Summerabbacat

@ReaderPaul referring to people with red hair as 'Bluey' was something peculiar to we people from 'Down Under', particularly in my home state, New South Wales (according to Wikipedia). It is ironic, much like people with straight hair were often referred to as 'Curly'. I believe you may be on to something with your speculation Patricia may have found the money in her husband's account BEFORE the police did.

More intrigue, but with the teaser for the next chapter including "A Police Discovery", I feel @Wombat Bill is leading us closer to a satisfactory revelation regarding the truth behind Padre Ricardi's death and Mathair Ricardi's insanity. With Dante's comment regarding his Aussie grandmother, I have finally realised Madre Ricardi is not of Italian descent. I had some inkling of this as her given name is Patricia rather than Patrizia. I have concluded she may be of Irish descent, therefore, I am going to refer to her as Mathair Ricardi. Patricia's behaviour has always struck me as somewhat erratic. Is this perhaps the reason she has descended into madness, or was something more sinister the catalyst. I have commented before methinks she murdered Padre Ricardi, but maybe it was not for money as I previously suspected. In her discussion with her "two little bastards" I think she almost 'spilled the beans' when she stated “Yeah that’s all very well, but your father got in trouble for it and I...that is he’s now...gone...and what was it all for?". Was the murder of her husband the catalyst for her insanity? I tried to find the origin of the term rock spider for paedophile. It is an Australian slang term, but I could not find anything regarding its origin. It well may be as obscure as why redheads are colloquially referred to as Bluey.

Brilliant minds think alike @ReaderPaul. I was in the process of editing my comments (as I nearly always do as more comes to mind after posting) to include my speculation that she may have anonymously tipped off the police. Another speculation I had is that the body may not be that of Padre Ricardi, but someone else and she and he plotted to murder a third person, before going AWOL with all the cash. This is likely a little too far-fetched, but one can never be sure. I too look forward to what @chris191070 has to offer. Brilliant @Wombat Bill, almost Christie-esque dare I say.

Who shot JR? No, it's not Dallas, it's Crystalline and methinks a murder has been committed. I now suspect Madre Ricardi murdered Padre Ricardi, but I am not sure how and when, although her apparent carelessness in driving her car into the back wall of the garage and demolishing it is rather “convenient”. I shall try to employ the "little grey cells" to determine when the opportunity arose to commit murder, but it may be easier to have my fellow CWB groupie @ReaderPaul consult his crystal ball for any clues. “You really are such caring sons. I’m going to need your support now your father’s gone” and Patricia was beginning to enjoy playing the role of the innocent, badly done by wife prompted me to speculate Patricia may have taken some decisive action to ensure her husband would never return. When his car was found abandoned, she seemed neither surprised nor upset. This confirmed my suspicion. I also strongly suspect Patricia knew exactly what her husband and sons were up to. I don't know why I think this, but I have this sense she is not at all what she appears to be, and money was her motive. Another intriguing chapter @Wombat Bill, much “heavier” and darker than recent chapters, with the only respite being the kiss shared by Dante and Ricky. I hope this is a part of Dante’s life we may learn a little more about (hint, hint). Speculating regarding the teaser for the next chapter is akin to picking the winning Lotto numbers, it could mean anything.

@chris191070 I recall you and @ReaderPaul raised the issue of the age of Patrick and Dante at the time of the filming of their live sex shows for online viewers before, with @ReaderPaulindicating if they were less than 18 it would have likely been illegal. An ethical challenge given they participated willingly, apparently enjoyed themselves and came to no harm.

