FanLit

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” 📿🌕 🍻

“Inside, something shifted. A realization. Quiet, certain, and nowhere near ready to be spoken aloud.” Johnny realized he’s in love. 💘 Given his celebrity status in the surfing world, this is obviously not Johnny’s first “encounter”, it may not even be the first time he was picked up….one can wonder if this is Johnny’s first real relationship or the first time he’s ever been in love. What is obvious is that Bruce is the first time he is Johnny Day, not Johnny Day-surfing god, not even Johnny Day-budding thespian, he is just Johnny Day, the favored patron at Slice of Napoli. Bruce knew who Johnny was when he approached him but you could tell he was interested in far more, and he’s getting it, piece by piece. 🧩 Watching Johnny deconstruct and rediscover (or discover?) himself has been fascinating….he's transitioning to a highly competitive field in the performing arts but competition is nothing new to him, lol, and neither is performance as an art, if you think of it….it is his approach to it that is new. Johnny’s success may be more guaranteed than most if his destination on Hollywood and Vine is as a working actor and not a movie star….given his natural charisma and the open way he’s approaching learning this craft, movie stardom could be a possibility, if he wants it….time will tell. The relationship he’s building with Bruce is a great foundation for whatever comes next.

I already prefer Ryan to Cameron and I don’t care how sexy or charismatic Cameron is, I was not feeling the way he pushed up on Marcus- in the bar, and especially in his house; boundaries are a thing, so is consent. While Marcus’ kiss showed his attraction to Cameron, it blurs lines that need to be clearly defined, because Cameron doesn’t understand “no”.

“August leapt out of bed while a multitude of stars still shone above,” August woke up before sunrise and must have thought he was still dreaming after the conversation he had with his father, lol. “Reckon it’s past time I stop fretting over you boys.” WHAT?!?! The only boys he’s thinking of now are the two between his legs…. I hope Ginny rides him to death. So Ms. Maureen was Albert’s Achilles heel and upon her death he became all heel. It seems Albert was a good husband-was he a better (although clearly unlikable) man when Maureen was alive, or did she delude herself about him and unknowingly enable his ruthlessness? Or did her death make the worm turn? Albert speaking to August as a person (let alone with concern) seemed so strange….while there was his own self interest to evict his child involved in his conversation, I detected a note of reflection on what was, likely because August’s departure will truly close the door on this chapter of his life….I dare say Albert seems lonely (and likely backed up if he’s never tended to his “needs” since Maureen’s death-no wonder he was cranky)….seeing Lorraine still alive and happy with Roland Crawley was no doubt salt in his prideful wound. ““They’re your initials too, boy,” Something about this declaration was jarring, Albert acted as though he never wanted to claim any commonality with his youngest child before; Who was this man, indeed. “He sorely needed some humbling. One wrong move, or one word from Virginia, and August had no doubt hewould be in the bunkhouse.” I hope Virginia tries to seduce Rob under his father’s nose or at the very least, tell Albert Rob was making advances….that Rob’s future is uncertain serves him right. “Well, sir, I ain’t so good at talking… but I know in my heart it’s way more than any urge like you’re talking about. I’d… the only way I can say it is that… well… I reckon I’d rope the moon for Fletcher if’n I could.” It sounds like you talk just fine, August; that line put me in the mind of Coy Diamond and Boone Dixon, lol. August’s planning session with Fletcher and Roland was great, (I’d forgotten the Crawleys didn’t know about August’s inspired brainstorming); that they’re looking forward to creating the scene that’ll lend credence to August’s tale says everything about their sense of devotion to each other, as well as their sense of fun, lol. I wonder what distraction the businessmen of the town have planned for Albert? Will it go on with this new development? Could Virginia be the plan?!?! ‘Tis a fine thing to get approval from your father in law….a measured man, indeed- I reckon August done growed up. “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how”. All this smooth sailing has me nervous….Is this all too good to be true? Will Albert wizen up to what’s going on? Will Rob’s now precarious situation make him a vengeful spoiler? Find out in the next installment of “Roping the Moon” 📿🌕 Oh and 🍻to the triple chapter, which comes after the double chapter last week….are you fixin’ to go on spoilin’ us, Mr. Gary? 🎁

HERE HERE!!

