Summerabbacat

“Of course not,” he answers. “But you and I both understand she hasn’t been the same since Jacob died.” “‘Not the same’ and committing murder aren’t even in the same ballpark,” I reply, voice hoarse. “They can be,” Calhoun unhelpfully supplies. “And I suspect, based on what we’ve learned so far, that your friend’s murder was not premeditated. I do not believe, as Ms. Higgins indicated, that the original plot involved anyone getting hurt.” I strongly suspect there is more yet to be revealed which will disprove Calhoun's suspicion. I will not be at all surprised if Martina had every intention of murdering Sam. Surely after everything they have learned of her deceptive behaviour they cannot still believe she is a good person. She murdered Sam and if I was Calhoun I would be reviewing her husband's death too. I am hopeful Martina is lurking in the vicinity of the animal enclosures with the intention of killing Micco, relying upon his connection with them and his desire to save them, to put her plan into action. I am even more hopeful that the wolves are well aware she is there (they already know she killed Sam) and when she tries to kill Micco they will protect him and exact revenge for the execution of their brother, Kane, for which she is responsible. I don't want them to kill her if it will result in harm to any of them, just fill her with such fear that she smells worse than Long Ears. I note @84Mags comment "I believe there is a connection between all that is happening now and the murders of Micco’s mom and sister." He has made this comment before as have I and I am still in total agreement. I still think her deceased husband was somehow involved in their murders. This chapter featured some of your very best writing @Libby Drew. Much has been said of the sense of urgency you created with your words and the ferocity of the hurricane as depicted. I echo these comments. "What the hell happened to my calm, ordered, predictable world? Where my friends could be trusted, and my enemies were few or nonexistent. My predicament is an unsettling twin to the hurricane raging around us, unexpected and insidious.". The latter sentence is an extraordinary piece of writing @Libby Drew. The nightlight of this chapter must surely be "And I had to get to the animals’ enclosures and open the gates. My mind tumbles with poisonous facts and thoughts, and when I add the storm’s chaos to that mess, it’s a wonder I can sense any of my four-legged friends. They are there, though. Scared, wary, but there. I center myself, do my best to flush the negativity, and let them know I’m coming. Their joy and relief at my message have me itching to get moving".

As usual Monsieur Hugill so much to delight and amuse with young Toby's enthusiasm not dampened by the apparently inclement weather (although I guess this would not be so unusual given where Brian, Gordon and Toby live in the UK), the lack of understanding of the French language or an appreciation of French food. And I had to laugh at the obligatory "frostiness" between Brian and Gordon and the locals "They just had one drink, and the locals were polite without being that friendly, but it was a nice change of focus and routine." "Toby nodded, “OK. And will he want to put his feet up with you?” Brian laughed, “Cheeky bugger.” Brian and Gordon had got into the habit, when they returned from the day’s outing, of going upstairs to their bedroom. Brian’s comment, early on, that he and Gordon were going to ‘put their feet up for an hour’ had immediately been translated by Toby into code for having sex." Many of your readers have commented before on this, but what a healthy relationship Brian and by extension Gordon have with Toby. No wonder he is growing up to be a remarkable young man in so many ways. They are giving him a life that Deirdre never could have or would have wanted to. I am so glad of this for Toby's sake. Great chapter @Robert Hugill. I am looking forward to the arrival of "Mr Russ" and what change of dynamics there may be, if any, in the relationship between the current trio. I refrained from commenting on the French, but did have a good chuckle as noted above and on a couple of other occasions. I am VERY pleased there was no consumption of foie gras.

In prior chapters @akascrubber I speculated, somewhat facetiously, that Robot Voice might be Otis' mother or even Otis' Grandma. Not surprisingly this p proved not to be the case, but I am now thinking you might be onto something here with your comment. I believe they may be a link between Gideon Keres and Otis' mother; I just hope he is not Otis' biological father. Your description of Gideon was very powerful @Laura S. Fox. His physical appearance appears to mirror his behaviour and intent, a very unattractive man. Gideon's reference to Jackie as Watkins' "boy" may indicate his belief that Watkins and Jackie are lovers or at least Watkins would like this to be the case. I however, believe Watkins my be Jackie's father as this would indicate why he has taken a "special" interest in Jackie and largely shielded him from the less savoury side of his businesses. And like a number of my fellow readers have commented, Otis's expertise in marksmanship may prove very useful in time, protecting himself, Hudson or even Jackie. Riveting chapter @Laura S. Fox, the "highlight" of which was another unintentional comic moment from Otis “I understand,” he said courteously. “Please see to your obligations. I can wait until tomorrow.” No one but Otis could ever respond to rejection with such joie de vivre. He is perfection personified.

