Summerabbacat

Amelia and Natasha, a pair of bitches from all reports @Cane23. Perhaps they can have a "dog fight", something which under normal circumstances appalls me, but in this case it could be well worth watching. How incredibly tasteless of Amelia to milk the publicity Nathan has attracted for financial gain. I have to wonder if her mother's name is Kris and she has sisters whose given names begin with K. I won't be at all surprised @Daddydavek if the other trouble-making bitch ex-wife, Natasha, has caused further trouble. If not this, perhaps Benjamin may have by now disclosed to his twin, Maria, and to his brother Noah, that Martin has been paying Natasha additional child support so the three could have an adequate allowance. It is quite possible Maria and Noah were displeased to hear this and challenged Natasha, who has turned even more feral than usual. I think if it is safe to say if the important news involves Natasha then it means trouble. It was very pleasing to observe Carol's reaction to the revelation regarding the nature of Nathan's and Martin's relationship. Undoubtedly it was because or her name, but I immediately thought of the fabulous Carol Channing and her role as Muzzy Van Hossmere in Thoroughly Modern Millie. Raspberries @Paladin, you little Jazz Baby.

A lucky guess. It was either that or attending the annual Falcon Entertainment Vintage Film Festival.

Collateral damage @weinerdog. Perhaps you were otherwise engaged when chapter 12 dropped? Perhaps you were completing one or more of your volunteer shifts at the San Diego Retired Marines Community Centre, the San Diego Dachshund Rescue Centre and the San Diego Homeless LGBTQI Youth Centre. Such altruism must occupy a significant amount of your spare time.

Like Laura Palmer perhaps?

That could get very messy @chris191070.

Whoops! It appears Brett may not have burned the treehouse after all, although this is premised on Amy's admission he was with her on Saturday night being the truth. Given many of the "cast" in this story seem to not be well acquainted with the concept of the truth, it is still possible Brett did burn the treehouse. If not, he may be in for the ride of his life. So long as no one innocent is harmed it may be a good life lesson for Brett anyway.

Or his brothers Bugga, Bigga, Busta, Fista and Slugga.

George the Jailhouse Bitch, built for comfort and not speed, plenty to grab onto when "you's a doin' some deeeeeeeep lovin'".

I have never owned a car or truck, have not driven a car for 41 years and know sweet f a about them, but that sounds impressive @drpaladin.

I agree and wonder if George insists on being called Daddy as he does so.

I had forgotten this Chris when I commented, possibly because it revolted me so. I immediately wondered if Noah calling George Daddy had sexual overtones to it, particularly after he had already freaked when he thought Colt was going to fuck him. George is not only a slime ball, but is inherently evil I think.

If the passengers are Amy and/or Christina and/or Tyler and/or Rylee, it would be a bonus if they were injured as well as Brett. The rational and kind @Summerabbacatrecognises innocent people could be harmed if the wheels were to come off Brett's truck.

Oh how I love to loathe those villains. Mark has only ever had one long-term villain that I can recall, the odious Monolith, Tony’s self-righteous, bigoted, birthing-vessel.

I thought it was funny too @Lee Wilson, although I did feel squeamish when Stanley and Addison talked about eating the horse meat and the dog food. The train of thought was really rather clever and suggested to me that although Addison is somewhat "unusual", Stanley understands him well and can decipher his intent without too many WTF's.

I must confess I sniggered with great delight imagining Brett driving along in his truck when suddenly the front wheels let go and he is scraping metal on the road. A rather uncomfortable and noisy ride I should imagine. If it proceeds and works out well, perhaps Colt might employ the same tactics if George has a truck.

Hopefully no "fire and brimstone" @Mark Ponyboy Peters, but if so, hopefully Father Costas is able to counteract the bullshit with his words of wisdom before it gets too out of hand.

"Colt nodded and passed Noah the blunt. “I’ve got a few ideas. Most of them involve his truck.” “Good.” Noah took the blunt and held it carefully between his fingers. “That truck is basically his whole personality.” It appears your speculation in the previous chapter was spot on @drpaladin. Noah's comment "that truck is basically his whole personality" was hilarious. I am glad Colt disclosed to his mother his "true" relationship with Noah. I was a little surprised by her positive reaction, but totally gobsmacked by her resolve they must do something about George. She is far more observant than I gave her credit for. No surprises George is friend's with Brett's father, Bill. The old boys network is alive and well.

Dare I say you "can feel it in your waters", which is rather apropos given they live within cooee of the Pacific Ocean. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

There was much to enjoy in this chapter @Mark Ponyboy Peters, but the thing which shone above all else was the strength of Matt and Luke's relationship, Luke's immediate acceptance of Levi without reservation and his resolve that caring for Levi is their joint responsibility, not just Matt's "problem". Bloody hay fever struck again.

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

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

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

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

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

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