D.K. Daniels

It's fine, but let's just say I'll try not to hurt Max. I guess we'll see if the premise works or if it falls flat. Thanks for the comments

Thank you so much, I hope you continue to enjoy the letters

It's okay, Sherlock is overly compassionate for a reason, which folks will find out in another couple of chapters. The main purpose of the story was to establish a solid friendship, based on truth and honesty, and not love and preferences. At times, humans are judgmental creatures when we are looking for someone to date or live with. It even falls through into who we associate ourselves with, to who we pick as roomies. The concept behind the idea is that Sherlock grows fond of Max's discussions, and he considers him a friend since he has never had a friend. Whereas Max falls for Sherlock unintentionally because of his compassionate side and warm tone of voice. Believe it or not even through letters people bond immensely, I think even more so than people do in person. I wanted to tell a story where not every gay boy gets the boy of his dreams, and sometimes the company of that friend is better than destroying a friendship.

Yes, in my mind I wrote Sherlock as a straight boy. The only boy who is gay is Max. Not sure what the second proportion of your comment means however lol.

Great to know that you are able to tell what is going on and that the characters are beginning to grow and trust one another. The biggest problem for me at the start was figuring out who the hell was talking. I'd open a chapter with To: Sherlock - only to be writing from Watson POV. Something about that always made my muddled lol. Half the time I was writing, I was like I hope I'm talking about the right thing lol. Anyway, thanks for the comment, there is some more to come. We have reached the 3/4 mark of the story, so expect to see some advancements in the next couple of chapters

To Sherlock, Phew… that's great to hear, I hate putting off your messages when I know I receive them. It makes me feel like I am letting you down even if I am super busy. Yet, while I plan to get back to your letters, it appears to me every time I do, it is like half a century. Therefore, if I take longer to get a response from, don't sweat it, I just have a lot of my plate. How did the dentist get on? I avoid the dentist at all costs if I can help it. I loathe getting injuries in sp

In my mind, the question will be brought up by Watson soon about Sherlock's identity. I can officially state as I being Watson... I have no idea who the identity of Sherlock is. I don't know about you but a small part of me would worry if I had been found out, yet, I have no clue as to who the other person I am talking to is. I guess we will find out soon with the coming chapters. Does Max strike you as the type of person to be tight-lipped? I have always thought it is the opposite way around lol. Sometimes being helpful for someone can be a mistake; when the only thing you were trying to do is help. Sherlock has the best interest at hand, except he may or may not try and push help your way when you are reluctant to accept it. I do have a couple of idea for directions sure, but I can't believe I have written 50k words about 2 kids babbling... now that... that is legend lol.

Indeed, Sherlock is a quiet boy, but when he cares he is willing to go out of his way. I think I am only getting to the meat of what I want to say about this story. I have already written the next chapter and I think the response was a pretty favorable one. I am beginning to like the personality of both boys. At first, I was more aimed at Sherlock, but now I am getting the chance to add some background to both lads. I am glad that you are enjoying the book

You & I #16 To: Watson It's okay I don't expect an immediate reply, people get busy, things happen, therefore, no hard feelings. Plus, I am assuming your life is more complicated than me. You have so much more people to spread yourself around to, and I know I'm only one person in your pond or sea… perhaps the ocean. I have no idea how large your body of water is. The dentist was okay, everything's good. I don't have any new surprise cavities that need filling. I got my mom to mak

I have often wondered why we select our friends based on impulse and impression. Not to be crude, but a friend had to have a decent appearance, wasn't smelly, dumb or all of those little tidbits that people chisel away at when they are making a pre-conceived notion of what it is they are hoping for when I was a kid. We single people out when we are young quite often on whether the person is visually pleasing to be around. From the start, I wanted two opposites and set to each character up with a predisposition. From there the boys are just left ramble without much information, there is a false safety talking with someone you may never know or do not know, especially with social media apps like Snapchat, Facebook and whatnot. The same can be said for old fashion letter writing. I wanted to get away from just romance and also talk about peer pressure, misconceptions, isolation, depression, and other such issues which are not usually discussed here on gayauthors. Sometimes reminding kids that its okay to feel numb, and it will never be like that forever is a good way to promote other mental health problems that much deeper than just feeling depressed. Watson feels no joy for his hobbies anymore, and I wanted to break that down in detail to showcase it happening rather than brushing over it because they are the effects of depression and most people don't go into detail on these things, they tend to brush over the topic even if they don't intend to. Oh, and thank you I am glad I have been able to keep the passion alive, and by no means will I be disappearing from the scene, I just won't have anything to offer gayauthors for a bit as I am trying to break away from solely LGBT content.

