Summerabbacat

I think his father made his choice @drsawzall, the government, long before the move to Colombia, in fact, he may have made that choice when his wife was still alive. The fact he is prepared to risk his son's life to get closer to a man he believes is involved with, or has direct access to the drug cartels, merely reinforces he has made this choice. His son is expendable, his career is not. Frankly, he does not deserve the love, or whatever positive feelings Hunter has for him. He is beneath contempt. Although his father is a contemptuous arsehole, I still find it difficult to like Hunter. Unlike his father though, he does at least appear upset to have hurt someone, Yeison, whom he may have loved. His remorse is I believe genuine, even with Rory, although he has difficulty demonstrating this. I very much like the proposal several of my fellow readers have raised, that somehow Hunter is able to ease the financial woes of Yeison's parents. I am not sure how realistic this is though, but @LittleBuddhaTW may have some novel idea(s) to achieve this.

Truly outstanding chapter @Paladin. I felt the end was nigh, and was starting to experience "weeping eyes" (I am blaming the smoky haze in the air for much of today for this), but all was well with the post-script allaying any "concerns" I had. There is very little else I can add to that already expressed by other readers, so for once I am going to be shut up and say no more.

I have just consulted my music chart "bible" and there was an album imaginatively titled Beach Boys Greatest Hits released in November 1981 which peaked at #5 on the charts and was an Australia-only release. I suspect it is this one you are referring to @Mark Ponyboy Peters, which I vaguely remember seeing for sale at the time: https://www.discogs.com/release/1458783-Beach-Boys-Beach-Boys-Greatest-Hits

Another well written story from the pen of @Paladin, a very fine continuation of What Brings Us Together - Part 1. In this story he explores in depth the traumatic events which led to Joshua coming to live with his "dads", Jordan and Cameron. To reveal anymore is a spoiler, suffice to say the drama which unfolds is presented realistically, emotionally challenging at times without resorting to melodrama. Superbly written @Paladin. I am very pleased you are working on a sequel as there is still much for we readers to learn and enjoy, and as evidenced by this story's continuing popularity, the sequel should prove a "hit" too.

They are staying at the Sheraton On The Park in Elizabeth Street in Sydney @Bft. I spotted them yesterday when I went in to have acupuncture, LOL. They were looking very relaxed, Adrian with a tan and Liam with a "lobster look". Delightful chapter @ChromedOutCortex. I too thought Rod was merely speculating Liam and Adrian were on holiday together. "For the first time since Kevin died, sitting across from someone I cared about in a place far from home, I didn’t feel like I was betraying him. I felt like I was doing what he had always told me to do. Living." This had me sobbing, a mixture of tears of joy and tears of sadness.

You may offer whatever you so desire @Mark Ponyboy Peters, LOL. I have never heard this song, but then I am not a fan of their music, although I do like Good Vibrations. I thought you may have offered this one though:

This is a most fitting song I believe because the whole chapter was a Song Of Love, love between lovers, friends and family. I will write a further comment @Paladin once I get over the sadness this story is finished, for now only it seems.

I think it was rather fortuitous Ian's Aunt died not long before Louis moved into the house left to him by Uncle Vernon. Ian's revelation in this chapter was testament to his acceptance by Louis, Charlie and Tom and to the friendship the three have offered him. They may be the first real friends he has ever had. His self-worth seems to be on the rise, and he is engaging more in the conversations with the other three. Like Louis, I wonder if there is an attraction between Tom and Ian. A heartwarming chapter @Robert Hugill.

"Next chapter – Gran’s off the leash again, A big surprise for all, Susan has a few too many." OMG! Gran is going to do a strip tease, and Susan is going to join her. After the next chapter it may be Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore rather than Living Next Door To Alice. Perhaps Julia and/or Hannah may engage in a little Sapphic seduction to encourage Susan to recognise she has more in common with them than being a mother. A lesbian three-way @Wombat Bill? I don't think graphic details will prove popular though. I suspect the surprise "gift" for Julia and Hannah will be Alex himself, and he is already back in Sydney and was giving Craig's address to a taxi driver. I had forgotten James' urging Wanda's family to retire the animals from the circus. I don't think (or is it hope) there any such circuses anymore. Of course, there are still ghastly places like SeaWorld or the like which have dolphins and seals performing for human "entertainment", and greyhound and horse racing, the latter of which brings in too much money to ever be banned.

Another top 10 placing for this story for the month ending 30/01/26. Such longevity; the ABBA Gold of GA @Paladin. Not bad for a lad from the Central Coast of NSW. Well done AGAIN.

It’s vegan meat in this instance @drsawzall although not plant-based, which I do eat at times, usually made from soy or pea protein. Jamal, a distant cousin of the Jacksons, Queen Latifah and Toni Braxton.

You were loath to leave this story for even one moment @weinerdog as you already loathe the Dark Lord, Septimus. He is a loathsome scumbag, although I had an image of him with flowing orange/ginger locks the texture of a Brillo pad.

