Paladin

@Lee Wilson you said this was difficult to write and obviously many readers have found it hard to read. It has also reminded many of similar or related experiences in their own lives. Good writing does this. @weinerdog I admire you for being the first to expose your feelings regarding your aunt with dementia. Even when we understand that relatives with dementia are not fully aware of reality it still really hurts emotionally when you are accused of things you have not done and have to accept that you cannot correct that misconception. It is not as easy as just telling yourself "they are not themselves so don't worry about it". In saying this I don't diminish the important personal experiences of other readers which have added dimension to the discussion. Dylan explaining the situation to Dominic was well done. These situations are always "one off" so there is never the "perfect way". Just what works. The best bit is Dylan keeping Lacy in Dominic's life as much as possible. The fact that he isn't displaying any resentment in front of Dominic shows real strength of character.

Hmm it seems a few of you have doubts about Chris's baby minding skills. We'll all find out after Easter in Melbourne.

Thank you @Cane23 @chris191070and @CincyKris for your comments. Andre and Chris are moving towards setting up a life together.

Tuesday was to be my “work from home day” and I wanted to get into the routine before I started looking after William. Andre and I kissed as he headed off to work and I started to go through the job requests and problems that had been logged for me along with work related emails. Fortunately, nothing was urgent. Most I could easily do from home. I had access to my clients’ networks and servers and could monitor and fix a lot of the issues without visiting their premises. There were a couple of r

I love etymology (which comes from the Greek . . . . err sorry) but I think even I would end up wanting to strangle Vincent. Pleased he found a way to channel his ability. A very enjoyable story. Thanks.

Call yourself whatever you want, but welcome back to posting more of your charming story. Let its magic continue to enthrall.

If only Senior Year at college could be like this! Once the gay guy with the second highest GPA in the College has been convinced by his bestie that he should pursue his secret crush, who just happens to be the womanizing king of the college, the show really gets off the ground. As you follow their developing relationship, you’ll laugh with them, wince at their misunderstandings, respond emotionally to their despair and pain (especially Rusty’s) and cheer their victory. The story also asks you to consider the importance of being yourself, understanding yourself and pursuing the achievable dreams of your future. This story is an absolute delight to read and will keep you wanting to read the next chapter to find out “what happens next”.

Yes @drsawzall it is still there with all its complications, even though it had stopped sexually before Chris met Andre. There is also Skye to consider in this as well.

Thanks to everyone for reacting or commenting on the chapter. I really appreciate your feedback. We will continue to learn more about our characters.

I don't think anyone disagrees with you @Summerabbacat

A very interesting observation @CincyKris . Jamie and Andre could just be very close gay friends who have know each other since school days.

Yes @Cane23 there were some revelations at the dinner and we now know why both Chris and Andre had reservations about a relationship, while at the same time wanting one. We will get to learn more about the characters and their history as the story progresses. Chris says of his first meeting with Andre that he wasn't really sure that Andre is gay. This changes during the flirting as seen at the wedding with the "not your type" exchange and New Years Eve when he kisses Andre. Now that Chris knows about Jamie, he is curious about Andre and Jamie's history together. Is there anything worrying there? Thanks for reacting and commenting.

I was surprised by how quickly we slipped into domesticity. I was more surprised at how much we both seemed to enjoy it. I’m not talking here about the sex. I wasn’t surprised we both enjoyed that. What I’m trying to say is that we were enjoying the more mundane aspects of domestic life; of really living together. It seemed that agreeing to live together had relaxed both of us and we responded accordingly. Each morning we had breakfast together before Andre headed off to work, both of us kn

And deservedly kicked @drsawzall, however Chris admitted the bedding wasn't his selection and that it was given to him by his mother, whose tastes in sheets was probably the same as my mother. Practical, plain and boring.

I agree with you @drsawzall. The general question here is how much should people in a relationship share with each other regarding previous relationships? If we are in a relationship how much about previous relationships have we disclosed? We only have one chance to begin a serious relationship as two virgins and for most of us that is not the case. Where one or both people are not virgins at the start of the relationship the question is how much of past sexual history is relevant enough to the current relationship to warrant disclosure. In the case of Chris and Beau I agree that Andre should know. Although the sexual aspect of Chris and Beau’s behaviour no longer occurs, they are still intimate in a family sense. This of course raises the ethical question of telling a third person about sexual intimacy without the consent or permission of the other person. Do we ethically, have a right to tell our current partner about previous sexual experience without first obtaining permission from the other person or people. Is doing so an invasion of privacy? Does Chris have a right to talk about Beau’s approach to Chris and the blow jobs that followed without Beau’s consent? If you were Beau, how would you feel? Of course, in story telling we can easily erase ethical issues to achieve our ends. Can’t we?

Very valid points @drsawzall. As Chris commented "reporting may stop it happening to other boys". It was very hard for Andre to tell Chris so he may need a push to report it formally. Therapy is important. Chris does need to disclose some things too.

Yes @chris191070 that is one good thing to have happened.

Thanks for reading and commenting @CincyKris.

Thanks @Ivor Slipper for reading and commenting. Yes he was sucked into an all too common web. I think he was also lucky to find acceptance and understanding.

@Summerabbacat Thanks for reading and so thoughtfully commenting on the chapter. The issue raised is serious and needs to be understood. I'm sorry I can't get you to forgive Andre for the "bed linen affair". All I can say in my own defense is that the bed linen my mother thrust upon me when I left home was neither gay nor even fashionable. I understand Andre's response and chuckle at his behaviour.

The rest of the week went very quickly. In many ways far too quickly, especially as I wasn’t confident that the fast-approaching weekend would achieve what I so wanted it to achieve. We were summoned by Carol to Andre’s parents’ place for dinner with the grandparents on Thursday night. Beau, Skye and William were also summoned. I had met the “Grans” briefly at the party where Beau and Skye told everyone they were getting married and of course at the wedding and the christening. This time wa

Well train wreck or not, it's got you waiting for what happens next. Thanks for reading and commenting @drsawzall

An interesting comment @CincyKris. We'll just have to wait and see.

A delightful short story @chris191070. It's said that cats have nine lives. Sylvester has made excellent use of two of his.

@Summerabbacat I didn't say they would behave better, I just said they could behave better. I would like my characters to be believable. I think it was Oliver Cromwell who told his official portrait painter, Sir Peter Lely to "paint me as I am, warts and all". I like to follow that advice.