ColumbusGuy

I know I was often aggravated by my parents as a teen, but that is,sadly, normal. I only got to know and appreciate my mom after their divorce when I'd go into town and spend a few days with her...and eventually I'd call her on the phone almost every day, up until she died. Since I lived with my dad during college, he seemed much the same: quiet, always active, but he'd be nice to my friends who'd come out to play marathon games on weekends, and it took them to point out my dad had a very droll sense of humor--I'm normally good at that stuff, but I missed it in him because it didn't fit my image. This story is not only helping to reconnect me with him, but to see a more realistic view of the man I saw as disinterested or disengaged. It hurt when, years later, he broke off contact with me over being gay, so I'm going to change that fact here in time. Years after he died, my sister told me he'd ask about me when she went to Florida to fish, and she said he'd still loved me, though it was too late to do anything by then. Hence, my story's reason for being.

Well, you've finally done it Geron--I'm at a loss for words. I love old movies, so I guess some of that feeling had to come in, but the places are real, Mikey's really me, and everything he thinks is me at that time...so in a way, it's biographical, but the relationship with Jay is what might-have-been, and what I always hoped for. I'm reminded of the old Calvin & Hobbes comic where the little kid asks his dad about why the album is full of black and white pictures, and his dad says color wasn't invented until about 1970, and his mom yells at the guy for messing with their son's head. He has enough imagination without hearing things like that, since his best friend is his stuffed tiger. More drama on the way, but it's all founded in my wishes and reality.

Certainly a lot to consider here, SD. Toph has a lot of issues with his family, now it seems that his mother might be at the root of it all. Gary is a bit simplistic in his view that a mother would hardly do such a thing, especially as it looks like Toph might have been an unexpected surprise. Perhaps his father seems so distant in an effort to keep his wife at bay in his own life? It certainly doesn't seem like there's much love lost between them. The kids' spacing indicates an attempt to limit their numbers, albeit unsuccessfully. I love Gary's parents, his mom is just as a mom ought to be. I can't wait for her to become Toph's mother-in-law!

Geron, the one thing you don't have to worry about at GA is the length of your stories; unlike other sites, GA presents genuine gay fiction where quality is a key factor, and readers who find it don't want to stop reading just because they hit a certain word count. It works for me, anyway. I don't even check word length anymore because it's the characters I'm concerned with, not how long the chapter is. You did something very bad in this one though, my friend...you made me cry when Rafey and Greg had to leave so abruptly. Misty eyed, hell, I was in tears even before Rafey's phone call. I'm still swallowing the lump in my throat when I think about that scene. There are just some chapters with no good breaking point, like my guys' visit to the mall--almost 12k words, but it didn't seem like it at the time...the boys just poured out their adventure and I was swepts along for the ride. Dang, where's my stock of Kleenex?

I'm liking this a lot Sasha, but Emmet's roommate is not grabbing my interest as much as Zeke, and the yet-to-be-seen Riley. Seeing how polar bears live is fascinating.

I hadn't even thought of Linda as such a person, but it fits her to a 't'. Maybe what threw me off was her considering looks as a key factor in a boyfriend? She's shown a depth far beyond that though, and I see it now that you pointed it out. I think too, that she's done some maturing of her own since the fight and break-up with Bobby...could she be benefiting from the study group as well? Man, I wish I could go through those AVC Afterschool Specials again--there were some great performances by kids who later became famous, like Scott Baio in one about being gay....

I had a lot of fun writing this one, and it went beyond the sexy bits--the comedic by-play of the two is just what gave me a sarcastic reputation in school...but it was only with people I could call friends, and felt comfortable with. I was looking for my Mr. Right from the start--I might not have known who he was going to be like, but being a good person inside was a priority, and good looks were secondary. If a guy was too cute, I was sure he'd never be interested in me, with my glasses and shy personality. The real life Jay was that, and we did trade jokes back and forth, which makes me kick myself to this day that I didn't meet him when he'd asked. I could picture us evolving into Jay and Miles with the small seed we already had in common. It hurt a lot when I found out much later that he died at 45 of a heart attack, no more hope of getting in touch again.

Well Ivor, this is a surprise. An English schoolboy into forms of spanking? I hope this is only a one-time thing, or only occasional because I'm not excited at all by this class of stuff. In '89 a few years after moving into Columbus, I went to a bar on my 31st birthday--and got picked up by a guy who fit my every criteria then: blond, nice looking,friendly...and it was his idea. We went out a few times, but it came crashing down when we had sex--you have to see, I was 6'2, broad-shouldered with dark hair--as we were getting into bed, he asked me to spank him! I'm a shy guy and hate the thought of pain, but I tried for his sake. I could barely contain my laughter at the scene and it's absurdity. He must have thought he hit the jackpot or something, but wound up with probably the only guy my size who couldn't even get a thrill out of it. We did have sex, without the spanking, but we only had one more date...sigh...my perfect guy except for that ONE tiny detail. The Fates must have laughed their asses off for weeks over that one. More please, my friend!

