Summerabbacat

"That night they sat around the fire. They cooked sausages and eggs on the barbeque hotplate, accompanied by fresh bread they had purchased at the bakery before leaving town, which was then smothered with butter. " Thankfully it wasn't bacon and beans. I think it would have been easier for Levi to fetch Matt's slippers though, rather than climb up a hill face to call 000. Levi's bravery akin to JJ's? His own form of "salvation"? Thankfully Matt's injury is nothing in comparison to Dallas' though. "Luke checked him over with quick, practised hands – the result of the first-aid course he had done at his workplace." Jeez, is there no limit to Luke's skill set, his perfection? His calmness did not surprise me. Is he based on a person you know by chance @Mark Ponyboy Peters? "Well, I’ll be buggered,’ proclaimed DJ, as he came to a stop beside him. Levi glanced sideways at him, while trying not to laugh. DJ spotted him and grinned. The kid had obviously picked up on the other meaning of the word. ‘Don’t worry . . . we’ll make sure you’re nowhere nearby,’ he whispered, then he stepped forward, leaving Levi feeling flushed." Levi's sense of humour has improved since he moved to Thompsonville. Such a conversation would most certainly have embarrassed, and probably disgusted him, whilst he was still living in his hometown. The Nymboida River. I had heard of it, but did not know exactly where it was. I assume the men and Levi have been camping somewhere near Dorrigo, and that Matt will be taken to the Bellinger River Hospital, famous because it is where @Summerabbacat was born. LOL. I never lived in either Bellingen or Dorrigo though. I would not have survived the latter, it is cold and rains all the bloody time. Levi got to experience skinny dipping, albeit in a manner in which he was comfortable. I was glad no one made a big deal of it for him, although if they had I think they would have had Luke to deal with. I think Father Costas' last comments to Levi were rather prophetic, although I doubt that even he with his "connections" could have predicted Matt would literally "break a leg". Bloody drama queen.

A nice personality? Methinks not. He seems to have little parental supervision and I have sensed he may be well off. Money talks, and it even swears sometimes too.

It is an earlier version of this story with only 14 chapters which the author first started publishing on 10/12/19 which has been set to status 'Complete' today and is being removed. Richie did state early on he had published this story before and this was an updated version. This latest version with 18 chapters still has a status of 'In process' (at least at the moment). If you click on Richie's name you will see both versions currently showing. If you are following the version with 18 chapters you should still continue to be advised of new chapters when they are posted. You will also see both versions of this story on page 1 at the moment. This updated version has 34 followers, whereas the original had 47 followers. I must say I got a shock too @peter rietbergen as this story is so enjoyable. It may because the original and the updated version have the same name and the same author that the original is being deleted. I have seen other stories when updated have retained their original title, but included the word updated, usually hyphenated, as part of the title.

Another hilarious chapter, some of the highlights being: "Vicky hands me over to Harriet like I’m a baton in a relay race." “Sorry, this bathroom is quarantined due to a biohazard,” I hear Vicky telling a boy through the door. “My brother is having terrible diarrhoea.” "I stay for dinner. Kevin makes spaghetti bolognaise. Barry makes a tremendous mess as he eats it." Vicky surprised and proved herself to be something in addition to a farting human garbage disposal unit with a penchant for punching dickheads in the face. Her joint research and sole presentation of the findings thereof to the School Board was very impressive. I suspected she had taken her father's advice to "play the game by the rules" and she did very well. Conversely, Stu' surprised by proving he has few principles, his dick winning out in the end. What is truly disappointing is that his dick won, not for someone worth pining and/or lusting for, but for Dickoless. My response, oh it's just Dickoless. I am loving your sense of humour @Richie Tennyson; the last few chapters in particular have been very amusing, counteracting the misery Richard feels from having been rejected by Dickoless.

Some of we readers may have been jealous of your "friend", the longhorn.

I guess they are not called 'longhorn' for nothing, with a set of balls to match.

I daresay with Rhett, no steroids taken for muscle mass, therefore no acne on his back, no exaggerated nipples and balls which have not shrunk to the size of marbles.

Something akin to what Daisy Duke (Catherine Bach) wore in The Dukes Of Hazzard, perhaps with a little fraying around the hems? Actually, after looking at this clip, I don't think Daisy's are short enough. Perhaps something more like this @drsawzall, @Vcs, @Wiyot, @VBlew, @dboggs9700 and @sandeman. I daresay Rhett is a little less "voluptuous" though. And if all else fails, a little posing pouch perhaps.

