Marty

Now that is the million dollar question. 😄

I'm in agreement with Sasha here. But the first chapter has intrigued me, so I'll at least see how the second one goes.

I'm surprised that this story, which has apparently been viewed over 8,000 times on this site, has not been reviewed previously... Sometimes we feel the need to label ourselves - put ourselves into neat little boxes - like straight, gay, or bi. But real-life is not necessarily all that clear-cut - as this little story points out so well. Telling the story of the main protagonist, Danny, from between the ages of 11 to 17, and including to a certain extent that of his best friend, Thomas, as both struggle to define, or at least try to accept, their developing sexualities. Daniel is convinced that he is totally gay, and Thomas seems to be convinced that he is totally straight. As we eventually find out, neither of them may be totally correct in their assumptions. But the journey they take towards that conclusion is what makes this story so readable and enjoyable. Some readers may find the occasional spelling errors somewhat off-putting, especially the constant confusion between you're and your (and occasionally between then and than), but I would urge them not to let them stop reading. And,as the author, @JDW, appears not to have visited GA since 2010, I doubt if he's going to come back and edit it any time soon. A charming, coming-of-age type short story that I highly recommend!

Interesting story. Looking forward to reading the rest of the chapters. Now... if only the author could work out the difference between "you're" and "your". 😉

I must admit that I picked up on that possibility as well. Interesting start. So... on to chapter 2 *click*

For you... maybe. For me, when it's done without consent it's nothing more than genital mutilation. I'm 75 and was circumcised as a baby in the UK, as were my two brothers. When I was in my forties I had a strange conversation with my mother when she mentioned that a 12 year old nephew of mine (one of her grandchildren) had just been circumcised due to his foreskin being too tight. When I asked why myself and my brothers had been circumcised shortly after birth, she expressed surprise, and said she wasn't aware that we had been. I said surely she must have known, if only because of the fact that she had bathed and changed us as children. Her response was that she didn't know what a penis is supposed to look like.

*gulp...*

Well that explanation from Tyler as to how he (may have) killed his wife certainly wasn't the one I was expecting...

I've a suspicion that when Tyler says he killed his wife, it's more a case of him simply feeling responsible for her death. Can think of a few scenarios that may make him think that but, if I'm correct, I'll leave it up to @Jwolf, as the author, to explain in his own sweet time.

Thanks love! Creative terms? Johnny Appleseed? Have to admit that I had to look up that term in the Urban Dictionary.

Nah! I'm a good five days behind you.

I'll probably be crucified by other readers for saying this, but I can fully understand David's outburst at the end of this chapter, even if I can't condone it.

I'm a bit late to the party, perhaps... Well, for a first ever story, I certainly enjoyed this first chapter, and look forward to reading the rest of the story. The only real criticism I would make is that I found the telling of the story from two different points of view a little bit confusing to begin with, even though you did use italics whenever you were writing from Adam's POV. Having re-read the chapter, I'm not sure whether all the relevant information may have become evident without any of the italicised text having been included at all. The very final paragraph may have been all that was necessary.

Some of the comments and speculations that readers have made amuse me. Some of them actually sadden me in a way. Personally, I'm enjoying this story, and am perfectly happy to allow @Arch Hunter to develop it in his own way.

This exchange between student Thibaud and the FBI agent confuses me as, the interview took place the day after Stu's murder...

The thing I can't understand is how Doug would have actually got into the passenger seat, knowing how drunk Brad was...

I half suspect that Aleksi will jump into the sea as well.

I'm assuming that the stranger that Aziz saw in the last chapter, and the one Krilla sees in this one may well prove to be one and the same person. If that's the case, then I'm also assuming he has a major part to play in this story.

But even Drew says about Quent in this chapter: “Against my better judgment, I’m beginning to like you.”

Enjoying the story. I haven't really read many of the comments to the previous chapters, so this may have already been mentioned by other readers... I'm just wondering what's going to happen when Ian finds out that Adam is the father of the child his sister, Anna, is carrying. (Although they may well finish up adopting, as it seems Anna isn't the maternal type.)

Happy New Year, everyone!

I'm not sure I'm glad. Sage may not have many redeeming features. Of course, I base that opinion on the way he treated Adam when he called round for sex.

Not much I can add to what other's have already said. Wonderful story, @headtransplant! To quote Charles Dickens: 'Please, sir, I want some more." (Suppose I need to head over to Fictionpress and check out your offerings there.)

Your writing manages so well at getting inside Ethan's head and describing his demons and thoughts, @headtransplant. Brilliant writing! The very final sentence of this chapter ... “Yeah,” I finally agreed. “It’s time.” ... fills me with so much hope.