dughlas

You're just afraid he'll point out you're the elder one.

Yes but you're rather spry for a centenarian ...

Don't be a tease dear ... I surely hope to find some on the dessert buffet at the COTT Christmas Fete and Musical Extravaganza ...

I think another a pause for another cup of coffee is in order ... Seriously, I understand where Peter is coming from. I never thought of myself as gay when I was younger, sure I was fond of boys and most of my dreams involved male classmates but I also liked girls or the idea of girls. I met, fell in love with, married a girl and fathered a child with her because that was what was expected. I find it interesting that my wife was a tomboy with a more boyish than curvy body. Peter's ploy was meant to be a harmless cover. I suspect he didn't tell Tristan because how do you explain to the person you love that the other two most important people in your life disapprove of him. I hope Tristan can come to understand that. Now as to Tristan, I think it best he catch that train home. He needs time to think and come to grips with what he's heard. It should be obvious that Peter is telling the truth about loving him. Little Tristan makes that point when he mentions his daddy looking at a picture someone he loves. So perhaps another cup of coffee and another week will help clarify things.

Oh, so it's not a part of your realm.

You seem to really know your shire.

He started out with one but seems to have cut it off to spite ... well, someone. Do think it's the loss of his nose that turned him nasty?

Well at least I didn't say Overhill ... which some of us are 😉

Well it's to bed with me. Well passed my usual time and the pup has already gone without me. Á demain y'all.

Oh, I know. I'm messing back.

We're going to the neighbors for Christmas. The past few years a group of us have gone to a nearby German restaurant but with covid we've opted to keep things small and close to home. I think we're having a baked ham. We, well really me, are responsible for the dessert. For Christmas Eve I'm planning to make Maryland style crab cakes. Christmas morning I'll make a frittata for brekkie.

One what?

Green veggies ... you're gonna make green veggies?

Is Middle-earth part of Texas?

... are like noses. Everybody's got one.

Quick before leave page 1975. The year I turned 17 and graduated high school.

What about Worcestershire? I've got some in the pantry.

Underhill.

But we worked so hard to break him of that biting habit. Some of us still have toothmarks.

Next time don't burn the onions.

@Albert1434 needed more snow to complete the snowhobbit you requested.

I see your problem. You need to quote the comment and response as separate things. First quote the original comment. Then immediately under it quote the response. Does that help?

No! Don't quit commenting. Gary loves comments, it's his, and every other author's, reward for the efforts put into creating the story.

I have to say I agree with @Bard Simpson. Boone does seem oblivious to some of what Coy is saying. Perhaps it's a case of your readers seeing one thing in him while you as author have a differing view. You "know" your characters motivation, his "thoughts" because he is your creation. We interpret those same things from what we read. It's a bit like your readers having a broader view of the situation than either Boone or Coy because we are privy to both characters "thoughts". You have an even more extended view because of your deeper knowledge of the story you've written. You're just a step or two further down the trail than we are. Like these two we'll get there in the end.

Coy is evolving ... and I like it. Boone seems stuck in denial ... that bothers me. Coy is working through the strictures placed on him by his momma and brother. He's sorting what he thinks and feels for himself. Boone seems determined that Coy can't feel for him what he feels for Coy. I think he's wrong. These are two virile young men and young men tend to focus on the physical expression of their affections but you don't have sex 24/7/365. You do spend much of that time in companionship. Much as they've been doing since they met. I once asked a counselor how I could love and marry a woman if I was gay. He told me love and sexual orientation didn't negate one another and that orientation wasn't a this or that but a scale. I believe Coy loves Boone beyond just friendship. Is he "gay"? I don't know. Could he share himself with Boone? I think so and quite happily. For now I intend to enjoy the journey and leave it to the hopeless romantic spinnin' this yarn to make it happen.