Summerabbacat

A story of discovery, devastation, significant personal growth and ultimately triumph against what could easily have been insurmountable odds. As noted by @weinerdog, the pace was plodding at times, but I thought it suited the situation and the emotions experienced by the two main characters, teenage boys no longer children but not yet adults, both uncertain in their own skin, even without the pressure of circumstances over which they had limited or no control.

I think A To Z was one of the first stories I read on this site @weinerdog, back in the day when you could read a story without having to login. I don't think I even knew how to comment on stories back then. It was a harrowing read, the abuse of Andy far more violent and his father beyond redemption, but there were certainly some common themes. Like that story, reading this one was an enriching story to read, even when the subject matter was emotionally "challenging" and some of the characters hateful and/or infuriating.

"Art, I never asked, and if you don't want to answer, I'll understand." "What is it, Scott?" "You have the same last name as one of your dads and he talks Italian to you. Is he like, gee, this sounds stupid, but your real dad?" and "So, sorry if this comes out wrong, you never knew your mother?" "Nope. Never met her. Dads figured since she wasn't planning to be part of my life, why complicate things by forcing her into my life. It's all I've ever known, so it's cool." I was very impressed with the sensitivity Scott displayed when asking Art these questions. The questions themselves were not intrusive, merely questions to form the bigger picture of who Art is. They were questions which could have upset Art though if they were asked in a crude or insensitive manner, and Scott seemed acutely aware of this, hence his hesitation. Scott's character growth in this story has surpassed that of any of the other characters. I think he was always inherently a kind and fair person, he was merely ignorant about gay boys/men because he had never met any and his beliefs were informed by anti-gay rhetoric he likely heard in the school playground or saw on TV. I am really enjoying this story @Lee Wilson, even moreso the second time around. The first time I read it was on Nifty, just before you started publishing on GA or maybe before I had started reading anything you had published on GA.

Methinks Shane Novak is a shrewd businessman too @weinerdog.

Maybe Evan is a changed man. Maybe. James certainly likes order and structure, right down to prepping his meals for the week. Although understandable, it leaves no room for spontaneity.

Wow! Just wow! What a beautifully written and very moving chapter @Josh Aterovis. This might just be my favourite chapter of this story thus far; the highlight of the chapter the visit to the zoo. The mother and son connection strengthened with the free-spirited conversation between Killian and his mother, but the truly moving part was the inclusion of Tad in the conversation and his positive response to having a "mother" figure for once in his young life. I recall making a comment on a prior chapter that a "mother" figure might be what was missing from his life, but I think I may have made this with reference to Judy. Clearly Killian's mother is a "natural fit" for this role and made a huge impact on Tad, such that it has already affected his relationship with Killian and likely will with Kane and Adam too. The reminiscing by Killian's mother brought to mind this beautiful song from an artist I "discovered" on 12/05/24, the day before my beloved Zelda passed away from lymphoma of the liver and spleen, a Welsh-born male singer from New York who is also a cat and disco lover, as well as being rather easy on the eye. A wonderfully compassionate man from all I have read, and did a mention a cat lover too.

As a "confirmed bachelor" even I had to admit Kate could have ignited bushfires with this video clip.

It is as if Theodore, Vince and Jack all took LSD at Danny and Ryder's wedding and have been hallucinating ever since, or maybe they unknowingly partook of some "magic mushrooms" on their journey from Pinemoor to Beyond The Veil. LOL. Theodore may have the brawn, but certainly not the brains to outwit his foes. He may not like to admit it, but he would be lost without Vince and Jack. He was always so suspicious of humans back in Glasstone, but in returning to his "home turf" he appears to have lost all sense of mistrust, which is how he has been so easily conned, or is it because he is so desperate to find his pack whom he thought all perished.

I guess he was kind of cute, although looking back at some of his video clips they were not flattering as I did not like then and do not to this day, like longer hair on men. I think he looked cuter when he appeared on Countdown, which he did frequently. I did not recognise it at the time, but Molly always used to flirt with him, and to his credit 'Squeak' just went with the flow. I knew by then I was not attracted to girls, but I did not really fancy any male pop stars to any great extent. Those I came closest to lusting after were Garth Porter from Sherbet, David Essex and KC from KC & The Sunshine Band. I was not at all attracted to "pretty" boys like Leif Garrett or Shaun Cassidy, and could not understand why girls our age, and you if I remember correctly, swooned over the Bay City Rollers. I thought there were many beautiful female singers e.g. Frida and Agnetha, Donna Summer, Deborah Harry, Olivia (sexy post-Grease Olivia), Stevie Nicks, Ann and Nancy Wilson from Heart, Pat Benatar, Kate Bush, Linda Ronstadt and Grace Jones. There were certainly other male hotties from that era, but we did not really see them on TV in Australia, Isaac Hayes, Marvin Gaye, Teddy Pendergrass, George Benson and especially Luther Vandross being prime examples (all black and not one of them with long hair).

A sighting of a rare species in this chapter, a jovial and joc(k)ular Joss no less @Robert Hugill. He is clearly a man who does not do small talk, which frankly only makes him more interesting and appealing. Joss got a glimpse of Charlie's nude drawing and was mighty impressed with the quality of the drawing itself (at least). He indicated to PJ he would like a drawing of him in all his glory, a request which PJ does not appear averse too. I wonder if Joss will commission such a drawing at the dinner to be held at his and PJ's home. If so, Louis may get to create his 'dazzle of dicks' yet. If Eileen gets wind of this, she may even commission Louis draw her husband nude for her viewing pleasure. Now that is not an image for the faint hearted, a horny Eileen.

