Headstall

Hey, all! Just heading out for my walk after I feed. Be good, y'all!

Damn. Made myself cry again. Nate is a strong kid, but I'm of the opinion gay kids have to be. Nate has fought a battle he never should have had to, for three years now, and if it has done one thing, it has strengthened him. The maturity he showed in putting those pills back in the bottle says a lot. He doesn't want to die, and now he is in a place he feels safe. Megan did do the right thing, and Mark has begun his soul searching, but he has a lot to prove to his wife and son. Man, this has taken me back and put me in it. Thanks and cheers!

I think most of us have that teen angst, don't we? I remember working very hard in this chapter. This was a story arc I wasn't sure I should include, so once I made the decision, I wanted to get it right. I must have, because it just made me cry again. This one brings up a lot of emotions, and I'm glad you thought I handled it with great care. Yes, it does get better, but that's hard to see when you are Nate's age. Weighty? That's a really good word, and I agree. Thanks, buddy. I hope you fall for Nate like everyone else did. Cheers!

Yeah, you weren't alone... nobody saw Nate coming. I like to keep readers on their toes. I hope you like what's coming, because he has a powerful story to tell. Happy reading, my friend! Cheers... Gary....

Yeah, it took long enough, but not when we consider it took them five years to figure out their true feelings for one another. The first scene where they are watching the ultrasound video, gets a little lost in this chapter, but that's okay. I agree their first time was something extra special. I'm pleased you liked it. These scenes are never easy... they make me feel vulnerable when I write them, and then again when I post them, but they are always an integral part of the story. Thanks, buddy. I always like hearing what readers think of this chapter. Cheers! Gary....

Hello, Doha! I certainly couldn't ask for more than this you've shared. The fact you felt all those things gives me a sense of accomplishment... and peace too. I hope you will meet your own Paul too. I still haven't given up hope for myself. Writing does take time and energy, but it is worth it when readers like you validate my efforts. A few simple words shared, support and inspire, and urge me onward. Thank you, my friend. Cheers! G.

Sometimes it takes just a glance, and that, my friend, is the magic of attraction... and possibly love.

Thank you, Alex. I intend to keep writing as long as I'm able, although maybe not at the pace I once did. Telling me you found this an amazing and awesome story is plenty. I appreciate you letting me know your thoughts, and I appreciate your support. Cheers! Gary....

Yeah, so true. I think Woodrow's reaction to the peaceful scene shows us just how stuck he's been. He could see for himself the world had moved on, and just how long it's been (long enough for Dirk's wreck of a Jeep to become more so). Real time has passed, enough that all traces of that destruction have gone and nature has repaired itself. There is no time limit on grief, but if we're not careful, it can consume us. Woodrow, and Paul, are ready to understand that, hence the trip to the scene of their loss. Did their angels give them a push? Who's to say. What matters is they left what had become their prisons... their dis-comfort zones. Being alone isn't fun, but it can be seductive. At first, we may need the solitude, but eventually we get trapped. It was no little thing to drive 5-6 hours away, yet both men did. Was it just to say goodbye, or were they ready for something new and real? I think we got our answer at the end. Yes, they understand each other in a way others can't, and they will probably need that from each other from time to time. I think, though, the will be seeing their grief in a rearview mirror, and I also believe Dirk and Peter will be happy about that. Thank you, Mrsgnomie, for your support of this story and my other anthology submissions. I appreciate the time given, and the kind words. Cheers! Gary....

I am so exhausted. Watching a preseason hockey game.

The scratch is healing very slowly, so we will keep treating it. She still has blood vessels going to the area. We might try a special serum that provides cells for the healing process if my vet can still get it or have it made. My mare's ages inhibits her production of them. She does not have UVitis which is good. There is no infection, and her heart and lung sounds are good.

The truth can be kind, my dear friend. I doubt my work all the time, always striving to make it better, never completely satisfied, but I know that is what makes me a writer who readers put their faith in. I do have confidence in my abilities... and my work ethic. I have worked hard to improve my skills, but I learned early on my instincts were, for the most part, ones I could trust. I have always felt things deeply, and I believe that shows in what I write. I am not afraid of my emotions, or of being honest in my portrayal of them. Am I sometimes tipping towards sappy? You bet, but that is a choice I make, one of many I make in my writing. Another strength of mine is that I understand people. I can be fooled when I am in love, but otherwise, it is highly unlikely for it to happen. My dialogue is commented on a lot, but maybe that is because I can hear my characters' voices so clearly in my head. All this said, it doesn't mean I don't need encouragement or validation, because I do. I will always question whether I am good enough, but reader support like yours keeps me trying. There is angst with the process of writing, speaking only for myself, but I need to create, so that angst is worth it. If I challenge you to be a better person, that is a real gift to me, and I thank you for saying it. I don't preach, but there are often underlying messages in the things I write. Keep boosting me up, buddy. Without the positive feedback, it's a much harder road to travel.

