lomax61

There are two members of the opposite sex I trust unconditionally in my life, Grandma Beth and June. Had she still been alive, my birth mother may have been my chief confidante—I'll never know—but now, and in light of Grandma's failing health, June has become my bedrock. This is why without a second thought, I am happy to accept a summons to her and Marisse's fifth floor, no elevator, tawdry Queens apartment on a Sunday afternoon. Amanda is away for the weekend visiting her family. Thankfull

One of my New Year's resolutions is to complete all the half written stories I have on the site. So I am resurrecting Hooking Trout and will be working hard on finishing Stroking the Flame. Brian

Stephen & Anton Second only to his career as a medical professional, Stephen considered himself an accomplished epicurean and loved all things involving fine dining and the culinary arts, especially when it came to cooking with less mainstream cookbooks or programmes on the television where he could follow intricate recipes to create lavish meals for his guests. Arriving just after six, being met at the door not only by amazing smells of meat, spices, herbs and other sumptuous elements c

Gallagher & Martin Gallagher came out of the bathroom and noticed Martin had neither moved nor made any attempt to dress for dinner. Still sat on the side of the bed with a towel wrapped around his waist, he leant forward with his head in his hands, elbows on his knees, staring out the window. Fading light accentuated the serenity of the loch, the smooth surface as still as a mirror. In contrast, the ribs of Martin's back stood out as sharp ridges in the snowy white flesh as did the seve

Those thick walls can be a nuisance for mishearing!

Ted is a Cockerpoo!

Jaymes & Nathan Still in his padded winter jacket, Jaymes leaned back in a plastic chair on their lodge balcony with a mug of steaming coffee enjoying the chilly weather and the incredible view, his jeans-clad legs up on a small table. A couple of cormorants flew across the loch, mirrored briefly in the still surface, and Jaymes followed them as they headed towards a threadbare silver birch on the seashore, disappearing among the leafless branches. What a year it had been. He loved h

Tom Bradford had forgotten how much he loved driving. Yesterday, for most of the journey on the open motorways of Britain, he could put his foot down, lean back and let the Land Cruiser take over with its cruise control. Today, along often deserted country roads, narrow and meandering, still packed with ice and snow, he had to be awake and alert adopting skills worthy of a rally driver, the car’s four-wheel-drive a godsend. Thank goodness also for the inbuilt satellite navigation system on t

Nice resolution to the story. No sugar-coated ending, just an adult conversation. And couldn’t we all do with a Fran in our lives? I’ll take a hug from her any day. I like the central theme of the story, that we all have a place in the world, wherever that may be, and that we need to respect each other. But from Malcolm’s point of view, it’s also about figuring out where that place is. Fran is wise beyond her years when she says people hate what they don’t understand. Malcolm seeking answers on the story site and then finding that “...several members took the time to send me direct messages; all vile, abusive, and threatening,” really got to me. Even amid the hate I would have hoped for one or two messages of understanding, support, or simple kindness coming though. Sucks being an optimist sometimes. But then Fran stepped in and helped him find sites with other like-minded people. Go Fran. Not sure Aaron explaining the issue to Tricia was a smart move, however indirect. I get that he was feeling guilty, but he could just have told Tricia he was having an off day, and left it there, maybe even requested the rest of the day at home to deal. After alerting Tricia, the whole thing became official and could have worked out far worst not only for Aaron, but Malcolm, too. But then Aaron is not known for his sound judgment as he freely admits: “Bad judgement, entirely on my part, was to blame…”. Even though he’s had his eyes opened, and will hopefully be more open-minded, I doubt he’ll ever agree to helping a drunk colleague home again.

Kieran & Kennedy Kennedy Grey stood on the small hillock astonished at the beauty of the lodge and loch, the perfect coming together of man and nature. Finding this incredible viewpoint had been a bonus because up here he could finally get a strong satellite signal, and now waited for one of his work colleagues to answer his damned phone. To say he had been impressed with the structure would be the understatement of the century. In the email invitation, Rudy had mentioned nothing a

Hi all, By way of explanation, the characters in this short story are all from the following other stories. Rudy & Trevor - Twelve Gays of Christmas (openly available here on GA) Kieran & Kennedy - Gay Vacation Companion (here on GA, but in Premium because I've got a publisher asking to publish) James & Nathan - Naked Calendar (openly available here on GA) Tom & Marcus - The Missing Ingredient (published by Dreamspinner Press, so I had to remove from GA) Gallagher & Martin - minor characters in Uninvited Guest (published by Dreamspinner Press) who also turn up in Naked Calendar Stephen & Anton - main characters in Uninvited Guest (published by Dreamspinner Press) I am going to post links at the beginning of each chapter, but think it might be also be helpful to have these listed here. I've had an up and down experience with the DSP publisher, so may well be requesting the rights back to the last two stories. Brian

I think the original saying "May You Never Be Too Old to Search the Skies on Christmas Eve" is about us looking out for Santa's sleigh and reindeers. In other words, people never losing their sense of wonder or of miracles happening, especially at this time of the year.