“He leaned back so he could see into those eyes what made his hard world soften” what a touching turn of phrase to describe sanctuary. 💝 Being born and raised in a loving, secure household gives Fletcher confidence and courage, he will take the risk of loving and living with August in unknown territory, yet his level headed ways recognizes that some risks are closer to home (Albert) with a “far reach” and have to be neutralized before August can make a safe departure. “But to be honest I’d prefer we come together like married folk do, carrying the promise of a future without any of the worries we have now.” How romantically noble for Fletcher to want to wait and in that instance, lifesaving, as we now know Rob the roach was lurking around spying. A second son who grew up with envy and feelings of inferiority, Albert made plans for the type of life he wanted to show his family up, that appears to have included a woman like Lorraine, who if nothing else, had to be physically appealing, (as Albert is all about appearances). Without knowing Lorraine’s family situation, Albert may have been a means to financial security, as that was one of the only viable options for an unmarried woman not born into wealth….who knows what charming or boorish ways she had to deal with in their courtship; it was a claiming on Albert’s side, not a betrothal, and an obviously still deep affront to his pride (even after making a love match of his own), that Lorraine’s choice of another man keeps his grudge against Roland, Lorraine and their offspring alive-“He took something what was mine!” ….that Lorraine was “something” in his recollection of their courtship, speaks volumes of what he did (and did not) feel for her, I wonder if Maureen knew and how she felt about it (if she did). August’s “conniving” was inspired, and worked because of his father’s hatred of the Crawleys and anything he could do to sow dissension in the family whose very existence is still an insult to his vanity. The reluctance Albert showed to offer his own child assistance to make his own way, either in the form of coin to start off or backup, as well as the begrudging release of horseflesh, and transportation (that he doesn’t even need or use!!) shows that Albert is more miser than father. Albert’s distraction with his new marriage was another factor in August’s favor- he was already in the mindset of wanting his sons gone….for all of his talk about legacy and inheritance, he surely is treating his heir like shit under his shoe- “And Rob, she’ll be in charge of the house so you need to mind her, you understand me? I’ll side with her if you don’t get along”. Virginia already has her hooks in her new husband- if he’s also willing to remove his heir from comfortable surroundings to pacify his new bride, what will happen if they have children of their own? Personally, I hope she poisons him and takes everything he owns. When is departure day for August? Will he really be leaving on his own? How long until Rob is living in town? Find out in the next installment of “Roping the Moon” 📿🌕 🍻

“He’s the shadow what darkens my life every damn day I’m here.” Though accurate, how very sad that August (or anyone for that matter) uses that description for a parent. 💔

I concur but I think he’s going to get tired of me salivating over his descriptive abilities every week, lol.

Unless Mrs. Cooley was as naive as her son, I can’t think being Albert’s wife was an easy time of it, (unless Gary’s going to surprise us and show us the only time Albert had a heart was when he was married to his wife).

I think the chapter referenced that Fletcher is one of seven siblings, though I don’t know if he’s the oldest.

For all the dangers and challenges ahead, the confession of the reciprocal feelings between August and Fletcher is the very best development, (though I must admit my stomach clenched with their first kiss, fearful that Rob might have come upon them). There is nothing more special than knowing the love you feel for someone is equally returned. 💝 What a wonderful depiction of family acceptance and support as represented by the Crawleys this blessed pride month 🏳️‍🌈, that both Mr. and Mrs. Crawley know and are okay with their son’s sexuality is a rare thing for those times, I reckon….it’s a beautiful thing Fletcher’s uncle was able to find happiness and his struggle clearly left an empathetic imprint on his sister and brother in law. August, as good natured and hard working as he is, comes across as dangerously naive when it comes to what Albert is capable of, even knowing how bad his dad is; I’m glad Fletcher opened his eyes to how far Albert will go to get what he wants-if he would threaten and torture strangers, imagine what he would do to his own son, whom he views more like property than progeny….August will need to be very careful with his exit plan; should he and Fletcher manage to merge (in all possible ways, lol) they’d be ahead with Barnswallow and Fletcher’s herd and flock. Grandmama Faulkner living with her “spinster” friend leaves me in the mind of thinking that she would be open to knowing her grandson loved another man. What in tarnation will August and Fletcher do to be together? What in tarnation can Augie do to escape from under his father’s thumb in one piece? Can Albert fall off his horse and break his neck? 🙏 🤞 Find out in the next installment of “Roping the Moon” 📿 🌕 🍻

Ahh, I see the new series starts with the last three chapters of this series…

A lovely visit back into this world. Nice that Mark is fully embracing his French side, not because of his mother’s husband (because James was never a father to Mark) but because it the other half of him and in claiming that side, he became whole, personally and professionally. “It felt like something I needed after almost dying two years earlier on a Global Citizen project.“ I hope this gets addressed in the new stories you’re writing about these guys; I’m fond of them, I know U-N-I better than I know Coldplay, lol. Congrats Jordan and Grainne on impending parenthood….at least they’ve had exposure with their friends, I think they were the last childless couple in the group. Life so far seems really good for them; it’ll be interesting to watch them merge their careers with their families.

Damn, you write good. (My old west speak for saying your descriptions are flawless).

I’m curious too, and hope August truly does have a good hiding place for those letters.

