Headstall

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!

Thanks for this, Tony. I can see you related to this on a deeper level. Shared grief is indeed powerful. Often it is family that helps us through it because they understand and feel the same things, but in some cases we need outside help. I'm glad you had your friend, and more importantly, that your friend had you. Remembering his father on the first day of spring is not a bad thing. We should remember those we lost. I see the grief dissipating for these two men... they will help each other, and their love will grow over time. They will be okay, and they will remember. Cheers! Gary....

Fajita loving spirits! Lol. Love that. I loved what you quoted too, scrubber. Woodrow came a long way in a day. He wanted to get here, but he needed a chance meeting to pull him from those depths. However much we are determined, we often need help. Paul provided that, and maybe Dirk and Peter did too. Thanks for the support and the wonderful comment. Much appreciated, my friend.

Thanks, Dodger. Appreciate hearing your thoughts on this little story. It got me rolling again. Paul's offer was his way of trying to hold onto a connection he thought lost, just a little longer. I'm sure the feel of him so close is part of what kept Woodrow waking up later that night. Human touch is a powerful thing. Cheers! G.

Thank you, Mancunian. I took you on a sentimental journey, didn't I? It feels good to know it was a worthwhile one, so thank you for that. I'm so glad you didn't stop reading... that would have been a failure on my part. Woodrow really struggled when he started his trek, but that slowly changed once he saw 'a bear' lying there. Paul was what he needed, even id he didn't know it. Who's to say when it's the right time or place to find love. I believe those things are most often out of our hands, call it chance, fate, or the work of angels... it will happen when it happens. Appreciate the kind words, my friend. Your support has been truly awesome for this anthology. Cheers! G.

Thank you for sharing, Dan. This comment is beautiful too. I love hearing that you found your Paul after such a loss. Whether we have time to prepare, or loss is thrust on us without notice, it begins a difficult journey. Grief has tremendous power over us, but we put one foot in front of the other and hope it will recede. It usually does, but sometimes we need help. Woodrow and Paul got that on this day, from each other, and maybe from their angels. I like to believe.... Thanks and cheers, buddy.

Thank you for reading it, Dave, and for leaving a comment. Your support is truly appreciated, my friend. Cheers!

New awakenings are great, aren't they? Glad I left you with a smile, my friend. Thanks, James. Dealing with loss is never easy. I'm glad yours gets easier every year. I really like what you say about this story having just enough emotion held back to make it all believable. I think this one could have easily tipped too far if I wasn't careful, so I appreciate this bit of validation. Woodrow wasn't sure... that last leap felt way too big to take, but the heart wants what the heart wants, and his brain agreed in the end. I believe Dirk gave him the final push he needed. Overthinking is often our biggest enemy. Cheers! Gary....

My vet is on her way... I'll be back!

Thanks, Doc! It was pretty bleak to begin with, wasn't it? This sentimental journey became a path towards hope, and that is all Woodrow and Paul can ask for. The rest is up to them, but I feel good about their future. Instant attraction is as real as any other, and these two share something no one should ever have to, but they can help each other walk in the light again. It is a short story, but I wanted us to meet Dirk and Peter... they were what the day was about, after all. Cheers! G.

Lol Thanks, Adi. It feels good to be back. Glad you appreciated this emotional tale, one I wasn't sure of when I wrote it. Cheers! G.

Thank you, bro! It was a sad tale to contemplate, but writing it was almost cathartic. I think it, and some poetry, revived my muse. At the very least, it made me want to write again after a semi-brief respite of a few months. I'm so pleased you felt the happiness despite the tears. Sometimes we need to shed tears before we can get to a better place. Thanks for your wonderful comment and support of my little endeavor. Cheers... Gary....

Tissues are in the mail. Sorry, not sorry. Thanks very much for this, Bill! So glad you enjoyed this tale of tragedy and hope. Dirk and Peter seem like good angels, and would want this connection to happen. Did they give them a nudge? Who's to say, but it would seem Woodrow and Paul have seen the light... and a possible future, something out of reach when they first arrived at the tracks. Really appreciate your support, kind sir. Cheers! Gary....

Thank you, centex, for your kind support of this little story. Grief is something we all know about, and it is a different process for each of us. I think to lose someone the way these two did, created a feeling of being kindred spirits when they met. Each understood the pain of the other, and I believe that helped them move forward on this day, as they intended. It was a tough experience made easier by the other's presence. Attraction is, and always will be, a mystery to me. I'm not sure I would even want to define it, to be honest. Love is magic to me, and while it is not infallible, it is worth the risk. And yes, we all look for it, and miss it when it's gone. How could we not? There is no feeling in this world like it. I'm pleased you felt the emotion... this was a story of emotion... of remembering the good and the bad, and letting go. We all understand the people who leave us would never want us to suffer. They would want us to flourish, and find new love. Still, it's hard to not feel guilty when we do. Thanks again, my friend. I wasn't sure about this story when I wrote it, but the reaction has boosted me up. Cheers!

Happy to hear you will give it a few more chapters, Jason. I don't think you will be disappointed, but there's only one way to find out. You will get more description of Boone as the story progresses, but since this is told from Boone's POV, he won't be describing himself... I don't do that in my writing. We do get more backstory, but it is far from finished. I'm pleased you found this a better chapter... everything will come in due time. It really is a fast-paced story when you consider the whole. Appreciate the support, kind sir. Cheers! Gary....

Hi, Jason! Westerns have always been a favored genre in both movies and television for me too. I've read western stories as a kid, but I kind of grew out of them. My reading was incredibly varied back then, and still is. Happy you decided to check this out. In this first chapter, it is definitely all about the characters, and yeah there is a lot of information given. Most of my stories are dialogue driven, but I don't ignore descriptions... I try to avoid a lot of narration at one time, unless it's absolutely necessary, and try to show, not tell. I've worked hard on that, and as I said, the purpose of this chapter was to put the reader into the conversation and give them a feel for these guys and their situation... the rest will come. If you bear with me and the story, you will get all the information you need, I promise you. I'm not a perfect writer by any means, but I put a lot of thought into how I tell a tale. You're right that Coy is about twenty one. As Boone says, they've known each other for five years, ever since they were both sixteen, so they are the same age. You're right too, about Boone having an interesting backstory, but my reveals can often be slow and measured on purpose. Still, I believe the pace is good, and you will learn a whole lot through dialogue. I hope you stick with it, but if not, I thank you for giving this story a shot. There is a sequel that follows this. This was so popular I had no choice, but I must say it has been a great experience penning the two books. "The Far Country" was one of my absolute favorites... I confess I watch pretty much every western that comes on TV. I've done a lot of research on the old west too, and you're right about some of the stuff that's recorded. It was eye-opening for sure. Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment... it is appreciated. Cheers... Gary....

Thanks, buddy.

My prayers are with you and Mum.

I have many worlds to share, buddy. In case you couldn't tell, I love houses, especially older ones. So yeah, I'm a house whore too. Happy you liked the tour of this dream home. I considered cutting big sections of this chapter out after I wrote it because I didn't want to bore readers, but I'm really glad I didn't. You're right that the house is a new character in the story. If I have influenced your house rehab in some small way, then I am well pleased, Dan. Thanks for this! Cheers... Gary....

My latest anthology submission is now posted...

Happy Thursday, all!

Hey, Leo. Hope all is well with you too.

The waves will soon be lapping at your feet as you sip your pina colada or some other drink with an umbrella.

Aloha, Albert.

Hi Drewbear.