Well, @travlbug,I have to get you hooked somehow... 😎

On the bright, crisp morning of Christmas Eve, Loch Arkaig sparkled and glittered like a mirror covered in diamonds in the early morning sun. Ben Nevis rose beyond like a sleeping giant, like a monster out of Celtic mythology. Rudy Mortimer swayed on the snowy shoreline, hands clasped behind his neck, breathing deeply, savouring the familiar biting air in his lungs and cold numbness of his cheeks. Nothing felt more like Christmas than being back home. Without question, he loved much about h

"May You Never Be Too Old to Search the Skies on Christmas Eve" - Anonymous A Further Twelve Gays of Christmas Short Story Rudy and Trevor return to Loch Arkaig for Christmas with new friends; two men who got together on a gay cruise; a celebrity chef who found love with his late best friend's husband; a baker and his tree-hugging partner; two older men who have been together forever; and finally, a doctor working for charity and his lawyer husband. All about to meet together on Christmas Eve, some for the first time. But, of course, my dear readers already know them well.

Nice story. If only Patrick hadn’t been such an habitual rainchecker, he might have met Trevor a few years before, although Patrick’s concern about the age difference might have been even more of an issue. Love how young Trevor is so confident, with no hang ups about age.

Hey Northie. Really looking forward to the second helping of this story. What better compliment can I give? Both characters are believable in their own idiosyncratic and quirky ways. Even the minor characters drew my attention. I’m a Brit, although rarely admit to the fact living abroad and with everything going on in Brexitland, so I instantly got the vernacular, and I’ve endured these kinds of office parties before. I’m intrigued to know more about why Malcolm became slaughtered so early in the evening. Even if Aaron comes across as brash and cynical, he knows where to draw the line. And he could have simply said no to helping Malcolm home, but decided not to be an arse. We barely know Malcolm, but he seems lonely and, in the ice cold light of day, knowing someone knows his secret, I bet he could use a friend. There’s a grim realism to your story, but as an idealist, I hope this turns out well. But you’re the creator, so you lead, and I will follow.

Well done, Drew. I thought there may be more to the story, so thank you for telling it. I guess the story’s over even though in my head, it feels as though it’s only just begun. Chris is showing restraint not trying to pursue Ryan, who is being someone he needs more right now: a friend. For a sequel, how about Chris, Kay, Nina and Ryan (and however many supporters they can find) going round to the Release Trust premises and setting the place on fire. Okay, maybe a little over dramatic. Maybe just paint the building pink, lol.😎🌈

Hooray. Baby steps, but a move in the right direction. Chris finally feeling safe enough to open up his heart is a good starting point. Ryan and the girls are very supportive, so hopefully Chris will continue to try and fix himself.

Chris is beginning to annoy me now with his relentless self-pity. He’s using Will for sex, even though he wants nothing else from him, and certainly not the relationship Will seems to crave. By his own admission, he doesn’t even like him. By staying with him, he’ll eventually bring them both down. I know he’s had things tough, but he’s turning out to be a perpetual ‘glass half empty’ character, whining about what others have and he does not. “I found myself hating Harry and Pip; I was so jealous of them. I wasn’t attracted to either of them; I didn’t want to break them up; I like both of them; I’m just painfully jealous of what they have.” I’m hoping Chris does find the guts to let Will go, so Will can find some lasting happiness with someone else. I’m sorry to say this again, but Chris needs to start loving himself before he tries to find love with another.

Despite his dreadful treatment by the church, messed up preaching of “The Release Group”, his suicide attempt, and also his entirely understandable discontent with his gay life, Chris has to find some respite, otherwise he’s going to be caught forever in a vicious cycle of shame. Only he can break that cycle, by talking about it, because if he’s looking at a relationship to save him, then he’s simply jumping from one passive dependency to another. I also agree with @Timothy M., that there are not only caring organisations out there, but churches that openly welcome GLBTQ members into the congregation. My partner was recently baptised in our independent Christian church here in Hong Kong, officials who know about us and fully support us. Ever single Sunday service we’ve been to has been like a sold out concert, with many people standing to listen in. Today, more and more, being gay and Christian is not a juxtaposition, not an impossible combination. But Chris needs to take the first step, and do so bravely, to begin loving and accepting himself for who he is. Nothing makes a person more attractive than when others can see their inner calm and acceptance.

Nice continuation of the story. I agree with the previous comments especially that ridiculing these conversion cults needs to be done as often as possible. I also hope that eventually they’ll be outlawed. We live in hope. I also like how you are developing the character of Chris, his optimism at finding a ‘him’, the small hints at a previous and painful existence, one he’s managed to escape from, but not without scars. Good that he has Kay and Nina looking out for him. Looking forward to reading more.

Good start. Love the harsh realism behind the scene, but I also can’t help but admire Chris aspiring to more that a one-nighter. Shawn, although typical, is never going meet his match, and if he ever gets close, the person will probably reject him, citing their own list of physical and emotional prerequisites. Good job.

Nice set-up, Tim. Strange that the DOR is revoked while the brother’s conversation is taking place. I’ll be intrigued to see if this is significant later. I have agree with @Starrynight22 that I couldn’t imagine a worse afterlife job. But if someone has to do it, I guess getting someone both capable and sensitive is a good choice. Death as a character is interesting. I always think of the late writer, Terry Pratchett, and his DiscWorld novels where Death is a character who loves nothing more than a good curry. Keep up the good work.

Somebody's foot stroked my leg under the table and the foot did not belong to Amanda. I know this because, thankfully, she knows better than to do that kind of thing. Her gay boss, Donald, has invited us to join him, his partner, and two of their gay friends to dinner at some trendy new restaurant called Le Chat Qui Fume. The Cat That Smokes is a French fusion restaurant in Chelsea—non smoking, of course. Some friends of his cried off at the last minute, so I guess we were on the emergency r