Methinks Padre Ricardi may have committed suicide or fled the country to another country without an extradition treaty with Australia. These are the only possibilities I can think of as to why he would not have had his day in court. @Wombat Bill you have presented me with another bloody moral dilemma. As noted by my fellow CWB groupie @chris191070, Tony pimped out Patrick and Dante for live sex shows for other men, but Patrick and Dante willingly participated. There was no participation in any of the sex shows by the attendees and no indication Patrick or Dante have been "scarred" in any way by their live sex shows. I may be guilty of being insensitive and morally "bankrupt," but on behalf of Patrick and Dante I want to know did they receive any of the money they earned from their performances? I think @ReaderPaul is likely correct in that all the money earned would have been confiscated as proceeds of crime, but was it really a crime? This I am not sure of, and would be interested to read what @chris191070 and @ReaderPaul think. A very interesting, but not surprising (to me) development @Wombat Bill. Whilst I think what Padre Ricardi did was at the very least "creepy", I am not sure if it was the behaviour of a typical paedophile, if there is such a thing. I am not sure if we know yet of the full extent of Padre Ricardi's actions, but frankly I don't find his behaviour any more repugnant than the behaviour of the parents (mostly mothers) of children as young as 5 (mostly girls) actively encouraging them to participate in beauty pageants in which they wear make up etc, behaviour which is not considered illegal. The response I found the most puzzling of all was the response of Madre Ricardi.

@ReaderPaul I believe your crystal ball is working at full capacity again. If your speculation is correct, it would seem our wily @Wombat Bill may have led us into his burrow again with his titillating twists and turns, deceptive discourse and crafty conundrums. Your speculation would also explain why Dante was concerned Thomas may find his revelation unpleasant. It may be Dante and Patrick are ashamed of themselves rather than of their parents, particularly if Padre Ricardi is in prison as a result of their posting porn using his account. If this is the case it is likely Madre Ricardi turned her back on her husband for his complicity in the underage porn posted by their sons, and on her sons for involving their father in activities which led to his imprisonment. I am not sure of the laws relating to this type of behaviour in Australia, but imagine they are probably like those of the UK as stated by @chris191070. Many of our laws are I imagine like those of the UK given politically we are a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy with QEII as our monarch. So true @chris191070. A little alcohol and perhaps some more sapphic sensuality and Carol reveals all. Another educative chapter @Wombat Bill. Sobersides, I have never to the best of my knowledge come across that word in my life. I assumed it was indicative of sobriety, but alas not.

“Neither, but I need to tell you something about my past that you may not find pleasant” and “Because my family is far from boring or ordinary” prefaced what I assumed (or was it hoped) would be a startling revelation regarding Dante and Patrick’s parents, or at least some salacious titbits of their own sexual exploits. Perhaps I have read one too many gay stories featuring twin sex because nothing Dante has revealed (yet) was for me either startling or salacious. I cannot envisage Thomas de Sade being disturbed or revolted by Dante’s revelation, if anything, he may be inclined to request a retrospective demonstration. If Madre and/or Padre Ricardi subsequently joined in “the action” or if they filmed "the action" between their sons for public consumption without their sons' consent, it may be enough to disturb Thomas. Could this be what the teaser for the next chapter is referring to? Perhaps @chris191070 or @ReaderPaul may have something to say on this. Thomas once again displayed his quick wit with his most amusing description of Dante’s “offering”. I could almost hear him as the pretentious wine connoisseur critiquing Dante’s vintage. @Wombat Bill you are teasing your captive audience very effectively, with a soupcon (love that word so had to use it again) of information chapter by chapter. My patience is only holding up (so far) because each little revelation is in of itself so intriguing and amusing.

Your scenario sounds like Chinese whispers or the superb film from the 1990's Six Degrees of Separation @ReaderPaul. I acknowledge it is a possibility Carol may learn of Dante's indiscretion and it be attributed to Patrick. I am still uncomfortable with Patrick disclosing to Carol the source of the mistaken identity though as it is not his story to tell. If Thomas were to learn of what happened from Carol and he challenged Dante about it we have the scenario you have painted above. I believe @Wombat Bill has presented us with a moral dilemma. Fancy that.