Perhaps this cheery little number for Ethan as a "starter" for the sequel. A much loved hit when we were in Year 6 sung by a very popular larrikin from our teenage years.

Ethan who? Oh, the has-been who broke a leg, literally. You are so yesterday Ethan. Now run along, and we may have a non-speaking part for you in the next school production. "News spread like wildfire: Ethan Blackwood had a bike accident on his way to school. Nothing fatal, but his leg was broken clean through, and he was on his way to hospital in an ambulance." "They" say karma is a bitch, and she sure was to Ethan. I almost fell off my dining chair laughing, even though I saw this a mile off. As soon as the cast listing was posted on the noticeboard I "knew" Ethan's words to Charlie were going to come back and bite him on the arse. The opening night was written perfectly @Mark Ponyboy Peters. I was literally on the edge of my dining chair, and the tears flowed with gay abandon when the King disclosed to his son that he knew of his love for Barnabus and was not troubled by it, and when the Prince celebrated this with his beloved Barnabus. I know you have said this story is limited to 8 chapters, but I demand a recount. This cannot be allowed. It must go on.

It must be the pollen here in Sydney, Australia, too @starboardtack. It is only the second month of autumn (fall) and I am feeling the cold already, and I hate the cold. It is only 19°C (positively frigid) on Easter Monday, grey skies and likely to rain again. I don't know how people cope with weather such as in Lakehurst and Riverbend. Kitt's reunion with his parents was volcanic. Emotions all three had been suppressing for the past year surfaced, broke loose and erupted. Much good has been achieved already, and I do believe Stephen is now genuine in his desire to redeem himself. His comment "I will keep unlearning every cruel thing someone put in my head before you were born" the extent of his commitment to do just this.

Kim Wilde singing You Came. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6Agwu_5J14

Don't be sorry. It was perfect.

I did not realise this one was written so long ago, although I vaguely recall you mentioning early on in its publication you wrote it for another site but it was much shorter at the time. Very clever tactic with the character names and it has worked well. I assumed it was set in an ancient European locale primarily because of the physical environment, including the weather, but it could just as easily be Asia. Clearly you are a mature and patient man. If I had written something of 3,000 words and then lost it, @weinerdog would have heard me swearing in San Diego. Blame it on Windows 11.

I am intrigued @Mark Ponyboy Peters how you came up with the name Carronne? An internet search revealed Carronne is the given name of an African American gospel singer from Maryland, USA, but I somehow doubt this was the inspiration. I also doubt it is a variation on the actress Leslie Caron or the singer Caron Wheeler from Soul II Soul, but I could be wrong. Some of the character names have been a little unusual too, although I guess they could be viewed as a slight variation of a conventional name e.g. Raemande instead of Raymond, Judayah instead of Judah and Marin instead of Marian/Marianne or Marina. I daresay the names are an example of what some might refer to as imagination.

Very astute @centexhairysub, and a sad indictment on Charlie's mother that she has invested so much time and effort in finding Charlie is all "wrong" and not in accordance with her narrow view of what a good and "normal" boy should be. What a shame she does not hold herself to those same high standards and find she is completely lacking in the characteristics and qualities of what a good and "normal" mother she be. Perhaps Nan Brown should grab her by the hair and give her a good slapping or hair pulling, but Nan Brown is too pleasant to resort to such behaviour (unfortunately).

It sure would @weinerdog. It is just a shame Mr Brown's given name is Ian; it would have been most amusing if it was Robert and he insisted on being called Bob. Alas, The Times They Are a-Changin' and many of the younger readers may not "get" this reference. As for toxic Teresa, Charlie's manipulative, maladjusted, mendacious mother, one thing he will not need to worry about, she won't be Knockin' On Heaven' Door, although given how kind-hearted Charlie is he will probably still have Sympathy For The Devil (and yes I know this is the Stones rather than someone Like A Rolling Stone).

In a "perfect" world the demanding and demeaning Karen would have been left to load her charcoal in the back of the battered Honda Odyssey, whilst her henpecked and harassed husband, Milo, was driven off in an Audi by someone who appreciated his DadBod and was prepared to demonstrate his appreciation. Karen in her too-tight baby pink track pants and sweater, "spilling" out thereof, left to her own devices, wallowing in fast food and the Real Housewives of Alabamy, like a sea-calf.

I still think they may @weinerdog as it is not practical they drive such a long distance to go to Northbridge each day. It would make more sense for both Matt and Kitt to move back to Riverbend and perhaps share Tom's home with him and Harbor. The send off for Mateo was very moving as I expected it would be.

I think James should make this HIS song for the next week to decide if reuniting with Evan is worth the effort.

Fuck.

And what of the mystery caller to Killian at work. Is it a cry for help literally, and if so for Killian specifically, or is it something more sinister, like someone from Killian's past trying to spook him, like that psychotic bitch, Caitlin? If it is someone seeking his assistance he should not be in any danger, but if someone more sinister, especially Caitlin, Killian would be excused, even by @drsawzall, if he got in his car and broke all speed limits to get away from her vicinity. Word of warning to Killian, if the caller asks him to play Misty, break those speed limits.

If all else fails in this story @weinerdog (and I know it won't), the one thing I hope does not is comeuppance for that ghastly troll. What that form of comeuppance is does not matter to me, although I would be most pleased if it is physical suffering, perhaps rheumatoid arthritis which is severely aggravated by cold damp weather and she is forced to live in Kitt's old room with a thin blanket, windows which don't close properly and a dodgy heater. A visit from the IRS which uncovers massive fraud on her part would be most welcome too. A rendezvous at Northbridge is a certainty now, and I think Kitt and Matt will "board" with Tom and Harbor. A found family, one which I envisage would be very happy for all four.