Wayne Gray

Being out and having supportive family or friends - either of those things can be a lifeline. Heather did exactly what you describe to Shane. BAM! Shane knows he won't get far with her, and her treatment of him will, at a minimum, force him to examine his actions. Tad is such a driven guy. Right now he's working at a manic pace, trying to wrap everything up that he wants to leave behind. But yes... his men and his sister are there for him. They all love, cherish, and appreciate him. That's so much more than many have at the end. Tumor or not he's lucky, and he knows it. Markus has a lonely little voice pulling for him. One spark of light out there in the dark, and that's our aforementioned Heather. She's trying. It may not seem like a lot, but she's doing what she can to help him through. Sometimes even a spark is enough to light a fire. We'll have to see if it is. More to come. Thanks for commenting and reading, Bryan.

That’s so true, @Petey. Markus is, unfortunately, far too easy for many of us to relate to. Markus is in trouble. He’s in dire need of help, thanks to that internalization we so often do. Thanks for commenting and reading.

Awww. Well, I gave fair warning at the beginning... this is an emotional story, and very different from anything I’ve done before. That’s not to absolve me, by any means. But I did what I set out to do. I hope you get from it what I really tried to deliver. Thanks for reading and commenting. 😊

Yeah. Pretty much. He has no idea what it is that he's doing to Markus, but that's still no excuse. Thanks for reading and commenting, Tom!

Hard to know what to say about Markus. He’s in a lot of pain, mostly brought about thanks to a lack of understanding all around. But he’s headed toward trouble if things don’t change. 🙁

Ohhhh yes. Miranda is definitely gonna be pissed. 😊. And Chris recognized that both men would need him. He’s invested in both now.

Yep, you got it. Tad caused Nate and Christopher to meet, and he even encourages it. It's who Tad is - to look after those around him first. Nate finds someone in Christopher that he likes to be around very much. Chris feels the same, but has an obvious attraction to our redheaded firecracker. Ah, the glorious complications of human interaction. 😄 Thanks for reading!

Ah, you’ve got quite a bit to catch up on. The mystery is about to be revealed, but that’s not what this is truly about. I’m glad you’re reading. 😊

Thanks, Canuk! They do need help. Well, Shane might need his ass kicked a little, but yeah, they need help. Markus truly deserves a break of some kind. He has been through the wringer, and he needs a lifeline. Thanks for commenting!

Stanley is a good guy. He saw a place where he could be helpful, and he jumped to assist these people. At first he did that because they mean something to his friend, Christopher. But it doesn't take long before he himself is connected and invested to the outcome. Markus is hurting. There's no doubt of that. Thanks for commenting, Thorn. Let's get ready for that next chapter.

Yep. Shane didn't do so great. He wasn't the friend Markus needed in the moment when he needed a friend the most. Stanley and Nate are both working hard to ensure Tad has a book to sell. They're all pulling hard for him. Thanks for commenting, Chris. More on Wednesday!

I think Shane would never forgive himself if that happened too. You’re right - he needs to straighten himself out and get his priorities right, before it’s too late. Thanks for commenting, Timothy!

I love all the emoticons. 😜 Yeah, Shane really fucked things up between himself and Markus, though Markus sees it as his own issue and not Shane’s. And you’re right about the days. I fixed that up, thanks for the help there! Thanks for commenting. There’s more on the way. Regardless, it’ll be an emotional trip getting there.

Hi Jeffrey. Thanks for commenting! Tad’s book is so close! And it has taken a village to get it there, but that’s what friends and lovers do. They all want to see him succeed, and they chip in as they can to help. Shane is largely a product of where he’s from and his upbringing. That’s not helpful to Markus, though, and puts him firmly in the sights of his wife! Maybe she’ll be able to get through to him in time. Thanks again for commenting. There’s more on the way on Wednesday. 😊

Hi, Mac. Thanks for commenting! It's so hard to watch these young men suffer the way they are. I know that's true. But then, you're right about those who genuinely care for them. They get to step up, and hopefully have a lasting, positive impact on their lives. How it all comes together remains to be seen, but a keystone chapter comes on Wednesday. More to come then.

"I'm gay." Markus watched Shane closely. So much rode on the reaction of his friend, and he didn't want to miss anything. Shane blinked. "Markus, man. Uh, I don't know what to say." Shane uncomfortably looked down at his hand that was wrapped around his glass of beer. "When you said you needed to talk, I didn't expect this." Markus had a terrible, sinking feeling. Shane was his last hope. He had already given up on loving anyone, but he had convinced himself that friendship was enough. I

With all the heat issues, I’m loving our temperate rainforest right now. Everybody stay cool out there. I’m having brunch and an iced coffee at my neighborhood coffeeshop. Already pushed through my workout, and did some editing on my soon to be posted chapter. As for what the rest of the day brings, we’ll have to see, but I want to see a man about a beard trim before I head home. Awww... there are no bearded emoji on my phone. *hrmph*

Goodnight, Mac.

Fae, are you drinking alcohol? Did you start another med recently? Did you STOP drinking coffee?

Best of luck, Mac. Let's hope the weather gods smile on you. Even if they don't it sounds like you'll be all right.

You guys have a lot of wind forecast? Could a couple of easy ups solve some of the issue?

This might be the most "adult" thing we can do. Each of us have strengths, power we can exert, the ability to be the change we want to see in the world. There are many ways to do this. Instead of complain about litter, go for a walk and pick it up. Mourning for cut trees is meaningless if you don't volunteer with groups to replace them or fund their efforts. Sadness for homelessness is empty without donations of time or money to causes to help these souls get back on their feet. This is uncomfortable for many of us, because none of us can be "perfect". But we can be better.

Running on 4.5 hrs of sleep, thanks to fireworks going until just past midnight. But, I slogged through my AM routine anyway. I'm gonna nap so hard when I get home today. 🙂 Have a great day, all.

I do agree, molly. The triad are all beginning to mesh, and none are willing to back down in the face of Tad’s cancer. Even Kent and stanley are about to be far more important to the central struggle - particularly in the coming chapters. Pivotal... that’s a good word.

They’re learning, aren’t they? I love this time in Kent and stanley’s relationship. ❤️