Summerabbacat

For a gentle natured boy like Bobby I imagine the psychological effects of his beating will take some time to address. I am surprised, pleasantly so, Sam has not blamed himself for Bobby's beating given it appears to have been payback for the anti-gay comments made by Willie LeDouche which Scott threatened to correct. I also believe both Bobby and Sam have been far more affected by the Butthead's actions and his imprisonment than what they have shared, which has only added to Bobby's current state of unhappiness. Interesting the gay boy known to Steven is Peter, Scott's brother. It appears Scott's family are unaware of this. Given they, at least Scott and his mother, have been supportive of Virgil and Sam, it may not be a catastrophe if they find out Peter is gay too, although it would of course be much "closer to home" for them. The "Loose Ends" may refer to Willie LeDouche and Davey Aronson @weinerdog. Bubba Jr will no doubt be pleased to make their acquaintance, and to "celebrate" their arrival in juvie he may be willing to share his most precious possession with them. Bubba Jr's magical sword has been shared with many a new "inmate" and all have been surprised by its size and ability to please.

I seem to recall PJ indicated Joss was rather “blessed” in the “dick department” and this was reflected on the lacquered tray Charlie made as the anniversary gift. If this be the case, Louis may have to use an A3 size sheet of paper rather than an A4 size sheet to capture said dick in its full splendour, particularly if it is in an heightened state of awareness. I imagine in such circumstances it would definitely have a “personality” of its own @drsawzall, its behaviour may even resemble a “Nimrud Panther”.

It was a good movie too.

I am not surprised by the revelation Elyse and Susan are in a relationship and that for Elyse at least it is a genuine relationship. Whether Susan feels as strongly for Elyse remains to be seen; I am not convinced she does, but I have no idea why. Perhaps it is due to Ricky Wong's comment Susan is very ambitious, or her emotionless reaction to the murder of Bridget Foxwell. I still think the relationship may be one of convenience for Susan or one pursued with a specific goal in mind, and that goal is totally career-oriented.

It's the lack of a filter in most circumstances. And I have just thought of another possibility, a 'delight of dicks', but I think a 'dazzle of dicks' sounds more impressive. Many of them can be quite dazzling.

Bloody Nora @Mark Ponyboy Peters, why in Felix's name did Charlie's father marry his mother? She was already a controlling, manipulative, unreasonable bitch as a teenage girlfriend. Did he think marriage would improve her and she would "straighten out" (pardon the pun). I think he is doing the right thing in divorcing her, but I hope she does not turn mega-bitch and fight him for custody of Charlie, using his teenage "romance" with Dylan to portray him as some kind of pervert who is trying to live out his gay fantasies through his son by "corrupting" him. I hope her disdain for Charlie is strong enough that she wants to have no ongoing role in his life, which will be hard for him initially I daresay, but ultimately the best outcome. I do not underestimate how vindictive and spiteful Charlie's mother may become though. I can only but hope instead of Boy Erased, Mr Brown manages "Wife/Mother Erased". The one advantage he has is that he is wealthy. Between Mr Brown and his mother, Charlie should be well cared for and want for nothing. With his mother out of the picture, hopefully permanently, he will not need to live in fear any longer. Another feather in your cap @Mark Ponyboy Peters, although the choice of names for Prince Elwyn's lover and wife to be left a little to be desired. Barnabus, WTF? It could have been much worse though, Barnaby the "bonking beetroot". And Arayana? The only disappointment with this story is that there are only another four more chapters before it concludes.🥹🥹🥹🥹

I tried to find a "collective" word beginning with 'd' @Carybr. I could have described as a 'deck of dicks', a 'delegation of dicks' (politicians) or a 'drove of dicks', so made up my own 'collective' and thought a 'dazzle of dicks' most apropos. If one can "accept" a 'murder of crows' and a 'parliament of owls' then a 'dazzle of dicks' is mild. I initially wrote a 'cache of cocks' but thought the weapon association a little too obvious.

The topic was dicks, and whether to expose or not to expose. LOL. OMG what would Aunt have said Ian. One does not dare mention a man's anatomy, let alone display it for all and sundry to observe. Most unsavoury and unbecoming nephew. I doubt Aunt would have even known what a homosexual is. The Nimrud Panther will have to be a bit more attractive than a turd to compete with a dazzle of dicks @Robert Hugill.

A shared goal, even in absentia, has kept Matt focused and hopeful, and now with a tentative reunification, achievement of the shared goal is almost a fait accompli.

I believe Mateo leaving is a good thing, not only for himself, but for Kitt too. Kitt clearly feels indebted to both Mateo and Tom who have been a rock for him. With Mateo gone, it will leave only Tom and Harbor as his support persons. Tom has already shown his support for team Kitt/Matt and I think he will encourage Kitt to regularly contact Matt, as he encouraged him to contact his parents. Kitt listens to Tom, values his opinions greatly. Tom's quiet demeanour seems to have a calming effect on Kitt, and this together with Kitt's strong desire to remain in contact with Matt and Tom's encouragement for him to do so, will help him overcome his fears. Fear is Kitt's greatest nemesis at present, a fear which is perfectly understandable, but to move forward and be truly happy I believe he must address it.

I agree @weinerdog. I think Matt and Kitt will go to Northwest together and will live with Tom. A win/win situation for all concerned, especially Harbor.

Matt and Kitt attending Northwest University together. Perhaps living with Tom, adding immeasurable joy to his life, de facto sons for the one who left him and has never returned.