If the senior Ricardi's exist or existed at some point in time, what did they do that has so shamed their sons. Patrick appears to be the more "forgiving" twin, whereas Dante appears to be bitter and resentful towards their parent(s). This conundrum becomes more intriguing with the passing of each chapter. The intrigue has not quite reached the same heights as "who was Jared's father" prior to the revelation of his identity, but it is heading in that direction. I wait with bated breath @chris191070 and @ReaderPaul for our author to reveal all. Dante has apparently been "stepping out" on Thomas, however, unlike @chris191070 and @ReaderPaul I cannot see any reason for Patrick to reveal this to Carol. Unless Yashuki is employed at Arcobaleno as a waiter, it is unlikely his and Carol's paths will cross or have I completely missed something lads? The teaser for the next chapter suggests we may learn something of Thomas' background pre-Crystalline. Unless the vaccinations of the past year have really "fried my brain" I don't recall Thomas having revealed any details of his childhood to any of the other members of the "CWB family". I may be reading too much into actions and interactions @Wombat Bill, but is Robert Woods, Bob the Fister rather than Bob the Builder?

@James Matthews you captured teenage angst and despair perfectly. Even without the personal disclosure, the authenticity of the chapter had me surmise it was autobiographical. I had a similar experience, although for a much briefer period and I was a a little older, more like Joe's age, but hopelessly naive and growing up in rural Australia. This chapter also featured some of your most metaphorical writing of any of your literary works. I was most impressed with "It's all a foggy pond of spaghetti in my head" and "whitewash of dismissal". The only thing I did not like about this chapter was the musical references, particularly when you mentioned your Mum played Dionne Warwick's Heartbreaker, a song which I loved. I was an adult when the song came out, so it made me feel old when you said it was a favourite of your Mum's (LOL), although I was only 20 at the time.

Thank you @ReaderPaul for your kind words. I think your speculation Patrick and Dante's conception resulted from an extra-marital one-time fuck or relationship on the part of their parents is certainly a possibility, although being ashamed of this appears inconsistent with Patrick and Dante's behaviour in general. If they are ashamed of one or both of their parents I hazard a guess it must be because one or both are in prison for drug-smuggling or something similar.

Indeed @ReaderPaul. Justin's "instrument of pleasure" has certainly brought pleasure to many in some unusual ways. I cringed when reading of this past penile insertion, it was just too much like a catheter. Patrick's response to Carol regarding the state of the relationship of his and Dante's parents “No they’re not divorced, but not together” has me thinking one of them must be in prison. If the parents were not married when Patrick and Dante were born and had not married subsequently, then surely Patrick would have stated so. Similarly, if one parent is now deceased then surely Patrick would have stated so. Does your crystal ball reveal anything regarding this hypothesis @ReaderPaul? Carol and Patrick's walks in the garden @Wombat Bill had Edelweiss from The Sound Of Music invading my mind again. A younger me could not have related to such activity as entertainment (unless it involved some "horizontal walking" too), but the maturing me thinks how lovely to walk in the gardens hand in hand, especially in the warmer months with the sounds of the cicadas and the fragrance of such delights as gardenias and sweet peas. Bliss. The words to describe this chapter, saucy and rollicking. Cook is becoming a favourite; the development of her character a joy to witness. Well done quadrupedal marsupial.

A very astute observation @VBlew. I commented similarly on an earlier chapter that I thought @James Matthews was handling Luke's mental health challenges authentically and with empathy. I particularly liked how he (James that is) did not reduce Luke to a one-dimensional character, defining him by his mental health challenges alone. He may always face these challenges, but he also proved to be a smart, decisive and caring person, particularly "when the chips were down". Hear hear @weinerdog. Of the unresolved matters, the murder of Ben Flowers to be confirmed, was the one I found the most upsetting, moreso because if he was murdered and he was not reported missing, it meant not a soul cared for him. Undoubtedly he was not a likeable character, however, I cannot help but think he deserved a chance (unlike Medea, Elaine, Clyde, Yeltsin and Seth, who if they had been "processed" in acid, I would have cared not).

