Summerabbacat

It is hard to decide who is the more manipulative, Arsehair or Micah? I think maybe Arsehair is the winner though. A weasel you say @drsawzall. A very apt description. I did not like him before and I like him even less now. Micah on the other hand at least acknowledged in this chapter that he has been unfair to Killian in delivering him an ultimatum to move in or he moves on. He also acknowledged they are at different stages in their lives, with different goals and capacities. He is far the bigger man than Arsehair. Now if only Killian had a Daddy fetish @Josh Aterovis. He could date Fletcher without any worries of being manipulated or being on the receiving end of immature behaviour or temper tantrums. Alas, he does not have a Daddy fetish, so Jacy may be the next most suitable candidate in his vicinity or perhaps being single might suit best. Any news on Eve yet? She is sure taking her time to kick the bucket. I do hope there is no cure.

Planet Claire @weinerdog? If the B-52' lived there it would be a great place to live. I don’t like the taste of beer at all and have not drunk it for about 40 years. Now vodka, champagne, Cointreau and Aperol are quite a different matter altogether.

We's all know this cos we's all so loveable.

No food in this chapter @Andre Delport. Almost unheard of with this story and its predecessor. LOL. Renovations, purchasing furnishings and a sense of melancholy seemed to occupy Andrew and Ryan most in this chapter, with a welcome respite from Janice looking after the children. Busy times ahead.

Is it a case of Invasion Of The Body Snatchers with Theo? Theo's violent reaction towards Vince at the end of the chapter was very out of character; he has always been at pains to restrain himself in physical responses to both Vince and Jack as he is only too aware of his own strength. Only moments before this he was expressing his ardent admiration and desire for both Vince and Jack, recognising them as "his", as part of his pack.

His editor, MJC, does a very good job. A shout out to MJC @Mark Ponyboy Peters.

“Yeah. Just have to be a bit aware of sharing with people. Mind…” He grinned again. “What?” I’ve not seen your Charlie in his briefs yet.” “In your dreams.” I knew he was winding me up, and two could play at that game. “Mind, how do you know he wears any?” Touché Tom. LOL. It is pleasing to see Tom is coming out of his funk. Coming to stay with Louis in the boondocks has done him the world of good. He now has a budding profession he enjoys, one he would not likely have realised had he stayed in London. He also has a FWB in Ian, one where there is no expectations or explanations required. A very entertaining chapter @Robert Hugill, one like your Victoria Sandwich, light and fluffy and very tasty.

"And what of Charlie’s mother?’ dad enquired. ‘If that’s not going too far?’ ‘She is receiving treatment, in a clinic,’ Mr Brown answered. ‘The prognosis is good, but there is still a lot of damage that needs to be undone." I suspected Mrs Brown may have been the culprit as had it been Mr Brown I expected he would have been more careful as to where on Charlie's body he beat him with a force which left bruises. The best "treatment" for Mrs Brown under the circumstances would be the service of divorce papers on her and a court order severing her parental rights. Although not expressly stated, it was I believe implied, that Mrs Brown does not approve of her son being gay and doing "gay things" like drama. Well tough, suck it up sister or fuck off. If her objection to her son's behaviour is because of her religious convictions I doubt there is much chance of a change of attitude, unless a lobotomy is performed. I think Charlie has every reason to be sceptical the "treatment" his mother is receiving will be effective as she has clearly been beating him for a while, something which Mr Brown appeared to know of. If I could find fault with him, it is that he did not take action sooner if he knew what was going on. What a contrast between Mr Brown and Brayden's parents to the ghastly Mrs Brown. Although Mr Brown appears to be wealthy, he clearly has not forgotten his "roots" as he is sending Charlie to his local public school. I must confess though @Mark Ponyboy Peters, I was surprised Mr Brown accepted the offer of a beer. I had already judged him "above" drinking beer, something I should not have done. Brilliant opening chapter. I don't care if Mrs Brown is "sick", keep that bitch away from her son. Some may think me harsh in my total lack of sympathy or understanding for Mrs Brown, but I see a double-standard here, one which I have no doubt may occur in real life too. If Mr Brown had been the perpetrator he would be in gaol, regardless of whether he is "sick" or not. Britney knows exactly what Mrs Brown is like and is not afraid to call her out on it

I am pleased to hear that. It is almost as grating as "yous" which many of our fellow Aussies substitute for "ya'll". I cringe when I hear someone use "yous" unironically. A favourite of Effie's.

There is a town in Queensland (QLD) on the NSW/QLD border named Texas with a population of 790 @weinerdog. It is possible they may say ya'll, but I think that particular expression is very much an American one.

I should not complain then. I wondered how your job search is going. Fingers crossed you get something soon.

You don't really say "ya'll" do you @Mark Ponyboy Peters?