Thanks, I have been enjoying the conversation back and forth between myself very much so. I suppose as I am writing, I am learning something new about the boys everytime I sit down to write. From the get-go, I wanted to poplar opposites to befriend each other, and that is what I am tried to do. People are very focused on appearance and quality, and that is something I wanted both boys to start off with, and gradually get deeper. I already have some notion of how I will be getting the boys to meet, I just trying to work out the details in my head on how to get that down on paper or into a word document.

What a forward lad. It seems the chemistry between both is playful in an aspect which makes it enjoyable as you are not sure what it is one will say to the other. I am enjoying the development of the two characters. Keep up the awesomeness

To Sherlock, Happy hump day. Sorry, I didn't get to catch up with you yesterday, only I forgot to check the mailbox to see if I had any new additions. However, I did remember to check today. Yesterday was like mad crazy, and I didn't have a minute to get my mind straight. Our science teacher decided to house an in-class experiment which was going accordingly for the most part. But Nathan Brier put something in his test beaker, and a big cloud of white poof blew up. Therefore, for safety prec

I apologize for the long reply, everything has been hectic getting back on track after the holidays. Here in Ireland, most homeless people have cheap phones, nothing like an iPhone or plans for mobile data. Again the USA is a larger place, so there is a substantially larger population of homeless than there would be in Ireland. Therefore, the ratio of homeless with a pre-paid minutes is possibly larger. I think in Ireland, they are given a PO box to find out whether they have made a job application to see if they were selected. Phones do have benefits sure, but as you said there are far more fundamental things they could be using the money to support themselves. I guess, however, it is better than drugs or alcohol. It’s good to hear that you are doing well for yourself. In regards to the transport ticket, it sounds like it is out version of the Leap Card. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leap_card I guess Irish priest has become a known icon in churches in America. The ironic thing is, religion is dying in Ireland. No with just the past of what has happened in Ireland with the priesthood, but people are aspiring to be more innovative individuals. I myself, am an atheist. A church is a landmark with four walls and lovely windows to me. Whereas, dirt and maggots are below, and dying fireballs and vast nothingness are off in space. I respect other people’s believes, but for me I guess, I am one of the people who has taken that alternative road. I’ll often wonder if many Irish priests will continue to show up in America, considering it's a dying condition here. I suppose, regardless of being homeless or not, many people do not like having to hassle someone with a phone call. I don’t like calling someone I do not know. Besides I cringe anytime I have to call the local library. Never mind someone important. Except, I suppose it is exceptionally stressing for someone to be living on the street and looking for work. I guess for many you are waiting for a miracle that you are binding for. Falling through the cracks has happened to me to, when I left school I took a year out, and since I didn’t have much documentation to begin with other than my passport, I had such a hassle trying to open a bank account. Never mind apply for something. For most of my life my parents handled everything, most teenagers do not drive in Ireland, unlike the USA so it's not a requirement. Therefore, I had no passport, not I.D. bills, nothing. It seems in this day and age it is easy to fall through the cracks. A couple of years ago, when I was around 13, I did see a psychologist and was diagnosed supposedly with Asperger’s. It never made me feel any different than before with having a name added to it, but nonetheless, it was nice to have a name to my companion. In all the things that got me in the door to apply was my diagnosis documents… As with the personality thing, I guess I am the same as you, the Observer. I tend to watch and evaluate what it is I need to do and say before I do. J

Thanks, OzLoGo, sometimes when I sit down to write I try to suprise myself. If I can't do that then, I suppose nobody else will be. Sometimes I think the same thing as I am writing... what is it I am trying to unravel here. As I write more I get deeper and deeper into the situation I am telling, and soon before you know it, I have written a story I didn't even think about all that much. I just let it naturally flow from my consciousness in a lucid state. Anytime I write, I am talking to myself, I am trying to convince myself that this material that is showcasing in my head is as real and as alive as a real encounter on the street. Above all I just try to be honest capturing folks, sometimes people may not want to hear about dark things or happy things. However, equally, I have to capture them whenever I fall upon the idea. I never thought about Joe making it, I always thought his choice was a noble thing to do. I know I would feel guilty for the rest of my life if I left a helpless child in the street in the dead of winter, and I could have helped, even if I didn't have much to offer. I am glad that you liked it, I hope everything has been well for you

