ColumbusGuy

fall leaves, rain storm, blue jeans, kitten, pizza For the first time in a while, I slept well last night--my eyes in the mirror were brighter, and the smile on my lips was genuine...was it thanks to ‘Kurt’ or my date tomorrow with Jay? I pulled my black windbreaker over my bright-yellow tee-shirt and took a last look in the mirror as I went out the door: faded blue jeans--check, grey sneakers and long white socks--oh yeah!, medium-length dark brown hair-wavy and parted in the middle, with

Sitting on horses outside the gates to Green Acres, Philandros looked to Arrius for guidance, then down the road to Pompeii, and in the opposite direction to Oplontis, a very small fishing village with a few large villas nearby. "Where to begin, Arrius? I found Sextus just beyond the hill to the southeast...I didn't notice any tracks or anything at the time!" Arrius looked about the landscape...villas and small farms in every direction, with Vesuvius looming to the east, and the bay

More revelations Sasha? I loved the whole chapter until the last flashback--that made me dislike Alexander even more. I don't need to imagine what Oli feels in the distance between them--it happened to me. My father didn't always talk much, but he was there, until I was nearly 30 and he found out my 'secret'--after that, through various circumstances, we never spoke again--I found out from my sister that he died thirteen years later; a couple years ago, I finally got up the nerve to ask her if he ever mentioned me, or cared at all--and she said he did--but he never told me. I thought I had closed off that part of my life, but having heard her say that brought it all back. If I'd known that, I'd have tried to contact him....but it is far too late now. I always wonder if there had been a chance, and why he never contacted me, since I didn't know how to reach him myself. Really hope Boris and Oli can find some way to bein the same form together...if werewolves exist, then perhaps there is a folklorish or magic way to bring it about?

Hooray for JJ--and I really hope the conversation in Tribeca goes well, but I don't think Brad has learned anything about his control issues--as evidenced by his dating 'lessons'...he sees that as another way to control others and not a path to romance. Despite his experiences with Will, he still tries the same thing on him! Okay, I'm not an Alex fan, but neither am I fond of all the interference the family tries to do--caring is one thing, manipulation is another thing entirely. JJ had counselling, and from his POV which we now see--he is very 'in touch' with himself--there is no better judge of what he can withstand than himself. Further, I think JJ might be right when he believes that Alex's 'issue' isn't what the others suspect--if anyone can be successful with him, I think it will be JJ, and that could be the biggest surprise to Alex that he can imagine. Come on Will, send that acid recipe--but I think Will's methodology is a bit crass when it comes to JJ--I expect his actions will be just as effective, but more elegant.

I fretted over the thing a lot, even while writing it--was it too explicit? Boring? I upgraded the prompt book to 'Teen' just in case. I was worried that it would be too short, but turned out to be a bit longer than I planned...which is always a good thing!

“You want me to do what?” My voice was hoarse with surprise and excitement--but even so, some of my shyness was coming through. I wasn’t used to talking about personal things--especially not this--I could think it, I could even write it--but only in the privacy of my own journal! Now, my caller wanted me to do some of the things I wrote about...while he was on the phone! --Tell me what you look like...it makes it better, much better! I’m 5’10 with reddish-brown hair and blue eyes...I’ve g

God, you had me on the edge of my seat worrying over the outcome of their relationship! They were so lucky to have Mr. Harris' advice...a lot of people never get that, and wind up with regrets. I have to find other things by you now which won't encourage me to continue the bad habit of biting my nails!

***Hylas accepts the task of teaching Olaf, then the three go down to the bath, finding Arrius and his female visitor.*** Sextus plunged into the large tub...followed quickly by Hylas...but Philandros hesitated; afraid to be naked in front of a woman? was his first thought quickly dismissed, but then Sextus remembered that his love had not experienced the mysteries of feminine love--and so probably was scared. He laughed and urged him to hurry lest Hylas be left the job of scrubbing his ba

I've read a few of your prompt responses, but this is my first story. Wonderful job and I couldn't stop until the end-and that meant staying up all night without sleep! I'm going to check out more, and want to say thanks for the great story!

Amazing developments for Zach here, Mark! I was glad to see him finally stand up for himself with both his parents and Parnell. I am not worried about his character being tarnished by the shower incident--he did it intelligently so that in reality, the guys had a way out, but were too stupid to use it. I am worried about Will taking down Parnell's name--that whole family is defective and needs culling--and I think Will can do it as his father did. As for Alex and JJ, I am fonder of JJ and yet still uneasy about Alex--he just doesn't ring true for some reason. Paranoia on my part perhaps? Everyone pretty much covered my comments, so thanks again for the chapter!

