Summerabbacat

It appears RJ believes he IS the Pride Centre, and that all others present are his minions to do his bidding as he sees fit. Firstly, we do not know the "nature" of the kiss between Linda and Kerry i.e. was it a simple peck on the lips or was it a full-on pash, with tongues duelling for supremacy. If it was the latter, then grow up Linda and Kerry, many people don't want to see this kind of behaviour in public regardless of the gender of the participants. The adage "get a room" does have sensible application at times. Secondly, it is obvious to me the logical thing to do would be to have some straight allies visit the Sportsplex and kiss, and if they are also asked not to do so, end of story. If not, then video said straight allies kissing and present it to the Sportsplex management as evidence of selective enforcement of their policies. RJ's "solution" appears unnecessary at this point in time, more about stroking his ego than resolving what may not be a case of discrimination at all. Frankly, the bullying of little Peter McCormick is more pressing than the alleged discrimination against Linda and Kerry.

Peter should tell his twin Bobby who the bullies are. If the bullies hunt him in a pack of three, then he could even the odds up a bit by having Bobby help him smack the living daylights out of the three bullies. I imagine Bobby might rather enjoy such an activity.

If the purpose of the Pride Centre is to serve as a meeting place for gossip, partying and seduction then it is in "capable" hands, however, if its purpose is political, for want of a better descriptor, then it is in trouble. Of those present, only Devon asked pertinent questions, with the others either impertinent or totally ludicrous. Apart from Devon, the others present may as well have been cheerleaders in Charlene's group.

Very sad indeed, and an indictment on the school. Nothing can be done for Mrs Casey now, but her cat is a different story. I hope someone takes the cat in and looks after him or her.

Hopefully

Clearly Corcoran followed Rick and Adam from Adam’s apartment complex to the Imperial Hotel. He is becoming increasingly brazen, suggesting to me his sanity is deteriorating further and his lust for revenge growing stronger and stronger. He is toying with Rick, playing a game of cat and mouse. Like many of my fellow readers have commented, Rick’s opportunity to corner Corcoran and apprehend him is very limited as Corcoran is likely to have slipped away before Rick can get through the crowd. I just hope Deborah’s optimism is not misplaced in this case.

A little like premature ejaculation, it was over way too soon, the fun had only just begun. I am pleased to read you are contemplating revisiting Aaron and Brad in the future @Odie as they complement each other well.

Wonderful story telling @Gary L, particularly with the historical facts woven in so naturally. Almodóvar, have you been reading this? Here is the basis for your next cinematic masterpiece. Now I know you are not a disco fan @Gary L, but this Eurodisco masterpiece from 1977/78, a massive hit in your birth nation and mine, was from a Spanish duo. The "message" in the song could be one Ximo might have delivered to Gerardo or vice versa:

It's Fitzpatrick.

Liam is very self-aware as evidenced by this thought of his, which I found highly amusing given one of his biggest concerns is the large, in his eyes, age difference between himself and Adrian: "I turned off the TV and stomped upstairs like a teenager sent to bed without dessert. I wasn’t sure why I was this worked up, only that I was. Irritated, restless, unmoored." Mark's counsel was wise but will it penetrate any of the morass clogging Liam's mind. Excellent chapter @ChromedOutCortex.

The vacuous cheerleaders Charlene, Geraldine and Julie. For their sakes I hope they are attractive as they certainly have not been blessed with intellectual capacity. In their defence, their idiotic questions to Will about being gay are not necessarily those which only teenage cheerleaders would ask. Lisa learned something regarding her prior impetuous judgment of Brody. Will this result in any forgiveness on her part, only time will tell. It may be that too much water has flown under the bridge for them to ever be anything but friends should they ever achieve to be just that. Without the creatures from Venus apparently many of the creatures from Mars get DSB @drsawzall. Who woulda thunk such a thing possible?

I have never owned a car and have not driven one for 41 years, much to my mother's relief as it is she who "taught" me to drive. I was a terrible driver, no patience and prone to driving too fast. I have no peripheral vision now, which would make me a menace on the road.