OMG @Wombat Bill, this chapter moved faster than Ethel Merman wisecracking in any number of films she appeared in (and in her autobiography). Ethel plunged into my head with “So, is your room comfortable?” asked Thomas. Before Patrick could answer, Carol giggled and Cook laughed raucously. The description of Cook’s laughter as raucous, sheer perfection; it matches beautifully to her physical description as a ‘plump, full-breasted chicken’, hence the image of Ethel Merman. My question to you is, can Cook sing? I am not one to usually point out errors in an author’s work @Wombat Bill, but I have to point out one in this chapter because it appealed to my dark sense of humour. In response to Patrick’s enquiry regarding Carol’s past relationship experiences, Thomas responded “I’m really not the one to be giving relationship advice, but I am a bit protective of Carol and would want to see her hurt”. Given Thomas’ penchant for “pain” as experienced with Jared, you may guess the image that formed when Thomas made this statement. We saw a glimpse of the formerly arrogant and clueless Jonathan with “Maybe we could get one of them to grow a moustache or a beard” suggested Jonathan and Lachlan laughed at the suggestion. “What?” asked Jonathan “You don’t think that’s a good idea?”. “It might help you, but I’m not sure we can ask him to do that just so you can tell them apart”. “If he’s working for me I can”. Fortunately Lachlan seems to be very persuasive. Speaking of Jonathan and Lachlan, I had a great chuckle (perhaps almost raucous laughter) when Patrick asked Thomas if Jonathan and Lachlan were father and son. It reminded me of the time I went to a George Michael concert with a heterosexual married couple I have known as good friends for many years. Sitting next to us were two guys who were clearly in a "daddy-son" relationship, clear to me and the wife of the couple, but not the husband, who remarked to the younger of the two guys that he thought it was delightful he was with his father seeing the concert. Now that occasioned raucous laughter from myself and the wife (in private after the concert was finished of course). This chapter best described as informative (for Patrick) and riotous. Well done @Wombat Bill; you are once again managing to entertain, educate and amuse, a particularly welcome tonic for this reader after three days of less than stellar health (I had my 2nd COVID booster, and as usual the side-effects, including a severe spike in my blood pressure have been less than welcome). I look forward to the comments of my fellow CWB groupies with antici......pation.

LOL @ReaderPaul. A very appropriate song choice. A great song which was a substantial hit in Australia for both The Weather Girls and Geri Halliwell of the Spice Girls many years later. I prefer The Weather Girls version and the video is hilarious. One would hope Carol and Patrick are using condoms, although being heterosexual it may be they don't see any issue with not doing so, assuming Carol is using birth control pills. I assume the treatment of AIDS is very similar in the USA today as what it is in Australia, with infection rates having risen again due to complacency and the belief, largely evidence-based, that it is no longer a "death sentence".

Welcome back @ReaderPaul. I look forward to some more of your invariably clever and witty alliteration and your astute observations. @Wombat Bill Carol has certainly blossomed. I too wondered @ReaderPaulif Dante may have been her first sexual experience. If so, she is certainly wasting no time in an attempt to increase her skills. Her newly revealed voracious appetite may take some time to sate. I had several songs in my head again this chapter @Wombat Bill. I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair from South Pacific began to play in my neural jukebox when Patrick, Carol and Cook were doing the dishes and S-S-S-Single Bed by Fox made a very welcome appearance when Carol practically threw herself at Patrick when walking in the garden with him (after also having Edelweiss from The Sound Of Music make a brief appearance). The first intrigue of this new story, what are Dante and Patrick "hiding" about their parents? Is it something sinister, something of which they are ashamed, or are they perhaps very unpleasant people (the parents that is, not Patrick and Dante). Many possibilities exist. Has your crystal ball revealed anything to you yet @ReaderPaul about the cast of Crystalline and what calamities may befall them in the story moving forward?