Humour a plenty in this chapter @Robert Hugill, hence my ha ha emoticon. The humorous highlights for me were “The Methodist Church was a rather unlovely 1950s building”, and "Him!" Mhairi laughed. "Time has not been kind to him. I remember piggy. Nasty, nosy little boy, always keen to find out things, make his eyes light up.” It was particularly pleasing to witness Mhairi loosening her tongue and making a somewhat unkind observation regarding Piggy. It reminded me of when she referred to her father as an old bastard, something the restricted self-editing Mhairi would never have done. Joe is proving to be so much more than he initially promised. “Well, Mum didn't do anything for her birthday", Joe shrugged, "she never does. And I thought it'd be fun, and I wanted to say thank you." "To me? What for?" He immediately looked embarrassed, Mhairi took over, "Being around, making him, making us welcome, and I think Joe's rather enjoyed his time helping Colin with your house”. Joe initially struck me as a little obnoxious and somewhat a wisenheimer (a word I had previously never encountered until just now). Perhaps he is becoming less his father’s son and more his uncle’s nephew. I am beginning to think he has formed a “friendship” with Toby, even if it is only a “cyber friendship”. Whatever the cause of his apparent change, he is far more likeable and interesting than I thought he would be. No surprises moralistic Miles and belligerent Bronwyn have shown no interest in Colin’s singing. It would not surprise if Miles thinks it a little “too gay” and whatever he thinks would be accepted by belligerent Bronwyn who seems to be incapable of independent thought when in Miles vicinity. It is only when away from him she finds her voice and then like Miles, whatever she says is the gospel. Another “highlight” of this chapter was quite accidental. I was listening to Bette Midler’s wonderfully camp My Knight In Black Leather whilst reading this chapter. She was describing her “knight’s” leather attire at the same time as I was reading what Colin was wearing to the concert. The song and the story combined and suddenly Colin was dressed in a black (leather) shirt and (leather) trousers, a red (leather) belt and matching red (leather) bow tie. I imagined Owain swooning at the vision of him in such attire. A superb chapter @Robert Hugill. Your British sense of humour always appeals and this chapter was no exception. Additionally, the delight Owain, Colin, Joe and Mhairi experienced in each other’s company so natural and carefree.

I changed Colin's mother's name from hostile Hortense to hostile Harriet to belligerent Beatrice to belligerent Bernadette to belligerent Barbara and finally "settled" on belligerent Bronwyn. I used to work with a woman named Bronwyn and she was and remains a nasty piece of work and is very lazy, so I thought it an apt name for Colin's mother. I really wanted to call her belligerent Brunhilde, but I thought this was a little too Germanic and given her attitudes, she could not be anything but English.

I had forgotten about the guy who wanted Diego to surrender the boys. I am going to focus on your comment, which I now vividly recall from a prior chapter, that "he has always chosen the boys over his relationships". I greatly admire Diego because he has never given up on the boys when he could so easily have just got rid of them, particularly when there has been so much drama in his life directly linked to his adoption of them. I can neither confirm nor deny to whom I was referring @John Henry for fear of breaching GA guidelines. Suffice to say I love hot weather. I liked Obama, although I know little of what he did whilst in power.

I have previously wondered @Robert Hugill if Val is an abbreviation of a longer name such as Valentin(e) or Valery as I thought this may give me some idea of the type of woman his mother is, apart from being a homophobe. I have decided I am going to call her Primrose, pious Primrose. @CincyKris has hopes of Val putting her in her place. I would like to suggest if I may, that she be put in Colin’s mother's garden along with Colin’s mother. Pious Primrose and belligerent Bronwyn, a right pair of grotesque Grannies who may make for good fertiliser. Toby continues to enjoy life and is being sensibly and maturely guided by both Brian and Gordon. He is less likely to rebel and do something stupid as Brian and Gordon give him plenty of encouragement to make his own mature decisions and do not “preach” or talk down to him. I think my intellect or memory or both have taken a holiday as I have read this chapter twice now and found nothing to indicate why the chapter is titled Holiday minus one. I immediately feared something was going to happen to Toby or he was going to decide he did not want to risk being seen with his father and Gordon by any of his friends, who might think him “uncool” for enjoying spending time with his parents. Another well-written enjoyable chapter, the only negative being the visit to pious Primsrose.

