jkwsquirrel

Another story to add to the list!

You know those little off-year elections that happen on odd numbered years when no one shows up to vote because it's not a big presidential election? Or those primaries that only old people show up for at 8 o'clock in the morning? Yeah, those are the truly important elections where local power is formed. They just tell you they're not important.

I don't think Mr. Taylor thought Miss Winston would resign. He's probably had these little meetings before and no one's made a big deal about it. Billy teaming up with Joey reminds me of those games where Mario and Bowser team up to handle a larger threat. Once it's over, Bowser goes right back to trying to kidnap the Princess.

I'm sure there's something less than an iota. Let's not feel too bad for ol' Joey. If the situation were reversed, he'd have reveled in taking the better grade.

D'oh! Yes, 1975 not 1985 with the story now in 2005. I fixed it. -JW

We had a nasty winter storm come through the week between my birthday and Christmas, but for the most part, it was a mild winter. It wasn’t too cold, and there wasn’t a lot of snow. That meant we didn’t have any days off from school for weather, which meant we would all be able to graduate on time and get the hell out of there. As December turned to January, my thoughts and the conversations with my fellow classmates turned toward what was next on the horizon. What were we go

Thanks Shadow-dude! I like that you have a picture in your head of how ridiculous Brett looked with his beard! I think of this chapter of what could be between the boys when everything is normal. Of course, it's the calm before the storm, but it's nice.

Thanks glennish! I think Billy is beginning to realize that things aren't as terrible as he thought they'd be. But we'll soon discover that everything isn't the sunshine and roses that Brett thought they'd be either.

Thanks DQ! Brett's beard had a purpose. Brett has always tried to act more mature than he really is. You might think that's crazy, considering the way he acts. But think about it. Why did he feel the need to add the f-word to every sentence he uttered? He wanted to sound like a grown up, and grown ups swear. But the more he swore, the less mature he sounded. He urgently pushed Billy to do sexual things before they were really ready. That led to him flaunting it to Dustin, which made him sound like a spoiled brat. The beard was just another attempt to give the outside appearance of maturity. "I can grow a beard, I'm a man now." Of course, everyone thought he just looked like a kid trying to grow something on his face. Once it was gone, Brett was convinced he looked like child, but Billy only saw the young man he loved. And yes, everything that's dysfunctional between Brett and his mom is on her. She's the adult. Brett treats her the way he does because she's allowed him. We give Paula a bad rap, and rightfully so because of her passive aggressive bigotry, but Brett would move in with her in a minute. Brett craves the structure and discipline that Billy grew up with, Billy covets the absolute freedom that Brett grew up with. They both want what the other has.

Thanks Dahawk! I really enjoyed writing this one. It's nice to see how the boys behave when things are not crazy.

Thanks Wesley! It's sort of a Joey chapter coming up, but not really, more of a Miss Winston chapter. This was a fun chapter to write.

As I emerged from the woods, the sun had already set, and the darkness of a winter evening was quickly chasing the last of the daylight away. That’s the thing that sucks about having a birthday on one of the shortest days of the year. That and my birthday’s close proximity to Christmas meant half the time my birthday got lost in the holiday shuffle. I realized that I was going to need to invest in a hat. I hadn’t needed one in a while since my hair naturally kept my head warm. I felt like I

Well, as Paula said, she didn't think Billy would actually go through with leaving. She had no intention of cutting off his medication, he just called her bluff, something which he'd never done before. George talked about it during the card game in his last appearance. If Billy ever learned how to tell when someone's bluffing, he'd be unstoppable. That said, she really shouldn't have made that threat, and I think it's clear that she regrets it. Now as for the way she's treating Brett, that's cold. Like I said above, I think she's looking to run out the clock. Once Billy graduates, she's sure that the boys will move on from this thing they've got going on, and maybe Billy will find a nice young girl to settle down with. That's how it works, right?

It reveals that Paula is seeking support and guidance from someone who she deeply trusts. It also reveals that she is giving Carl all the ammunition he needs about Billy.

Thanks! Still some work to do with Paula, that's for sure. Seems like she's just trying to run out the clock until Billy graduates and moves out, then she can keep her son and her church. At least that's what she's hoping. What coin collection?

Brett doesn't share his boyfriend.

"You're making too much sense! Stop it!"

As long as there is such a thing as googling, Billy will have plenty of Bible verses to use. My favorite part of that portion of the conversation was Paula's ignorance of Google, and her suspicion that it's something vulgar. What coin collection?

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it, my friend!

Dave - Maybe he's there and Billy just ignores him in his narrating? Dustin - I think you may be right in thinking that he was seeking out from other men what his father never gave him, and then his father went and ruined that for him too. Brett and Dustin - I think Brett has matured past his war with Dustin. It all seems silly to him now. What coin collection?

Somehow, I don't see that happening! But we can dream.

Thanks! I always enjoy your thoughts on the story!

“Where in the hell have you been?” mom asked as I came in through the back door of the house long after the sun had gone down. I could still feel the results of Brett’s love inside me as I walked through the woods. We had taken turns that afternoon, giving each other as much pleasure as two boys could want. But now, in the kitchen, I knew I was going to have to pay for my pleasure. “I was with Brett,” I answered honestly. “Would you like to know what we were doing?”

You never know. I might be watching you right now!

Thanks Dahawk! I think it'll be an interesting boat ride! Bring a life jacket, there's rapids ahead!