Paladin

Yes @CincyKris, Martin is suggesting a birthday party planned by eighteen years olds for their friends. Maria clearly wants to live away from Natasha.

The next week saw everyone fall into routine. Between school, university and study commitments, Benjamin and Justin helped caring for Nathan. They also helped with chores and cooking all of which provided an important opportunity for Benjamin and Justin to know Nathan at a more personal bonding level. Carol called in regularly to provide motherly care for Nathan. Simon and Rick were now living in the house behind Martin's as if they had been there forever. They were regular social visitors.

Maybe they forgot order of operations. (can also an issue for surgeons)

Quote: This view is beautiful, he thought. But Mum would say beauty can just be a distraction from truth. When I read this I thought she may have been been referring to Matt. His 'beauty' distracting from his being gay. But then: ‘Only that you had left town when you found out she was pregnant. And that you weren’t someone who wanted a kid, so that’s why you left.’. She knew that Matt did not know she was pregnant or about Levi. Assuming Matt didn't want a kid is, at best, just rationalizing, at worst, a belief that gays should not have kids. Like others, I'm interested in her journey into this form of Christianity.

It is important to distinguish between absolution and ablutions.

Now I wonder who "the boys" will use their weapons to bring down?

Now you've met both ex-wives and neither will disappear easily, unless @Ticklishboy30 you can find someone to tickle them to give up.

I thought trimmed was Martin's preference. 😉

Yes @VBlew Nathan does seem to be taking everything in his stride, but there are still some bumps ahead. Quote: Ben and Justin have taken that news a lot better than you have or I would have. Their generation is a lot more open than your mother's or even ours. Suggests that Nathan hasn't fully embraced everything he he has just leaned about the family. Yes, I agree the boys are great fun, including Ben's response when introduced to Bert. However they are also intuitive.

Yep, there is still more for Martin and Nathan to negotiate, and not all of it smooth.

Whose that looking so smug on the wrecking ball?

Crocodile tears!

Martin has in PR terms 'lost control of the narrative'. His friends and family are making him reveal more.

I like to think @Summerabbacat, that I include some humour into my writing. Despite the seriousness of Amelia's behaviour I find amusement in morning television and their approach to news reporting and interviews. And the casserole. Doesn't that show how she went all out to prepare real food for poor Nathan, No bringing around cheap fast takeaway for dear Nathan. Shows real concern, don't you reckon? 😸 Carol has made her opinion of Amelia very clear from the first time she was mentioned. Hasn't changed. More on Maria and the meeting soon. Carol and Bert? Maybe, maybe not.

Oh, you think she's finished?

Yes @Daddydavek, Martin is having to reveal more about himself because those close to him are "joining the dots" as it were. The reason for the meeting with Maria and Lachlan's parents will be revealed soon.

In Sydney they were met by another people mover and quickly left Kingsford Smith Airport behind them. At Martin's home they, with their bags, were escorted through the door and into the house by the welcoming Simon, Rick, Justin and Benjamin. Once inside, Martin accepted the role of introducing everyone. He was actually the only person who knew everyone there. First he introduced Benjamin and Justin to Nathan who was still in the wheelchair. They each told Nathan how much they had been

Hold that thought @Philippe.

Now they are together they have opportunity.

I can so identify with that, along with the variant 'Did I turn the iron off?'

This chapter is not only emotional but real. Levi is grieving for the loss of his mother and now he is also grieving over the loss of the house, his home. Given debts that need to be paid, selling the house is necessary but that doesn't remove Levi's grief. No wonder the gold cross as a memento of the only family Levi knew is so important to him. It is likely that Matt is having a grief response himself to the loss of the life he has built over the last 15 years. No matter what happens, Matt's life has changed forever. The 'gay' issue had to be raised, not only for religious reasons. People can be opposed to gays for other irrational reasons. For a 15 year old boy, discovering his father is gay can generate concerns that he may also be gay. A difficult situation when being gay has been demonized. Matt will need to reassure Levi if he goes to live with him in Thompsonville, he will be safe.

Now we know how Nathan ended up in Sydney with Martin. Interesting talks are coming.