Perhaps it was "Smokie" Norman who lived next door to your grandmother, or Arthur and Maggie? "Oh, I say Arthur, what was the name of that, I, oh ......, forget it, I can't remember". Ruuuude, I am desperate for that money.

Gran shines AGAIN @Wombat Bill. Seemingly those forty winks rejuvenated her spirit or was it the G&T? I must ask, what brand of gin does she drink? Tanqueray, Gordon's or Bombay Sapphire perhaps? And she is teaching Caleb some good old-fashioned idioms like "tickled pink". Just so long as she does not resort to "stone the flamin' crows" or "bonzer sheila" or "bloody woman". Susan seems very pleasant. I just hope she sticks to her resolve and does not return to her husband. And I simply must know NOW, is Caleb's Aunt Lorna, Susan's sister, the mother of Malcolm, the boyfriend of Joshua? And will this story become book 11 of the Appetites series? And who has been Living Next Door To Alice and have they lived there for 24 years? And what are next weeks winning numbers for the $50 million Powerball please?

Gran "stars" again with her tactlessness, sense of humour and self-deprecation. I particularly liked her comment regarding her "bloody old garden chair having a bad case of saggy bottom", somewhat like she does. Caleb's mother's appearance, what a surprise.

I knew they were in two different states, but they are both in the south, LOL. And both states have such appealing names, Arizona and Georgia. I guess Michael's other senses would be heightened due to the fact he has been blind since birth. I have dodgy balance at times even with my eyes open. Walking downstairs, especially if they are not solid stairs or it is a winding staircase, does my head in literally. Keep up the "recharging".

Manipulative malevolent Matt. What a douchebag. And Robert's brother Taylor; what was his problem? Was he one of those straight guys who assumed because his brother was gay he would want to fuck him? What a tosser. Surprisingly Robert's parents seemed OK with him being gay. @Lee Wilson I had speculated the R in Lee R Wilson may have stood for Roberto, Rafael, Riccardo, Ronzini or maybe even Righteous (if you were destined for the priesthood). It seems I was wrong, it stands for Randy, the masturbating motorist, LOL.

Stephen's body dysmorphia has not completely gone as demonstrated in this chapter. I suspect he and Mario Guzman might get along rather well @Lee Wilson, both having psychological problems due to health conditions which bring unwanted attention or abuse from their fellow humans, some of whom, should be subject to a severe thrashing at least. I have wondered @weinerdog how Michael manages to swim in what must be a very straight line if he is recording such fast times. I have also wondered if he as a blind person ever has issues with balance. I know when I close my eyes in the shower to wash my hair or exfoliate the skin on my face, I often feel rather unbalanced when I then move slightly to rinse. I am glad you appear to have had an inspiration and intend to continue this story @Lee Wilson as I have grown rather fond of Stephen and Michael.

You first viewed the comment I made before I edited it and reinserted a different video clip of Luther as the first one did disappear. It was very hard to find the second video as most were on TikTok, Instragram, Facebook and other such sites I refuse to use given their ownership and integrity or lack thereof.

It will not likely get a rock and roll soundtrack from me, maybe an R&B soundtrack.

And those luscious lips, just made for kissing and ............

He does appear, but he takes a moment to materialise.

Well if nothing else @Mark Ponyboy Peters I learned that loathe has two different spellings for the two different meanings. I have always spelt loath meaning reluctance with an e as I have loathe meaning detest. I never knew this and have never been corrected, in fact, I assumed you had made a spelling error. I should have known better than to doubt a boy from the bush. I also liked that you spelt gaol correctly, something I am guilty of rarely if ever doing. I am going to enjoy loathing Septimus, although the long dark hair is inconsistent with the image I had already formed of him. For some reason I kept thinking of Monty Python and the Holy Grail which I can barely remember, unlike The Life Of Brian which I remember well, and I doubt this story is going to have much in the way of comic relief. Musical inspirations may be difficult to hear given the content of this story, and if heard, may be more be tenuous than ever. I heard one, albeit quite tenuous for this chapter, inspired by Luther and to a lesser extent, Raemande, particularly the former and his willingness to protect his young page, Jamal. What a stunning voice and what a stunning looking man. At his most healthy, he is one of the best looking men I have ever seen, the legendary "diva", Luther Vandross.

Not a genre which holds any interest for me @Mark Ponyboy Peters; I have only chosen to read the Prologue because you have written it. I must say the Dark Lord, Septimus, is awfully familiar. Has he been transplanted into the 21st century? I just hope he does NOT manage to trump the forces of good with his forces of evil.

I am guessing maybe somewhere in the Caribbean @drsawzall. Noah's mother, mmmm. I instantly disliked her for ringing so early in the morning (ruuuuuude), but when she started asking the impertinent questions and making assumptions that Noah's current employment was merely a stopgap until something suitable comes along (and he grows up by inference), my hackles rose and dislike turned to detest. Bitch needs to mind her own business and stop with the lectures. Noah, Noah, Noah, the reason the sex with Cassie was so empty is because she was not Leo. Most enjoyable chapter again @ObicanDecko, reminding me of my younger self who went to the beach nearly every weekend.