Summerabbacat

I remember the bone-handled cutlery as my grandmother had it too. Grotesque when one thinks of it now as I vaguely recall the handles may have been made from ivory. Thank you for your kindness.

Keith and Thomas continue to delight. Keith's naïveté and propensity to be easily shocked and embarrassed is charming. I admire both he and Thomas for disclosing their "sparse" experience in the ways of gay sex and for not being embarrassed or ashamed of this. I recall as a younger man when I was more inclined to go clubbing "on the scene" many judged you harshly if you were not out fucking someone different frequently, just as they judged you harshly if you were not well muscled, with a perfect tan, perfect skin and teeth, and very butch. I was none of these things. It appears Gran may have known far more about young Keith than what she let on, and equally that what she did know did not change her love for him. No wonder he treasures her so, the one person from his young life who was worthy of his affection. Sheffield, formerly well known in Australia for making knives and quality cutlery if my memory serves me correctly, and the origin of two of my favourite bands from the 1980's, ABC (fantastic band) and The Human League (loved them too, but not quite as much as ABC). A delightful chapter once again @Robert Hugill, one which I sorely needed after a particularly sad day. Thank you.

You have been in fine form of late @weinerdog with a number of humorous comments on other works too. Perhaps calling someone the "town bike" has its origins in the UK or Australia @Paladin. I have certainly heard this expression on many an occasion and can remember it being used in such a scenario in my teen years in the late 70's. I am feeling somewhat "left out" @Lee Wilson with all the references to "hiding the salami" or "hiding the sausage". As a long-term vegetarian I demand "equal rights". I guess I will have to be satisfied with "hide the zucchini" or "hide the cucumber". I am warming towards Manny and more particularly Rocky with each chapter. I found Rocky's statement to Manny "Mom used to say stuff like that to Dad all the time. He liked men and women. Mom didn't want him 'fucking the whole Elk's club." hilarious.

I finished Year 12 in 1981 too @Mark Ponyboy Peters. I did not realise Matt and Luke had come so far south from the Gold Coast. I grew up in Taree and have been to Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour many times in my formative years as my maternal grandparents lived at Macksville (a town I have very fond memories of because of my beloved grandparents who are now long-deceased) and we often met them at Port Macquarie for the day or holidayed with them and visited Coffs Harbour. I have never liked Port Macquarie, but do like Coffs Harbour, although I have not been to either for many years. I have also been to Lake Cathie, but cannot remember a thing about it.

The journey into adulthood for "the boys" has begun in earnest and had me feeling very nostalgic with just a touch of melancholy. I went to "schoolies" at the end of high school (back in the early 80's) although it was not a "thing" then like it is now. I have returned to the Gold Coast many times since, particularly in the mid to late 90's, but have not ventured there since 1999. It is certainly very commercialised, but I still love it. The description of the far north coast and all its attractions was spot on. I have often tried to work out if Thompsonville and Macquarie Harbour are based on an actual town, but have never been able to do so. I don't remember many of the towns off the highway, apart from Murwillumbah or is it Mullumbimby? I have fond memories of Lennox Head, Casuarina, Brunswick Heads and Woodburn. I had forgotten about Tim and Guy, who have their "own story" which I have read and enjoyed too @Mark Ponyboy Peters (I think perhaps on Crvboy). I see a firm friendship forming between the four, who as Luke stated, have much in common. Delightful chapter @Mark Ponyboy Peters. I have read it in my home in wet (very bloody wet) and cold Sydney. For just a few moments I almost got the much loved smell of the salt air and a personal favourite, the Tropical Blend Coconut Oil Suntan Lotion (only SPF 4 please), and I could almost taste a piece of flathead cooked on the spot with chips at The Spit at Southport. Such simple pleasures, which bring delight many years later when reminiscing, although I would no longer eat the flathead, but the hot chips, bloody delicious.