I have volunteered at some shelters and soup kitchens, and yes one thing I have learned is that some people are paid, resulting in a price tag being applied. This is an awful thing, even at times, I have dug change out of my own pocket to give someone a bed to stay for the night. Its exceptionally hard to watch as another person walks away back out into the cold, when they are already shivering. I wish I had more time to help out, but now since I have moved, I am nowhere near a shelter anymore. I am sorry to hear that you had to experience that, but it is comforting to know that a change can happen. I hope you have a permanent residence now. Ireland is not really like the United States, sure religion is present, but not to that degree where they preach it. I believe people who are the lesser-known folks in society need their fifteen minutes of fame. Many have something to offer, and if everyone was as generous as most homeless folks are, the world would be a different place. Of course, now I know that the entire scene is not peaches and roses, there are quite a number of people who need some treatment for drugs and other such problems, but sometimes as you have said with constantly being moved, and adding to the sleep deprivation, these alternatives become an escape, just like chalk drawing and reading might be for some. As with the cell phone thing, I could possibly try to find myself housing first before I'd buy a phone. I am assuming a senior transit card is some sort of social security card, we don't have that sort of card in Ireland, but we do have a weekly allowance for disability, labor allowance, and unmarried mothers & fathers support. Although I do have to agree that it is ridiculous with the amount of time you have to spend waiting to get a certain document or an I.D. It seems to be an increasing problem that as we go more online these days; the more dependent we believe everyone is online. I am young, so most of my life would revolve around electronics and software, and I'd love to see advancement in all sectors, but sometimes keeping things simple needs to be remembered for the less fortunate, so that they can have a chance to get back on their feet. Plus, I don't see why it ought to be a complicated procedure. Sorry If my comment was em... weird, I don't tend to be good at replying to humans, I guess that why I prefer to observe lol.

Most good people fall silent or the small collection of the minority who are unheard of in the bowels of civilization, possess many great attributes. Every homeless person once lived in a house or a building at some point in their life. Many have fascinating stories, and many are a lot more willing and thoughtful than the average middle-class person. I went to Brighton in the middle of December their, in the dead of winter, and I was dawned in a heavy parka, beanie, and scarf, completed with gloves. Even then the cold was still felt, but never before have I seen so many homeless people laying on the side of the street in such an area. I told myself once finished my Christmas novel that I'd take a break to recuperate, instead, I saw reality and decided to capture it. I am glad that you enjoyed it, thanks for the kind words. I hope you stop by for another one of my stories.

Thank you, Chris, I am delighted that the story was enjoyable for you. I hope you have a lovely evening, and Happy New Year

Thank you, and I wish the same for you. Happy New Year

On Christmas Eve, a 10-year-old homeless boy called Max meets Joe, a homeless fifty-year-old; where the pair shares a moment of kindness and goodwill.

The Gift D.K. Daniels A young boy stood under the cover of a concrete canopy for shelter, with his feet burning raw, to the point his toes felt like rubber. Long periods of walking will do that to you. The fresh arctic sheet of snow and slush had soaked its way through the thin canvas of his shoes. The only sign of life along the deserted street came from a pair of tracks made from the kid through the snow. All that remained now was whether Max had any feeling left in his little

Loving the premise of this story Comsie; it has a warm aura about it. Just the right mood for a Christmas story. I look forward to reading some more of these two over the Xmas season

Agreed lol, I watch the movie once a year, and that is every Christmas Eve. That is my go-to movie for that night, only 3 days to go lol.

@OzLoGo , Thanks, I am glad that you enjoyed this chapter. It's only now when I look back at what I have written that I realize how many points I have brought up without thinking about it lol. I suppose, I just wanted two people to learn about each other without actually meeting each other, and I decided to choose this medium. I have never had a pen pal, so I guess it does feel like I am talking to myself sometimes. Except yet, with what you mention about social media, interactions are usually short and gruff, and that was something I did not want for the story. It's good that you have chosen to keep the tradition alive. It feels more personal than texting, and I am sure someday if I have kids I'll encourage them to have a penpal.

Personal favorites: 1. Fluke - Fluke is about a dog finding its way home to his family. Can't have Christmas without a dog movie. 2. Love Actually - revolves around nine separate stories; all of which showcase the complexities of love. 3. Home Alone - need I say more, what more entertaining than a kid putting house buglers in the hospital. 4. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation - everything that can go wrong at Christmas will go wrong. 5. The Grinch 2000 - watching Jim Carrey parade around defying Christmas with wit and sarcasm is gold. 6. Jack Frost - and what would be Christmas without a few tears.