I only had three older sisters, but I wanted an older brother, and would have hoped he'd be nice rather than mean. I was the youngest by six years, so by the time I hit 13, my sisters had all moved out. More about Jerry to come...we'll see him in person sometime.

Thanks, Ivor. Alas, this is something I won't have to face anymore: the cats in my pic are Genghis, in front, and Bortai his sister toward the back. He was stolen in '06, but I still had Bortai, who would have been fifteen last Christmas. Traditional Siamese are huge and robust, so it was odd when she started to lose her appetite, so after two days, I took her to the vet on 10th August last year...she seemed to be in pain when the vet did a little probing and said she didn't like the sound of her lungs, so did x-rays. From her look on returning, I knew it wasn't good news: her lungs had almost entirely filled with cancerous tumors, so it was eat or breathe, not both. I was in tears even before she finished her explanation, and I asked her if she could take pics of us before giving her the final injections...she emailed them to me within an hour, but I hadn't left her clinic yet. She told me to take all the time I needed before the shot, and didn't complain when I finally called her back in after almost an hour and a half. She then left me holding Bortai as she passed, again saying take all the time I needed. It was another hour before we made arrangements for her cremation, and her ashes now sit in a nice copper urn on my mantelpiece. A day later, I got a sympathy card from the clinic, with the vet's signature and a personal message on it. It was two weeks before I could even take the urn from the bag my house-mate picked up...just looking at it brought all the tears back. I've had a lifetime of amazingly loving cats, and one very special dog...I know I'll see them all again someday, they were always loyal and true, unlike many people I've known, both family and otherwise.

Man Geron, you know how to jerk my heart around; I was on the verge of tears when Jessy and Marty had that stupid fight at the pond, and they actually started when he went into the fort and saw Marty crying on the cot. I'm so happy that they worked it out, but you have to remember that they're only thirteen, and they don't know many subtle ways to control themselves, so harsh words and a bad fight, can actually result in a break-up. With their relationship being so new, that would have been the most likely course, but finally their hearts got the last word. I love these guys and their connection, and am eager for more. One question if I may? Why not do these as a short 'novel' and use these titles as chapter headings? Believe me, you'll not lose and Reputation points by doing that, and it helps to let others find them rather than going to the Series title first. For someone like me with a lot of vision problems, that would be an immense help. Not a criticism, since I've loved every one of your posts so far--just kinda hard to find related stories which could be all in the same 'folder'. More please!!

You say this isn't subtle, Geron, but I'd have to differ with you on that...I love the way you handled the feelings Jesse especially was holding for Nate, and the possibility of losing the one place they'd shared their most intense moments. To find Marty in that same place was a wrench to Jesse's heart, and even his soul, but as the talked, they both learned that love isn't something you can lose or run out of--it changes and is elastic enough to share with anyone who is worthy of it. I'm eager for more of these stories, and have to say it surpassed my first effort here--a Prompt about my fondest memory, which was of my first dog when I was three years old. It took some time for me to address the issues of my teen gayness. Is there another story out there with these guys in it--some encounter as their relationship grows stronger?

I'm so glad you liked the Beckels...they're a special group of people who are both pragmatic and personal in their relationships. I hope my scene gave you some ideas? I thought I'd read a few chapters ahead of you to refresh my memory--not a good idea: I just finished the last chapter half an hour ago. Naughty reader, making me work!

I frequented that bookstore a lot, mostly sci-fi and history sections, but also got the occasional gay magazine once I was nineteen. All the songs are favorites, and so was Logan's Run...but then, I had the hots for Michael York. Dave and Trebor are going to be opening the guys' minds later in the story, just giving you a warning.

Thanks, Geron. I guess your house has an inadequate electrical system if it keeps shorting out. My house is over a century old, so been there, done that...thank god a previous owner put it circuit breakers, but now things on a circuit are scattered all over rather than having any pattern. The boys are still sorting things out, but with all their sharing, they have a much better idea of who the other is, so that may seem to move things along a bit fast.

I goofed in replying to 11, sorry. Too quick on the 'click' rather than listening to the narrator fully. Always been a romantic, but usually unrequited. Kevin had his moments, which was something that endeared him to me even more for their timing and surprise. I miss him to this day, even after almost ten years. Glad you liked the horse line--I got a chuckle out of it too, and also when Mikey thought the leather straps were for him to wear. Gotta laugh at Jay's wild sense of humor, something Mikey badly needs at times.

