FanLit

That….”man” deserved what he got.

“You could have heard a feather smack a tree, folks be so quiet.” That is quiet, indeed, lol. So the “performance” was perfectly executed and properly received; Albert’s doubts have been dashed for now….it’s good August and Fletcher leave the next day, before any other complication can arise. I'm glad August and Fletcher agree to let Willy James and Runyan have a refuge and am equally glad that it was impressed upon them by Roland that “Under no circumstances can you take either of them with you.” There will be far flung journeys before they can meet up in one place. Godspeed in your travels, gentlemen. When will Willy James take his leave? When will Runyan? Will Ms. Lorraine ease up on the “necessities”? 🙂 Find out next week on “Roping the Moon” 📿🌕 🍻

I’m sorry to hear of your physical pain @CincyKris, severe pain can affect our quality of life. I wish you as much relief as you can get.

I hope you are aware that I did enjoy this chapter, Gary; in light of Willy James’ and Runyan’s predicament, maybe “enjoy” is not the right word…. I was fully engaged in this chapter, (as I am in all your chapters and stories. ) It’s a testament to your writing that I got pissed at Runyan’s father and sister like they were real people, lol!! You are a conscientious storyteller, I know you approached this chapter with sensitivity and discretion; I’m able to relate to it on a level different from yours and you are right about little Sis, she wasn’t wrong in telling her father about what she saw….I just believe she wasn’t right, lol (I did say rightly or wrongly, had to acknowledge my gut feeling) Now you have us invested in the welfare of two couples; if they can eventually meet up, away from their respective concerns, that’d be ideal….if not, the hope is for these four young men to safely and successfully escape the hazards they currently face. 🙏 🤞

That “scene” between Roland and Fletcher can’t come fast enough. It makes you wonder though, how both Rob and August were nurtured by the same woman and turned out so differently….I'd say it’s genetics but Rob bears some type of envy for his little brother, which I guess can still be an argument for genetics, lol, one’s predisposition to insecurity.

Ah, yes. Thank you for that iPhone “memories” reminder (I don’t know if androids do the same) as opposed to it being Mark sending the pic…. I didn’t make the connection because my head was with their bumping into each other & the story of Harry’s missed opportunities to tell Mark how he felt about him; that must mean he got that reminder every New Year’s Eve….no doubt a painful reminder ever since, particularly during the Josh years. I shouldn’t have used the word clueless after the NYE kiss, I meant more along the lines of what you detailed, which was closer to my approval statement.

At least twice!! 👏 🎉

I’m glad Harry got laid….his pipes were backed up. (Emotional and physical) Sometimes a fling is just what’s needed. I’m especially glad he did that after Mark sent that picture, WTF?!?! “Harry pulled away just far enough to breathe. “Was that all right?” Harry at 36 year old asking this of a 26 year old was a misalignment to me, is he really that clueless? Christ almighty, the man expects you to fuck him later and you’re still asking for approval? Let’s see how many other bed mates the New Year brings Harry.

#TeamHarryNeedsTherapy. He’s showing some spine in his interactions with Lewis but his self confidence and self respect is in the toilet, he needs professional help to get them out.

Really. Sometimes he gives me the impression of a child sneaking something behind his mother’s back and then acting like he wasn’t doing anything when she comes in the room.

I’m #TeamMarriedScot AND #TeamHarryNeedsTherapy. That golden retriever, though….he’s a sleeper; not out of the running.

I read somewhere once, that Native American parents used to hold their babies noses and cover their mouths when they cried to teach them to be quiet….I can’t vouch for the accuracy of that information but I understand the logic behind it; when you are a certain type of people, living in a certain type of place, you cannot afford to draw undue attention to yourself; I find it hard to believe Preacher Brown did not instill the ways of right and wrong, of fire and brimstone, into all of his children, so I get what you’re saying, Gary, but if she was old enough to tell, she should’ve been old enough to be taught what & what not to tell….the kissing of someone of another race alone should have kept her quiet (if not her, then definitely her damned Daddy should’ve known better)….if Collier and his “klan” decide a lesson should be taught (whether or not Runyan is there), this’ll be a traumatic, guilty burden little sis will carry for the rest of her life….if she’s allowed one.