I know this poem well, my friend. To turn a blind eye is the easy path, but it is not the right one. When there is no one left to hate, what happens then. You are so right that these two men had a place to go to say goodbye. There was no trace of Dirk left, but Peter's body could be buried. That is a small but important blessing. What Woodrow says about Dirk being cremated with thirty-one strangers was a hard line to write. His remains were indistinguishable from those others, but Woodrow at least knew where he perished. The point for these two is that dwelling on the horror of their passing, while understandable, was not what their partners would have wanted. The best way to honor them is to live life best they can, and to accept love offered. This tale is tragic... so many things in life are... but it is the hope the human spirit will cling to, because life and living is a precious gift, and we must adapt to loss. The tears we shed can get us where we need to be, and should never be considered a weakness. I grew up during a time men didn't cry, or at least weren't supposed to. What a ridiculous concept that was. I love and appreciate that you felt this story so deeply. I am honored.

Mine too!

Thanks, Parker, and thanks for your wonderful proofing job. I'm pleased you felt placed there, on those tracks. It was the right place to say goodbye, and the right place to begin anew. Those memories are never going to go away, but I believe they were softened on this day. That interaction between Woodrow and Paul fed them new life, allowing their perspectives to alter. Grief is a process, and the sharing of it can make all the difference. Again, thank you for commenting. Cheers!

That is so wonderful to hear, Gary! I love when a story gets reread. It's a practice I often use... and I usually find things I missed the first time. Thank you so much.

I love to tweak readers' emotions. I agree... the nudging may have happened days or even weeks ago. What do we know of the way of angels? I half expected my return to writing would be 'meh', but has not been the case. We authors all go through our quiet spells... it is such hard work, and drains our time... but covid was a different animal. It played with my brain, and that is scary. I only have so many brain cells left. I believe the hope at the end of this story is real... it felt real to me... and Woodrow and Paul have found something special. They will help each other, and understand those periods of sadness that are sure to come. I wish them well. They deserve to live and love. Thanks for the kind words, buddy.

Thanks for noticing. I love "Sentimental Journey". In fact, I love old movies and their music in general.

"Each came to mourn and each were given a sign that the season of loss had changed color, that new buds could spring from their cold, lonely winters….it would be foolish to ignore a sign from beyond, right?" Beautifully said, my friend. I agree it would be foolish to ignore messages received from beyond. Woodrow and Paul know their deceased partners enough to know they wouldn't want them to isolate themselves from love. I know that because they were worthy of love themselves. Lol to size twelve-and-a-half feet. That is what they say, isn't it? I will make no further comment regarding such things. I actually knew a Woodrow, and while I haven't seen him in many years, this was a nod to him and his friendship. He had a similar experience to the one my character related, though he wasn't shot dead, thank the lord. I'd heard that about Woodrow Wilson... common for those times, and unfortunately, it appears to be on the rise again. Civilizations fall for the most ridiculous reasons, and most of those are based in irrational fears. Thank you for the thoughtful comment and the kind words, sweet lady.

Thanks, mayday! This was a journey of emotions, for Woodrow and for the readers. Right up until he met Paul, he wasn't sure he was doing the right thing, and that struggle was painful to write. I remember thinking this was too dark to post, but I kept going until the light started to shine. Even then, I still wasn't sure, because covid did a number on my confidence. I love that you appreciated the little touches like the blanket, plates, and glasses... even the wine that Dirk had intended to take on that fateful trip. To lose someone is hard, but to know you should have been with them when it happened would have left a lot of guilt. That probably affected me more than anything else. Woodrow and Paul deserved to be released from their grief. Tears are good, right? It lets us appreciate the ending all the more. Thank you, dear friend. Cheers! G.

Sigh... thank you so much, Dan. I just reread it and teared up too. After all this time, their love story still gets to me in the best way. This lifts me up... seriously, and I needed it because I wasn't having the best day. Cheers, my friend.

I love when this story gets some attention! Chapter comments like this, and story reviews which new readers can see when they are searching for something to read, really help bring attention to a story. Kelly is one of my all-time favorite characters. He is based on a friend of mine. I agree I could have fun writing a story about him.... He turns some readers off, but I love his heart of gold. Thank you, my friend. Cheers!

Lol. The banter between these two is one of my very favorite things about writing this story. Even in the most serious times, they still see the humor. I also love when Kendall does the unexpected... but he has a hard time keeping up with Michael. Michael has been a revelation to him with how romantic he can be. I'd say he was definitely worth waiting for. Big exhale... yeah, we need those every once in a while. Thanks, buddy... love that you commented on the humor. Cheers! Gary....

I need to believe in ghosts... I find it comforting to think someone watches over us. Thanks, buddy, for your truly kind words. Your support of my writing always warms me, and I appreciate it deeply. Woodrow and Paul are walking back into the light, and they will do it together. That makes those tears we shed worthwhile, I think. Again thank you and cheers!