Carlos Hazday

@Dmrman If you pay attention to the chapter dates you'll realize CJ's time in Washington has been very brief. It'll take him time to acclimate himself entirely but he's on his way.

Of course CJ's situation is different! This is pure fiction LOL Although I'll admit CJ is the type of teen I wish I had been.

@Dmrman Told ya the book has moments of laughter through out. So glad you're enjoying my little story.

@Dmrman Unfortunately, I never heard back about what type of warning Sammi would have liked. If you read through the comments, some readers objected to the honest conversations but I'm sticking to my guns. Parenting is individual and when helicopter ones try to push their over protectiveness onto others, I find it insulting. Furthermore, the dynamics of a group of gay men together will never be understood by women. The moment one enters the scene the conversation changes no matter how accepting either side may be. I'm pretty certain this chapter and the next lost me a few readers but not everyone can handle the truth so it may have been for the best.

I think you'll like the altruism CJ reveals in the future.

He'll still get laid now and then. Those teen hormones acting up.

As you read on, real events, locations, and individuals will populate the story. I try to weave CJ in and out of events and he ends up meeting people who will end up playing a role in his life.

Laughter's good for the heart and soul, I try to slip a little in every chapter.

@Dmrman CJ experienced rejection from his stepfather and his mother was complicit; with Brett and Cesar he's going to feel insecure for a while even if he puts up a brave front. As the story progresses you'll see his attitude evolve thanks to the guidance/mentoring of a few older gay men. And no, that doesn't mean he'll be sleeping around with them. LOL

YES! A story. Although some of my personality and a lot of my experiences are scattered amongst the cast, it is purely fiction. I tried to create a diverse group of people who are like all humans imperfect. CJ's a kid on the verge of manhood and sometimes he'll be wise while others he'll be silly. I've had readers react to conversations, sexual intimacy, and drug use both in positive and negative ways and I kinda like it that way. I want as much realism as possible.

@Dmrman Thanks! The story's mine but it owes a lot to the editor's guidance and assistance. This was my initial effort at writing fiction and I hope you'll find the writing improves in subsequent chapters and books.

Welcome to my world! Glad you enjoyed the opening salvo. There's a lot more already on GA and a lot more to come. Stick around, I think you'll enjoy the ride.

@pvtguy Thanks, Tony. The scene I previously posted in the discussion forum and this short story were meant to ensure readers don't forget about CJ while we're on hiatus. The next book's entirely written and the first chapter's in the hands of my editor as of this weekend. Once I'm certain there won't be interruptions in publishing dates I'll begin posting. I'm thinking it'll happen in a couple of months.

Gracis!!!! Where the hell have you been? I miss you.

@JeffreyL Thanks, Jeff. My primary goal was to show CJ doing something he felt was right, part of exploring his core beliefs. The gun ws secondary, I was hoped to show not all of us are gun-toting nuts or anti-gun fanatics. People often forget it's not a black and white issue but one in many shades of gray.

I've tried to show CJ evolving, rejecting simplistic ideas, and accepting those shaded areas. He's not yet there, but when he gets older and has a bit more experience I think he'll be a force to recon with.

@spikey582 Yep, you get the credit/blame for the Sig! I couldn't resist putting CJ in Charlottesville and the elements dovetailed in a way to help the story come together. I'd been wanting to reference the Freedom Riders for a while, the anti-semetic chants tie in with something else in the upcoming book, and I had also wanted to feature Lola and CJ's evolving political philosophy. I'm kinda happy with how it all turned out.

@hillj69 Yeah, CJ's a bit too perfect at times. I've tried to soil him up but the rascal keeps shaking off the dirt I toss at him. Maybe it's because I've tried to create an ideal person, someone to look up to, someone I would aspire to emulate. But that's the beauty of fiction and aside from a slip here and there I think I'll continue to have my boy do the right thing as much as possible. Thanks, buddy!

Is this a criticism of the character using a handgun to defend himself and an innocent bystander? I'm not sure what your definition of healthy democracy is, but if it means a utopian society where bullies don't threaten others, then I fear the world has never nor will it ever see one. In my opinion,, the word 'war' is brandished about too easily in our society, could it be as a race humans seek comfort in confrontation?

@Parker Owens The story was inspired by the events in Charlottesville and by an article I read on the Freedom Riders in Smithsonian Magazine a while back. The conviction and character of those men and women is something I've tried to imbue the main character with. Unfortunately I fear it's a battle never to be entirely won, human nature will always lead some to look down on others who have a different skin color, religion, or nationality. And although not central to this tale, you can toss sexual orientation into that basket too.

This piece of news made waking up so damn early worth it! This is fantastic. Congrats, my friend!

@tabaqui , @Daddydavek, and I'm certain others! Someone pointed out a shot through the head could possibly fly through the intended victim and hit someone else. Pulling a gun and aiming it like CJ did may not be entirely accurate but it served the purpose of conveying what I wanted to. Dave is entirely correct. With a retired marine (Brett) teaching him, CJ would have learned you don't pull a gun out on somebody unless you're willing to take a life. Aiming for a kneecap is for sharpshooters and mediocre TV dramas. If we're talking self-defense as is the case here, one has to be willing to kill in order to survive. I wasn't ready for CJ to take a life so the good samaritan with the quick fist. And for the record, I do not now or have ever owned a Sig. My ignorance led to a technical error I need to fix but doesn't affect the outcome. Guns aren't toys to be owned for the hell of it. Such ownership requires responsibility and education and my goal was to show CJ has both. I'm pretty sure he'll be spending even more time at the range in the future.

@wenmale64 Sometimes fiction is a great way to comment on current events, I've always positioned CJ in the middle of events and will continue to do so as much as possible. I'm currently writing events taking place in 2018 so a short story was the way to handle this.

@tor200534 Thanks, buddy!