Summerabbacat

I did not remember the reference to “the kiss” in chapter 9 of The Star In My Eye @James Carnarvon. I think I was too busy taking offence on Gianni’s behalf at the comments made regarding his allegedly poor parenting skills and becoming increasingly annoyed by Sami’s behaviour. “I thought you liked girls?” he whispers. Giacomo looks away for a moment. “I do, but…” he glances back at Daniele. “I’ve never met a girl who means as much to me as you do.” I was very impressed by Giacomo’s frankness. I find this encouraging in that if he ever develops feelings for Dani which are more than platonic, he will not be afraid to express them. I was also very impressed by Dani's mature response to "the kiss". He will blossom from a delightful pre-teen into an even more delightful teenager. My hope is that it will be with "the little mouse who roared" by his side. I hope Dani’s pyjamas are also tie-dye. Another sojourn to Ravello, a very welcome respite from winter in Sydney, Australia @James Carnarvon (even if it is winter in Ravello too). After a cool summer (very few days above 30C) and short autumn, winter arrived early in April, along with the ‘flu (which I have had and been fighting with since Easter). It is not even officially winter yet, but we have already had a number of days with a top temperature less than 18C and it has been raining ad infinitum. Dani has a herculean task to break the winter blues, but I already felt a little warm glow with this scene setting chapter. Viva la Daniele.

OMG @Jeff Burton Gavin is certainly a busy man. You realise now that you have made him a "star" you are going to have to give him his own show, or at least have him reveal a little of himself in at least one, if not all three, of your current literary tales. I think unless Nathan has a set back, Gavin's work with him will be for a far shorter period than his work with Tyler, but more particularly with Jacob and with Ben. In the face of imminent danger Nathan still managed to maintain a sense of humour or perhaps it was bravado, “Seriously? You get in trouble and almost kicked off the team, yet you’re two remaining brain cells still think this shit is a good idea?” I said raising my arms in a defensive posture." As the subsequent melee proved, Nathan has overestimated Jackson's intellectual capacity. Clearly Jackson has a bright future, perhaps he could run as the Republican nominee for state Governor one day @Jeff Burton. I am perhaps naive, but I don't think schoolyard violence in my native Australia is anywhere near the level it is in the USA. As a non-American the "gun culture" is something I cannot understand at all. Fortunately, you have not included any of that in your stories, but the mentality of at least some of the students is such that a gun in their hands would be a very dangerous and unpredictable thing. A relatively short chapter, or so it seemed @Jeff Burton. Perhaps it seemed so because it was not replete with the emotional upheaval of prior chapters. Apart from the violent vignette involving Jackson and his goons, the rest of the chapter was comparatively light. Once again your literary skills were amply displayed.

It certainly appears Craig may be bisexual if not gay @raven1. @weinerdog may be correct yet in his conclusion Craig is gay. If so, he has certainly chosen his "beard" well as Stacy continues to play the prick-teasing virgin. If Craig's sexuality is fluid or if he is in fact gay, I doubt he will ever acknowledge it voluntarily as he has reputation as a lady-killer to maintain. The appearance of Blake is a welcome addition to "the cast". I am intrigued to see what his story is. I daresay @Ronyx will reveal all in forthcoming chapters.