A few songs, the promise of some champagne, a hearty chuckle and a sexual soupcon. What more could one ask for. “Then that’s decided” concluded Jonathan. “We’ll build a cottage for two, our little love nest” prompted the delicate tones of Peggy Lee singing her delightful version of ‘The Folks Who Live On The Hill’ to invade my hitherto impatient mind. Peggy continued to soothe my impatient mind until “A few days later, as Craig and Justin drive up the Crystalline driveway, Justin said “Remember the first time we drove up here?”. “I remember you calling the place, a fucking castle”. With barely a whisper Peggy segued to Dionne Warwick, her pipes assuaging any residual impatience with the lovely R&B ballad ‘Dejavu’. Tranquility prevailed until the very end of this most enchanting of chapters thanks to the mellifluous meanderings of our masterful marsupial. As you know @Wombat Bill I love my music (of almost all kinds), and take great delight when another art form stirs the "musical medley" that invariably inhabits my mind. I have remarked on many occasions your literary art has triggered a musical or filmic reference, which only increases the pleasure derived from both. Some may think me mad for this, but I think me blessed to be able to celebrate the one from the here and now together with the one from the past. I had a very hearty chuckle, almost a guffaw with "Did I hear my name?” asked a voice from a horse stall. “Oh Jonathan, you startled me” jabbered Thomas “What are you doing here?” “Just doing a bit of measuring” he replied as he emerged from the stall and a measuring tape retracted into its case. “Wanted to see if the stall is wide enough to hang my sling”. I visioned Jonathan popping up unseen like a meerkat. The mere mention of sexual delight for Jonathan, and a soupcon of sexual activity for Craig and Justin, and Caleb and Lucas, stirred the loins, much like the image of the 'realistic Jeff Stryker dildo' I mentioned when commenting on the previous chapter. And the teaser for the next chaper Nonna. Do we get to meet Dante’s grandmother or is our fan-favourite Gran going to embrace her inner signora?

I agree with you wholeheartedly @pvtguy. The Romani family and its criminal associates have committed more than enough crimes to find themselves guests at Her Majesty's pleasure. Of course, proving those responsible for said crimes would no doubt be a difficult, if nigh impossible task, particularly if said persons have contributed to the financial health of the police in the town. @James Matthews, we your readers, seem to have unanimously accepted Leander is telling the truth, Elaine is his mother and Scott his father, to the best of his knowledge, but is he telling the truth? Apart from Len, Luke and Taz, I am beginning to have my doubts any of the other main characters in this tale have ever had even the slightest acquaintance with the truth. I don’t recall the nature of the goods stolen from the hardware store at which Luke works having been disclosed yet. I wonder if at least some of the goods stolen may have been acid and plastic drums. How convenient it would be to pin Ben’s apparent murder on Luke. He had the motive, he was being stalked by Ben; he had ready access to the necessary equipment to carry out the murder; and, he likely had the skill set to know how to use the equipment at least. The purpose of the murder, other than to satisfy their lust for violence, blackmail Leander into returning to “the family”. Leave Luke and return to the family, and the police will not be tipped off regarding Ben’s murder and the likely culprit. This chapter has once again raised more questions than were answered, at least answered satisfactorily and with conviction @James Matthews. The intrigue, tension and suspense continued to build for both the characters in the tale and we your ardent readers. To quote Rodgers & Hart "bewitched, bothered and bewildered am I".

“Thank you Carol, that means a lot to me, especially coming from you. I thought you might be disappointed”. “Not at all, and by the way, don’t flatter yourself so much, it’s very boring to hear”. Carol's tongue has certainly loosened a little from the formerly shy daughter of a friend of Virginia's. Dare I say her loosened tongue may have come in very useful in the pleasures she and Cook, 'the plump, full breasted chicken', may have engaged in with 'The Rabbit'. It certainly sounds a far more complicated instrument of pleasure than a top selling dildo of yesteryear, the 'realistic Jeff Stryker cock'. Cook has a sassy and saucy sense of humour. I loved her suggestion Jonathan should offer vibrators as an employee fringe benefit. My immediate thought was would they attract fringe benefits tax (FBT)? Welcome back @Wombat Bill. It appears you have an increased zest for dialogue, this chapter consisting almost exclusively of dialogue between various 'cast members'. I have to congratulate you for writing the dialogue in such a manner it was always clear which party said what. I have read many stories in the past where it is not clear at all times which party has said what. Your formatting of the dialogue is exemplary. I see one of my fellow CWB groupies @chris191070 once again beat me to the punch. I look forward to any contributions our other regular groupie @ReaderPaul may also have to make.