I LOVED the confrontation between August and Rob, so proud Augie stood up for himself, after all, he only spoke the truth; Rob’s reaction to the talk was interesting….while there is definitely jealousy there, it does seem most of his handiwork is to keep their father off his own back, Rob damn well should have left August to rest, he knows it’s well earned….there may be hope for Rob Cooley yet but I ain’t holding my breath. Good on Grandmama Faulkner leaving the Faulkner homestead to August & even better that he realizes his destiny is not on the Cooley ranch; you’d think if Albert wants to barter August off in a marriage of convenience, as “he be the kind of pretty what women like, and it be his job to find him the right deal.” he’d treat him nicer; I know you have a different relationship with each child for various reasons….it’s clear Albert likes to see his literal reflection in his firstborn; I wonder how he would have treated August if he were the eldest. For some reason I want to say it’s not all hate and control in Albert’s feelings for August. Mrs. Cooley’s parents hate their son in law, was that before or after their daughter married him? (I can’t see Albert Cooley capable of fooling anyone with charm, maybe guile). Was August’s mother fooled? Trapped? Her choice of Albert Cooley is very interesting in light of the fact the Faulkner’s came from money and even if as a woman she may not have gotten land, her father would have set a fortune on her. Is there a reason August’s Mother and Grandmama’s name haven’t been given? (We know her father was Brewster); actually, outside of Laura Crawley, I don’t recall the mention of any female’s name, unless I’ve missed it. Augie wound up getting his meeting with Fletcher after all-does August realize Fletcher wanted to share his day with him? especially one so painful? While there was no ‘rasslin’ of arms and legs, there may well be some ‘rasslin of realization based on Fletcher’s question. Will Rob become a better man? Will August admit he was mooning over Fletcher? When will August tell Albert he’s leaving? (‘cause I don’t see that going well a’tall). Find out on the next installment of Roping the Moon. 📿🍻

“There’d been one time when his Pa was drunker than usual and said August looked too damn much like his mother for his own good. He been scowling at the time, and told him to get out of his sight… to go find something to do so he didn’t have to look at him. Not much his father said could hurt him anymore, but that time he had. Not long after, his duties changed.” August triggers Albert because he looks and acts like his deceased wife, August’s mother. I wonder if he really loved her….it wouldn’t surprise me if he felt something for her but wouldn’t know what to do with good and tender feelings if they paid him, so he mistreated her, hopefully, not to death. Albert is going to test me in this story for sure, his words and actions toward August rankled me good, lol. “Albert spat, and it landed on his horse’s shoulder. He didn’t wipe it away.” This line disgusted me, made me want to spit on him, further evidence of his wicked ways, that and the spur scars. If Albert’s so keen to “do the picking”, why doesn’t he pick another bride for himself? Plenty of women would marry him for his wealth alone. “He had to keep in mind Rob was tasked with keeping an eye on him, looking for any reason to get their pa raging at his younger brother, no matter it be a true thing or not. He’d given up long ago figuring out the why of it.” August triggers Rob because he is jealous of his younger brother, and like a true chip off the old block, is likely as miserable as his father. August has it bad for Fletcher, lol!! His mooning over him was charming yet bittersweet, as even if his father wasn’t a hateful piece of shit, he’d still have to conceal his attraction; now his secret spot is secret no more, with Rob’s discovery of it (thank goodness he didn’t follow him four days ago). What will Rob do with this information? I don’t want August to catch licks for this, I wish he’d fight back but his poor excuse for a father would probably kill him. Grandmama, where are you?

Love the use of the word sidewinder. I thought of fears of Albert Cooley as well-could he be more like August than we currently think?

This sounds like it should be on the back of the book cover. What an amazing review.

Is it?…Could it really be?!?! HEADSTALL MONDAYS ARE BACK❣️❣️❣️❣️ 🍾🍾 Hello, Dear Gary, LOL!! It look like you’re going to take us on quite a ride with this tale, the first chapter alone put me in the mind of the Hatfields and the McCoys, mixed with a Romeo and Romeo love story. Now my Shakespeare’s a little rusty but I don’t recall the Montagues and the Capulets sounding as amoral as one Albert Cooley already sounds….can’t have much favor for one who beats on his boys or abuses another’s animals; if what Fletcher Crawley said was true and Albert charged his father for help he should have willingly given a fellow neighbor during a time of need AND then took him to task for said charge in front of the whole town, that tells me: 1) Albert Cooley feels justified in his actions and 2) he can’t be a person well viewed amongst his townsfolk. (then again….) I don’t know if Rob will be a chip off the old block but August certainly is not, hopefully his maternal grandmother gives him the opportunity to break free of his father once and for all….maybe then he can give in to the mutual feelings he shares with Fletcher; a whole lotta chemistry churns between those two….given the times, I guess if you can’t fuck, you fight (pardon the crudeness but it’s the thought that kept circling my brain when I read their encounter by the river). Your people are gonna make me laugh and smile, Gary. Your people are gonna make me upset and angry, Gary. Your people might make me cry tears of joy and tears of sadness, Gary. Your people will touch me, Gary, like they always do, and I’m here for it. 💝 Reckon I’ll see you next Monday….thanks for moseyin’ on down for a spell to tell your tale. 🍻

Under his father's own roof, no less.