I had forgotten Bryan has previously resisted therapy @John Henry. I drafted my comments in Word before posting (primarily for grammar and punctuation checking) and had suggested therapy. I must have decided to delete the comment for some reason (either that I did a bad copy and paste job). I think you are being a little harsh on Diego or perhaps I have not appreciated the extent of his past relationships. I don't recall any mention of any relationships he had where he was abused (apart from Calvin) and don't recall any mention of any abuse of Bryan and Caleb by any prior boyfriends. He may have had quantity rather than quality, but one could observe the same behaviour in many heterosexual relationships, even fundamentalist Republicans (think two current incredibly stupid, right-wing, female senators from the Republican Party). Bitches make my skin crawl, my blood pressure rise and make me think of many other unspeakable things and I am not even an American. If they believe the bullshit they spout I am surprised they made it to high school. And in both cases one could not even say they have succeeded with beauty rather than brains.

Well said. This is the reason why I still don't fully trust Beau and think he is a bit of a user.

Bryan is drowning in a sea of anxiety, self-pity, fear and loathing, anger and despair. It appears he is quite a normal teen in that respect, although perhaps a little more extreme. Are Steve and Diego the "right" people to help with the multitude of issues he has, most seemingly caused either directly or indirectly by his birth parents? Steve and Diego's intentions are good and they seem to be doing what conventional wisdom would say is the right thing to do to help Bryan, but is it enough? I also don't think having Kenny living with Bryan is helping either of them. Speaking of Kenny, when is his mother going to put her big girl pants on and step up to the task of being a mother. Life's tough for her yes, but life is tough for lots of people and they don't shirk their responsibility. Terra has got her sussed out I think. She sounds not unlike Donna (seemingly without the drugs) and Calvin. Apart from Steve and Diego, the remaining parents in this story leave much to be desired. Ironic perhaps the gay couple are relatively very good parents, whereas the "normal" heterosexual couples who are either in relationships with each other or were at one time or another, are fucking useless. I know it is only a story, but these circumstances are not at all unusual and this kind of glaring evidence rebutting the theory that children do best in a "normal" nuclear family gives the fundamentalists and Republicans heart seizures (although not nearly often enough). Very good writing still @John Henry. The character of Steve is one you have developed with authenticity and obvious affection, making him an integral part of the Padilla family now.

Both Andre and Chris have been the victims of abuse, albeit at very different stages of physical and emotional maturity in their lives. Xavier was a real piece of work and a stint in prison is what he thoroughly deserved. Perhaps in prison he has become someone's bitch, someone bigger and stronger than he who won't take no for an answer. Dare I say he may have got a taste of his own medicine. When reading the account of Chris and Michael's high school friendship/relationship I could not help but be reminded of Holding The Man, even though they kept their friendship/relationship under wraps and were not "boyfriends" in the traditional sense of the word. Another beautifully, sensitively and authentically written chapter @Paladin. I think Andre and Chris can draw strength and comfort from their friendship with Jamie and Michael. For now it's full steam ahead to Easter in Melbourne. Don't forget to pack them warm clothes as Melbourne in April can already be quite cool, moreso than the Central Coast, although I guess both Michael and Chris are already aware of this, so scratch my advice.

It was finally revealed in this chapter how Diego stabbed Sean in the back and let everyone blame Lance for it. Not good Diego, a cowardly thing to do. I still don't like Rachel and have no sympathy for her. And as for Diego's family, what truly horrible people. I thought that "children are bastards if born out of wedlock" mentality died long ago. It seems some humans hang on to these primitive ways of thinking at all costs, no doubt bolstered by irrational religious dogma.

Safety is relative. If Billie isn't safe there, neither is his cat. Thank you for stating the obvious @drpaladin; it is so often overlooked. The best possible argument, one I don't think I would ever have thought to make. In Australia I think it is now illegal to refuse shelter to pets in times of natural disaster as has happened in the past. I think it became so after the bushfires experienced in 2019 in which it was estimated over 1 billion animals lost their lives. A truly catastrophic loss of life, which for once was given the press coverage it deserved.

That is true @pvtguy, but only if the house remains standing. From what I have read of hurricanes in the south of the USA, houses can become like missiles when ripped from their moorings. I would definitely not be at all happy until I had Porridge firmly ensconced in the relative safety of the shelter.

