Summerabbacat

I am enjoying all the budding romance and talk of love, but when is Lisa going to floor that bitch Jennifer. She has it coming to her.

Andrew and Will may need to reschedule their extra-curricular education and continue it at a more suitable location. Perhaps the local cinema , but not during a Hollywood blockbuster with teen appeal.

I heard the sound of Todd Gadreau's knuckles dragging all the way over here in Australia @Topher Lydon. If Todd has very good eyesight, he may be able to see me in Australia given the world is flat. I suppose Canada, like any nation on Planet Earth, has its "flat earthers", although it is difficult to imagine it would have the same percentage of the population as the nation to its south with which it shares a substantial border. Jared, like Brody, is stepping up to support Will navigate his way through the current environment of homophobia on the part of at least some of the students. I too think Mike Greenwood might be an ally.

The words and music of Marilyn McLeod and Pamela Sawyer, as sung by Miss Ross on this timeless masterpiece, sum up this chapter far better than I could with my usual long-winded drivel. Take it away, Diana.

She's not that old is she? I assume she is in her early 40's at most, or was Andrew a "menopause baby"?

Clearly Andrew's mother is not a miser like Mr Carter, either financially or with her love and affection. Mr Carter (whom I am tempted to refer to as The Minor rather than The Major) should be compelled to support his son financially. I think Will should also sit down and explain to Andrew what his father has done and what he is like. Andrew likely has quite a good understanding, but does he know the full extent of Mr Carter's behaviour. This may have been your first story published on GA @Topher Lydon and many years ago, but I am very much enjoying this work of your younger self.

It emerged in this chapter that Will's father, Mr Carter, is not only a homophobe, but also a miser. I wonder if he is as miserly with the Jackal and Will's half-sister, Lucy? I suspect not. I think Will may have disclosed this perception, but if not, it appears to me that Mr Carter is punishing his son for the "sins" of his mother. She left when Will was a baby, perhaps his father was already showing signs of autocratic rule even then. And what an appalling indictment on Mr Carter, that his aged mother, who is a resident of another country, is contributing towards rent and food for her grandson, whilst he, Mr Carter, contributes nothing. I hope if Gran has left her son anything in her will she changes it to exclude him before she passes. It appears Micheline may be encouraging something more than friendship between Andrew and Will, if in fact she knows what transpired between the two.

Lisa, Lisa, Lisa. Don't get me wrong, it is wonderful you are being a supportive friend to Will in this time of crisis, but there is a skanky ho that needs taking down, and you girl are the one to do it. I too sense Andrew's mother may be supportive. I won't be at all surprised if he acknowledges he was the boy Will was kissing, and that he, Andrew, instigated it. If so, that is when I feel Jennifer will feel the impact of what she has done.

I was really hoping I was wrong about Jennifer, that she was not a calculating and manipulative ho. Unfortunately I was not. I hope for the sake of her unborn child she has a miscarriage as she is clearly unfit to be a parent, with or without out a sucker to fund her and the baby. Given Andrew's standing in school she may find herself isolated, friendless, scorned. Oh well, shit happens when you are a bitch. C u next Tuesday, Jennifer. Brody should report the incident to the OPP, reporting that Mr Carter assaulted his son, and threatened both his son and himself. Lisa should slap Jennifer's face, repeatedly. Marvellous chapter @Topher Lydon. I don't care if Jennifer is pregnant. Girl fight tonight.

Jockstraps and tongues! Now what could that possibly imply?

You would "love" the weather here in Sydney today then @drsawzall. At 2.10pm on Saturday afternoon it is currently 40°C, but the humidity is a very low 18% (too dry). I have just walked to my local Post Office and back (about 10 minute walk in total) and I am drenched. I have had to turn on my aircon (a rarity in summer) as my two cats were very uncomfortable. Unfortunately it is also very windy; consequently all three of us are very sneezy. In some of the western suburbs of Sydney it is 43°C.

I am perhaps a heartless bastard at times, but I have zero sympathy for Jennifer. Now her baby, it is quite a different kettle of fish. A child conceived with the sole purpose of snaring the father into a life to care for the mother and baby. Jennifer may only be a teenager, but she has already revealed herself to be calculating and manipulative. If she "outs" Andrew and Will to the school at large, this will only confirm what I suspect, her friendship with Will was motivated by a very specific outcome, an outcome which now does not seem within her reach. I daresay The Major will not be too pleased if it is revealed his son, with whom he has a strained relationship at best, is bisexual at the very least. As for The Jackal, it will just be another thing she will use to demean Will.

Every time I get the e-mail message a new chapter of this story has been posted I misread its title as 'The Art Of Loving', primarily because this is the name of the latest album release from your fellow Brit, Olivia Dean, @Robert Hugill. The album and its singles have been very well received here in Australia, with the album reaching #1. The album has much in common with this latest story of yours - the work of a very talented Brit, an enjoyable easy listen/read, one I can listen to/read time and time again and enjoy without reservation. The "mystery" surrounding Tom's health continues to intrigue many of we readers. Seemingly, many of us are not convinced he is merely suffering from burn out. Gloria's accidental witness of the conversation between Pericles and PJ has painted the former in a rather different light for her, and it appears it has intrigued her at the very least.

