Summerabbacat

Susan is complicit in her husband's crime, and it is a crime. Her silence is hard to fathom and its motivation a mystery @drsawzall. I don't buy the downtrodden and dutiful wife bullshit anymore; that excuse has long worn thin. She "suffers" Kitt's absence greatly so she says, but not enough to actually do anything constructive about it. Frankly, I could throttle her almost as much as her husband. Deadbeat parents both. Your point about the Pastor is a very good one. It appears the inhabitants of Lakehurst are either startlingly naive (I think Matt falls into this category), ineffectual (in the case of Susan and perhaps the Pastor) or brazen in their contempt of the law and common decency (in the case of Stephen Wellington). One can perhaps forgive Matt due to his youth and lack of life experience, but the other three, no. And what of Kitt's former teachers at school? Has one of them not felt compelled to report Kitt as missing, particularly his swimming coach?

Stephen's counsel with his pastor did not result in the affirmation he expected, in fact, Pastor Greene had the audacity to question Stephen's moral stance and exile of his son for a sin which he could not condone in any way shape or form. I was "pleasantly" surprised Stephen was challenged and provoked by the pastor's assessment of his behaviour, and by default the behaviour of his errant, morally bankrupt son. His moral superiority appears to be a fait accompli in his own eyes. It must be so comforting being such a self-righteous, sanctimonious, sonofabitch like he. For all her despair over Kitt's "disappearance" and upset over her husband's behaviour and attitude towards Kitt, Susan has done next to nothing to try and find him. Methinks she is all hot air and no action. Kitt appeared a little prudish at first when it emerged Tom had paid for sex with Andy, but he revealed he was upset more by his own naïveté than by Tom's trysts. Hopefully Tom's opening up about his private life might encourage Kitt to open up to Tom about his private life, but I won't hold my breath as he is notoriously private.

Another well deserved gong @Robert Hugill for you and this most charming of stories. I daresay Eileen might say "Shitting hell Robert, they must all be bloody after something, bloody groupies wanting a piece of you".

Professor Hot Dad? I wonder if Mateo is attracted to older men and if Tom is attracted to younger men? I still think Tom may be gay and his son rejected him when he came out and he has never returned to even visit Tom. Whatever their individual attractions, both Mateo and Tom are displaying uncommon kindness to Kitt. I think without the two of them he would have become very sick as he was pushing himself way too hard. Kitt seems to be perfectly suited to his part-time job at the Riverbend Outreach Youth Centre. He will thrive in such an environment I feel. Matt continues to spiral downward into an abyss of depression. He is all at sea without Kitt, not the happy-go-lucky, confident teen everyone appears to think he is. I am very concerned he will continue to spiral until something very drastic happens e.g. he collapses from sheer exhaustion, has a car accident looking for Kitt, or becomes catatonic.

I hope so too @drsawzall. If something good does not come Kitt's way soon I fear he will come down with pneumonia. And what's with Matt's father? Matt is one step away from a total mental breakdown I think.

I was also surprised Matt did not look around the town a little more after being told Kitt had been at the diner. I guess his life experience is limited and something which appears obvious to me was not obvious to him. Kitt opened up a little to Tom. Hopefully Tom will gently encourage Kitt to reveal a little more about himself each time they meet. Tom could offer him accommodation which would solve his biggest financial burden, particularly given his current accommodation is of such poor quality and so unhealthy.

I think you have commented before that your partner likes disco music. If so he may know more of their music. They only had 1 top 40 hit in your homeland which was Rivers Of Babylon in 1978, and one other top 100 hit which was Ma Baker in 1977. They were hugely successful in Australia, the UK and throughout Europe and the then Soviet Union.

My favourite line in the entire chapter @drsawzall; absolutely hilarious. And you are right, Mack and Mills are a riot. I love their irreverence, taking the mickey out of the squids on many an occasion. I too look forward to the wedding planning @Cap. Mack and Mills just have to be involved in that because underneath their piss take attitude is a genuine love, admiration and respect not only for Brody, but for Parker now too. Tremendously entertaining chapter.