Timmy and Bobby know what is going on, apart from the meaning of top and bottom (bunk beds in the tent, LOL), because they are "doin' the do" too, or at least a part version thereof. I am impressed the three older boys include them in the invitation for sleepovers and are not condescending to or dismissive of them in any way. Scott is reaping the rewards of his accepting attitude towards Sam and Virgil. I was very impressed with his declaration he will defend Virgil and Sam from any bullies who target them for being gay and/or for Sam having a father in prison. The declaration appeared very sincere and not made to showoff how tough he is. I suspect Bobby will also be a target for bullies for having a brother who is gay and a father who is in prison. Undoubtedly some of his bullies will conclude Bobby must also be gay or that Bobby is having sex with Sam. The back to school blues. They don't change later in life @Lee Wilson, they merely morph into the back to work blues. I usually find I am hit by a dose every Monday morning for some reason.

Have Mack and Mills worked their "magic" again @VBlew because it feels like the sole purpose for this latest request for Parker's skills is a reunification rather than a reconstruction of the "facts" relating to a military fuck-ukp. And why Djibouti of all places?

A "serpent shifter"? You could be right @weinerdog as both Septimus and the "thing" had bright green eyes. It could also account for Septimus' exceptional sense of smell.

The Stylistics recorded it originally on their 2nd album released in 1972. The Jones Girls did an outstanding Philly soul cover in 1980 and Cassandra Wilson an outstanding stripped back cover in 1993. I like The Jones Girls version the best, but posted The Stylistics version because I find it the most haunting version, and therefore very apropos for this chapter.

"It wasn’t a shadow. It was something larger. Something alive. Something unfurling, curling across the floor. With eyes glowing, a shape emerged in the darkness." WTF! Some kind of medieval beast or snake or noem? I have not the foggiest idea. Septimus is evil and smart, a tactician, a deadly combination. His conclusion the "guttersnipes" were behind the escape of Prince Raemande was one I doubt any of his soldiers or Judayah of Enkarra could have arrived at. Luckily for the children, the residents of Carronne protected them as they did the escapees. The children are smart too, far smarter than Septimus' soldiers, they became the Children Of The Night, hiding in the rooftops. "Well,’ she said at last, a crooked smile tugging at her mouth. ‘Either he’s grown since yesterday, or you’ve decided to be contrary.’ Enoch glanced up. ‘Neither.’ She snorted. ‘Then why him?’ Enoch met her gaze calmly. ‘Because he is the one who carries the call. And because he listens before he speaks.’ Marin opened her mouth, then closed it again. She looked back at Jamal, eyes narrowing, not with hostility, but curiosity." I really do not like Marin, she needs an attitude adjustment or she should just shut the fuck up. You are maintaining the intrigue well @Mark Ponyboy Peters.

I cannot believe there was anyone who did not like Vanessa from the get go. Now whoever could that be who warmed to her? LOL. Perhaps Nagtasha is like Hard Hearted Hannah? Sweet as sour milk.

Sheer perfection @ChromedOutCortex.

WTF! How can this be? Brody is buried in a cemetery and yet here he is standing aboard a ship. Has Parker O'd on uppers and is dreaming all this? And if not, how can Brody as a soldier in the U.S. Army be standing on board a ship for the U.S. Navy, and not just any ship, but Parker's first ship? I hope it's not a dream, but if not, how? "And he had sanitized it. Erased it to the ground. He had applied the same scorched-earth policy to both their hearts that he used for botched missions. He had treated a single waterline breach of trust like a terminal failure of the entire system." Parker is forgiven; he realises he was completely unfair to Brody, that he, Parker, was as dishonest, if not more dishonest, than Brody. Has he been given a second chance? Wow, wow just wow @Cap. And if it is not a dream, may I be so "cheesy" as to refer to it as The Love Boat?

You are such a measured and kind person @Paladin, generous even to characters who are vile. LOL. It must be the fine upstanding gentlemen in you that has you restrained in your loathing of Nagtasha.

I have had it for 3 weeks. There are several strains Australia-wide and they are long-lasting, with many people taking 3 weeks plus to recover, even healthy people who are not older or who are immuno-compromised.

Caleb's intervention has potentially saved a life or at least the abuse of one minor or more. I hope the Principal shares this information with him and the school as a whole. Bernice is dead. Good riddance. She cannot cause Kilby any more grief. He can get on with his life without the "threat" of her returning hanging over his head. I imagine Edward being the person he is will arrange for a funeral for her, even though she levelled a number of accusations against him and his household. Well done @Wombat Bill.

Lily and Nikki, and in the current story! How embarrassing. Clearly Bridget is not the only blonde. I’ll blame it on the ‘flu rather than stupidity. And clearly twice the stupidity. I should not use my mobile phone to write comments as I always fuck it up.

Lily and Nikki, and in the current story! How embarrassing. Clearly Bridget is not the only blonde. I’ll blame it on the ‘flu rather than stupidity.