I am running out of patience with Diego. He needs to ditch Rachel even if it means he remains single. She is a leech and he seems to have a "thing" for leeches, except maybe Audrey. And it may be that Sean is not as happy with Oliver as we have been led to believe. If not, perhaps there is a chance for Diego to have a relationship with someone who finds him attractive and interesting, without having a secret agenda, which it appears he has not experienced with any of the mothers' of his children (except maybe Audrey) and certainly not with Rachel. Diego needs to grab her phone and stick it where the sun don't shine. She is a rude, ignorant c*$t. Lance Lovecraft is equal parts heroic and annoying. I have not decided if I like him yet. He has likely experienced much homophobia due to his "flaming" nature (this I find absolutely repugnant, especially when it is at the hands of other gay men who think they are butch and straight-acting, bitches are just fooling themselves and are equally homophobic) and has every right to stand up for himself. I think though he needs to drop the superior attitude (with regard to his talent) and learn a little humility could serve him well in getting along with others who understandably feel threatened by his talent.

I was surprised Billie did not kick up more of a fuss, although he may still manage to "escape" the shelter for a while to rescue Porridge.

Diego you need to dump Rachel now. Even if you take her phone off her and smash it, she will still be a rude, ignorant, self-centred, selfish, princess. She is almost as hideous as Zoey. Speaking of that ho, if Diego has not already had those brats DNA tested then he should. Jillian is a spoilt fucking little bitch who needs to be shown who is the boss. Julian appears to be OK apart from the gluttony. Diego's growing attraction to Sean is hardly surprising after all the hideous girlfriends he has had, but I would suggest it would not be wise to attempt to mess with Ollie's man as he could find himself in some unscripted wrestling. I am enjoying the character development @AusGlitterati, even though three of the characters are truly vile, Rachel, Zoey and Jillian.

OMG no wonder Diego has a "bug in his arse", Jillian and Julian and their truly vile mother Zoey. Jillian is a horrible child, the apple did not fall far from her mother's tree. Julian is not much better, eating until he threw up. What a brat. Has Diego ever had them DNA tested to ensure he is their father. It sounds as though their mother is an opportunistic ho who may have just used Diego for monetary gain. And I am sorry Diego, but what the fuck were you thinking to sleep with a woman named Marisol? And have you never heard of condoms? They can be used to prevent STI's AND pregnancy. Methinks he needs to "lose" Rachel too, no one should be that desperate for sex, especially as it seems he is not even getting much of that. Ollie is a hoot, especially with his comment about Sean being a Beyonce-loving insatiable power bottom. He made a very good point though, which could have been made even funnier if it were he, Ollie, who was the insatiable power bottom. And the pomegranate martini. Now that sounds delicious. There is much to delight in this story and much to detest (Zoey and Jillian at least and perhaps Julian).

This is not the type of story I would normally be drawn to; in fact, I only read this first chapter because I have enjoyed all the stories I have read thus far by @AusGlitterati. Having done this, there appears to be enough interesting characters and opportunities to develop them and the story, to pique my interest to read further chapters. I know nothing about wrestling and have never seen a wrestling match in my life (apart from the occasional gay porn film where the characters wrestle as "foreplay" to the real event, which they always seem to segue into when one of the wrestler's cocks or arses is presented for worshipping and/or pleasuring). The only wrestler I have ever heard of (as far as I know) is Hulk Hogan. He was somewhat of a celebrity in the 1980's, but I have never seen him wrestle. Lance Lovecraft sounds like a character from a film by John Waters. I had a vision of such a character swathed in leopard or zebra print clothing (tight), sufficient make up to conceal any imperfections, lip gloss (clear or a soft coral pink) and perfectly coiffed. It appears my vision was not that far off. I also imagine Lance is not going to be the "weak sissy" Diego believes him to be, in fact I imagine (or at least hope) Lance is going to challenge Diego's narrow bullshit attitude regarding what "makes a man". Who knows, Diego might enjoy being a bottom to Lance's top. Now that would be a flip of the stereotype, something which I always enjoy when presented in porn.

