Summerabbacat

Stephen Wellington, a good "Christian", removing the stain of sin from his home. Bollocks. An arrogant and self-righteous bigot who cares nought for his son, and only a little more for his wife. Perhaps he will lose her too if he does not change his tune. He may not believe in divorce either, but will have little say in the matter if his wife has had enough of his ego and his proselytising. Like many others have stated, I hope Kitt is able to remember Matt's telephone number.

As soon as it became evident Kitt's father was a preacher of the fire and brimstone variety Kitt's exile from the family home was inevitable. I do hope someone, possibly Matt's parents, have the gumption to contact the relevant child protection services and report Kitt's father for child abandonment, and whilst they are at it, his mother too. She is pathetic, the dutiful cowering wife who appears to share her husband's beliefs, even if she does not agree with exiling Kitt from the family home. Wake up sister and grow a spine; you gave birth to Kitt so don't abandon him to a tyrant who is living in a world of make believe. Memo to Kitt's father, you are an arsehole who has broken the law, maybe not your "God's law", but the law nevertheless.

Why can't he be like a "normal" father, mind his own business and occasionally offer a word of advice about using condoms, not watching too much porn and not drinking. He tries to micro-manage every aspect of Kitt's life. I am surprised Kitt does not have to take a regular drug test, and provide a regular semen sample and stool sample to ensure he is living a wholesome life. I wonder if he regularly inspects Kitt's bedlinen and underwear for signs of any "nocturnal emissions". He is a serious candidate for mariticide.

If she had not appeared when the Wellington's moved into the house across the street from Matt's family, one would not even know Kitt had a mother @drsawzall. She is perhaps as oppressed and obedient as Kitt is. Now that I think about it though she did offer words of encouragement to Kitt in a recent chapter when his father was finding fault with his academic performance yet again. For Felix's sake woman, speak up. "Riverbend glowed under that light. And for a breath, Kitt felt… safe. Not just in the pool. Not just in his lane. In this town. In this moment. In a way he hadn’t felt in Lakehurst in a long time. He didn’t know why." The answer is obvious Kitt. Your father is not present, observing, monitoring, controlling and correcting.

I have not commented before that it strikes me the seasons are having a significant impact on Kitt and Matt emotionally as well as the obvious physical impact. Perhaps I am projecting as I know they have a significant impact on me as I am sure they do on many. Kittmattoa perhaps @drsawzall? When it "erupts" the force will be unparalleled, the fallout for each a thing of beauty and terror.

It is easy to see you have not had the pleasure of feline company @weinerdog. No human ever owns a cat, quite the opposite, we are the ownees rather than the owners. LOL. If you don't believe me just ask my Frida and Missy.

If Garret is not prepared to be the Captain of the Love Boat perhaps he may be prepared to be the Captain of the Love Ship. LOL. I am glad Parker recognised Mack's protection of Brody rather than his insubordination (not sure if that is the right word in the circumstances). I assume he would have been dishonourably discharged if court martialed. The lies and deception Parker has to concoct continue to challenge him. I imagine this is very common in scenarios like the one Parker found Brody and his team embroiled in. A riveting chapter @Cap, with the humour of Brody "Bambi" attempting to navigate the narrow confines of the ship providing comic relief. I must ask is it your experience there such a noticeable difference in the way sailors are treated in comparison to soldiers in the US military, and is Garret's laid back attitude regarding Parker's sexuality a realistic portrayal of such a difference too, or are these differences completely fictional?

