Cynus

Thank you, Drew. I'm hoping that by introducing each of the characters in this way, the readers will be already wondering what will happen when they're all put together. I hope that it will be an exciting ride.

Welcome, Graham. We're happy to have you.

Two years. That was how long it would be before Gary saw any of them again, and he wasn’t sure how many of them would be here when he returned. He had heard stories from some of the lifetime members about how they had lost girlfriends, or how some of their older relatives had passed on while they were away, and it always seemed to tarnish his view of the whole process. But God wanted him to go, and more importantly for Gary Dumont, his parents wanted him to go. They had been scraping and sa

Every young man in the Mormon Church is expected to give up two years of his life to preach the gospel wherever he is called. Some make this decision because they believe in the message, some do it because they are expected to, some do it out of a sense of duty, and some are trying to escape the real world for a while. Whatever the reason, being gay and being a Mormon missionary is no easy feat.

Welcome, Sammie.

I agree one hundred percent.

As a teenager growing up in Utah, sexual education was dismal. I don't know if I even knew what a condom was the first time my high school boyfriend ever did anything that would warrant the use of one, but it was also the first time for both of us, so . . . Stay safe, kids.

Sorry for your loss, KC. I've known five people that passed away this year, though only one of them was close enough I'd call him friend rather than acquaintance. You have my condolences. But I'm proud of you deciding to visit your grandmother, and I know that it's going to be one of the most meaningful experiences of your life. Be well and enjoy it.

I've only bought lubricant designed for the purposes we're talking about once, and I was so out of my league when doing so that I just asked the clerk at the store what one she would recommend. The only thing I know for sure was that it was none of the ones specifically mentioned in the poll. I used Baby Oil as a teen, which is something I picked up from a story at Nifty and latched onto.

I wanted a dose of emotion to help me write a scene. This definitely did the trick. If you ever need inspiration for a tragic love story, I highly recommend you look into the story of Ulay and Marina.

I'm fairly certain that this thread will not make me lose weight any faster...

I hope I'm not too late to add to the well-wishing. Glad you're doing better, Lenny, and I hope you have a speedy recovery.

Thank you, Richard. I'm glad I was up to standard.

It was just a goal date set after his 18th birthday. But thank you for reading and I'm glad the ending wasn't one that had you calling for blood! I seem to remember that you were threatening violence at the thought of what might happen to Addy...

I think it hit last night. There's an idea blossoming right now that just might be the best one I've had yet. We'll see what comes of it and then I'll let you be the judge.

I feel as if you were reading my own mind at points, and saying things I've been unable to put into words. Several years ago I dated an individual, a young and unashamed young woman who had suffered the misfortune of being born in a body that didn't match her. She struggled through a great deal of pain and misery as she tried to get her parents and friends to understand what she was going through. There were certainly periods where those of us that were close to her began to worry that she was one step away from choosing to end it all, but in the end she persevered and made it through the other side. I can empathize with the pain of not being true to yourself, and I had front row seats to what it means to not fit the body you were born into. I'm truly grateful for people like Miss Jenner who will make the world a little easier for those we know who are still hiding in the shadows, too afraid to be who they are because the world will hurt them. One day they will be free. And I'm grateful to you for backing it up with such fervor and passion, and letting us all feel even more connected. This isn't just a trans issue; it is a human one, and the sooner the naysayers understand this, there will be peace. Thank you.

Thank you, dughlas. The sequel will be in the works soon enough. And Higgins won't forget Addy's teeth anytime soon.

Oh there will be a sequel, I assure you. Though I'd be happy to hear from you if you'd like to let me know which parts you find unresolved. There might be a hole I didn't see that I'll have to make sure I address in the sequel. I left some things open on purpose, but others... who knows? I might need to do some surgery to pull it all back together.

Thank you for getting to know my people and reading their story.

Well, I couldn't keep everyone waiting, could I? Except, of course, to respond to reviews. That took me awhile. But Brady hadn't had his truly heroic moment yet, Addy already did when she saved Chelsea. I had to give it to Brady.

It was a goal date set after he turned 18, but not so soon that he'd be worrying about it on his birthday itself. The whole gang is doing well so far, but that just means they can be a greater force of change for those less fortunate.

The ending was also a hint as to some of the characters that will be central to the sequel. And yes, the major thought process behind Silas waiting to make the call was that he'd be 18 a year after the events of the previous chapters.

Thanks, Robert. I'm glad that the ending sufficed. Hopefully the continuation will do the same.

Thanks, Val. I don't know when that will be, but hopefully it will happen sooner rather than later.

Welcome Dave and thequietone. We're happy to have you.