren’t even a couple yet. I just discovered I liked him.” “Good for you.” Colt smiled pitifully. “I’m sorry, Amy. I didn’t want to hurt your feelings.” “Well, you did,” Amy said, and suddenly, a tear rolled down her cheek. “I was really starting to like you.” With a screech, she pushed her chair back." Wishful thinking Colt. I imagine the first thing Amy will do is share the "secret" with Christina, Tyler and Rylee at least. She will likely wail about how devastated she is, how she feels cheated, how she was so deceived. Boo fucking hoo. I know it is not kosher to hit a girl/woman, but it must take all the willpower Colt has not to thump Rylee. She becomes more annoying every time she opens her mouth, which is far too often. I had to laugh at the thought of her as a waitress. With her snotty and superior attitude she would not last one evening as a waitress. “That’s what I’m afraid of most,” Noah said, and he didn’t meet Colt’s gaze as he spoke. “I hate being locked up, alone, with my stepdad.” “What does he do to you?” Colt asked. Noah shook his head. “ You wouldn’t believe me.” I have only just noticed this evening that one of the "tags" for this story is rape. I fear rape is what George is doing to Noah when he is locked up, and when he is allegedly sick he is recovering from being raped. If so, hopefully his mother will go all Lorena Bobbitt on George sooner rather than later.

Roy Cohn springs to mind @centexhairysub. Absolute scumbag.

Ditch the dame. She can play tonsil hockey with Rylee or Brett or Christina or Tyler. Colt is a young stallion who has picked up the scent of another young stallion. He does not need some old mare to tame the fire in his loins.

Maybe she's a baby cougar or a cougar in training.

This is very helpful information @Mark Ponyboy Peters, especially for we readers with analytical minds and for Libran's (my star sign) who like everything to balance and be just so. You hinted at this timeline in Traditions, but seeing it written so decisively is much appreciated. I had mistakenly believed Matt was now the owner of the service station and did not realise Don owned both the auto shop and a service station. A small detail yes, but I like to have the "full picture".

Noah, definitely, Amy perhaps. As for Rylee, why waste resources on her. The best "therapy" for her would be strychnine or digitalis.

You are likely correct @SilentandBroken that Amy has her own agenda. She is very clingy and eager to be liked and fit in with the clique. Unlike Rylee, Christina, Tyler and Brett she does not appear to be totally self-absorbed and homophobic, but deception may be part of her agenda. If Colt does come out as gay I think Brett will be the one to watch. Tyler is all talk I think. Christina and Rylee will verbally bully him, but it may be lost on him as I don't think he will give a fuck what they think.

Not even death will redeem her @mastershakeme, although she will at least no longer be speaking.

It still maintains a minimum of "mystery" though @Gary L. On the right physique it could still be somewhat "seductive". It would presumably prevent sunburn on some rather precious jewels too. And they are the national garment of Kazakhstan too. LOL.

"That night, Colt had hamburgers with his family, then helped Rylee clean the dishes. It was all very mundane and normal." I have never been one to believe in miracles @mastershakeme, but a miracle certainly occurred in this chapter. Rylee lifted a finger to help with household chores and apparently did not complain about it. Perhaps she was still stoned and thought by cleaning the dishes she would have a clean plate for later to snort a line of coke off or a bowl to mix some weed in. I still detest her though, even though she did something which was not all about herself. I don't think Amy is a slut, I just think she is desperate for attention and/or affection and will do anything to get it. Noah's harsh judgment of her as a slut has all the hallmarks of George having bullied him into thinking this. The sooner George has that cardiac arrest or a life threatening spike in his glucose levels, the better it will be for everyone in his life.

I speculated they may be friends @dboggs9700 because of their similar ages, their positions of authority within the community and the fact both appear to be arseholes and bullies. I can imagine both being part of an "old boys network", believing themselves to be untouchable because of their positions of authority.