I have been in Will's position, and I would have been fucking furious if I had been yelled at like Andrew yelled at him. Andrew should NOT been the one to teach Will to drive. The driving scene as noted by my fellow readers was rather amusing though.

Andrew in fuchsia coloured hot pants. Delicious. Whatever little Peter McCormick's sexuality, he has a mother who is concerned for the physical safety of her son. I daresay as they mature Bobby may be protective of his twin as it is he who brought the bullying to his mother's attention.

I think @Topher Lydon deliberately left out Andrew's rumpalicious rimming of Will otherwise the devices on which we readers' read this chapter e.g. laptops, mobile phones, may have short-circuited and possibly caught on fire, thus causing a catastrophic fire like the one shown above in @drsawzall's comment. Will and Andrew have such wonderful supportive friends in Jared and Brody, real "bro's". Both also have a terrific sense of humour and playfulness, something males often lack with each other.

Halcyon days, the 1980's, I was in my 20's and clubbing was fun. This disco song was an enormous hit in Australia in 1987, where fortunately we did not have an anti-disco backlash. The perfect song for both Will's and Andrew's performances: After this, they can take a little Paul Lekakis and watch those rockets explode:

Add The O'Jays and it could be a Love Train. If you did not view the clip of Luther singing A House Is Not A Home, do so, it will have you dripping all over the furniture. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Ooh yes. A triumvirate of Woof - Marvin, Isaac and Teddy Pendergrass. Luther Vandross was hot too, but with his yo-yoing weight, sometimes he was bigger than the Maestro himself, Barry White. Barry White's voice was sooooooooo seductive, but I am not attracted to obesity, which Barry certainly was, as was Luther at times. Luther's voice was magnificent.

Micheline has irked me at times, and in this chapter she did again. She thought better than to lecture Andrew about drinking coffee; just as bloody well given every time she makes an appearance she is drinking coffee. She is also a little too free with her advice for Andrew at times; a little full of herself I think.

Apart from his Uncle Arthur, his grandmother and his sister Lucy, the rest of Will's family appear to care nought for him. His Aunt Majella is all about appearances and making herself look good. If she had any consideration for Will she would have either not invited him or not invited the minor major. She may be one of the few residents of Merrickville who likes the minor major, as Uncles Arthur and Hubert have made their feelings regarding him known, as has Micheline and the parish priest, whose name has slipped my mind.

Probably Lisa, but it would be so funny if it is Brody, or better yet Andrew's mother, Micheline.

I suspect poor henpecked Arthur will get a brow-beating from manipulative Majella when the dinner party is over. She perhaps assumed Arthur would have the commonsense not to invite Andrew because she is a homophobic conservative Catholic. Arthur well may enjoy ruffling her feathers as much as he does the minor major (thank you @drsawzall). I have to wonder if the minor major will drink too much and start an argument. It will not surprise me if he does, and no doubt jaundiced Jackie will blame it all on Will. Perhaps Gran will intervene and tell her son and his sour spouse to suck it up. I am looking forward to the skirmish @Topher Lydon, even if it is only a verbal one.

I am surprised a big butch stud like Jared is so shy when it comes to asking a girl out on a date. Perhaps his experience with Charlene was so unpleasant it has left him battle-scarred. Speaking of Charlene, I am puzzled as to why Lisa has remained friends with such a vacuous shallow viper. Is Lisa so desperate for peer popularity she has to hang with such a loser and her clique of harridans.

Vince to Theodore - Let's Get It On Jack to Theodore - Got To Give It Up Theodore to Vince & Jack - You Sure Love To Ball Marvin wrote and sang some of the sexiest songs ever @J J, and the man was hotness itself too. Woof.

Will's ability to think on his feet augurs well for his future as a teacher if he continues down that path. I'm guessing shy introverted little Peter McCormick may be the student crying out for someone to notice him, and that Will may become his mentor.