***Sextus admits it is too late to start searching for Tellus, and asks Philon and Arrius if they want to go upstairs, Arrius answers and Sextus playfully asks if he is jealous. Arrius says no, and asks Philon again if he truly loves Sextus.*** Philandros had no idea what was troubling Arrius...in his mind, the two of them had said what was needed already, and his only concern was what Arrius would decide. He could not shake the idea that there was an unacknowledged sexual attraction betwe

It's great to see another chapter up! I really wish something could be done abot Johnson's crowd--perhaps Mitch could be asked to help? I wish Chris would wise up and give Mitch a chance...it seems he has adopted his father's view on relationships though, which is sad to see in someone who shows such potential. Dinner with Derrick's mom is going to be a blast, and I love how Tanner worked it out, knowing Derrick would find ways to try to delay it and yet still stress out about it anyway. More please!

I'm glad to hear that Oscar's parents are in jail, and I hope they don't find a way out! That final paragraph shows that they should be given no mercy and rot in hell. Why am I not surprised that Jeshua has a shop on Harmony? I hadn't thought about that at the time, but it fits. The only one of the shops I can't figure out is the clothing shop's owner...he seems odd compared to Sid and Jeshua. I can't wait for the next chapter--you did another great job!

Oh yes, later the two will interact with othre writer's characters even more; I myself have four characters in Pompeii, and several other writers have at least one or two....

I won't give things away...but this is very early in their relationship--it will have its ups and downs like everyone else's.

Oh yes, the Romans had industries of copyists, and we have three examples which survive: Petronius' Satyricon, Apuleius' Golden Ass, and I think, Lucan's tale of a trip to the sun to visit the inhabitants of other planets. The Ptolemies would confiscate books coming into Alexandria, and return copies to the owners to increase their Great Library.

Thanks! Over here, the 70s were pretty open, but not for gay kids in small towns, so things will have to be kept quiet for a while. Through a chance encounter on Facebook, I talked a bit with the sister of 'Jay's' character, to find that he had died about five years earlier. I had hoped to talk with him again...missed opportunities.

Though the story is fiction, it's based on what my father told me--all his relatives speaking German together, but not teaching it to him and his younger siblings, though he picked up a few words. He was born in 1918, when the hatred was still intense. Ohio was one of the states which actually forbad the teaching of German in schools. All the names and relations are right--got them from researching my family, and as noted the house pic is of the real one I saw back in 1980.

I was constrained by the first line, but I can speculate that my idea was something like this: he couldn't really face Jay, and said he was 'busy'...fill in your own line. He had to walk off because his confidence and self-esteem was so low that he couldn't imagine Jay wanting to still be friends. I had a lot of problems with that for years.

I'm so touched that the creator of the prompt likes my first effort! Even after 35 years, I had tears in my eyes as I relived my time with Duchess. At least now, they are tears of happiness for the fond memories.

Duchess was my first loss of a pet, and it was especially hard since she was the first thing I remember that could be called 'mine'. I still cry when i have to say goodbye to a pet, and I too am not ashamed to say it--a person who can't express emotion isn't much of a man in my book.

Another lovingly-crafted installment, Tim! I love Jacob's parents, and I hope Russ can recall more of his previous trip--I think it will make the two of them even closer, if that's possible. The idea that Peter and Paul might be gay is intriguing, but makes me wonder if they are actually partners as well as brothers.... I can't wait to find out what rings they buy, and for Evan and Chris to meet his 'new and improved' brother for the first time--that will be something!

What a great little story! I am so glad that Sam and Matt worked things out..it makes me wonder if a three-person relationship can work, or are we wired to be only couples? Wonderful job, now I have to read Ariel's saga while waiting for more of Randy and Ryan at the carnival!

Would I tease my readers? Heck yeah, others have done it often enough to me. So I guess I did good? It's funny the things that come to me as I write--I tend to do it on the fly, only having a basic idea--but I HAD to put in the phone call--even though Miles is shy, he can be a bit bolder anonymously, as I was when I got my obscene phone call back then! The pill bottle's fate is unknown right now, I only had very fleeting ideas like that as a kid--I think most teens do, particularly gay ones--my exterior almost always was a smiling face, no matter what was going on inside. The pizza date is definitely coming up...I had thought not to continue the call, but perhaps I can stop blushing enough to write it.

Thanks Carlos--I try to make it seem real, especially since so much of it is based on my own childhood. The places are real, as are most of the events.