He has a "God" degree @weinerdog, one which is vastly superior to a psychology degree as it is based on the "truth" and is morally superior. In his eyes I imagine he considers "psychology" is make believe, which is rather ironic given what he believes is the truth. Unfortunately I think @drsawzall speculation that Kitt is headed for a breakdown will prove true. Kitt's father's constant nit picking and hyper-vigilant monitoring of his academic achievements and whereabouts, is a burden which will break Kitt. The following thoughts from Kitt indicate what a toxic environment he is living in: “Why do you spend so much time with Matthew?” “You’re both growing up. You should have a wider circle.” “Are you two always going to the lake alone?” “You don’t seem as focused lately.” There was an edge beneath those words, a watchfulness that made Kitt’s skin prickle. He answered carefully, keeping his tone neutral and his eyes slightly lowered in the way he’d learned calmed his father quickest. “We’re just hanging out.” “We’re friends.” “I’m keeping up with my work.” And where is his mother when all this is going on? Surely she must recognise her husband's demands are unreasonable, or does she agree with him or is too frightened to challenge him. What @J J said, Kitt's father is a prick in the first degree.

More than he already is @weinerdog. Daddy dearest is definitely suspicious of the nature of Kitt's friendship with Matt, hence the probing questions to unsettle Kitt, to plant fear in his mind. Hell hath no fury like a religious zealot challenged, disobeyed, ridiculed or dismissed as irrelevant. The only positive is that Kitt's father has shown no hint of violence to date, although that could change if he confirms Kitt is gay. Lindsay suspects already I think, hence the growing demands to spend more time with her. She is clearly jealous of Kitt and threatened by Matt's friendship with him. She has to date been very "nice" and reasonable, but she too could change if and when Matt ends their relationship. Girlfriend from hell, outing Matt and Kitt and launching a campaign of harassment and vicious gossip. I hope this does not eventuate, but won't be surprised if it does. He could have a breakdown @drsawzall, which will only strengthen his father's argument, in his own eyes, that "unnatural" relationships are inherently unhealthy as well as "unnatural" and against "God's will".

Agreed about Dean Martin. Did not take himself seriously and was so laid back. I even like some of Dean's country-flavoured songs.

Love Billie, Ella, Nina and Sarah. I like Bessie Smith too but the sound quality of her recordings is appalling which ruins the experience for me. You may laugh @Josh Aterovis but I rate Doris Day with all the aforementioned. I have many albums on CD and movies on DVD of this iconic singer and animal rights activist (a big attraction for me). Sarah Vaughn reportedly thought very highly of Doris Day too as did Sinatra. I also very much like Peggy Lee and the fabulous Julie London. I was not aware of that about Mr C. Are you sure you are not mixing him up with Bing Crosby as I found nothing on the internet about Perry being a wife beater? I don't like Bing Crosby either. Frank Sinatra was reportedly also free with his fists. He did however, receive a hiding in return from Ava Gardner on more than one occasion reportedly. Satchmo is wonderful, particularly when he sings with Ella. His rough vocal with her pure vocal, a perfect combination. Porgy & Bess - outstanding. My favourite of his is There's A Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon For New York.

Agreed. Sheer perfection. I have 4 Billie Holiday compilations on CD and not one of them has this song on it. I shall have to research this omission.

I was glad to see the back of Sadie from biology, but she has been replaced by someone even worse. Lindsay is so "nice", pleasant, reasonable and says the sweetest things. 🤮🤮🤮🤮. I hate that bitch; I hope Kitt scratches her eyes out. Kitt's father's behaviour is reprehensible. He may think he is doing what is best for his son, but he is suffocating Kitt. I have to wonder if he is perhaps pushing Kitt harder to compensate for his own academic failures when he was Kitt's age, or was he academically gifted and thinks his son should be too. I, like @drsawzall, fear he could lose his son to a mental breakdown or worse still, suicide, if he keeps up with his unreasonable demands.

Kitt's father is something akin to one of those ghastly "stage mothers" or overbearing parents who expect their child to excel academically at any cost. I don't think it would occur to him his expectations may be having a detrimental effect on Kitt, and even if it did I think he would dismiss it as unimportant as success is everything, whereas personal happiness is unimportant in comparison. Sadie from Biology needs to fuck off and shake her assets for someone else. Matt does not appear to be the slightest bit interested in her and is clueless as to her real motives for asking for a copy of his lab notes etc. Girl is on a mission and won't cease until she has dug her claws in.

