Paladin

I'm with you on this @Al Norris and I think I've got it sorted out in my head but, don't give me a spot test

Another terrific chapter. I was hoping that this chapter would be the meeting with George but still it didn't disappoint. Chris and his friends have to navigate their way through the human world and this chapter did some of that along with plenty of humour. So we are heading for a showdown between Greg and Baron Evans. Of course we all want Greg to win which would mean that he takes over from Baron Evans and Greg would be "seated". Will it be that straightforward? Greg and his court are seeing George before he can deal with Baron Evans. Will George intervene? I'm staying tuned.

I have but one question to ask though @Paladin, do they both display the much lampooned, but secretly much admired by many I suspect, builder's crack? @Summerabbacat, you asked the same question back at Chapter 2. My answer is probably much the same and I'll add that they are both well built attractive guys. Enough for your imagination? Yes, it was unfortunate that Cassegrain were caught by the unrealistically high Chinese tariffs on Australian wine which happened on top of bushfires and Covid. The good news is that they are still operating and the Cassegrain family are still the wine makers.

Chris' dad was a surprise, especially with him outing himself to Luke. I suspect he will be source of real support for Luke and Matt later on.

Well, Luke and Matt are having a wonderfully restful break following their HSC exams and really getting to know each other. They are learning to be comfortable together in public, even if more slowly for Luke. Luke's surprise birthday party was great and the legal over consumption of booze not surprising. Now, has the next morning resulted in them being outed and how will that play out with Hoss and DJ? Can't wait to find out.

A very enjoyable chapter. Manny is certainly changing and definitely moving into the role of guardian/parent. Rocky is responding to the discipline Manny is administering. A promising start in providing Rocky with some social skills. Looking forward to see how the relationship between Manny and Bass progresses.

A nice tidy conclusion to this case and hopefully Ken has learnt to keep his detective skills in focus. Hmm, two weeks vacation for the four of them and not become involved in solving a crime. If you believe that, I've got these lovely blocks of land on the moon for sale. A real steal!

Thank you both. You are certainly more informed than I am, and I'm happy to be corrected about evil skinwalkers. However, could it still be that this college student is a skinwalker or has Navajo knowledge of skinwalkers? It just strikes me as both strange and somewhat knowing for someone to suggest that Devin had changed into a dog. Also the comment, although disturbing to Devin, don't seem to have been malicious.

“Did he buy your explanation?” “I’m not sure, especially after what he said next. When I told him my version of what had happened, he made another comment that concerned me greatly. He said my explanation cleared up why I wasn’t was you, although at first he wondered if I might have just changed into the dog that you had with you. That scared the fuck out of me, because you know I can’t afford to have people questioning what I’m doing, especially not something like that.” My first response to this was that the other student is also a skinwalker. He had previously met both Devin and Mac and may have sensed something about them and that made him curious when he saw Mac by himself with a dog. My next thought was that if he was a skinwalker, was he a good or evil skinwalker? The comments from @Bill W above suggest that the comment, although weird, is innocent, so I must be wrong. This is a very gentle chapter and moves the boys along. Hope their exam results are as good as they expect. I'm continuing to enjoy this story.

There is another slang use of the term 'bicycle' or 'bike'. Calling someone a bike or bicycle carried the suggestion that they were promiscuous and anyone could ride them. Great entertaining chapter, as can be seen by the entertaining comments.

I'm quite happy to accept your transcription of the local pronunciation of Lake Cathie, even though I still think there is a aspirated 'h' in there. I was really wanting readers to be aware that it wasn't the pronunciation they might presume. I am envious of you because I didn't I didn't get to see any naked men in Lake Cathie. although, I'm sure you enjoyed it. Today! With the new M1, you hardly know it's there. Sadly.

