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Particularly when that friend has changed and you haven't. And you only learn about that change when you're least expecting it. Am I feeling sorry for Joy? Nope. Like you.

Yes, only a simulacrum with the faintest of similarities. Poor Geoff.

Yes, isn't it? I had a co-worker called Joy who was often the antithesis, although she was a good enough colleague. Not all teachers are there because they love teaching kids, strange though it might sound. Joy is definitely one of those. Her parenting skills leave something to be desired.

Que?

Hmm ... She's certainly not responding as Joy expected her to. That in itself is good.

At home, Tony was finishing up answering some emails. He looked at the time. Geoff was later getting back from his mother than he'd anticipated. Tony rubbed the bridge of his nose. Whether the lateness was any indication of how the conversation had gone, he had no idea. If Geoff hadn't got past the first sentence, then maybe he would've been back a lot sooner? Tony closed the lid of his laptop. He wasn't an expert in coming out, same as the vast majority of gay men. Each one of them had to find

Yeah, he is thoroughly unpleasant, which also makes him good to write. I imagine it's been a pretty common scenario over the years.

You are completely mad. Wonderfully, poetically insane. As usual, I have little idea of what's being described, but it doesn't matter. It never matters, dear friend. You have a marvellous gift for making love poetry out of the most unpromising material. Long may you continue.

He felt just a little more intoxicated than he’d planned.The combination of vodka shots and poppers wasn't recommended. Glenn lay on the messy, unmade bed, wondering vaguely what had come over them both. He and Niall, his ex. What a fucking cliché. A chance encounter in a club, then Niall had been his usual assertive, sexually-dominant self. He insisted they come back to the flat and have sex. Why hadn't he said 'no' while they were there? It would've been simple enough. Glenn stared at the

I've got caught up again. So if you've done a prompt response in the past couple of weeks, the topic is now posted for you to add your link. If you ever find I'm behind and you want to add a link, don't be afraid to give me a prod.

I'll never get tired of saying GA made me a writer. Now a very dear friend, @Parker Owens was the first to suggest I might have something in me which needed writing out. How prescient he was! From my very first piece of creative writing to where I am now, Parker has been by my side. 💓 I find a day is not complete without some form of writing / editing / re-editing. Although I've now branched out into an external blog, GA is my home, and always will be. Indeed, one object of the blog is to promote GA. GA is somewhere you don't have to write and post in isolation. @Headstall, @Valkyrie and now @Carlos Hazday have been kind enough to give me support and feedback in my writing. This collegiate helpfulness is part of what makes GA such a fantastic community. Thanks to Myr and to everyone else who frequents this wonderful, fulfilling site.

Thank you! It's always great to hear from the story's supporters. Geoff is certainly shy and insecure; I wouldn't characterise him as 'meek' though. It's takes a lot to get him going, but as in this chapter, he gets angry sometimes. Think of the conversation with Tony after the pub episode.

Yes, but I don't think they will ever quite replace 'family' in Geoff's mind. Part of that is down to Geoff's continuing insecurities - if his relationahip with Tony fails, he'd still have his blood relatives. Which way will his relationship with his mother go?

Thank you! Yes, Geoff's mother isn't doing herself any favours - in our eyes, or Geoff's.

Yes, indeed. There must be as many variations as there are people, and all of them unpredictable in one way or another. Thanks for your interesting thoughts.

Yes ... It would appear that way, but Geoff has yet to catch on, and may never do so. Letting go of his only close relative is something he hasn't really thought about yet. It will all depend on what happens next ...

Not only with her devastating response to his news, but also more insiduously, through her emotionally disconnected way of delivering her ultimatum about the house. Just how much does she feel for her son?

I'm not sure Geoff has had any thoughts like that. And even if he did, I doubt he would act on them. I think for now, he's still tied to the 'old bag'.

Or perhaps give her name out as a likely supporter for the local Green candidate ... Thanks for commenting.

Geoff Lumsden walked along the village street towards his mother's bungalow. He swallowed several times, attempting to make his mouth less dry. This was it. In a few minutes, he would reveal his true self by telling his mother he was gay. Geoff felt the nerves pooling in his stomach as they always did – he hadn't eaten much all day. The ploughman's he'd forced down at lunchtime sat uneasily in his gut. And as for concentrating at work … Geoff rolled his eyes. The hours had passed so slowly, he'd

Tony and Geoff's relationship appears solid and their love life is progressing. Some things are not such plain sailing however.

@Headstall It was great, Gary. Don't forget to add your link to the appropriate prompt topic in the forum as well.

You know what I think of your hummingbirds. I loved these - so evocative of your summer, perhaps everyone's summer if you are lucky enough to have access to nature unfettered. My favourite? I've just re-read them, trying to decide, and no, I can't single one out. They're all wonderful in their own way.

I don't think that matters. I'm sure that applies to a lot of people. It's the learning new things, both how to use the computer itself, and what might be garnered from it. Together, as you say, with the connections it allows, most of which would be impossible otherwise.

@Will Hawkins Computers can help older people in all sorts of ways, if only, like you, they gave them a try. I'm glad you're enjoying the story.