So do I @Wesley8890 which is why I have no moral dilemma with Seth blowing Craig. Seth is not Stacy's keeper and given her treatment of him he owes her nothing, except perhaps a kick in the arse to push her out the passenger door as he is driving at high speed transporting her and her equally odious friend, Maggie, to the football game/school dance/shopping mall. Whilst on the topic of Maggie, she makes another appearance, albeit not in person, and proves once again she is a nasty bitch too. I think @Ronyx has a test tube or petri dish where he cultivates these verminous teenage bitches and every so often one of them is born. Stacy is very much in the same vein as Ashley from Losing Kevin and Melissa from Dancing With Madonna. Given how desperate she is to please Craig she could end up pregnant like the aforesaid Ashley, although she herself has to date displayed none of the "bitch on heat" behaviour Ashley did. Whilst I care nought for Stacy's feelings, I think Seth blowing Craig is fraught with danger as Seth is bound to be the one hurt if it becomes public knowledge. I recall comments made after a prior chapter by one of my fellow readers (it may have been @weinerdog or @scrubber6620) that if this event occurs Craig will somehow turn it around and portray himself as the victim and Seth as the aggressive "faggot". I know Seth is a typical teenage boy in many ways, but I do wish he would stop worrying about what his peers think. A friendship with Roni and Cindy could be very beneficial for all three. He should forget about what others may say and adhere to what he said to Stacy and tell any detractors to "go fuck themselves". "Cindy said playfully, “You better not try to do something with my girlfriend at the dance.” Ty laughed and said, “I don’t think you have anything to be worried about.” I have made the comment before that I believe Ty may be aware Seth is gay and is NOT at all perturbed by this. Another terrific chapter @Ronyx. The shared opinions of your readers appear to be: Stacy is a bitch Craig is a user with a sense of entitlement Seth is heading for trouble if he continues as Craig's personal cocksucker

So many astute and perceptive observations from my fellow readers, particularly @J.El, @weinerdog and @drsawzall, has left me with little to contribute. Like @drsawzall I was disgusted with the slime ball landlord, particularly his belligerent behaviour and questionable personal hygiene. I know it is a stereotype, but I just bet he owns more than one such establishment and is miserly and totally lacking in compassion. The only good thing to be said about the transitional apartment is that it is apparently clean and in relatively good condition. It made me sad though that Ben's life has been so joyless to date that such an apartment appears, to some extent, to be almost a paradise to Ben. I like @J.El and @weinerdog am concerned that this transitional phase may be when the "wheels fall off" for Ben, although I think it is unlikely to be of his own doing. How this boy has survived the turmoil and abuse that has come his way for the past 8-9 years is testament to his resilience and selflessness. He is a remarkable boy. I think a closer friendship with Josh is imperative as was clearly recognised by Gus. Beneath that gruff exterior there lies a pussycat. I suspect he has been through "the system" himself and is one of those people who passes fortune forward in gratitude. Another moving and beautifully written chapter @Jeff Burton. I was "holding it together" very well until "I spent the last night in my room which had never been filled with a second occupant like the others and stared out the window at the night sky. This was my last night as Benjamin, the foster kid nobody wanted, and tomorrow I would be Benjamin, the… the… I honestly didn’t know." The thought in bold was my downfall, particularly as Ben appears to have such thoughts and make such statements without any sense of bitterness or desire for sympathy. He is neither maudlin nor resentful. I think he is your most tragic yet most beautiful creation, and I so look forward to further insights into his world.

Just like Madonna's Vogue this story is a classic too. I found the four lead characters very appealing and the trials and tribulations they encounter believable and very authentically written by a well-loved author. As is the case with a number of @Ronyx's stories there are several characters who are not so likeable, one in particular whom I would like to have seen unspeakable things happen to. If you have read any of @Ronyx's stories before, I am sure you will find much to like about this one too.

Wonderful story, although I think Brad got off way too lightly. His whining about not being able to socialise and getting kicked off the football team made me want to vomit. He viciously beats Buddy causing Buddy to be hit by a car and he is whining about his punishment. He is still an entitled prick and I don't for one moment believe his half-assed apology represented genuine remorse. Melissa, maybe. The four boys, a wonderful quartet.

A beautifully written chapter @Ronyx which had me laughing and crying, sometimes almost at the same time. If either Brad or his parents had even an ounce of decency they would pay for Buddy's hospital treatment and any ongoing care he needs rather than letting the taxpayer foot the bill. I suspect they don't.

Mom Mabel reminds me somewhat of Nurse Dorothy in Taking Off The Mask, although I think she is more extroverted. Her comments "I don’t have a lot, as you can see. But the Good Lord blessed me with an abundance of love. I share that love with my children, grandbabies, family, friends and strangers.” She smiled warmly and said, “It’s the only thing I got to give.” She leaned forward and stared directly into Kyle and Donnie’s eyes and said, “So I asked you if you are gay because I wanted to love you as you are.” She looked tearfully at Andre and said almost reverently, “Just like I love my boy.” brought tears to my eyes just as they did to Kyle's. What a wonderful woman. Donnie once again surprised. He really is quite remarkable, particularly given he has been raised in a similar environment to Kyle and the odious Brad and Melissa. I think he will be a very good influence on Kyle and will help him reduce his "snootiness". Wonderful chapter @Ronyx.