I love this story so far, Ivor. This is my first encounter with it, and I can't wait for more! Thank you for giving Jay and Miles as an example of a good relationship for Lance and Julian...that was the best praise a person could get. To let others know, I didn't pay Ivor any money for the shout--he just read my story in the course of a few days, and it must still be clouding his mind. I think Ivor used socks in the title because he's sussed out that I have had a thing for socks since I was a teenager.... Eager for more, my friend.

Man, I was afraid Tobyn was having second thoughts...I'm glad it was basically just nerves--although there's nothing 'just' about nerves. They can be a mood killer of the first water. Am I right in thinking that a full joining will involve anal sex, and it will include both mates giving and receiving? That would seem the best dynamic for this couple, as neither one seems to be the 'retiring' type. I can't wait for Eleanor to hear about their joining...and hope the Pack will soon have some new pups to welcome. Hot and fuzzy this time, my dearest friend!

I think Annabelle knows about Brian too, unless I'm misreading her actions...or at least has a strong suspicion. A sequel? Hot Damn! I can't wait!

I'm glad Ed is from San Francisco, because that surely helped him accept Brian and Jeff, not to mention his easy-going nature. It's a little surprising that Brian wouldn't consider this as a possibility for Ed to have...but he was under a lot of stress trying to tie everything together. I hope Jeff becomes part of the crowd, and maybe the two boys can come out in time.

Coming back to answer reviews of the early chapters is making me crazy--I see what others wrote, and can't picture it referring to my story. I am SO tempted to read the chapter again before replying...but then where would the new chapters come from? Trust has always been big for me, and I often have a sense about whether a person is going to be someone I feel safe confiding in, and those people have remained my friends all my adult life. It was so hard for me to open up back then, and friends from elementary school dropped away because I got to middle school first, and just didn't have any of those people live nearby. Maybe that's part of why I always felt closer to older people?

Tak, Geron. I often wonder if I'd like to relive my teen years, with the benefit of hindsight...sometimes the answer is yes, other times no. If I could change the way things turned out, then certainly yes, but there were some things I just had no control over, like my parents' divorce. Even though I was 19, it was hell being pulled in two directions, and I don't like remembering the fightingso I guess it was a good thing in the end. Missed opportunities, I'd love to have those back, and I think this is the whole point to Jay & Miles. Keep going, a ways to go yet.

Ah, the immense joys of your first time, following the nerves and jitters of wondering if it'll be good for you as well as the other person...hoping it'll be amazing for both of you, but terrified it won't. I felt that way even though I was twenty-one and no longer a teen, but it was all there anyway...and a hundred times more when that first came to be the ultimate act of lovemaking.That was to be a year in my future, with the same guy, but it had to wait until we graduated college and he got his own place. So many mistake infatuation for love, and don't wait to have it turn real before finding another guy to 'love'. Victims of the 'Free Love' mindset of the 60s and 70s, and the growth of porn and the internet which make sex the goal of a relationship rather than the coveted reward for all the effort put into developing one. All couples run this risk, gay or straight, thanks to the ease of making quick connections rather than having the patience of older generations who never had the luxury of travel and myriads of people to choose from. Mobility killed romance if you ask me, rather than enhancing its likelihood. Eager for more, my friend!

Okay, Gary, you have to stop this--you're scaring me with these echoes of my own feelings and thoughts. I've been sick most of this week, nothing big other than a cold/flu, but I've been listless and had no energy, and that's bad for a writer... I began writing here as a result of colon surgery, and thought if I had anything of import to say, I should try now. Now, my vision problems have made that both harder and yet more urgent....so if I miss time being under the weather, I get struck by those very thoughts you mention. I think back on all my knowledge, and am dismayed that most of it can be found elsewhere, minus my interpretation and sometimes amusing cross-connections. All that is unique are my memories of people and places now gone, and who wants to hear about that? Looking in the recesses of my mind, with the winds of eternity blowing past, I think of the question Howard Carter was asked on finding King Tutankhamun's tomb: "What do you see?" 'Wonderful things,' I say to myself....but who else sees them? I am the last of my line, like the scribe scribbling to capture some vestige of the glory that was, before the Darkness falls....

I love the gentle, tentative approach you used to bring these two together. This is the scary/golden moment of disclosure and the sharing of trust that is the basis for any relationship. Kids today don't really recall a time when it was hard to find another boy and to finally open up to him--in that way, the Internet and movies have done society a supreme disservice. I knew my best friend all through high school before I came out to him in our sophomore year of college. His response: if you ever want to try anything, I'll be there. I had no clue he was bi and had had a relationship before, but he was gentle and kind, and we shared everything about lovemaking--I look back now and realize how lucky I was that he was versatile also--that allowed me to come to enjoy both roles, and I've searched for that ever since. Relationships for me are between equals, not roles of one dominating the other. I like Jeff a lot, and hope this will work out. Is Ed going to be a problem? He seems to have a suspicious nature, so I hope that will wear off in time.