Paladin

Harry is right to have a plan of action for when they go to court. Pleading guilty could have short term appeal but it could also have long term repercussions. Luke seems to be planning something. If he is, I hope it doesn't backfire. Hoss is clearly interested in guys and having great difficulty coping with that reality. At least he has supportive friends. Well they now have their results and Luke's score gives him a choice of university courses. So far we don't know what he wants to study or his preferred university. We don't know if Matt's score would get him into a university course. The boys will have to have some serious discussions about what they are going to do. Loving each other so strongly will help them. There's a lot there for the next chapter.

Then it's fun for all involved

Yes, you certainly should, but only if you keep reading the wonderful stories by @Justin4Fun

Another great chapter @Mark Ponyboy Peters that is keeping me involved with the story. The mystery phone calls have me remembering the early days of mobile phones when features like called ID did not exist. I remember my first mobile phone which was analogue and so large and heavy it was affectionately referred to as a 'brick'. Like @Summerabbacat, I suspect Tony is the mystery caller, well that is after I ruled out Davo. The tiff between Dwayne and DJ was nicely handled. DJ knew he was wrong and like so many adolescents his age didn't know how to fix it. He needed the push that Matt provided. Luke's father may not have turned 180 degrees but he is trying to. Still hanging over them is the police charge. Looks like their solicitor has some information. Is it good or bad?

Horrible cliffhanger @chris191070! What's that expression about kettles and pots and the colour black?

Ah the art of the short story. Tell a complete story in 4000 to 6000 words and leave readers satisfied but wanting more. This is a delightful, neatly crafted story. The Tyler and Ollie subplot is a wonderful bonus along with Melissa''s acceptance of gay love.

Another wonderful chapter. I'm even prepared to overlook that Greg is still naked even in downtown Pittsburgh. There's no reference to him getting dressed after he fought as his beast. Surely Robert would have had something in his shop that would have fitted Greg Like everyone else I'm wanting Jake to be "perfect", and can't wait for the next chapter. I'm also interested to find out what the Viscount and the Baronets thought of Baron Evans. It's possible that some of them knew what he was doing and even approved. Some of the Baronets may have participated. It will be interesting to see how this plays out, especially if they resent Greg killing Baron Evans and banning the sordid behaviour.

Thank you @Lee Wilson for this sad and dramatic but excellent chapter. You have drawn out the tension around Manny's recovery and I, for one, am waiting with bated breath for the next chapter. I love that Manny has the love and support of everyone in the house and all the staff in the bar. That will certainly help him through his recovery.

OK I give. Looks like Ollie (and Andre and Chris) will need to acquire a pet. The only problem is that a cat will offend the dog lovers and a dog will offend the cat owners. Maybe a ferret

I certainly didn't expect this chapter to stimulate a discussion on cat ownership. Without competing with @Summerabbacat and @Al Norris, my cats are two black and white sisters. I have a shopping bag with the statement "If cats could text you back, they wouldn't".

Thank you @Al Norris for saying this. I saw their relationship as slowly deepening over the three weeks.

OK @Lee Wilson musical beds and bedrooms (without involving Ollie) could be more fun than I was thinking. I agree the awesome foursome are proving to be . . . well you know.

Ollie's mum doesn't seem very likeable does she. You'll learn more about her as the story progresses.

Thank you @Al Norris for continuing to read and comment.

Thanks @Al Norris for making the point about "enjoying it" not being relevant because of the lack of informed consent and the manipulation. This is one of the aspects of sexual assault of young gay boys that I wanted to highlight. It can be too easy for the abuse to erroneously discounted because the young victim is gay and enjoyed it.

In Australia de facto relationships have the same legal status as marriage across all of Australia. This applies equally to same sex and heterosexual de facto relationships. One irony was that when an anti-gay government made same sex marriage illegal, they didn't change the law regarding de facto relationships so gays in de facto relationships still had all the legal rights of marriage, even though they couldn't marry. The law now allows same sex marriage.

Always remember @Summerabbacat that there are lot of rescue cats seeking loving homes. All of my cats over the years have been rescue cats.

The "boyfriend" is manipulative and could easily be using a distraught mother with a young boy. Keep reading.

You are right @Al Norris that I have been vague about the offender's age, although there are some hints at ages. At this time I see him as 40 give or take 2 years either side. Andre's description at the time he was being abused was "Adult but not parent adult" and I saw that as early twenties. Andre is now 28 so it has been 13 years since Andre was last involved with the offender. If he was 23 when Andre first met him then he would be 39 now. As I said I'm allowing a 4 year window for the offender's age. Oh about Andre's age. When we meet Beau he's 24 and Andre is two years older. I think this is still realistic for the offender to be in a relationship with Ollie's mother even though she would be younger.

You are totally right @Al Norris. Casual babysitting can easily turn into permanent babysitting if you are not careful. The deal needs to stay at one day a week.

You are spot on @drsawzall and @Cane23. Chris and Andre will have a lot to learn and to deal with as Ollie grows through adolescence. As Michael said "you are both just so brave deciding to take on raising a teenager ".

Yes @Al Norris they have really bonded as friends. Will that bonding include a sexual foursome? Only the future will reveal

Yes Riley his neighbour and bestie, is very important to Ollie. Yes the 'surprise' at school was great for helping Ollie settle into a new school and catch up with old friends.

Let's hope he has found that in Andre and Chris. Don't forget the support from the Awesome4Some.

There's so much in here @Summerabbacat, You may never get to really know what is motivating Ollie's mum but there should be enough for you to assume on the balance of probabilities. I'm sure you'll put together every clue. What teenager can resist choc chip biscuits (Cookies) and make your own pizza toppings. At least the pizza only has the toppings you like. I can't say I've ever tried vegan cheese on a pizza or anywhere else. School counsellors still exist along with school psychologists performing the same role in NSW schools. If the system works we can assume the school counsellor in Ollie's current school would have access to information about Ollie's father's death and any previous follow up. The school counsellor would also be told that Ollie was in foster care but not the details. If Ollie wants to disclose those to the school counsellor he can. Outside of the story I have two cats that need to be looked after any time I travel. Fortunately I have a couple of cat lovers I can call on.