@James Matthews I may be having a "blonde moment", particularly given not one of my fellow readers' has apparently made the observation, but what is the significance of the statement made by Leander "Clyde, over six feet, Duke, over six feet, Seb, Sam... Jesus, even Beth is taller than me. Ever wondered why I'm five-seven? Ever wondered why Josh is over six feet?". If Leander is to be believed that he is a result of an affair between Scott and Elaine, then his half siblings presumably inherited their height from the Romani Medea not from Scott. If Leander is making a connection between Elaine's son Josh and his half-siblings, then the conclusion to be drawn is that either Elaine is not Josh's birth mother but the Romani Medea is, or Scott is not the father of any of Leander's half-siblings, but Donald is. OMG @James Matthews my brain has had a complete meltdown trying to unravel the truth behind the statement "Ever wondered why Josh is over six feet". Is it meant to connect Josh to the other Sheperd spawn in a familial sense? Only you know, I assume. I may be having more than one "blonde moment" with another observation not apparently noted by any of my fellow readers, again a statement from the mouth of Leander "My Dad went to see her and threatened her, told her he'd give her £25k to shut up, but in getting that money, she was to give up the baby, so there was never a connection between her and me when I was born." I seem to recall £25k was the payment allegedly made by Scott Sheperd to the police to cover up the injury to the boy who was left paralysed when thrown from a ride at the fair. The payment amount may be coincidental, however, I have had a strong feeling about this incident for some time now. The injury to this boy may be incidental to the story, but methinks it is anything but. Luke is smart, Taz is smart and Leander is smart. Between the three of them I hope they can convince Len of Elaine's dishonourable intentions. Perhaps they can concoct a plan to call her bluff. "Double double toil and trouble". Those witches from Macbeth seem to be getting louder and louder @James Matthews.

Clearly my "appreciation" of names @James Carnarvon is similar to my appreciation of music. From your homeland I do not care for (loathe actually) Billie Eilish, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith and fucking Adele. Give me Kate Bush, Bananarama, Duran Duran, Pet Shop Boys and George Michael any day. Listening to Bananarama's new album this afternoon has been one of the highlights of the day (along with reading the last chapter of La Bella Vacanza). If you are not familiar with their music, they are a poptastic female duo from Bristol who were mega-popular throughout the world in the 80's. They had a huge following in Australia; their music was very popular with gay boys like myself.

No no I was suggesting no such thing (I would never be so presumptuous). I was merely suggesting there are many popular German male names, thus "your Otto" could in fact be "your Wolfgang", or "your Helmut", or "your Hans" or any of many other popular German male names. 😇

Maybe so @James Carnarvon, but you did indicate this was to be your seventh trip to Ravello (LOL). 🤣

A frothy vignette in the Ravello series. Step back in time with Reza and his family as they experience the delights of the town, Reza armed with his trusty camera and Nokia phone. Reza’s life will never be the same; to reveal any more would spoil the story. @James Carnarvon's latest tale is a brief glimpse into the world of Ravello and the magic of its charms, charms which Reza initially resists, but ultimately succumbs to. We see an appearance by fan favourites Gianni, Angelo and briefly, Claudia. And what would a trip to Ravello be without the scraping cicadas, the lemons and other culinary delights. Humour abounds, characters develop and the reader is left wanting more from the pen of this most impressive of authors. Truly enchanting.