An exceptionally well written story from the pen of @J92. The two protagonists are facing very difficult challenges in their life, and to disclose what they are would spoil the journey you will undertake if you read this story. Suffice to say they both overcome some truly terrible setbacks, but triumph because of the friendship each finds with the other.

Ditto @J92. Beautifully and sensitively written story. Your "handling" of Thomas' transition and the "fallout" from it, whilst a challenging read, had a ring of authenticity. And your "handling" of Zack's cancer was exceptionally well written.

Zack's revelation was not entirely a surprise. Did he find the courage to declare his real feelings because the feelings of possible loss of Thomas overwhelmed him? Perhaps it was the catalyst; whatever the motivation, they will both derive much from the revelation. I hope Adam's parents are also at least questioned about his assault on Thomas. If they knew about it and instigated or encouraged it they should be locked up too and the key thrown away. Disgusting human parasites.

The scene in the field was very confronting @J92. It had the hallmarks of the Ku Klux Klan and it made me think of what Matthew Shepard must have suffered at the hands of his killers. And @drsawzall's comment is just so pertinent in scenarios such as this. Unfortunately when dealing with persons such as this they will always justify their abhorrent behaviour with a statement to the effect that they are "obeying God's will". Completely delusional and dishonest. ''You are the most selfish asshole I’ve ever met,’ yells Adam, pointing at him. ‘Mom had a nervous breakdown because of you.’ No Adam, if your mother had a nervous breakdown it is because her heart is a toxic waste dump of hatred and she is as delusional as the rest of her poisonous family, apart from Thomas. I sense a shift in the dynamic of the relationship between Thomas and Zack. Maybe Zack has been holding back his real feelings, perhaps with a desire to protect them both.

Adam and presumably his parents are clearly deranged. One thing which puzzles me greatly is that although they refuse to accept Sophie identifies as Thomas and has had gender reassignment surgery, they are "happy", conveniently so it apepars, to treat Sophie as if she were male by beating the crap out of her. Either this, or they do not have an issue with men inflicting violence in men generally. I have never worked in private enterprise so perhaps it is a common practice that an employer has in place restrictions on employees having inter-office relationships. Whist I can understand such an arrangement perhaps being desirable, surely it must break employment laws. I am almost certain in Australia this would not be legally acceptable and many would find it an invasion of an employees private life. I am so enjoying this story @J92. It is very well written and has raised a number of issues with which I am not familiar or had no experience.

Forget Katy Perry, forget Pink, return to Dusty, Thomas. Plunder the Springfield catalogue to reveal your true feelings to Zack. There are so many to choose from. Reiterate I Only Want To Be With You, don't just dance it, prove it. Beg him for Some Of Your Lovin'.

Well it was downhill all the way for Thomas in this chapter. After the musical delights of Dusty Springfield accompanied an evening with Zack in this chapter it was Katy Perry accompanying the work colleagues for a night of "shots". What a comparison. NOT. Once again @drsawzall has given you sage advice Thomas so FFS follow it.

Another musical interlude for Zack and Thomas and what an interlude, Dusty Springfield. I have a few words of advice for you Thomas. Stay Awhile with Zack, Wishin' and Hopin' that he'll give you The Look Of Love. Then ask yourself In Private, What Have I Done To Deserve This?