I think they will whittle well (fuck, that is almost she sells sea shells by the seashore). They are scheduled to be doing some "woodwork" together too, so the whittling may be a preview of further wood to be worked with.

I think Pointer Sisters hot @dboggs9700. Damn they were such a great group from 1973 to 1988/1989. Fantastic harmony vocals and they could sing any genre of music with ease and perfection. Ruth, the eldest sister is the only one still alive (she had the very deep voice). Very underrated.

@Vcs I like that you have provided we readers with descriptions, both physical and behavioural, of the various characters in this story, and have now included the main non-human characters in this feedback process too. Midnight and Starlight are integral members of the Two Spirits Horse Ranch family. I envisage both will be crucial to the expansion of the equine rescue programme too, something I look forward to reading about. Unlike quite a few of the human characters in this story, neither Midnight nor Starlight have shown any tendency to violence, judgment or overall bad behaviour. Although I don't know much about horse behaviour, I imagine both may play a part in assisting any new arrivals to settle in when they arrive.

How about Frankett, although that does suggest a young Frank?

Hopefully Stu' will make it obvious something has happened by making goo goo eyes at Dickoless at school , and if not, Vicky punches him in the face.

For all the angst and sadness in this chapter there were a couple of very funny moments, hence my rating the chapter with a 'ha ha' emoticon. "I can’t remember the last time I cried in front of Mum. She puts the tray aside and I sob into her shoulder. Part of me thinks, Oh God, this is so embarrassing. But most of me doesn’t care. It feels good to cry, like popping a big zit." It's been a while since I have heard or even read the word zit. I had them terribly as a teenager and even then they were referred to as zits. I would not have laughed at this thought by Richard then, but I can now. “No idea.” Benny turns to Penny. “Would you punch someone if they made fun of me?” “As if.” Penny rolls her eyes. “I’d have to punch everyone I talk to.” Penny and Benny have such a healthy twin relationship, directing sarcastic comments towards each other frequently, but underneath this sarcasm, one senses they would do anything to protect each other. Harriet's plan, the Nicholas Plan, is also most amusing, particularly as she, Vicky and Richard seem to be taking it so seriously. I was hoping Richard would ignore Nicholas' phone call, but I guess it is too soon to start hoping for anything too radical. And as is always the case, Nicholas only rang Richard to find out if he, Richard, had blabbed anything to Carrie or anyone else about seeing Nicholas and Stu' kissing. He did not even bother to ask Richard if he was feeling unwell or if there was something which upset him at the party and that is why he left early. Clearly with Nicholas it is all about ME, ME, ME. Hopefully Stu' may say something to Vicky about kissing Nicholas and how much he likes him, and hopefully Vicky will be her usual tactless self and disclose to Stu' how Nicholas has treated Richard. After all, if it is good enough for Nicholas to bad mouth Vicky then she should have the same opportunity to bad mouth him, all within earshot of Carrie of course.

I had forgotten they are going camping for a few days; I assume therefore they will be skinny dippin' even if only to wash their bodies, unless they plan on forgoing hygiene for a few days. This would be a very natural way to introduce Levi to the body of the naked adult male, which he may not have seen in all its glory given how careful Matt and Luke have been to not shock him, and he certainly would not have seen his grandfather naked. It may also lessen some of the anxiety and shame Levi has felt about his own body, especially when any one or more of the six men gets a hard on, which is inevitable. Who knows, skinny dippin' may be what Father Costas referred to in his discussion with Levi of his childhood camping trips with his father: "Of course, it didn’t fix everything overnight, but it did give us time to communicate in a way that we couldn’t when there were distractions all around us. Sometimes the bush does that. It strips things back." LOL.

You may be right, or you may be crazy @Mark Ponyboy Peters. I think it might be a good idea for Levi to witness naked adult gay males in a non-sexual environment, so long as he is not forced to go Skinny Dippin' himself, which I cannot imagine either Matt or Luke allowing as both have been very protective of him, particularly given his sheltered upbringing.

@Mark Ponyboy Peters have The Painted Ponies recorded a song for Levi's first camping trip? If not, perhaps they might "record" a cover of this "gem" from Bill & Boyd from 1975. Shel Silverstein who wrote Sylvia's Mother for Dr Hook wrote it, hopefully tongue-in-cheek given some of the horrible lyrics.