What a marvellous chapter @Ronyx. New allegiances are being formed thanks to the irrepressible Donnie. He has proven to be a very pleasant surprise. He is perhaps a better "match" for Buddy too as his gregarious extroverted nature is more likely to bring Buddy out of his despair than Kyle's quiet introverted nature. It is quite clear there is a strong attraction between Andre and Kyle too.

Donnie is a pleasant surprise. I thought he was going to be everything that he apparently is not. I think Mr Caldwell was a little harsh on Kyle. Kyle is NOT Melissa. Another fine chapter @Ronyx. Now that Buddy's belongings have been moved to his Aunt Mavis' I am hoping that Pearl's trailer will be set alight, preferably with her in it, and maybe Aubrey too.

"Andre started crying. He leaned over and buried his head into Kyle’s chest. Kyle hesitated as he put his arm around Andre and comforted him as he wept." A bond is forming, one which will no doubt include Buddy. One can understand him wanting to be named Buddy. Garland, WTF. Mavis should have stuck her cane up Pearl's arse and twisted it.

Donnie did not make a good impression on me at all. Sanctimonious little prig. I am very glad Buddy survived. Hopefully he will sing like a canary and Brad, at least, will be in deep shit. Melissa is still a bitch. The one constant in this ever changing kaleidoscope you have so beautifully created @Ronyx

“Wait!” hollered out the officer. “You didn’t tell me where his mother is.” Andre turned as he was entering the trailer and replied sadly, “It won’t do no good. She won’t care anyway.” This sums up Buddy's home life, even Andre could no longer delude himself. I hate Melissa more with each passing chapter. She needs to be made to suffer for her actions.

This time Mrs Caldwell should not refrain from slapping Melissa into the middle of next week. She is a spiteful, vindictive, pathetic, ugly, narcissistic c..t. Kyle must act to try to protect Buddy from Brad. If Brad so much as looks sideways at Kyle and/or Buddy, Coach Abernathy should kick him off the team. He is a fucking pathetic excuse for a human. He and Melissa were really suited.

Melissa is certainly the little actress with her tears and her "but mommy" shit. Fortunately, her mother saw through her little act and treated her like the skank she is. Whatever her punishment it will not be enough. She is excrement. Buddy continues to spiral downwards; his despair even got to Andre in this chapter. Hopefully Kyle will follow his mother's advice and attempt to establish a friendship with Buddy. Wonderful chapter @Ronyx.

Hopefully Melissa's parents will do more than slap her across the face. She is evil; I think perhaps she is even nastier and more vindictive than Ashley from Losing Kevin. Her parents should confiscate her phone, her credit card and buy her the ugliest clothes possible from a cheap warehouse and only allow her to wear those clothes to school. She should be grounded and forbidden to go anywhere other than school. Of course this would require at least one of her parents to stop stroking their own egos and pay more attention to their children. I don't care if Melissa is just acting out for attention, she needs a fucking hiding for what she did to Kyle. Buddy needs to listen to Andre very carefully. Andre, although perhaps delusional, is not dangerous for Buddys' health; Aubrey however is. He is just another user in more ways than one.

Mrs Caldwell really pissed me off in this chapter. In chapter 2 Kyle responded to his mother's prying with: “Why do you worry about me?” he asked sarcastically. “You should be worried about Melissa.” He knew his mother was aware of his sister’s relationship with Brad. He just didn’t know if she was aware of just how close they were. “Melissa can take care of herself,” she responded. “But I worry about you.” But, suddenly in this chapter because Melissa has upset her ordered life ”His mother chastised him because she said he should have been looking out for his sister." If anyone should be chastised by Mrs Caldwell for Melissa's behaviour it should be she and her husband. They have indulged Melissa and her bad behaviour for too long. She is behaving like the spoilt, brattish, princess bitch that she is. How I ask is this any of Kyle's fault or responsibility? Melissa is definitely up to something. Somehow she has either obtained or concocted "evidence" on Kyle. She may suspect he is gay and will attempt to use this against him to get what she wants. Her parents need to keep her on a tight leash, literally if possible. She is not to be trusted. Buddy's descent into further despair is very troubling. I see many parallels between him and TJ and Carter. If it weren't for Andre, his friendship and eternal optimism, I fear Buddy may have already taken action to end his own life. Someone needs to set fire to his trailer home WHILST HIS MOTHER IS IN IT.

