Headstall

This 'love on the run' thriller is well worth the read, whether you're a sci-fi geek or not. Exciting from beginning to end.

Loved the pacing and the tension in this 'run for your life' piece, Chris. You must have done a lot of research because the technical stuff felt authentic to me. It merged wonderfully with the love between these two men. Kudos. Gary

Sunny morning here. G'day, mates.

So, it was determined I need a new septic bed. It was quite a surprise because there hasn't been a problem, but after having someone come in and update the concrete lids for the tank to the new plastic tower type, he saw an issue that indicated the system was slowing down. Oh well... it's only money. My bed has six weepers, while most have two or three. Have a great guy working on it now, and my back yard looks like a bomb went off. Should be done by next Wednesday.

Hello, weirdos!

That's awesome, brother B.

Thanks, Bruce! The condition and bounty of Barnswallow has allowed them to make plans other than repairing an old homestead. We can see their hopes come alive as they really talk and get comfortable with one another. The bond is forming in front of us and them. The fact they see a God who is as much theirs as anyone's is really important. They won't live like scared rabbits with their tails between their legs... carrying shame for how they were made. These are proud, good men who understand what they deserve, and I don't believe they will ever take what they've been so fortunate to find for granted. Appreciate hearing your thoughts, my friend.

Wasn't it, though? I'm still chuckling... friends of Dorothy squared.

Right back at you, milady. Oh, good, another visual for my 'wicked' brain. If he escaped the wagon, maybe a house can fall on him (no sprinklers back then). Storms happen all the time. Woot!

Oh my god! I love love love this. So... would Brewster be the Wizard? Lol. Love that you have August as Dorothy. It's perfect! Fletcher, Willy James, Runyan, all perfect too. I love you mind, my clever friend. And yeah, no one needs to return to Kansas (Enniskillen). Oz is their destiny. You have outdone yourself... I will be reading this over and over again.

I think at this point Rob is mixed up in his own drama dealing with his new stepmom. As far as him showing up sometime, remember his disdain for Barnswallow, never wanting to visit it of his gran. He considers it not worth the trouble. Even if he has been moved to the bunkhouse, I doubt very much he will forego his position as heir. He'll put up with whatever he has to. Still... you just never know what the future will bring. Thanks, Neal!

Thank you, my friend. Happy to hear you liked it. I know there isn't a lot of excitement happening now, but I feel we deserve to feel the wonder they all are feeling after touring Barnswallow. The story is winding down, and while there are still more chapters, I'm glad you found this one so hopeful. Cheers!

What a shame August didn't get to meet and spend time with his grandfather. He would have been a much better role model for a kid than Albert was. It is very clear he put a lot of forethought into Barnswallow, and it's why it is in such good shape now. That cellar floor is a prime example he was ahead of the curve. Cellars were generally dark and dingy and the floors weren't so important to the average farmer. Dirt was just fine. The thing is though, it wasn't, and Brewster that out before he built the house. Thanks, Doc.

Excellent point, Kris! August basically did the same thing. I'm sure he understands the gratitude Willy James and Runyan feel since he feels the same towards his grandparents. Pride can be a detrimental thing, but in this case these men understand that. This isn't about owing someone or being obligated, it is about helping each other build a future. I agree, they either succeed or fail as a team... and my money is on succeeding. Thanks for the thoughtful input, buddy.

Yeah, Doc, I've had geese, and god help anyone who comes near when they have goslings to protect. They don't even need goslings, though. They are very territorial by their nature, and yes, they make one hell of a racket and have no fear of attacking anyone or any thing.

Hey, centex! Yeah, I get that. Barnswallow, after all that each man has faced, lived, and gone through, almost seems too good to be true. To be truthful, the main theme for this story is not just the love and search for safety, it's the dynamic between fathers and sons. Fletcher won the lottery, and we see a near perfect pa. Runyan's father, the preacher, is a complicated man because of trying to live in a white man's world, but he is such a father that Runyan is sure he will come around. Willy James' father is a hard-drinking reactionary and unhappy bigot who feeds his own hate, and August's father is a cruel brute who dominates and controls all he can. In the end, at Barnswallow, while it may still cause some hurt, it doesn't really matter. They have found a family in each other, and in the two grans. They are no longer being treated as something less, and that is what they deserve to feel. I'll get off my soapbox now. The four of them can handle all the chores ahead, mainly because Harriet and Brewster have given them a great start. What's that saying about never looking a gift horse in the mouth. Thank you, my dear friend. Let's see if I wrap this story up in a satisfactory way.

Yes... everything is looking better than they could have ever hoped for, right? Thanks, Sherye!

That's true. Who knows what the future holds, but that bunkhouse might come in handy for the other Crawley boys when they come visit. Or Regis and Darnell... Four strong men should be able to keep up with the workload, but yeah, there is always something more to do.

I love writing Willy James, and I agree he is a perfect match for Runyan. It appears to me that leaving Enniskillen and traveling by himself has given WJ a better sense of his self. He's confident enough to be cocky, a far cry from the Willy James we met at the side of his parent's store. Who needs a church to share their faith? You're right... all they need is their beliefs and the community they've begun. Thanks for the Thanksgiving wishes. There is always something to be thankful for, and I am thankful for your friendship, sweet lady.

Me too, Patrick. it wasn't exactly easy getting them to this point, but they are all secure in their choices and with each other. And yeah, the two grans. Thanks, buddy.

I see no reason for August to dig into his bank account until they are ready to buy a herd of cattle or a few mares. He still has those double eagles from Albert. I think you are right that they will be generating income in short order. After lambing season comes shearing season, and that will be another windfall for them. Things are definitely looking promising, Doc.

Thanks, Neal! Home is where the heart is, and there are four good hearts here. Glad to hear you felt all these things.

They definitely need stock... the sheep will soon be arriving, as will the dairy cow and Molly the sheepdog. A good way to meet neighbors will be to buy stock locally. I'm sure someone will have turkeys for sale. I always liked pigs, but then I met a mean sow in the middle of the driveway when I was a young'un. It changed my opinion of them. I think I might have had to change my underwear.

Thank you, Albert. I find with each western I write that it is impossible to ignore how big a part faith played in these people and their lives back then. Especially for gay men who had to navigate their own real faith against a book that didn't make a lot of sense. These boys have become family, and that is not so different from nowadays. We often have to pick our own families, our blood families not able to handle that we are different. It's a story we hear again and again in the community. And yes, 'blessings' is a refrain, but it is an accurate one. Everyone of them is blessed, thanks to a generous woman, a studious, exceptional man who has passed on, and a schoolyard that began this forging of bonds. As you say, the dialogue between them is what gives this story heart, whether it is banter or the baring of deep thoughts and feelings. Thanks for this, buddy.