“You won’t be meeting Virginia, and I’m not sure that’s a proper thing a’tall. Feels like both my sons should be here to welcome her to the family.” 🙄 What a contrary bastard-first it’s “here’s your hat, what’s your hurry”, now it’s a procession to welcome the queen, Geez. Albert nodded as he turned his stare to his empty glass. “She’s an understanding woman and I’m sure she’d appreciate such a gesture.” August’ll have to take his Pa’s word for that, since he didn’t think it was important his future wife meet his children, and how understanding could ol’ Ginny be when she was displeased at the thought of Albert’s grown children still living at home….what the heck was in that snifter? Rightly or wrongly, I’m mad at Runyan’s sister- what the hell was she thinking?!?! The Reverend ain’t no better, practically putting the noose around his son’s neck. As an AfroCaribbean American woman raising a queer child, this situation hits me hard on several levels, a reminder that the more things change, the more they stay the same; people of color cannot afford to be this naive, then or now. 😔 💔 “Well, I know I can speak for Fletcher when I say we feel the same ‘bout you, that we care what happens to you… and Runyan too.” August and Fletcher owe Willy (tee hee, writing his name had me thinking of it in another way, even though I’ve read it in the story several times. 🍆) and his strategic information sharing for getting them together; I’ve no doubt Fletcher would be okay with the other couple coming along, but discretion is the better part of valor in this instance. “What is bedeviling Albert besides drink? Can anything exorcise the devils of prejudice and bigotry from Mr. Collier? Here’s to hoping Willy and Runyan find a safe way to be together. Until next week’s installment of “Roping the Moon” 📿🌕 🍻

Ben is a gem. 💎

I’m actually leaning more towards Harry/Lewis, too but their interactions are straight out of Junior High and both their balls need to drop if anything’s going to happen. Besides his blood family, Emma is still in Nottingham, she’s supported Harry through the Mark and Josh shit show and its aftermath, as well as high school (which seemed a nightmare of harassment for Harry), you hold on to friendships like that and you make an effort….he is right to be with his chosen family at Christmas; Edinburgh 90210 will be waiting in the New Year, lol.

Accidentally? 🤔

🛋️ #TeamHarryNeedsTherapy ☑️ -though I’ve been mightily impressed with the stance Harry has taken with Lewis (who as his own hot mess, could do with a conversation or ten on a therapist’s couch, as well). Did you take the ring off for good, Lewis or just to let Harry know that you’re available (albeit emotionally, since Catherine still has papers on you & doesn’t appear as though she wants to give them up); I don’t know why, but I feel like a baby is in/will be in their equation. James’ approach with Harry (though fraught with its own issues) is more simplistic in comparison to Harry/Lewis….that golden retriever sees all and decides to be a spoiler when he feels it’s necessary (or maybe fun? lol). At minimum, James is “straight but not narrow”, given his “hobby” and concerns over his brother’s potential homosexuality, yet I still wonder if he himself is gay or maybe gay for Harry? The best relationships start with friendship and James considers Harry a friend.

This was fantastic. 🎁 Thank you for this glimpse back into their lives. It was nice to see the guys grown and with their families- the ones they came from (I consider Rob’s parents Mark’s as well), the family they made of each other, as well as the families they’ve made with their partners and the people who’ve worked with them from the very beginning. Mark’s evolution is a sight to behold….in some ways, it was inevitable, as he said in the documentary: “That this is a massive fucking reminder that I did not go through all that shit for nothing. Good things are about to start happening… and I fucking deserve it.” Mark and Rob are just as potent as they were when they first confessed their feelings for each other, actually they are more so, since they’ve been tested and are still together, stronger than ever. I loved the reminiscence down memory lane in the form of a documentary….you did a fabulous job synopsizing every episode. August 2021. When I saw that date and how it was skipped over in the documentary, my thought was: "I get that they don’t want the world to know but you can tell us, right?" Then I saw how you ended the chapter…. I know that Mark almost died and I know the information may make me sad (or mad?), but I can’t wait for the details-oh yeah, I have been waiting, lol. Whenever you’re ready.

This was fantastic. 🎁🎁 Thanks for this glimpse back into the lives of the guys. It was lovely to see the guys together, grown and in their families- the families they were born from (I consider Rob’s parents Mark’s in a way, too), the family they created in their friendship, and the families they created with their wives, and the people who’ve worked with them from the beginning. (Hi, Tom) Mark has come into his own in such an unexpectedly public way, if you think about it, it was inevitable, as he said in the documentary “ That this is a massive fucking reminder that I did not go through all that shit for nothing. Good things are about to start happening… and I fucking deserve it.” His relationship with Rob is still as potent as it was the night they confessed their feelings for each other, actually they are more so, ‘cause they’ve been tested and they’re still together, stronger than ever. The documentary was a great way to reminisce down memory lane; you synopsized each episode really well. August 2021. When I saw the date in the story and how it was left out/alone, my thought was: “I get that they don’t want the world to know but you can tell us, right? “ Then I saw the end of this chapter…. I know it involved Mark almost dying and will make me sad (or mad?), but I can’t wait for the details-actually, I have been waiting, lol. Whenever you’re ready.

It looks like you’ll have some interesting stories to tell about some fascinating people.

To clarify-this should have been “James is the one who strong armed Harry to go to the party”, not Lewis. My apologies on the mixup.