Buddy's desperation is very worrying. Andre seems to be far more resilient than he. A friendship with Kyle would be beneficial for all three I believe. Another very moving chapter @Ronyx. I feared Brad would track down Buddy and beat him up, blaming him for alerting Melissa to his wandering eyes, hands and genitalia. I guess that still may happen.

"They jumped when Buddy’s mother hollered out, “Turn the fucking music off! I’ve got company!” Andre hurried to the dresser and quickly turned off the player. Buddy walked over to this bed, dropped down on it and covered his head in his hands. “When will this shit ever end?” He looked at Andre with misty eyes. “When will I escape the pain of life?” When he fell back on the bed and started crying, Andre leaned over, scooped his disheartened friend into his arms and whispered in his ear, “Just hold on, Baby. Someday your dreams will open the door.” OMG @Ronyx you do know how to "turn on the waterworks" for your readers. Buddy is understandably an unhappy boy without much hope, but he is fortunate to have a friend like Andre. What a delight he is; a young Mr Wilbur perhaps. I think Kyle's mother is likely aware of his same sex attraction and that his relationship with Jordan had gone beyond platonic. I think her primary concern though is for Kyle's happiness. Given her profession I daresay she is aware of the higher than average incidence of suicide amongst young LGBTQI persons. Brad and Melissa continue to underwhelm.

As is the usual case with any story authored by @Ronyx, one chapter in and I am already hooked. I love the comment of a former member that Brad is the "typical useless jock" and Melissa a "plastic Barbie". I have to say neither fare well in my initial assessment of them. The dynamic between Buddy and Andre is interesting. Buddy's circumstances appear to be something akin to those of TJ in You Promised Me A Tomorrow, although in this case Buddy at least does not have a drunken/drug fucked rapist brother like Butch. Kyle is an interesting character. Although somewhat petty, I loved how he refused to watch the Harry Potter movie in his bedroom, thereby preventing Brad and Melissa from engaging in further "making out" in the family room. I have to wonder if the absentee parents are aware of what their "plastic Barbie" is getting up to. I have read this one too many years ago @Ronyx, but may not remember the story clearly. Time will tell, but whatever I do or don't remember, I know I will enjoy revisiting the lives of Kyle, Buddy, Andre and Tyler.

"I agree with all the comments made by my fellow readers below. This is a wonderful story with well written characters and dramatic events which are part of life for many. The only "unique" comment I have to make is that @Ronyx created in this story one of the most unlikeable characters he has ever created in any of his stories I have read to date. The character shows little or no growth throughout the story and was universally loathed by the readers who made comments on the various chapters. The character is one you will "enjoy" detesting.

A wonderful story @Ronyx. I have to agree with several of my fellow readers. Devin was way too quick to forgive Ashley. I don't for one moment believe her lame excuse that she was jealous of Kevin. She is still a spiteful, manipulative, narcissistic bitch and is totally unfit to be a parent. And if Devin has to work to support the baby then she should too. And as for having Father Brannigan around for the family discussion. No, just no. The one thing that is not needed is the moralising of someone who represents that corrupt hypocritical organisation.

Kevin showed himself to be the most adult of all his family in this chapter. I would have had great difficulty accepting an embrace from Mommie Dearest after her recent behaviour. Cameron and Kevin are very well matched. Both are very forgiving (far more than I could be), but hopefully not pushovers.

I am with Devin on this one. Ashley is totally unfit to be a parent. If she is not willing to have an abortion (and her reference to the church's teaching made me want to vomit), she should be forced to give the child up. No child should be made to suffer having her as its mother.