Wayne Gray

I‘ll use cliffhangers as I always have - when they add something. Folks will either continue to read or not. I’m glad you like the story. Thanks for the comments.

Yeah, this use of ECT is, thankfully banned. But, you're right. It doesn't mean it's not still used by desperate people trying to cure something that isn't a disease.

Hi, droughtquake. 🙂 Thanks for the comments, and for the lived experience. We serve houseless folks. We provide medical services, but we stock socks, underwear, granola bars ... we take donations of caps and gloves during the winter. We understand that not having a home leads to a staggering amount of psycho-social issues and trials others don't face. Let me tell you ... our houseless folks are the most thankful, kindest of our patients. They don't feel entitled ... they're just happy to see us. We always do our best for them.

Sex zombies were new to us too. I tried to blame tim for that idea, but he reminded me that one happened to be mine ... damn it. Though, it was his idea to have them infected by the comet. It really has gotten fuzzy for me, who wrote what. SNET is really pushing this one hard ... and the board doesn't seem entirely pleased either - worried about their "wholesome" image at the soap broadcasting firm. Because, that's a thing? Regardless, now the larger queer community knows about the soap, and our writers are enjoying some success in their professional lives. They're a bit scandalized, but ... success is success! Thanks for the comment, Parker!

Thank you, Rupert. I'm happy that you enjoyed Camp Refuge. It really has a big spot in my heart. 🙂

One has to wonder, what would have happened had Grant never found the journal? I always ask questions of myself like that when i write. "What if Grant never found the journal?" In my mind I saw Troy slowly falling apart, piece by piece until he couldn't go on. Grant isn't trying to be cruel, or string Troy along. Could he handle things better? Oh, I think that as you read you can answer that for yourself as a resounding "yes."

This was a hard chapter. Keep reading ... things do change for them both as we go along. 🙂 Thanks, Ibex!

A lie to evade the morals thrust upon the network. Gail has no problem lying about that. 😉

Gail would say this: "Terrence, have you forgotten? Any press is good press!" And who said they were actually doing it on set? The network has already denied the charge that there was sex on set. It's the Network's word against that of some anonymous uploader. 😉

Yep. Those ratings weren't the only things getting nailed! 🙂 I'm glad you enjoyed it, Butcher. Thanks for the comments!

How I describe being down is this: When I'm really in it, I don't even want to feel better. That's insidious. Before a person can begin to feel good again, they have to want to. At the start of the chapter, Troy didn't see a way out. He was there to do the work and to leave. He hated that he had to be in the place where his whole life had fallen apart, and he wasn't much of a fan of Grant as a result. But ... slowly, Grant made Troy realize that he didn't have to stay in that dark place. Grant can't fix it all for him, but he can be a catalyst. Troy has just taken the first step to a brighter future ... and that was thanks to Grant showing him that such a future could still exist. John and Grant do both seem to be pushing on Troy. Both, gently nudging him toward something better. We'll see if he'll let it happen. Thanks for the great comments, Will. 🙂

To the comments by @Philippe and @Danners ... I can't offer much in the way of comment here. Only that I love the fact that you have both offered valid and interesting points concerning Troy, Grant, and Grant's handling of the journal. What is the "right" thing? Even knowing what that might be, is Grant likely to do exactly the perfect thing, to be the perfect friend that Troy needs? Will he try to cover his tracks, and get rid of some of the best memories Troy ever had? What does he have to lose, even if Troy finds out? There are a lot of questions to ask, and there are answers coming. Later this week. 🙂 Thanks for the great comments.

Thanks, Jeffrey. Grant wore him down. The house, the friendliness, the food ... it heaped on Troy until he couldn't justify remaining an island. There's a lot more to come for these guys. 🙂

That's the idea. Our beta readers, molly and Brayon both reported the same reaction to that line. 😄 I'm glad it could make you laugh!

Yup. It’s possible. Though this is a heavily refined version.

At the Monday morning rehearsal, the director, Allan Hamilton, watched the sex scene with Lupe and William Weatherby. He shook his head. “Gary, these scenes are lame.” He was speaking to Gary Chalmers, his assistant director. “They are a bit, yeah.” Gary was tugging down his shirt in an attempt to cover his own reaction to the scene. “They don’t look like they are enjoying the sex. It needs to be more realistic.” Allan threw up his hand while watching. “Cut! Just cut!” The director

I really appreciate all the nice words, and I'm glad people enjoyed Silverwolf. It was tremendous fun to write that story - like having dessert! 🙂

Thank you, Mike. This is one of my favorite chapters I think I've ever written.

Thank you for reading and for the great comment, tim. You're right. That dark, scary place belongs solely to Troy, and has for over a year. Then Grant appears, lowering a hand to lift him out. That's something new, leading to some other place that Troy may not know - or may have to get to know again. Yeah. It takes trust, and to an exhausted Troy, Grant did exactly what he needed to at least start that process. There's more on Thursday. Thank you again.

Great comments, Danners. I like your thoughts concerning the journal. Grant has leaned pretty hard on it in his dealings with Troy, that's certain. Has it moved beyond pure altruism? Was it ever? It'd be terribly easy for Grant to simply destroy the journal. Will he? These are smart characters. I write characters who may make bad decisions in the moment, but they will be mistakes anybody could make if in a similar position. Ohhhh ... very interesting thoughts about Grant and how his actions are venturing into the language of a loving person, and not just that of an acquaintance. We're watching him expend effort, energy, and ... emotion on Troy. When will either of them realize it? Will they ever? That wall needed to come down, though you are right. It's a two-edged thing for both of them. Troy has more to lose, but ... Grant is getting some skin in the game too. Hahaha ... yeah, this story is out there. But you'd miss out on the edited version. I plan at least two new scenes too which will help with the story overall. Stay strong if you can! hehehe Thanks for reading. There's more on Thursday. 🙂

I think Grant has a few things to learn too, and you hit that nail on the head. He needs to see Troy for more than someone who needs his help. If he doesn't, you can be sure that Troy will remind him that he has pride, perhaps in dramatic fashion. Hrmmm, yes. That journal. It has slowly turned from an asset to a liability, hasn't it? *tick tick tick* 🙂 Thanks for reading and for the comments, Parker.

Thank you for reading and for the comment. 🙂 We'll have to see what the future holds for both Harlan and the rest of the Campers. I'm posting Ash and Ember first, but then I'll come back to these guys.

Thank you for commenting, chris. They seem like such small things ... a shared meal, showers, laundry, someone Troy can trust a tiny bit. But they're huge to Troy. He's letting go a little, thanks to Grant's patient, consistent manner. Frankly, he needed to let go some. Grant beat on that wall he had put up, and it finally came down.

I think that's a great way to put it. Grant is sorta cheating, isn't he? The only thing he gets out of a happy Troy is the warm feeling it gives him to help another human being. So long as that's true, then yes ... I think the ends do justify the means. But if that ever changes ... well, then Mr. Grant will have shifted from altruism to something else. Manipulation of another person is already a suspect course of action, so he'd better watch his step carefully. Thanks for reading and commenting. 🙂

16 November 2018, Wednesday 6:58 a.m. Grant stepped outside. The main garage door was open, and the gray, muted light of the overcast sky flooded the room. Troy was dressed in the same clothes he had worn yesterday - an old, thinning jacket, a red-checked flannel shirt, thick Docker work pants, and his scraped, gouged boots. He wore gloves and a knit cap as well. Grant caught Troy as he examined the table saw in the center of the space. Troy nodded at Grant. "Hey, good morning." Gran