I realise the reason for this hearing is a very serious matter, but this chapter was hilarious @John Henry. Billy demolished Calvin, continually backing him into a corner with consummate ease. “Hardly, Your Honor,” Billy said. He looked to the back of the courtroom and waved. An older, Hispanic man stood and opened the courtroom door then waved into the hall. Within a minute about 20 women walked into the courtroom. “What's the meaning of this Mr. Parker?” Judge Arthur demanded. “My witnesses, Your Honor. Every single one of these women were former partners of Mr. Johnson, including Ms. Debra Jackson. They're prepared to testify against Mr. Johnson and the lies he told every single one of them regarding the details of this case.” I almost fell off my chair laughing, particularly at the image of 20 women walking into Court to testify against Calvin. Whatever he has going for him that he has been able to con at least 20 women into finding him attractive must be well hidden. He must have a magic 👅, because he is rarely gainfully employed, apparently has less than satisfactory personal hygiene and does not possess a sparkling wit or ability to charm with either words of sincerity or insincerity. My absolute favourite line or thought in this chapter though was "Calvin's face turn from red to white at the sight of some of his ex-girlfriends. Diego looked over and saw the look of hate on Ashley's face, who seemed to be greatly upset at the revelations in Calvin's testimony. Seeing how upset she was made him feel bad that she was yet another victim of Calvin's...but then he remembered that she lied for Calvin on the stand to make Bryan seem like a bad kid, who was willing to harm him is little brother, and thought, fuck that bitch!" Way to go Diego. Teach "Mrs Johnson" a lesson. Don't fuck with "the babysitter" bitch. LOL.

Agreed. Zack must have married Billy when he was 18, which is awfully young to have done so. It is no wonder the marriage did not last, in fact, I am surprised it lasted until the 7 year itch had to be scratched repeatedly. Dancing In The Dark. A blast from the past. I am not a Springsteen fan, but I do have the album and enjoy it all. I have enjoyed his more mellow works, including works with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. No sign of Adam in this chapter.

Maybe its set in Texas or Alabamy @drsawzall. After all, mamma does not leave the house apparently as the neighbours are whispering. I would think she would have a firearm to take care of those pesky neighbours and their uncharitable whispers. After all what good is a cache of weapons if you can't use them. You are soooo suspicious. And so am I. My immediate thoughts were exactly the same. Billy wants brass.

The undertakers and a hearse would be better. And that goes for Thomas' parents too if they are stirring up trouble as well. Obviously their own lives are so dull and unhappy that they have to try to make Thomas miserable to give their life purpose. What a tiresome little nuclear family they must be. Staunch Republican voters living a Christian life with the fear of God guiding their way. Completely fucking delusional.

Maybe not broken @drsawzall, but certainly damaged, one physically damaged, the other emotionally damaged. What a shame Patchy did not stay with Zack, although in his condition he may not have been physically capable of caring for her properly. He is clearly a very caring soul so would not have allowed himself not to care for her properly. Given Sharon's prior flirtatious behaviour and her persistence in getting time alone with Thomas methinks it is not going to end well for Thomas. I just hope she does not hold the same narrow views as Barry, Adam and Thomas' parents. If so, we will see the first appearance of a neanderthalette in this story. I am very impressed with this story thus far @J92. Your portrayal of Zack's cancer life living with cancer is all too authentic. My stepfather who passed away in 2021 had cancer and had had virtually all his non-essential organs removed and some of the essential one's burned, scraped and/or cut. His life was often not pleasant in those last 6 or 7 years.

I cannot understand why some of my fellow humans are transphobic. A phobia of any kind is generally motivated by fear, but what is there to fear from someone who does not identify with the gender of the body in which they were born and desires to either change it or live as if it were changed. How does such an action or behaviour impact upon anyone other than the person who desires the change. Adam, what an extraordinary action to take, action he has apparently taken before. It beggars belief he feels compelled to inform his brother's employers that his brother was formerly his cisgender sister. Why? Perhaps he is a TERF in disguise or his name is really Germaine or John Kenneth. Barry, he with the belief he is an expert on gender and sexuality. I just bet he is the type of person who believes male babies should be dressed in blue and female babies in pink. I recently encountered this belief in a younger female work colleague and when I questioned her if people still had such a narrow perception of gender roles, she looked at me like I was an alien. Suffice to say I do not think highly of her. I don' recall ever reading a story about a person who has undergone a FTM transition and as far as I know I have never known anyone who has undertaken such a process, unlike MTF transition. As stated by @Cane23, this may not be an easy read, but I think it is one worth exploring as if the first chapter is any indication, it will be challenging, interesting and well written.