It was probably a friend of Pauline's, doing reconnaissance work to fight the evils of democracy.

Well said @pvtguy. Given Father Costas' profession, I think he has in effect, given Levi "permission" to challenge what he has previously been taught by biblical literalists. If a non-priest had challenged Levi's beliefs based on his prior teachings, I doubt he would have given them as much, if any, credence. He respects Father Costas' advice like no other, particularly as it relates to his Dads. I also think the fact that Luke and more surprisingly Matt, have regard for Father Costas, has encouraged Levi to seek his counsel. You may be surprised @weinerdog, but I regard Father Costas very highly. I think he is a great confidant for Levi to have, as well as a valuable friend. His encouragement of Levi was instrumental in Levi telling the truth about the accident.

Sizzler Boy may have to join the queue if Carrie finds out Dickoless was kissing him. If true to form, Dickoless will likely lie, indicate Stu' attacked him and he was trying to fend him off. If he does this, hopefully Richard will publicly support Stu's version of the events rather than Dickoless' lies.

And some of us are facing a hair “shortage” in the one place where we would like not to. Dickoless’ indifference to Richard’s feelings is an example of his overall selfishness. He is completely self-centred; on each occasion he has shown concern of late for Richard or apologised for his behaviour, it was to butter Richard up so he could use him once again e.g. he only apologised to Richard for his behaviour at the ball so he could convince him to go the party to ward off Carrie’s unwanted attention.

Mrs Hansen will be ecstatic. Sadly, I doubt anyone else will even notice, unless Richard becomes more verbal and expresses his feelings for a change. Vicky may notice in between shovelling food into her mouth and his mother may notice when topping up her wine glass, but as for anyone else, I think it unlikely.

Hopefully Richard converts his fury into action @Charles26. Whilst I would be more than happy for him to take to Nicholas with a baseball bat, it would only result in Richard getting into trouble. I hope he erases Nicholas from his life totally, blocks him on his phone, ignores him at school and never speaks of him again.

Do we have a breakthrough? Has Richard finally burst out of his cocoon of peace, love and understanding? Is the screaming boy filled with murderous rage? Will Richard finally tell Nicholas to go fuck himself and anyone else who is stupid enough to show some interest in him? "He’s kissing someone. My first thought is that it’s Carrie again – but it can’t be Carrie this time. I just saw her inside. Then I see the glint of an earring. It’s Stu. Nicholas and Stu. I take a step back, my shoe scraping loudly, and they spring apart. “Shit – oh, wait, it’s okay,” Nicholas says. “It’s just Richard.” They laugh, their eyes shining in the dark." This has to be the cruelest thing yet Nicholas has said to Richard, and coming the same evening Nicholas asked Richard if he had kissed any one at the ball. He, Nicholas, remembered kissing Carrie, which he claimed he hated, but did not remember kissing Richard, which at the time he claimed he enjoyed. He is such a fucking liar. I feel a little sorry for Stu'. He has no idea what he has just stepped into with Nicholas. Will he become Nicholas' new plaything? I strongly doubt it as he has smarts and won't put up with any of Nicholas' bullshit. I hope Stu' asks Richard why he took off, and I hope Richard tells him the truth. And I hope, Harriet, the turnip, punches Nicholas in the face and outs him at school.

Clues to Jake's identity were present from the get-go in this chapter, but did muggins recognise them? No. It was not until Jake's comment: "Judy Cassara was one of a kind. She was a straight-shooter with a wicked sense of humor that tended toward sarcasm and a seemingly endless supply of patience, which was good because I'd required a lot of it over the last three years." that I finally "woke up" and realised who Jake was. Duh! Given Killian's brief appearance and the fact this story is not part of the Killian Kendall series, I think it reasonably safe to assume there will not be a murder, or if there is, it will be incidental to the story. A terrific start to this new story @Josh Aterovis, co-written with Dabeagle. After all he has been through, I think Jake deserves a story of his own, or at least one in which he is one of the main protagonists. In reading the story précis I suspect my "hay fever" will be troublesome, and today is the first day of spring in Australia. Warning @drsawzall, tissues are almost certainly a prerequisite for reading this latest Aterovisian offering.