I don't have your talent or discipline @Josh Aterovis. My comments are only ever inspired by quality works like this story, and are invariably a bunch of nonsensical cliches or pop culture references or both. I enjoy the interchange of ideas between readers, and as you have said on a number of occasions, it is scary sometimes how close some of our speculations are.

The Berlin Wall fell and the reunification was glorious. Further reunions may be imminent, but none will surpass the reunion of Kitt with Matt.

Given this is Kitt's second winter spent in Riverbend it must be close to a year since that fateful, hateful, night his father exiled him from the family home. It may be a cliche, but I feel with the advent of spring Kitt may return to Lakehurst.

This beautiful chapter made me think of this beautiful song, sung so beautifully by Frida, beauty personified.

Aarrgghh, the mystery of the missing chapter has been solved. The birthday party now in its rightful place in chapter 27, and what a chapter. I agree with @dboggs9700, Kitt's birthday is the turning point, but not just for Kitt and Matt, but for Stephen and Susan too.

I am rather confused. It appears the comments made by my fellow readers on chapter 25 apply to chapter 26. There are comments made on this chapter about a birthday party for Kitt, but no mention of such a party in this chapter. I wonder if this event takes place in chapter 27. If so, it appears 1 chapter may have been inserted or moved in the past week or so. Do you anything about this @weinerdog or @drsawzall?

A connection between Tom and Mateo perhaps? The landlady needs to suffer the Ivana Trump treatment? Was she pushed or was it an accident? What a miserable bitch she is, providing sub-standard accommodation and issuing ultimatums to well-behaved, paying occupants. Bring in the health department and shut the premises down and see how she likes it.

Kitt's face-to-face meeting with Matt again and his extreme reaction to it demonstrated how severely traumatised Kitt was by his father's exile of him from the family home. I can only speak for myself, but I suspect many other readers may have had the same reaction, Kitt shocked me greatly. As Mateo and Tom have both remarked previously to Kitt, his outer strength and resolve to "soldier on" belied his inner frailty and chaos. Matt has worn his heart on his sleeve since that fateful night, whereas Kitt, like his mother, has largely suffered in silence emotionally.

A very intriguing chapter @Josh Aterovis. I agree somewhat with @drsawzall with regard to his suspicion of Susan Urban. She appears to be very "cold" and calculating, but is that enough to suspect she is a murderer? And unless Elyse Pike is an exceptionally good actress, it appears unlikely she murdered either Professor Healy or Bridget Foxwell. It certainly appears Bridget was in the wrong place at the wrong time and arrived when the murderer was looting the dig site again, but appearances can be deceptive. What if Bridget Foxwell aka Lovey Morehead (her 'Bond girl' name @weinerdog, with Lovey in recognition of her role model, the wealthy socialite, Lovey Howell, from Gilligan's Island) was a co-looter and not the airhead she portrayed herself as. What if Bridget's family's wealth has been built on the sale on the blackmarket of artefacts looted from various sites, and Bridget's "desire" to study archeology was a cover for her real intention. She has been working in tandem with Israel Meeks, the nephew of the dark-skinned man Jacy and Killian met in the antique store. Israel has until now been satisfied to share the proceeds of their crimes, but he has become greedy and decided to sever his working relationship with Bridget once and for all after seeing how easy it was to murder Professor Healy when he stumbled upon both looting the dig site. That was the real reason Bridget rang Israel when Killian interviewed her first. Israel called Bridget and lured her to the site with the promise of more looting of substantial value, but when she got there he killed her. What about Jackill for the portmanteau @Josh Aterovis and @weinerdog?

That is Jamal in the middle @weinerdog and @drsawzall and Whip on the left and Deven on the right (I think). Fernando is nowhere to be found @weinerdog, probably off cavorting with Chiquitita, Elaine, Cassandra and Andante or on his way to Happy Hawaii.

Well there you go my good man, you have learnt two very important things today. Way more important than AI chatbot, or what the latest celebrity plastic surgery craze is, or what Harry and Meghan are coming to Australia for (who fucking cares, just don't stay too long you parasites) or which towns/cities are the real estate "hotspots" and the best to invest in.

Your observations in a previous chapter, like father like son, have never rung truer @drsawzall. Both Kitt and Stephen have been rendered impotent by their pride, and are not prepared to surrender control or accept anything less than perfection, viewing anything less as a sign of weakness.

If I remember correctly from my youth and the attempts at dogmatic indoctrination I was subjected to before I rebelled, drunkenness is also "sinful" behaviour. I hope for Stephen's sake (well I don't actually because he is an arsehole) he had not consumed any pork for dinner and was not wearing clothes of mixed fabric. Get out ye sinner, Stephen. The delicious irony of Stephen's "saviour" being gay, and not only calling 911 and waiting with him, but also donating life-saving rare blood. I knew this was going to occur from the moment John offered to donate blood. Hopefully a visit from the pastor who admonishes Stephen for drunk driving, which could have resulted in the death of another innocent party or parties, for being a judgmental fool, but mostly for being a lousy father and spouse, makes him "see the light". A clerical kick delivered with precision and power to Stephen's posterior would not go astray either, and may make the pastor feel better too. Now on to Kitt. For fucks sake lad, ditch the pride and contact Matt. The worst that can happen is he tells you to fuck off, which is likely as Pam Bondi telling the truth. Good call @drsawzall.