Geron Kees

Man, it's tough to hide stuff from you. Thanks for trying this one out!

Haha. Who are you really?

I am a little surprised to see you here (but pleased!). I didn't think this would be your kind of tale. But it's never too late for Christmas!

Haha. I knew you kept Christmas all year long!

Well, in 1948 he would notice any hugs at all. Still, that's a hard question to consider, as even very bright people have overlooked things happening under their own noses. It's not that uncommon for people highly focused on their professions to miss things happening in their own homes. I'll just have to work it our when I get there.

Interesting new twist. Designing humans may someday become a real profession. But...who designed Harman? Waiting for more now!

I rather like elves, myself. I don't know any invisible ones, though. Or, maybe I should say, I haven't seen any? Great little story!

Thanks, Gary. But don't be scared. I never hurt my characters...much!

Considering that the brothers didn't even know about each other, maybe not. I'm sure gay guys were a lot more concerned with exposure in 1948 than they are now, and so much more careful about stepping out. But as the series progresses - and it will, at some point - I'll have to deal with the dad issue, I think.

I hope this is on the order of a reminiscence, a cleansing of something old, and not a new light shined on something current. Stay well, Gary.

Well...um...yeah. That's what I did mean. Sorry about that, Chief!

Thanks for saying! I did have a great Christmas, and the New year has started off well. Hearing from you has only added to that. Thanks!

There was nothing I liked about this except that it was very well-written. This is some ferocious material, to be taken in small doses. I think I'll have to come back later after I get over being mad and upset. Getting this out of your system is good for you. I have only sympathy for what you may have endured, and a genuine joy that you are past it and have found a better life. And it's nice to see that so many have read this, and feel the same way that I do.

I know I'm late, but the door was open... This is an immensely touching piece. I love that you see the need to remember Isabella. The people that step on us in life leave the gravest of wounds, but the people that help us up again are the ones we need to remember. I have to think that Isabella would be proud of the boy who loved poetry, and now has the words to say so.

I have decided to follow my own wish and complete the stories in my uncompleted folder. I think!

There is a small Christmas tree in here, yes. How did you know! I am in the same boat as you, as far as reading. It comes down to writing or reading in my spare time, and the reading has suffered greatly. It feels selfish, to slack on the reading of other's works, in order to work on my own...but... When you have a story in your head, to not put it down immediately is to lose the impetus to do it. I have had that happen. So I mostly write, and read between the moments.

I don't think I'd recommend that you run out and buy a Hardy Boys novel now. If you like mysteries, and have been reading adult ones for a long time, these would seem tame. The charm I got from them as a kid was the period the originals were set in: the late thirties, the war years, and shortly after. Well before my time, but as different from the eighties I grew up in as the dark side of the moon from the one we see each evening What was amazing was how the young people of that time were exactly like the young people of our time. The props for the play were different, but all the feelings, the needs, and the things that they worried about were much like teens deal with today. So I felt at home there, even though the landscape was considerably different. Period pieces are fun. The more I think about it, the more I see that I'd like to write another one.

Thank you all for the kind words. It's not terribly hard to get the feel of something you've enjoyed reading, and I think a lot of writers tend to pattern their own stories after ones by other authors they have enjoyed themselves. Everybody that loves to read has finished a story at some point and smiled, and thought, "Man, that was just great!" That's how we come to have favorite authors. It's also how writers can be born, and each new writer that comes along is a melding of every writer that they have ever read and enjoyed. What I love is that so many people like the same thing, that so many authors can appeal to so many readers. If you mention the name of your favorite author in a room full of people, odds are someone in the room will smile and say, "Oh, I love those books!" That's one more point in favor of the commonality of human thinking, that our minds tend to work in similar order, despite our individual differences. We all love to be scared in the same way, or thrilled, or mystified. We all tend to empathize with the characters we like, and fret and frown over the plotters and backstabbers we don't. The worlds authors create take us in, twirl us around, and then show us the many doors that might lead to someplace better - or someplace even worse. It's all in fun, and it's all fun we can share together. Places like GA are important meeting grounds for people who write, people who read, and people who do both. There has never been a bigger, brighter world for writers and readers, both, than the web. I certainly have enjoyed posting stories online, sharing ideas with others, and seeing again how much we all love the very same things. I hope to continue doing that, forever. Or, until I am too old to type, anyway!

Hope you continue to speak your truth, unafraid. And to find the peace you deserve to keep writing!

A long and wonderful love affair between a pair of guys who just want to be together, but seem to have to fight the entire world to get there. A seat belt may be required, and perhaps a box of tissues. But you surely won't regret the journey! Take a Saturday afternoon - well, maybe two! - and read this one!

Hmm. You got me with this one, I have to say! Loved it!

What a nice look back. I have a younger brother, three years younger, and I know exactly what that was like then, and what it is like now. Just had him over for Christmas, and relived a few of our past memories together. Being a big brother is rather an important spot in the family. Jerry sure seems to know that! No wonder Jay turned out such a sweetheart!

I never considered that grandpa might be gay. Tolerance is an individual thing, and there are a great many people of every generation who have it as a natural aspect of their personality. In a world of gay fiction writing where many people are not so tolerant, I prefer to give some of my characters the benefit of the doubt. There are some very accepting people in the world, in all walks of life. I do feel they should get some air time, too.

Thank you, and Merry Christmas to you, too!

Thank you, and happy holidays to you, as well!