I did too @drsawzall and it surprised me greatly. I am not going to assume life will suddenly become all ha ha hee hee for Kitt though. His father is a ticking time bomb of rigidity, his humanity constipated by dogma and inhibition.

I'm always cautious when criticising him because he is so lauded. I agree with you completely @drsawzall. He was either fortunate or smart to work with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra and at his peak chose his music well. From many accounts of him I have read, I don't think he was a particularly pleasant person either. I much prefer Tony Bennett, Perry Como, Dean Martin and Andy Williams. I think Perry Como was underrated because he had substantial hits with quite a few "novelty" songs and rarely sourced his material from the Great American Songbooks.

Another delightful exploration of life for some of the characters from the Appetites chronicles. Regulars Craig and Justin are back together with Craig's delightful grandmother Alice aka Gran. Craig and Justin's appearances are few, but Gran has a starring role in many chapters, particularly in tandem with Craig and Justin's foster son, Caleb, who proves to be a delight. Edward, Romel, Juanito and Raj also return, with Edward in particular playing a pivotal role, with the arrival of his and Romel's foster son, Kilby. Kilby is not overly likeable to begin with, but after settling in with Edward et al, he soon thrives on a life of security and love, something which has been sadly lacking in his life. Take a journey through the lives of these endearing characters once again and you will not be sorry.

Organised religion, one of humanity's biggest deceptions and greatest evils for the most part. Constructed and perpetuated by those who believe themselves to be messengers from an unseen deity, to oppress and control the masses. Control and perhaps oppression appear to be part of Kitt and his mother's life at the hands of Kitt's father. @mayday's description of him as a tyrant appears well-founded. He may not shout, but he is very controlling and rigid.

Agreed @drsawzall, suggesting something is unsafe in Kitt's home. This could account for the unease Matt felt when he entered Kitt's home: "Inside the house, Kitt’s mother thanked him with a tired smile. His father barely glanced up, too busy directing where furniture went. The air felt tense, but Matt didn’t know why."

A superb version of the song which Arsehair and Killian danced to. I suppose Sinatra's version is the best known and most revered, but I don't like him as a singer at all. He did however have impeccable taste in singers reportedly stating Ella Fitzgerald was the best female singer and this man the best male singer. He also fathered Nancy, who is one Sinatra whose singing I like very much.

I recall you were not fond of Arsehair too @Seraph28, but you are far kinder than I. I get a little impatient with Killian at times, but he is at heart a very kind and principled person with a strong desire for justice. Just don't go travelling in a car with him.

He is a very pretty Kim Wilde @Mark Ponyboy Peters. Plenty of big hits he could cover too. This little gem could be his "tribute" to Brayden. A heartfelt one too, it just made my allergies flare up.

If she had only beaten him once @centexhairysub she could perhaps be forgiven for a "crime of passion", but it has been pre-meditated and systematic abuse over some time it appears. I am certain she has emotionally abused Charlie as well, denying him any request to have a friend visit him in their home. I have to wonder if she believes the family are above everyone else given their apparent wealth. All in all, she is a bitch and I have no sympathy for her at all. Her "needs" are secondary, at best, to those of Charlie.

I called him Arsehair in the previous books too @weinerdog when he started behaving like an arsehole. Arsehair is close to his real name and I find him about as appealing as arsehair. Perhaps @Josh Aterovis can subject him, or at least his character, to laser or waxing treatment to make him more appealing. He stated in the restaurant he has grown up, but as you commented above, his behaviour belies this statement.

Agreed @weinerdog. I said to @Mark Ponyboy Peters that Charlie looks like a member of an 80's New Romantic boy band ala Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, ABC et al. Mark thought he looked like Nick Carter. Looking at him again, he is somewhat androgynous with the very pouty lips and perfect skin. Perhaps a resemblance to Kim Wilde, Sara Dallin (Bananarama) or Annie Lennox (as a blonde obviously). Very good looking, but can he sing?