Killian is right, Jacy has terrific intuition and the ability to think quickly on his feet in situations where a third party is becoming a little "testy". I seem to recall Mr Thompson mentioned chasing some dark-skinned man (he may have said African-American) who was helping himself to artefacts on his property. Might this have been the man in the store whom Killian described as "tall and broad, his skin the color of dark, polished mahogany, his close-cropped hair starting to go salt-and-pepper on the sides." The bathroom scene was very amusing, particularly after Virgil had arisen from his throne. I envisaged Monty Python doing a skit, that's SKIT, on such a scenario. "You should come over to our house, have dinner with us. I know Fletcher would love to see you, and it would be a nice distraction for you." "I couldn't just show up—" "You're not just showing up. I'm inviting you. If it makes you feel any better, I can call Fletcher and check, but I'm sure it will be fine." It's time Killian, time to release your inner-Daddy fetish. And if you can manage to fake an orgasm like Maizie does starting at the 2:40 mark, then you are in like Flynn. LOL. I just love this song, always have and always will. A huge hit in Australia in early 1977, like most of their hits. And what about that fancy footwork from Maizie, Marcia and Liz? Mind-blowing choreography. More excellent work @Josh Aterovis. Anything which prompts a Boney M. memory is a joy to experience for me (even if Bobby mimed Frank's vocals and Maizie never sang on any of their recordings).

I was disturbed, but not surprised Charlie appears to blame himself for his mother bullying and assaulting him. This is where counselling will hopefully be beneficial for him. If she cannot accept her son for who he is, regardless of her convictions and their source, then she should not be allowed to return to the family home in any capacity. "While ever she’s away it’ll be okay for you to come over, but when she’s back, it might be a problem . . . can you understand that?’" and "I’ve never been able to have friends over, because mum didn’t like it, or didn’t like them . . . not that I’ve really ever had many friends anyhow." It appears Charlie's mother may have had a superior attitude towards any friend Charlie tried to make, regardless of the nature of the friendship or the social status of the potential friend. If she returns home and continues to act as she did before, even without violence, then clearly her treatment has failed. Frankly, I will be gobsmacked if there is any genuine change in her attitude and/or behaviour. She may be able to fake it for a while, but I envisage her real self will emerge again unless the counselling is wholly successful.

Yes I do @weinerdog; he should have been wearing briefs or better yet a jockstrap.

I am ashamed to say I chuckled at the advertisement when the female chimpanzee said "....... light refreshments". I could not catch what she said to begin with, even after repeatedly playing the clip. It might be cooee, cooee, but I am not sure. Perhaps @Robert Hugill or @Gary L may know given they are more familiar with the advertisement. It may be that Gus will soon be added to the "shitting commune" as Eileen so eloquently referred to the growing chosen family of Louis, Charlie, Tom and Ian. I am not sure how old Ian is, but assume he is in his late 20's/early 30's, which would mean Gus is in his mid to late 40's. A fifteen year age difference is hardly that much in such a scenario. Dame Joan Henrietta Collins is 92 (soon to be 93) whereas her husband, Percy Gibson is 61, a much more significant age difference. Ian does not appear to have had much experience, but if Gus is telling the truth, it does not appear he has been Casanova either. I find the moments when Charlie and/or Louis become coy or let their vulnerability show very amusing and appealing @Robert Hugill. On this occasion it was Louis who did so, which prompted a cathartic conversation between the two.

I am not surprised your brain has not been working as efficiently as usual @drsawzall. The weather in your neck of the woods has been horrendous.

You explained my beliefs so much more eloquently than me @Josh Aterovis.

She should also file divorce papers. Steven Wellington is a shallow man, living his life and trying to control the life of others, in accordance with a book of fairy tales.

In many ways Kitt is handling the separation from Matt far better than Matt is handling the separation from Kitt. Kitt's main problems are physical, getting enough to eat and keeping warm. Matt's main problem is mental/emotional. He does not know if Kitt is alive and if so where he is. I think Matt may be the one who is heading for a mental/emotional breakdown. Mateo, Tom and Harbor are good friends for Kitt to have. Tom is definitely hurting from the absence of his son in his life. I wonder if Tom is gay and his son rejected him because of this rather than Tom rejecting his son for the same reason.