I first speculated Martina was the murderer in the comments I made after reading chapter 3. I have become more convinced with the reading of each chapter this speculation has some merit. My speculation has largely been intuitive; I have not that I can recall ever presented a reasoned and well documented argument, certainly not of the calibre as has been presented by either of the good doctors i.e. @drpaladin and @drsawzall on occasion, to support my speculation. I have given my speculation much thought after reading this chapter, particularly after reading the comments of my fellow readers. I recognised I have never trusted Martina but have not consciously considered why. I realised I have strongly doubted she is what she presents herself to be; in her interactions with the staff and volunteers at Brother Wolf, particularly Micco, she has always struck me as disingenuous. I don’t believe our author @Libby Drew has necessarily written Martina's interactions as such, but in the interactions she has had with Rory and Micco I heard her words spoken with an air of autocracy and condescension, almost daring them to challenge her authority. I still believe Martina is the murderer, but I don’t recall ever believing her to be the architect behind the plan to release the wolves and panthers. I believed that in this venture at least her motives were as she presented them to be, a genuine desire to protect the wolves and panthers. This I now strongly doubt. I think Martina's desire to frame Micco has something to do with her husband, who may or may not have died from the effects of COVID, a husband who I have previously speculated may have been involved somehow in the murder of Micco’s mother and sister. I must wonder though if perhaps her husband is not dead, he may still be very much alive but very ill, such that he has an odour like rotten meat. Riveting again @Libby Drew. You ramped up the tension and suspense twenty-fold in this chapter. I despise Martina, even if it emerges she is not the murderer of Sam and Kane. I have only one gripe about this chapter, a predictable one from me, but I was very disappointed in Chase’s dismissal of Billie’s concern for Porridge. It is easy for me to say as I have not lived through a hurricane (cyclone), but I could not contemplate leaving my cats behind, even if it meant being arrested for disobeying the law.

My aircon had to be disconnected and removed as there is major remedial work being done at my apartment complex at present, with both of my balconies undergoing major work because of water ingress (common problem in inner-city apartments in Sydney which is built on sandstone). I am sure this also is affecting "the girls". I recently bought a fan for them. Kiki will lay on the floor in front of it, the others run away. Zelda and Missy are "sneezers" on an off for most of the year, although it appears to be worse in spring and summer. Zelda is worse than Missy, perhaps her lymphoma may affect her too. It does not affect her appetite though which is always good. I am forever cleaning "the evidence" of her sneezing off surfaces, especially the front of the refrigerator and pantry, both of which are near a large glass water bowl from which she drinks (and always seems to get water up her nose).

I reiterate what my fellow readers have stated in their beautifully written reviews, @Mancunian, has created a heart-warming and at times devastatingly sad tale of two brothers whose lives are at an all-time low due to being homeless. What happens after they meet a kindly builder, Max, and his extended family and friends, is a joy for the reader to witness. This story is populated by characters from all walks of life and of all ages. What particularly impressed and delighted this reader was the exploration of the burgeoning relationship between the brothers and their “Gramps”, and the appearance of a most beautiful and intelligent non-human character, Missy. She is an integral part of the story and @Mancunian is to be congratulated for her inclusion in the story and for his respectful, sensitive and joyous portrayal of such an important family member. An entertaining, enriching and occasionally enraging read from start to finish. Special mention should also be made of @raven1, who from accounts provided by @Mancunian, proved to be an invaluable editor and support during the writing of this tale. Well done men.

As well as giving the world the musical gift of the brothers Gibb, Manchester has gifted us at least three other acts in my lifetime whom I like and have at least some of their music on CD, 10CC (and their offshoot Godley & Creme), the marvellous New Order and the mega-fabulous Lisa Stansfield. My allergies have miraculously settled since reading the Epilogue, however, Zelda continues to be plagued. Her biological sister, Frida, who has never been much of a sneezer (her "specialty" is vomiting instead as she has a very thick coat, even in summer) has been sneezing as has my Missy, although she is very much like Zelda in that she is allergy-prone. The only one who has not been sneezing is the grand duchess, Kiki, my soon to be 17 year old. It has been warm in Sydney (some would say hot) with very high humidity (85% plus on most days). My kind of weather.

Likewise @drsawzall. Makani's cockiness appears to be a cover up for the abuse he suffered at the hand of his ex-boyfriend. It appears to have left him emotionally fragile so living with Charlie and Joey and having his uncle, aunt and cousins nearby is bound to do him good. A very revealing and thought-provoking chapter @Karl Anders. Hopefully there is much more to come.

How many children do Kekoa and Alani have @Karl Anders as there seems to be a new one appear each chapter?