I don't trust Tommaso. His big brother disdain aside: "Matteo’s fingers tightened on the arm of his chair. “So the Holy Father plots against us while blessing us from the altar.” "Ludovico gave a thin smile. “You are learning the ways of men, nephew. God may be eternal, but His vicar keeps a ledger.” "Tommaso bristled. “Speak carefully, uncle. We owe respect to the Holy See.” Does Giovanni predict the future in his own home?: "He leaned forward, eyes hard. “So when you drink with Lorenzo’s friends, remember: we stand beside him not only for profit, but survival. Sixtus sows discord, turns families against each other, poisons loyalty. Every sotto voce intrigue in the market may carry his breath.” Matteo speaks with the headlong zest of impassioned youth not yet tempered by sobering experiences, hopefully his father and Uncle Ludovico can rein in and perhaps channel that energy to their benefit. Giovanni is a man who keeps his ear to the ground and his nose in the air, to stay ahead of changes that can positively or negatively affect his family & their livelihood, so it's not surprising that he at least suspects the true nature of the relationship between his son and young Mr. Colonna: “And as for your companion,” Giovanni said, voice cool. “The Colonna boy. It is well enough for a man to hunt and spar with his friends, but appearances matter. Gossip is a weed that strangles faster than ivy. Do not give it root.” He paused. "I have buried gossip before, and not all of it rumor." This begs the question: is he tolerant of his son's preference or will he subsist in plausible deniability, only forced to deal with it if he has to? Does he turn a blind eye because Matteo is yet unmarried? What do Ludovico and Tommaso suspect of the two young men & how will that manifest itself in the future? Lauretta may be a "girl of rank and virtue" but I hope she's also nice; arranged marriages, while not generally steeped in romantic connections, would no doubt survive close scrutiny if the wedded parties like each other or at least get along. It is interesting that Gianluca & Tommaso both seem to be ruled by their faith: "Gianluca’s brow furrowed. “Sixtus is the Holy Father.”....“You speak as though faith were tyranny,” Gianluca said, voice taut. “The Pope is God’s Vicar. To defy him is to defy the divine order.”.... "Heretical" behavior aside, how then does Signore Colonna reconcile his desire for Matteo with the Holy Roman Catholic Church? Gianluca remains a wildcard in all of this to this point, time will tell where his loyalties lay.

Your words transport back in time, making this time period as much a character of the story as the people it envelopes. At first, I thought Danilo's grumblings meant he was envious of Matteo, then realized given the treacherous environment they inhabit, he might just be the most loyal to him: "A burst of muffled laughter followed, and Giuliano turned, eyebrows raised. “By the saints, Matteo, where did you find such a saucy varlet?” Matteo laughed ruefully. “He found me. Wandered into our kitchens one winter night, half-starved and wholly insolent. Bit the steward, insulted my mother, stole a loaf of bread. We tried to throw him out, but he refused to go.” Giuliano laughed. “And you kept him?” “He kept himself,” Matteo clarified. “Like a feral cat that decides which house it owns.” Danilo lifted his cup. “And I bite only those who deserve it.” Giuliano clapped Matteo’s shoulder. “Keep him close. Florence breeds flatterers faster than friends. A man who bites might yet save your life.” Danilo has appointed himself Matteo's steward but at what cost? Surely he surmises the connection between his liege and Gianluca, does he approve? Does his loyalty and protection come from a fraternal or romantic source? If it's romantic, will there be a cost in jealousy somewhere down the line? “Bravery and folly often share a bed,” said Matteo softly. The intrigue runs thick in this chapter, and I haven't even touched upon the presence of the house of Medici, lol. An enjoyable chapter which whets the interest for more.

You shared in “Within”, the sweet reminisces of an idyllic summer, innocent (yet charged) memories that awoke within you a road I don’t know if you were ready to travel at that time, yet within you from then on, lay the path inevitable to you. In “If Only”, your lyrical self flagellation over letting a love go is bracingly haunting: you look within the mirror of truth and take accountability for what is, while the longing for what was slivers through. “Lessons”- “Pride goest before the fall”, to learn that once should be enough…. maybe for a rare few it is; it has not been so for me, nor apparently for you. What a contemplative group of poems, Gary; I hope the generation and sharing of them gave surcease to the disquiet of your thoughts, even if temporarily. 🍻