Andrew Q Gordon

Dean raised his arms, reaching for the sky. His shirt rode up, allowing the warm breeze to tickle the fine blond hairs just above his waistband. Keeping them raised, he extended the stretch, hoping to loosen his back muscles. The tumble he took at practice still left him sore. He'd stayed up half the night writing, then deleting texts to Hanna, trying to find a good way to raise the issue. Finally he copped out and asked her to meet him after practice. "Nice abs, Dean. Showing off for the enti

Okay, back from - well don't ask Next two chapters - the last for the moment - have been put in the queue to be posted tomorrow and next Tuesday - after that I'll start posting something new. -AQG

Treb, Dave - I went to do as Trebs told me and realized it's been four months since I did the last one. She's gotten 'older' (obviously - but I mean she's growing out of her baby/toddler and into her little girl years) So I posted a new one cause you told me to Trebs. I've also uploaded two new chapters that will post on the next two tuesdays and then I'll start with the Purpose stuff - again I'll upload and scheduled them for in advance until they're done.

Time is a precious commodity, you never seem to have enough. Vacations seem too short, work takes up too much time. We all long for that mythical 'someday' - you know that day when we won't have anything but free time to do all the things we want but can't squeeze into our schedule. I know I've been waiting for many years and I'm not totally sure it will ever come. The last couple years I realized my dream to become published. It's both thrilling and exciting as well as something of a let down. I've written before about how the time requirements are almost as great after you write your book as when you're writing it. The need to network, market, promote, etc takes up a lot of time - a lot! I wish it weren't so. I miss all the time lost to 'branding', 'marketing', 'socializing'. But it's part of the deal. Take it or leave it. Even free stories like on GA require some of those things. How many readers will engage an author who isn't responsive or engaging? The last couple weeks I've had a couple things that came up that are GA related that reminded me that not only did GA give me my start, but the people here are what gave me the courage to go after my dream. In return for those gifts, I disappeared. I could justify it however I wanted, new baby, new books, need to market, whatever, but the bottom line is I didn't make the time to really engage readers on GA like I could. So with that I realized I needed to do better. First thing is I changed my icon. The new one is my avatar for all social media, not just GA. It will appear with all my posts. I've had it for a bit, but I had brought it to GA. That's been fixed. Next - I've got a few short chapters of Second Shot the Senior Year left to post and I'll do that in the new week or two. After that I'll be posting the short follow on story to Purpose. Both of these appear on my website. Once those are posted, I plan to create the Purpose story into a small ebook and post it in the GA store. Finally, I started a new story on my website - My Guardian Angel is a Cockblocker, that will be posting here as well. Again, once that is complete, I'll post it as a free eBook. I don't know that I can get back into chat much anymore, but I'll see about swinging by when I've need a break from 'work.' Also, I like to leave an open invite to anyone who has questions about publishing, marketing, or writing. Feel free to message me here or email me. I promise to always reply. -AQG

I think this double posted but thanks so much again. This one was my first so it will always be special for me. Hard to believe it's been 4 years since I started it. Time flies LOL

Tony, Thanks for the note and I'd totally love to hear your thoughts on who is who. Feel free to drop me a note or post it in the forum.

Thank Ron. I kinda think it's a rare person who can change their stripes and certain;ly not overnight. So we'll see how Dean deals with what happens next.

Me give uncomfortable chapters? I have no idea what you're talking about.

"She said that?" The leather chair creaked as Darryl leaned forward. "To you? I hope you set her straight – no pun intended." The silly ‘gay/straight’ humor that pervaded their house failed to make Dean smile. "Not really." Darryl looked ready to fight, so Dean took a deep breath and shook his head. "I…it took my legs out, you know? I mean, I didn’t know what to say." Even now, an hour after he’d dropped Hanna off at her dorm, he couldn't find the right words. "You should have told her this

You're right you really don't. I can't tell you how many times police officers have been in my office and make homophobic or anti gay remarks THINKING I'll agree with them because I'm straight. The first time it happened, I almost didn't say anything, but I forced myself - red faced and all - after that, I've been very clear that I didn't appreciate it, but the point is that is similar to what I was trying to show here - She assumed he was a typical straight jock who didn't want no gays in the locker room. Oops- he might be straight, but his brother isn't - so you really need to watch what you say. Now let's see what Dean does. lol Thanks for reading.

Haha, yes and my first response Yeah, well let's see indeed how she handles the news or how Dean deals with his 'girl' trashing his brother.

Did you know this was the 500th Review of the Second Shot? I think I'll have to find some kind a prize for you Dave. Not sure what it is yet, but I'll figure something out. Thanks for the comments and most of all thanks for your friendship and support.

I re-read this and almost cringe - I've learned a lot from a lot of talented people since I started this story 5 years ago. If I had enough time I'd love to go back and rework it some and clean it up - sigh, time, time time. Thanks Dave!

