Wayne Gray

This is just a reminder ... there are good people in the world. https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/31/us/farmers-harvest-cancer-trnd/index.html

Thanks for commenting, James. The judge felt the same way. She's fair, but being kind in this case meant determining that emancipation for Elias was not the right course of action. Guardianship works in a few ways for both Elias and Orson. You're right - they can revisit later if Elias wants to do that. But, truly he just wants to be with Orson and at the campground. He finally gets to trust someone, and he's in no hurry to break free from Orson. I really like the dynamic between these characters. Sometimes I write things and they just work, and I feel this is one of those relationships.

Mason is very good for Jeremy. Though, I had some readers ask the question "What does Mason get out of being with Jeremy?". I think that is telling about the person asking the question. Some people need to be needed while others don't. Mason needs that, in many ways like Orson does. I relate to that need as well, and so I have characters like Mason and Orson. But, Jeremy is so much more than someone who needs help. He's talented with music, driven, selfless, and caring. Personally, I think anybody would be lucky to have a man like Jeremy. Thanks for reading and commenting, Fae.

Trying to solve the problems of my fictional characters? Yeah, that makes me feel good, so thank you for that! 😄 Thanks, chris. Everything seems to be looking up, huh? I guess that means there's smooth sailing from here on! Right?

Nope, no emancipation, but he'll get to be with Orson and stay at the campground. He's got that going for him. And that helps more than Elias too. Orson needs him as much as the other way around. Okay. First there were cries of anguish over a lack of chocolate, now there's one because there's too much of it? Pick one! 😛 What? Orson and Wells? What a strange coincidence! There are so many of those in my stories! 😉 Thanks for commenting and reading, Danilo. There's more to come!

June 15 (Friday, 12:40 p.m.) "I know it's unusual, Judge Vining," Jeremy spoke into the phone, his talking points in front of him on his desk, "but the last time Elias went into foster care, things didn't go well." Jeremy had been called by Greg as soon as the officers had left the campground. Jeremy contacted the judge shortly after. At his request, Judge Vining had Orson and Elias taken straight to her chamber in City Hall - and on her lunch break, no less. The woman on the other end o

Howdy DiC. It has been a while. I hope you're all doing well. Here in northern California, our Fall has plummeted straight into the Winter rains. It is dumping on us here, and the power is flickering. There are trees down, and in the land of redwoods that's a big deal. I foolishly didn't check the forecast, and went out in a light jacket and a short-sleeved polo shirt. I've been drenched multiple times throughout the day, to the point of my jacket clinging to my skin. I love this time of year. 🙂

For those nineteen special women in your life, tim!

I hope you DO need that box, but for a good reason. Let me know how that turns out for you. 🙂 Thanks for reading, and for all of the comments. I appreciate that.

Looks like you're creating a crossover of your own! Well, there's not long to wait before that begins. Give me a chapter or three, and you'll see how Guarded hooks up with Camp Refuge.

Thanks, Mike. Elias had his connections through The Raven Project. It was the first time any of those kids really felt "okay" with themselves. It takes seeing examples, feeling supported, and knowing that you're not broken or wrong. None of the kids in Jeremy's group have that home support system, but at least they have each other, Jeremy, and the campground too now. Our culture is poisonous to the "different". It helps to be in a place where we're not judged, where we can just be. You're very lucky in that you had acceptance and support at home. Some of us don't find that among family, so we have to find it elsewhere - just like the folks in the story. Elias is becoming who he is meant to be, all because he has been allowed the place and time to do that. He feels secure, he's not hungry, and the nightmare that was his life is slowly brightening. He's allowed a safe place to be himself now - and that's really all he ever needed. Thanks, tim. He has found safety, finally. He suffered a long time, but with help he'll heal.

Yes indeed. Greg remembered the chocolate, thank all that is holy! 😉 Elias is going into business, but you're assuming smooth sailing when perhaps you should not. 😛 Referrals by policemen to the campground will likely bring in folks the guys want to have there. So Greg and Clay are all for it! No problem for not commenting, Bryan. I get it. Thanks for continuing to read! I hope some of the changes made the story a better read. I'm happy that you related to Elias' artistic bent. It was something he'd always had, but it just wasn't allowed to grow while he was in the midst of a constant crisis.

