Ron

This may be the best chapter yet. It is as if this is where things finally begin, where Kieran really starts coming together. Everything has been leading up to it but here when he owns up to Shastan and takes the hit and in his personal thoughts, backing his interaction with Robin, here is where he starts being somebody you can really root for. The dialogue was spot on and entertaining, Sasha.

Well, hot damn! This is one hell of a great beginning, Nephylim. Yes, yes, I'm late to the party but it's not over yet ... I checked. You've set an excellent tone in this chapter and it compliments the action well.

Very nice!

There wasn't any kissing going on between the men in my family, air kiss or otherwise. Aside from my one Iranian friend in Toronto, no straight man has ever kissed me on the cheek. Nor have any of my straight friends every exhibited this behavior. I've witnessed displays of close affection between men outside of the US and certainly no one is shamed by the behavior... or even finds it remarkable, excepting maybe me the first time. I mean, I knew people behaved that way, but up until I actually saw the casualness of it... There is no substitution for experience!

I'm inclined to agree but the issue with this is, women, and for the longest time, have kissed their friends on the cheek casually in public without a care. It is something no one bats an eye at. I'm pretty sure that lesbianism isn't the first thing most people think of when seeing this behavior. On the other hand, when two guys do the same thing, gay is the first thing they think of. To add to the discussion: I moved to Boston, and to the South End, during the trailing days of the gay neighborhood. Since moving here the neighborhood has lost so many (mostly to the high cost of living in the area) gay men and lesbians. Yet, among the multitudes of baby carriages that now choke the sidewalks (and cafés), it is still possible to see men walking down the sidewalk holding hands. The odd peck on the lips between couples and the hug and air kiss prevalent among gay male friends, are both still seen. Non-sexual signs of affection should be the least of things that people should be worrying about. A quote from the lyrics of the band The Temper Trap - Sweet disposition Never too soon Oh, reckless abandon Like no one's watching you A moment of love.....

Was that walk just for a tease? Poor Marshall, getting all hot and bothered.

It's hard to argue with this. I'm sorry to hear it, too. You have a big following here on GA. All anyone has to do is look at the likes for your stories to know that, not to mention the other proofs. Have you considered going the GA Premium Content route with some stories? Or occasionally posting a preview chapter and then selling the full story as an e-book here? I don't know what would benefit you the most (not just here but anywhere) but the current situation doesn't seem tenable to you and I can certainly understand you wanting to benefit from your abilities. You should. Love you right back.

Happy Birthday Louis. Many happy returns.

That was an awful thing to have experienced. I, too, am sorry you were a witness to a horror that you had no choice in. Something like that is hard to imagine and because of that, it can be hard to come to terms with. Please, if you find at some point that you cannot cope with these feelings, seek help, as Irri suggests.

As you know, I've two of your books on my bookshelves (available here for free), and I'm not opposed to spending a few green backs for a good book, you most definitely know that, too. Also, I've purchased two anthologies in kindle format just because they contained short stories written by you. I'm enthusiastic of your writing. Because of the aforementioned, I find your remark about interest declining when money is mentioned slightly disturbing. It implies that all is well and good as long as it's free but from the forum thread pertaining to the crowd source idea, if we take people at their word, we learn that isn't the whole reason. Some weren't interested in the subject matter and some others were simply unable financially to participate despite having an interest. So, I'm thinking the remark was made out of frustration, and I hope that you don't actually feel this way.

Oh heck, what's a holiday without a modicum of confusion? You did a great job of keeping this upbeat even when the MC wasn't feeling it. Nice.

Ron: Yes, I read that, and it is abominable in its own way. It's like saying, "You can't be this, so you must be this." Just horrible, in my opinion.

Ron: Then that means I got it wrong... and then I got it wrong(er). I can't put a silly emoticon here because they no longer show up for me but if I could have, I would have. It seems the quote thingy isn't working either.

For brevity, and not to diminish any feelings you may have - I think you may have just answered your own question. For you, anyway. My first boyfriend, that I lived with (five years), was done without him or me coming out to our families, and began when we were your age. Some never became aware and some made the leap to figuring out our relationship, but not a one said anything. Those that guessed waited for us to bring it up instead of drawing attention. We thrived, until we didn't, but it wasn't do to family interference that we broke up. Five years later when I finally came out to my family, at age thirty-five, because I was I was moving in with another man (who remains my partner) and it was the right time, I told my family and it was to no great fanfare or tears. So yes, you can be with someone in the closet and still have a fine relationship. But unless your views and feelings have changed, I still think you may have answered your own question. Edit to add: I don't know how I missed the fact of his not wanting to be seen in public with you. A person would be hard pressed to view this as anything less than irrational behavior even for someone that's not ready to be out. I know fear can make people do crazy things but unless you're wearing a sign announcing what sex you like to sleep with... You could definitely have the conversation, as mentioned, but this seems too far removed from the kind of relationship you're looking for.

Ha! Marshall is a real thinker.

Leaving us with no real resolution may have been the best possible outcome of that interview.

I've been following the thread since you made the first post, JDM. I didn't make the connection with your friend, the author Green. I very much enjoyed reading 'A Hero in the Hallways' and I'm glad to see the positive feedback you've received from the membership and the administration. I am very interested in reading more of his work. I wanted to let you know this.

Happy Birthday KC! Many happy returns!

I read mostly on my iPad - stories on GA and through the Kindle app - and only occasionally on my computer as far as the electronics are concerned. I also read bound books.

My, what an adventure that was, Iarwain. You certainly do have a good grasp on the balance between science and the personal, human aspect of things. The three young men and the dolphin were great characters to follow the story with. Friends on a wonderful journey in space. I offer a figurative tip of the hat to you.

Exciting, exciting chapter, Iarwain. Thrilling! I was leaning toward the screen as I read.

As great as that walkabout was described I am about ninety-eight point nine percent sure you won't ever find me sucking, however gently, on an ants rear end. Uh-uh!

Kidnapping Freedom - good one, Stephen. Yes, this was a very exciting and suspenseful chapter, and thoroughly enjoyable. What in the world would they do without those pico-factories?

Daithi is right to mention the humor in the story. It has been pervasive throughout and adds an enjoyable element.

Yeah, I found Merrick, back in the day. I remember buying the books at a chain store at my local mall and hoping no one I knew would happen to walk in at the wrong time. I hated that insecure facet of my life. I could be who I was, but not in public and that aspect was awful.