So very true @weinerdog, which is why my sympathy for her is zero. Why hasn't someone reported Kitt as missing? Are they afraid of his father?

Zealots of all faiths are a menace, a blight on humanity with their contempt for all who do not agree with their narrow views of what is acceptable behaviour and what is not. Kitt has first hand knowledge of the limited view of the world which people like his father have. Kitt was treated much like many people treat stray cats and dogs. As someone who has been involved in the rescue of abandoned cats for many years Kitt's predicament was all too real.

Jamal's leadership skills were on display once again and for once Marin was pleasant, making no snide remarks at all. Jamal's treatment of Deven and Whip has increased the confidence of both boys such that they feel like equals who can make a contribution. The suspected intimate relationship between Prince Raemande and Luther was confirmed when the former invited the latter to bathe with him. Each washed the other and passions were ignited, leaving little doubt that more of Prince Raemande's juices were likely flowing. This may be the first step towards a more formal and permanent relationship, one which proves the Warlock's prediction of a kingdom ruled by not one, but two princes. The talon of a wyvern has left a scar on Prince Raemande's body. I had no idea what a wyvern was @Mark Ponyboy Peters, but assumed it must have been some type of bird like a falcon. I forgot the 'fantasy' aspect of this story and discovered it is a mythical winged dragon characterised by having only two legs, leathery wings and a barbed, venomous tail. I wonder if this is why mothers-in-law are often referred to as old dragons.

It reminds me a little of some early Eagles (pre-Hotel California) and a couple of Bob Seger tracks off Against The Wind. Quite pleasant.

Juvie perhaps @Lee Wilson? You might like this song Lee. Not usually the type of music I like, but I thought The Runaways were rather good, especially Joan Jett and Cherie Currie. Many of my fellow Aussies also liked them, although not as much as the Japanese liked them.

Arturo Lamonica, another Domenico Martini perhaps @Lee Wilson? Presumably another teenage boy of Italian descent, and seemingly another well-mannered, shy and so far delightful teenage boy, just like Domenico. I am wondering if we will learn of the cause for Arturo's stutter. It won't surprise me if he has been bullied, perhaps for being small of stature or for having two fathers if this is the case, and that it is the bullying which has led to his stuttering. It will be interesting to see if Arturo does have two fathers. I don't imagine he will receive any grief because of this from Virgil, Sam, Scott, Bobby or Tim, in fact, having an adult gay couple as role models, assuming they are "worthy" of such an "honour", may be very beneficial not only for Sam and Virgil, but for their parents and Scott too.

Excellent chapter as usual @Josh Aterovis. Whilst I think Kane was a little harsh in his judgment of Killian, I do agree with him and Adam that Micah made the decision to be "the bad guy" in consideration of Killian. I do hope they remain friends, even though Micah has annoyed me somewhat with his ultimatum. I think he is at heart a good person and has taught Killian much about relationships and about himself. I think Killian's investigation of Paul's murder may have "coloured" their relationship too, making Killian more appealing to Micah than was perhaps "real". Virgil McClain (almost Virgil Kane LOL) may not be a thief, but his unpleasant manner was enough to raise some suspicion. As commented by @weinerdog, Jacy seemed very interested in Virgil's collection of artefacts, although for what reason we do not yet know.

I have the same attitude in real life @weinerdog. If someone vile kicks the bucket it annoys me when people then say "oh so and so was such a nice person blah blah blah". If they were an arsehole when they were alive, how does death improve them.

I will be very surprised if Eve reflects on her behaviour @drsawzall, or if she does she will vindicate herself and focus solely on the harm she believes has befallen her. Knowing her, I believe she is more likely to blame Adam for her cancer, saying the stress his rejection caused her led to her cancer. She would not entertain the possibility her toxic behaviour may have been the root cause. Whatever her thoughts, her days are numbered. Although she was a horrible mother to Kane he appears to have forgiven her. I suspect Adam has too. Both possess grace and compassion, neither of which Eve has ever demonstrated. I am not one who believes you should not speak ill of the dead. Although she is not dead yet, it won’t be long. Good riddance. Next.