I think that description is apt, that they're a family in the making. Our guys have the common experience of law enforcement, and so they're going to be very happy to work with the officers. Military is similar in that you share this awareness, and you're just conscious of the things people go through to make the job work. It helps us understand one another. Elias is coming along, bit by bit. And we'll have to see about the emancipation. Ohhhh... where have we heard that name before? Harlan, Harlan... hrmmm.... I think that's really the theme for this chapter: Love and Trust (that would have been a good title too!). Some might get tired of Elias and the focus on him. But it can't really be overstated what effects abuse and rescue from that abuse have on kids. So, yeah, we'll see more of him and the growing relationship between him and Orson. There's a battle ahead, that's true, and it remains to be seen where things fall. But, you can bet these guys are all invested in the outcome.

The campground truly is the place where he has found his tribe. He is in a place where he is valued, protected, and where he can grow. Elias is sixteen! I wrote him as very immature for his age, simply because his emotional development has been stunted by years of fear, abuse, and drawing in on himself. But given time he'll grow into his own skin. Yeah, our camp hosts are enjoying the intertwining of their lives. They've always been close, and now they get to be closer.

There are a few requirements for a kid to apply for emancipation, but there are some significant hurdles for them to get past. I did research on the process, and I knew someone who went through it himself. Ultimately, it has to be granted by a judge. This process can move quickly, in cases of endangerment, or with other motivating factors to our legal system... and Eilas' case may qualify. The agreement with Gary is a great one for Elias, you're right. Though it's unlikely he'll be able to make enough for a traditional living arrangement (rent, food, transportation, supplies for his craft, etc) Elias doesn't currently have to worry about rent. That's tremendous, and it will factor into any decision made for his potential emancipation.

@Thorn Wilde, the one for Firefly makes me wanna watch the series and movie again. Here's one that's understated, and one that took a little while for it to hook into my brain. But I really do love it. FYI - not many of mine have interesting videos to go along. I'm more into the sound alone when it comes to music.

Frankly, guys my age turn my crank way more than younger ones. Maybe that’s why I focus on Greg and Clay (so far). Elias is in business! It’s a small thing, but it’s a start. Orson’s feeling both good about himself and worried for Elias. But, overall he’s finding his way too. If those officers get their way, it looks good for sustainability, in terms of cash-flow. I’m glad you’re enjoying the ride back through the campground!

He’s coming along. It takes a little village for him to feel safe, and he’s getting there.

June 15 (Friday, 2:13 a.m.) Orson awakened to the sensation of the bed shifting as a skinny little body carefully tried to sneak under his blankets. He kept his eyes shut and managed to avoid a smile. After Elias had pushed onto the free tiny slice of the bed and covered himself, Orson put his arm around the boy. Then he scooted back and pulled Elias with him, away from the edge of the bed. "You okay?" Orson asked, his voice a whisper. Elias nodded. "Sorry. I had bad dreams."

Thanks, KayDeeMac. I do think these stories need to be told. When a friend of mine seroconverted, I was appalled to see the worst stigma and bigotry came from the (negative) gay community itself. Now, this was in the mid-2000s, and were didn't have the same knowledge of U=U, and all of the medications available. Still... the way he was treated was unjustified, and it made me so angry. Thank you for your work in our community during what was probably the darkest time in our modern history.

Hahaha. Maybe. Mason likes the whole package though. 😄

Hi, Canuk! Thanks for commenting. Yeah, I don't make the rules when it concerns legal age of consent in California, USA. But, when you've got a couple of guys who spent a collective forty three years in law enforcement, well, that's going to matter to them. And yes, a buck for five minutes of warm shower is about the going rate for campgrounds here in California. I'm willing to bet you'll find the places you once visited as a camper have increased their prices considerably for the comfort of a hot shower. I like my characters in this story. None are perfect, and that, to me, makes them interesting. Thanks for letting me know you enjoy them too!

Thank you! Yes, I wanted there to be a little leftover stuff to maybe revisit our men in Kentucky. I really enjoyed writing this story, and the focus on using more descriptive text. Character interaction will always be my favorite things to write, and I'm glad you like that aspect of my work. There's more coming down the pipe from me, so hang on to your hat.

If I can make a reader cry then I've done something right! 🙂 Thanks, KayDeeMac!

You've likely answered your own questions by now by reading the next chapter. 😄 That's the nice part about reading stories after they're complete - no waiting required! Thanks for reading!