I think @Talo Segura you are judging Phil's early life behaviours though the prism of modern acceptance of diversity (at least where that exists). In many respects the past is not only another place it is almost another planet. In an age where being gay was illegal was it actually an option to "Much better to be honest, never mind the odds.? And I mean illegal, a crime. Where I live, homosexuality was a crime up until 1984 (yes, an ironic date). Phil was not alone in his era in believing he could suppress his homosexual urges (at that time gay only meant 'happy') by getting married, having heterosexual sex and a traditional family. Many men at that time married women they loved emotionally but not totally sexually. They still had sex, often satisfyingly, but still with gay urges. They also had children that they loved in the way the vast majority of parents love their children. It seems that while Phil still loves his son, it is the son who has rejected Phil. And this in in the present age when diversity is "accepted", not the past. As I said before I am concerned about Stanley and Maxwell. They need more than just one another. Maxwell's parents look like the best bet. The restaurant scene does include some comments considered not appropriate by today's standards. And it is appropriate to judge them by today's 'norms', just as it is inappropriate to only judge behaviour at another time my today's 'norms'.

OMG a GIF response. How unexpected ROFL

I'm obviously older than both of you @Mark Ponyboy Peters and @Summerabbacat as I left high school before Year 12 or schoolies existed. I know and love Lake Cathie and it's local pronunciation of "lake cat-hi". Your description of that area is spot on. I now, regularly further travel north through Coffs, but years ago spent time working for a couple of years in Port Macquarie. Nice to have familiar places included in stories. And, I'm enjoying the story.

@Mancunian you should never trust @chris191070 that it has been all sewn up. Sometimes the denouement is quick and clear, and at other times opaque. Sure, Chief Morton sees it as all tied up but Ken is not so sure. Possibly Rose has phoned Sharon to tell her about the unusual visit from the police detective. What are Sharon and her private detective husband going to do if they have that information? Don't expect answers from me . I know less than @chris191070

I love how this story is gradually unfolding and gently revealing more and more about Luke and Matt. I'm enjoying your description of the the places on their travels. Thompsonville is so typical of small coastal towns on the far north coast of NSW, including my couple of favoutites. Now to find out more about Hoss and DJ.

I'm coming to this story fresh so it's all new to me and I'm totally sold on it. Thank you @Mark Ponyboy Peters for posting it. I could easily identify with the end of high school formal and the behaviour that the teachers are trying hard to avoid happening. You have tapped into the attitudes and fears of the time and presented them in an accurate, yet compassionate way. I'm looking forward to reading what happens next.

Ollie has had so much happen to him, he certainly deserves some certainty and stability in his life. Let's hope for only minor hiccups. Bradley is certainly finding himself and stuff is starting to turn up for Bradley and the others to review. Is Chris losing his channel?

Thanks @chris191070. Hopefully Ollie will be with Chris and Andre soon.

Another thoughtful and interesting chapter. I liked that Wanda needed some convincing before accepting the reality of her sons' lives. I can see her being a doting granny. Now for the meeting with Prince George.

We know that the "Maggie" they all met is a fake and playing some sort of game. Her age fits to being the daughter of the receptionist at the clinic when Ken donated. Now Ken, considering all possibilities, has come up with another possibility. Does the scamming Maggie have an accomplice or has she become the victim of another crime herself? No point expecting @chris191070 to give any hints before the next chapter. He's busy finding GIFs that say "not telling".

An action packed chapter. I agree it seems too easy that the rest of Ivan's gang have been rounded up. The gun in the bedroom could still be needed. Otherwise Rocky and Manny seem to be good for each other. So no problems for the rest of the year Manny has to be there???? I doubt it.

What Phil is recounting here is not unique. Getting married to avoid conscription (yes we had that in Australia too for the Vietnamese war) and and/or because “I loved her,” I responded sadly. “But it wasn’t a sexual type of love." was more common at that time than you might think. This chapter has reminded me of enjoying the musical "Hair" when it came out. I still have a recording somewhere. I must find it and have a listen

I'm also worried about Stanley. Linking up with Maxwell can be double edged. Having a friend with an accepting and supporting family could be positive and uplifting for Stanley. Unfortunately, on the other hand two gay teens who are both facing unresolved rejection (Maxwell and homecoming king) could put both in a downward spiral towards double suicide. Thank you @Ronyx for this story.

ROFL! Yes @CincyKris it is a bit like musical bedrooms without the sexual implications. Just keep moving until the music stops and then find a bedroom. There could still be a time when there aren't enough bedrooms