ChrisL

I found myself in the most odd of situations. Having been three days since I essentially was forced out of the closet I had three men lined up. One of which, a beautiful, muscular military man who seemed to love me. Another being the reluctant mechanic who cared about me. And the third being the stuttering gay basher who wanted nothing to do with me, though for some reason I wanted everything to do with him

10: Happiness Running "Where are we going?" I asked again as Beau continued to drive. "I told you! It's a surprise!" Beau replied. The glee in his voice was so comforting. It made me feel happy to be with him. Beau drove us across the Rappahannock River. We talked throughout the whole drive. I felt as though he kept asking all the questions. We talked about Northern Virginia, my college, and even what my high school was like. By the time I finally

9: It Begins After Beau had left, I made a snap decision. I drove into a small parking lot, welcomed by a sign reading "TED'S". Next to the lot was a garage, its door wide open. Inside I saw Zach hard at work on a car. He was wearing a mechanics uniform that was only half on, acting simply as pants. For a shirt all he had was a white wife-beater, covered in grease and grime. I stepped out of my car. Zach hadn't yet looked at me, though it was obvious he knew I was he

8: A Stutter Chris actually stayed with Pops and I. I was surprised. I assumed he was going to dip out as soon as he could, but instead he sat silently with Pops and I as we watched Jeopardy in Pops's living room. Every now and then Pops would ask a question to Chris or I about something random, but Pops wasn't much for small talk and has always been happier in silence. After the game show, Pops retired to his room. Once he left our presence, Chris and I sat in silence

7: Revelation I think that me coming to terms with sexuality would have been a taxing and emotional experience. I had never really viewed myself as gay, just not interested in women. I probably would never have come to this point if it hadn't been for Zach. At this point I should be wondering whether or not this is something I actually want for myself. Do I want to be gay? Of course not... who would? But I am faced with a choice: live my life as a lie and pretend the

6: Angels' Confrontation "I don't want to give into this!" Beau said to me. In a matter of hours I had become his complete confidant. Being new to this whole experience as well, I found it hard to provide any substantial advice. Instead I felt that listening to him vent was the best medicine. This venting was interrupted by the sound of a car door slam. I must admit, my first reaction was to pretend that I wasn't home. I didn't want to see anybody. And I figured tha

5: Second Sighting "Oh..." Beau's hand rubbed the back of his head, this nervous tick of his becoming apparent. I felt warm tears filling my eyes. Now that I was almost completely sober I knew what was happening. I guess I had always known this could be the truth, but never I had I faced it like this before. I had never said it aloud. "Please..." I whispered, my speech causing my throat to clench up. "Please don't tell anyone." "Don't worry about that

4: A Return The afternoon of my birthday I called Coach Dunham. He was not happy. But he told me that D.C. United would only be waiting another week or so before they'd give up on me. I don't know why that didn't convince me to leave right away, but it didn't. I stayed. My parents did leave that afternoon. I stayed with Pops all day. At around 8 he told me he was going to sleep, so I left for the rental house. The events of the day swarmed in my head causing a haze

3: The First Night I spent the day before my grandmother's funeral with my parents finishing up the chores left over from the previous day. "Sam, I'm so sorry that her funeral is going to fall on your birthday," my mom said. "Don't worry about it mom," I replied. "I can't think of a better way to celebrate then to celebrate the life of such a wonderful woman." "Oh Sam," my mom said smiling. Seeing her smile made me feel better. "And it's

2: Condolences from the Bar I awoke the next morning. It took a few moments for my mind to catch up with my body. I felt a sort of displacement. The room was unfamiliar. After a few seconds of this delusion I remembered that this was Ms. Woods's rental home. Then another realization struck me, my grandmother was dead. This had happened the previous morning as well. I wondered if I could ever stop coming to that sick realization every morning. Thirty

1: A New Home Four days before my twenty-first birthday I received a call from my father. I was alone in my parent's house in northern Virginia while they were spending time at their lake home a couple hours away. He told me that my grandmother had died. Having played soccer all my life, I was used to the atmosphere of strength and determination, and I was conditioned to not show emotion. I calmly thanked my father for letting me know and convinced him that I would be oka

A modern retelling of the David and Goliath story in three parts. David is a new recruit in the Royal Guard, who after a heroic rescue of a prince, finds himself in a whirlwind of royal and emotional scandal.

Part III Loss “Now you’ve really made a mess,” the King said not looking up from his desk. Jonathan stood in the office with a look of shock. “Wha… what are you talking about?” Jonathan asked stepping back from his father’s desk. “Don’t play dumb Jonathan! You know exactly what I am talking about!” King Robert slammed his fist on his desk. “You had to go and spread your sick habit to David!” “I won’t stand for this,” Jonathan replied,

Part II Parades Flags of fiery colors filled the streets leading to the palace. Red, orange, and yellow waived in triumph of the return of the Prince. The people looked upon their royalty with trust and awe. The King was a great man, and the people of his nation revered him as the first magnificent king the nation had seen in a long time. The return of his son marked a return of hope for the future. Hope that this king’s son may in fact be just as brilliant. The st

Part I Heroics The Prince had become accustom to the dark, damp room. The smell of blood and burnt flesh still consumed to chamber. He looked down at his body. Burn marks and gaping gashes covered his legs and thighs. He was dressed in only black boxer-briefs. He had been tied to this cold, metal chair for days now. Though without windows, Prince Jonathan had no sure way of telling time. His torso and up was still untouched. The door behind Jonathan opened again