pmdacey

Things Are Different – Chapter 17 I pulled up to Scott's wearing my new clothes and a new pair of SpongeBob boxers that Dani had slipped into one of the purchases. The rain had returned with a chilling drizzle so I had to make a dash for the door. His mom answered the door almost as soon as I rang the bell. "Jay, come in. I am sure Scott is almost ready. Of course he has been almost ready for over an hour now." She chuckled. "Jay! Jay! Jay!" Cassie shouted as she ran up and wrapped he

Things Are Different – Chapter 15 By necessity I learned to be a light sleeper. I never knew if we would have to make a sudden departure or if a particularly unsavory sort had accompanied my mother home from wherever. As a result when something happens in the middle of the night I wake up instantly with an adrenalin fueled fight or flight response, usually flight. That night I didn't really sleep at all, hovering just below consciousness as images of Scott and Devon tumbled about in a jig

Things Are Different – Chapter 16 It was a good thing that I learned to drive on a standard in the first place, but I still managed to stall the little car twice on the way to his uncle's shop. Apparently Grandma told them about the little surprise that she had for me, because they immediately came out of the shop when we drove up and asked how I liked the car. Like usual, I stammered a little, before Scott stepped in and gushed about what a kick-ass and cute car it was. Cute really was t

I didn't know if I wanted to celebrate or not, but I was positive I did not want to partake in Devon's idea of celebrating. "Yeah! What do we want to do?" Dani enthusiastically piped up. "I think Jay needs to chill out and have some fun tonight," Devon said. Before I could respond Dani let out with a panicked "Oh, shit!" and we all turned to see what she was looking at. Coming up the sidewalk was a man; short, balding, about as wide as he was tall and his face flushed from the exertion of

The first time ever I kissed your mouth I felt the earth turn in my hand Like the trembling heart of a captive bird That was there at my command my love That was there at my command¹ Things were becoming way too complicated for me. Every time I closed my eyes Scott's face would appear inches from my own. His midnight eyes reflected my own face like the waters of a deep and still lake on a moon lit summer's eve. Unfortunately the image was always accompanied by confusion on my part. I

I think you just did what you need to do -- share.

I was not sure if it was more discouraging and painful to not know the taste of Scott's kisses or to know them and not be able to partake. Every day school was torture, though I knew it was self-inflicted. I sat next to him, talked with him and walked with him and there was no outward sign of our affection for each other. The occasional accidental touch of the sort that would be expected between two guys would send a shiver up my spine. "You know nobody will care," Scott told me again as we

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." I could not witness the expressions on the faces of the others in the room. My eyelids were squeezed tightly shut, trying to keep the tears in, another complete emotional meltdown in less than two days. I kept my face buried in my hands. What must they think of me? What must Scott think of me? I had just scattered my mother's ashes around the living room. He must be running for the door by now. My grandmother must hate me and she doesn't even know the

I hope the next chapter will bring some good to you.

When I got inside I shook the water from my hair like a dog and pulled off my wet jacket. "How was your evening?" my grandmother asked. I was in such an endorphin daze from my time with Scott that I had not noticed her sitting on the sofa watching T.V. It took me a minute to process the question and answer. "Good," I said. There was a desire to say more, but I didn't dare. In fact I wanted to shout it from the tree tops. Scott kissed me! "Well that sounds better than just fine," she said

"Hurry up or you will be late!" My grandmother called down to me as I brushed my teeth again after throwing up my breakfast. "Coming," I called as I bounded up the steps. For the thousandth time since Sunday morning she asked if everything was alright. "Fine," I answered. I pretended that my stomach was not tied in knots so tight that I had a hard time standing up straight. My mind kept playing over the events of the weekend. I had a great time Saturday afternoon with Devon and an even be

I have seen snow that fell in May And I have seen rain on cloudless days Some things are always bound to change There ain't no ash will burn Love is a precious thing I'm told It burns just like West Virginia coal But when the fire dies down it's cold There ain't no ash will burn You say this life is not your lot Well I can't be something that I'm not We can't stoke a fire that we ain't got There ain't no ash will burn In every life there comes a time Where there are no more

As it is so easy online, I lost track of time until I heard my grandmother at the door. "Jayson?" I wiped my eyes, "Yeah?" "You have visitors again." "Huh?" "Hey dude, I'm back and I brought company." Devon came in followed by Dani. She bounced in and wrapped her arms around my neck and even kissed me on the cheek. It is an outdated word, but I could only describe myself at this point as "flummoxed." I am sure it showed on my face. "Hey, cutie." She said inches from my nose. "Huh, hi

Even though Labor Day made it a short week, a routine was quickly established. It was a little embarrassing, but I think I was the only sophomore that got a ride to and from school every day from his grandmother. I would usually meet up with Scott and sometimes Devon before the first class. Scott was back to being more outgoing and relaxed than he did when we went to Powell's, but no one is as outgoing as Devon. We always sat together at lunch. I didn't usually see Scott or Devon after scho

Thank you. Any story taking place in Portland has to include Powell's.

As usual I seem to be an outlier in my tastes. I am assuming that when the question was poised as five books, it meant five books, not five multi-volume series. I also decided to just choose books that I return again and again anyway. Any collection of stories by Ray Bradbury The Best of Philip K. Dick (I was introduced to his writing and science fiction in general by my sixth grade teacher with his story The Second Variety) The Island of Dr. Death and Other Stories and Other Stories by Gene Wolf Otherwise by Jane Kenyon Close Range by Annie Proulx And just because I didn't want to leave them off my list -- The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint by Brady Udall The Tattoo by Chris McKinney (If you know Hawai'i you cannot miss this book)

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Children waiting for the day they feel good Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday And I feel the way that every child should Sit and listen, sit and listen Went to school and I was very nervous No one knew me, no one knew me Hello teacher tell me what's my lesson Look right through me, look right through me.³ The dance tempo and sound of the original version of "Mad World" never felt right to me. When I heard Gary Jules' version in "Donny Darko" I knew he had got it right. In so many ways thi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfXsDDo_eWo

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Thank you.

I spent my freshman year standing in a corner, literally. I left my only sort-of friend behind in middle school when we moved again. He was a self styled outsider, but for different reasons. I entered the Texas high school on the first day of my freshman year, staring at my shoes. They were at least two sizes too small and the seams were split and my socks were spilling out of them. If I kept my head down I could avoid making eye contact with anyone. My hair was longer and hung down in fro

Welcome. I look forward to seeing some of your illustrations.

Don't watch TV. We got rid of it 10 years ago and don't miss it. Fortunately we are able to leave work there at the end of the day. Since a big part of our income derives from my husband's art we have to be engaged in creative activity a lot, sometimes even when we are not in the mood. It does mean it can be hard for me to have time to write. I am learning to say no to some of the outside obligations. I am also learning to make my writing my escape and relaxation. We don't define ourselves by our day jobs. He is an artist that just happens to also work for a parking company and I am a writer that just happens to work in commercial printing. I just had this discussion with my boss (who is awesome and was the one that officiated at our wedding) because she was feeling depressed about work.

I love tomatoes (except for tomato soup, of course), my mother in law will only eat tomatoes if there are no discernable chunks of tomato. She loves tomato soup.