Was it Monica Lewinsky's or Gennifer Flowers' dress @akascrubber?

This chapter proved what many of us have suspected since the first chapter, Roger is an arsehole. Rewrite your will Phil if you have not already and ensure Roger receives an abundance of nothing (whenever I say this I think of the scene from Rocky Horror Picture Show where Riff Raff says to a dying Frank 'N' Furter that we ask for nothing, to which Frank responds with and you shall receive it in abundance). As stated by @weinerdog, Roger either equates homosexuality with paedophilia (as apparently many people still do) or he made the comment he feared Phil would molest his grandson out of spite. Whatever the motivation, he is a lost cause and Phil should erase him for good. The disappearance of Stanley is very concerning, although if he is with Maxwell Dewberry he may stand a better chance of not being beaten up. And as for Mrs Sullivan, did she not have any inkling her husband was a homophobic neanderthal? And if she did, why did she not take some preventative action to protect Stanley, particularly given Stanley is apparently small in stature? Given the content of this chapter I had Dionne Warwick's Bacharach and David composition The Windows Of The World on loop in my head @Ronyx. Having anything Dionne is always a pleasant musical interlude so it was a most welcome intruder.

One-ball Breslen may find it's more than the other ball he has lost. Hopefully his wife, Sandy, will throw him out with the trash. I just hope for the sake of Jimmy and for her own sake she is more Rizzo than Sandy. What a despicable man and father malfunctioning Micca is. Mitch is a puzzle. Is he bipolar perhaps or just plain nasty? If he continues to behave as he currently is he is going to be without friends soon. Is Elko anywhere near the nuclear testing sites in Nevada? Could this explain why such a small town has so many deranged people amongst its populace. Peter just cannot catch a break. It is as if the toxicity of Mary follows him in his daily struggles in life. Thankfully he has Uncle George and Farley Stoner on his side. I have to ask @Al Norris, is Farley Stoner as hot as Farley Granger was as a younger man?

Is there a possibility Francis Heyward has an altruistic streak in him or was it all just for show or "it could just have been what he thought we wanted to hear" as speculated by Dan. I found it interesting Heyward referred to Dan as Dante, much as I prefer to do. Does this mean I am a pretentious twat too like Heyward? Perhaps I am. The 122 Club sounded dreadful, the kind of establishment where privileged Tories go for a bit of man crumpet before heading home to their wives and railing against the evil of those "flaming pansies". Its decor sounded even more hideous than Heyward's ostentatious, tasteless mansion. As for Heyward's taste in artwork, only Vaughan seems to know. I can understand Dan's discomfort with wearing a suit. I have reached the age of 60 and have never owned a suit in my life. I have only twice worn a suit, and then it was hired for my Year 11 and Year 12 high school formal (we did NOT call such an event a Prom then, but perhaps with the invasion of American culture such events may now be called this). I dare say I never shall wear a suit again (at least I hope not). What a waste of money. Infelicitous @Robert Hugill. I managed to miss a few of the letters and read the word as infectious, which was a far funnier description of Dan's dress sense.

"Liza" seems to be settling in very well now and he and "Sylvester" appear to have reached a truce, perhaps with a glimmer of friendship emerging too. Bass will be a formidable opponent for any further intruders. Hopefully the message will circulate amongst the Tanenov troop that Bass is not to be fucked with. I informed you incorrectly that Tanenov was a family name originating from Kazakhstan @Lee Wilson. I read the family name incorrectly as Taenov, which is a family name originating in Kazakhstan. Perhaps "Liza" should change his name to Truman Talbot Tanenov.

I believe Zeus will sense Otis' inherent goodness and his love for his human. They will become very good friends, particularly when Zeus recognises Otis is caring for his human, helping restore him to good health. Non-human animals are far smarter than human animals give them credit for.