Brad(ford) is a gem, a diamond, and his stated intention, Diamonds Are Forever (or I could have said Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend). (James) Aaron is remarkably frank, something I admire him for. His dislike of himself, which is perhaps more a dissatisfaction he is fallible or at least inadequate, is very prevalent in conversation, particularly when he apologises for his gaffes. Brad is very patient, calling Aaron out on his self-criticism, recognising it is not such a big deal but trying to temper it. Brad's suggestion they refrain from sex whilst Aaron sorts himself out was perhaps a good one, although I was concerned Aaron may interpret this as Brad not enjoying the sex they were having thus far (clearly I was projecting, LOL). I wonder if Aaron embarks on an exercise regime, apart from sex, if it might be of assistance to calm his intensity a little?

The DSB @drsawzall? I still recall the first time I saw you use this acronym. I had no idea what it meant; the only DSB I was familiar with was Dame Shirley Bassey. It is rather apt I mention her as after six weeks without a little self-lovin' I would think the first line from one of her relatively well known songs would apply: Tonight, I gave The Greatest Performance Of My Life. Six weeks! That’s two days shy of Noah’s alleged experience. Dare I say a seminal flood. Aaron is even more intense than I thought him to be, and hyper-analytical. No wonder he is doing well at work. Brad”s relaxed calm attitude may be the perfect counterbalance.

Me too, especially as it was a favourite. Aaron strikes me as rather intense, analytical and very self-critical. I can so relate to him. I echo @Gary L in welcoming you to GA @Odie.

It appears Jennifer might be sizing Will up as a potential surrogate Daddy for her unborn child. She has already admitted to him she deliberately got pregnant to ensnare her boyfriend Jacob, so manipulation and duplicity are part of her modus operandi. It also appears Andrew may at least have a little "bro crush" on Will. This could also explain why Charlene has not got to third base with him after repeated attempts to do so.

Will's response to this pipe dream @drsawzall? Just ask Kylie: Not only is Jackie a bitch, but smoking whilst preparing breakfast and near her infant daughter, irresponsible and selfish too. As for The Major, can you arrange for another blizzard @Topher Lydon, on a night when Will is babysitting Lucy, and The Major and Jackie are at the legion. They have a similar accident to the one Andrew and Will had, however, they are not so lucky, but Will and Lucy sure are. Jackie and The Major - c u next Tuesday.

"The Major", major arsehole? He does not sound like a candidate for Father of the Year. Perhaps he may wake up to himself if he thinks his son is dead, only to find out he survives. I have never been to Canada, and the description of the weather is not increasing my desire to visit.

And people choose to ski in the stuff! I cannot relate to the appeal of snow at all, and the end of this chapter reinforces my opinion. I daresay Andrew and Will may be found by the latter's father on his way home.

You are but a youngster.

Cricket. A game that as an Aussie who grew up in the 1970's, I should be enthralled by. No, it is like watching paint dry. Will is an appealing character, especially because he does not resemble Tom Cruise; and, I like Lisa too, especially because she does not pepper every remark with the word "like". This one is off to a promising start @Topher Lydon.

It will be interesting to observe how your writing style/skills develop. I enjoy doing this with music too.

I am going to start at the beginning, it's a very good place to start.

I have shed many a tear reading this story, mostly tears of grief, but the tears shed for the following were tears of joy, a joy which sprang from recognition and acceptance, the premise of the entire story: "Theo stiffened instinctively, bracing for a comment, a curled lip, some frontier homily about proper men. Jensen shifted his grip on the toolboxes. He looked at Elias, gave a slow, respectful nod. Then his faded blue eyes moved to Theo. He touched the brim of his battered felt hat. “You take good care of him, son,” Jensen said, his voice like rocks grinding together. “Your fella, he stood for us when it wasn’t profitable. We don’t forget that.” He nodded again, a gesture of closure. “Marshal.” “Mr. Jensen,” Elias managed, emotion thick in his raw throat. “Safe travels.” “You too.” And with that, the old miner moved on, his boots scuffing the dirt as he headed for his own loaded wagon. The silence he left behind was profound. It wasn’t the silence of judgment withheld, but of a verdict rendered and accepted. A debt acknowledged. A truth settled. “Did you hear that?” Elias whispered, staring at the space where Jensen had been. Theo’s grip on the reins relaxed. A slow, deep breath filled his lungs. “I heard,” he said softly. “They know. And it’s… it’s just another fact of the world now. Like the mountains being there. We’re just… us. Part of the wagon train.” A wonderful story @Topher Lydon. I shall visit your back catalogue and see what takes my fancy.