Dave, I've loved soccer for years and when I couldn't play well enough to justify taking up a roster spot, I start to referee. I think I learned even more about the game from that. I should get back to that jock type story soon. as I do so love it.

Ron, I'm glad you like the Dean story line - he's always been an interesting side character for me. I feel like I know him pretty well and it's a chance to write a straight boy for a change in more than just passing. Let's hope I do okay with him. Thanks for the comments.

Benji - the trial is over it was over months ago - I wrote the Trial story - this is just a bit of filler into their lives. I can tell you what happens in the trial if you like, or you could skim the trial story.

Carlos, I hope you don't think I forgot to answer - well okay, I kinda forgot a lot of things this last month plus - yes I know you hate the flash fiction stuff - I wish I had more time to do more. I'll work on it - on really I will. Sigh. I need to quite my job to write more I suppose. Thank you for reading AND for the suggestion.

Dean paced the living room of the empty house. Having the place to himself seemed like such a great idea a few hours ago. He'd been about to leave to pick up Hanna for their date, when Jason sent him the text to say he and Peter decided to stay in Harrisburg. Dean had smiled and counted his good fortune. Now that he needed someone to talk to, he wished they'd come back instead. Driving home, he'd decided to see what Darryl thought. Or at least he'd try to speak to his roommate. Despite their

Thanks Dark, and yeah we are, but it just doesn't feel that much different. 'lil q still needs tending to so our lives haven' changed much at all. lol

As I type this I'm sitting on my patio, watching 'lil q grew up before my eyes. Gone is the infant/baby/toddler who I had to carry around to do everything. She's walking around, playing with her new sandbox, then her mini big wheel [okay so it's a barbie version of it that grandma bought her but still] and then she set out to explore the yard. Not once did she require my help as she marched off, looking to see what was to see. I hover between a smile and tears as I watch her find her way. I know there will be many more - and worse - times like this in the not so distant future, but today it was special. I already miss the baby she was, but love the little girl she's become. When we started this journey more than three plus years ago, these were things I longed to experience. I don't think I expected the bittersweet taste that comes from watching her leave her total need for me/us behind. Of course i want her to grow up and become a self confident independent woman, but - can't that wait a few dozen more years? Of course, soon she started calling - Papa, I need help - [yes, that is what she says at 2 years and a week] so up I go to kiss a boo-boo, or turn on the spigot so she can wash off the sand she squeezed through her hands. Then I needed to push her through the grass because her legs don't quite reach the pedals. Despite the big grin, I see how fast she's growing, so I make sure to enjoy the moments as they come. But that was a digression from what I meant to write. As some - maybe most by now - know, Mike and I got married last week. Yes, after 18+ years I finally made an honest man of him. It's been a hectic couple months trying to get the wedding organized, and 'lil q's second b-day party the day after. Just when I think things will slow down - boom, they're don't. All of that is a long way of getting to saying, sorry for being so scarce. I miss the time I spent here. I miss chatting, reading, commenting, etc. I made some very good friends on GA and I hope to make more in the future. But first I need to get organized and get back to contributing. I'm working on it, it just might take me a bit of time to get there.

Steve, First, congrats - Mike and I did last weekend after 18 years - so I understand the feeling of 'finally' being allowed to do it and have it be more than just symbolic. i won't reiterate what Kitt posted, but I will warn you about DC in the near future - right now the court is running on emergency funds - they don't know how long they will keep open all non-essential functions. Essential functions are criminal/juvenile, Domestic Violence [really part of criminal but they made it a separate court so the problem wouldn't get lost in the mix], child abuse and neglect, civil protection orders and that's about it. Adoptions, marriage licenses, civil case etc, things that aren't vital - although one would say to those affected they are essential - those agencies won't be open. So you may want to give DC a pass if you're planning to do it right away. One thing to give a thought to - there really is a marriage penalty tax wise from Uncle Sam. Even if you get married on 12-31-13, your going to have to pay the increased tax for the entire of 2013. We did it this year and not in February as planned because of benefits - Mike is with the Feds and their open season on Benefits is mid-November - mid December and we wanted to be able to convert to his health insurance from mine. [at least that was the plan until this tea party led foolishness happened ] So unless you need to do it right away - you might want to wait a couple months. Good luck and congrats again. Andy

I'm so glad to see you 49th year is starting out on a high note. Make it your best ever! I wish you all the best for the year(s) to come. Andy

B-Man! Darryl's not THAT much of a horn dog. . . .no really stop laughing, he's got a bit more substance . . .right? Well, I think Darryl is going to surprise you a bit if that's how everyone sees him. Just a bit.

Haha - Carlos - remember, I said I don't do requests But it was a good suggestion so I went with. So yeah, good suggestions are always welcome.

Daithi - Dean is NOT gay, bi, considering a switch, testing the water, nothing - he's just 18, in college and not sure what to do. Typical of how I felt - well, I was gay, in the closet and pretending BUT other than that