“the car pulled up, and Catherine was there in the window, her face not angry or shocked but still and assessing, as though she’d recognised Harry before he’d had time to place her.” Catherine is clearly a Daddy’s girl who wears the pants in her marriage….did she decide she wanted Lewis and Daddy made it happen? He seems a man of means, maybe he’s on the board of the company they own or some other type of societal clout. The marriage fulfills something for Lewis and Catherine, though I don’t imagine it’s the same thing….is she his willing beard, looking the other way in his same sex involvements but adamant about heterosexual fidelity to her? How does she know about Harry? It’s such a huge WTF at the moment, lol. Two things are clear though: 1/“Daddy” is the third party in their marriage (“You’re FaceTiming me from your kitchen,” Harry said, “under your wife’s dad’s Lowrys. After last night.”) and 2/ Harry is clearly not the only tortured soul in this story. Lewis has a lot of cheek to call Harry after the night before, then again, something about the night before emboldened him, fed the obsession….we often can’t control all our actions regarding obsessions & besides, Lewis did think the call was going to voicemail. “He turned his face away too late and scrubbed a hand over his mouth, irritated with himself for being seen like that, then sneezed, because apparently the humiliation needed garnish.” Love the garnish metaphor, doesn’t all humiliation need it? lol. “You’ve got actual Lowrys above your kettle.” “Aye,” Lewis said. “Wedding presents. From her dad.” You can tell, Catherine decorated the kitchen, likely the house (or Daddy). “Apparently that was where they were meant to go.” “Harry saw the kitchen differently then: the paintings from Catherine’s father above the kettle, Lewis standing beneath them in a vest, calling him the morning after a night that had ended badly enough without this. The whole thing rearranged itself into evidence. Not a kitchen now. Territory.” I like the spine Harry is growing with Lewis, maybe he should get angry more often, lol. Then again, the dynamic of Harry/Lewis’ relationship lends itself to more back and forth than the Harry/ James dynamic….speaking of James (and anger), Harry should be pissed with James; James is the one who strong armed Lewis to go to the party and virtually abandoned him there (unless something happened after Lewis left). Harry’s handling of Lewis is a step in the right direction (“What the actual fuck was that?”) but not yet the sea change Harry needs to make, perhaps Christmas in Nottingham will do something to put Harry on the road to self forgiveness I previously mentioned-and I don’t mean Emma’s friend Max, lol, although….🤔

Harry did a really bad thing to someone he loved because his need to be loved outweighs any other consideration. He did not do it alone, however. Josh was the instigator of their affair and when a choice had to be made, Mark chose his cheating boyfriend of three years over his best friend of ten. Lewis is like that broody, moody boy in school who is unable to truly express how he feels to his crush so he antagonizes him instead, the proverbial pulling of the pig tails or bra strap, if you will. Whether his inability of true expression stems from his marriage, emotional constipation or a combination of the two, he cannot leave Harry alone, it is almost beyond his control (“You’re dangerously close to being my origin story.”) this struck me as such a powerful phrase when I read it….what the hell is Lewis’ story? James is the jock that appears superficially good natured but has deep waters, as evidenced by the only obvious ripples to his surface-mentions of family. The description of his Christmas party outfit also describes him-“the studied carelessness of someone pretending not to try.” Nottingham isn’t only Harry’s Waterloo. Harry’s allowed his attraction to James for the obvious physical reasons, and as his friend Emma said, he’s safe because he’s “straight”-(Imo, James is as straight as a curlicue)….Harry doesn’t realize that James needs his “hobby” jonesing on him as much as Harry needs to crush on James-but Lewis notices; I wonder if the rivalry between James and Lewis over Harry will ever materialize into some action even Harry can’t ignore. Whatever may or may not happen with Lewis, whatever may or may not happen with James, Harry needs to forgive himself….take off the hair shirt, put down the cross, and forgive himself; then Harry needs to learn to love himself, absent that, at least recognize that he does deserve to be wanted and chosen, that he is more than the sum of his bad choices, otherwise he stays in tortured ambiguity for the rest of his life and he’s clearly too nice a man for that to be his fate.

I must admit, when I saw “Warning: mature content” at the start of the chapter, I became concerned that some foul play might befall one or both of our lovers….instead, the maturity was of each learning how manifold their blessings be. 🎁 🍆 Love is an ingredient that enhances every interaction but, I gotta say, lust is a damned fine thing, too, lol; (my perverted ass was impressed that Fletch became a deep throater on his second try, lol!!) That love and lust walk hand in hand with August and Fletcher makes their pleasure all the more special. (back to the romance part of it now. 😊) You’ve taken a different direction with this couple, Gary, uncrossing their stars and letting them give in to their feelings earlier in the story, I’m looking forward to see where these determined partners go, also hoping a meeting with Grandmama Harriet is in the future-I wonder if Maureen took after her or Mr. Brewster in looks (maybe she was a combination?) How much longer ‘till our intrepid explorers start their journey? How much longer until August matches Fletcher ahem, “skill for skill”? How much longer until Rob is fully moved into the bunkhouse? Find out in the next installment of “Roping the Moon” 📿🌕 🍻