Wayne Gray

Paul woke early on Saturday morning. He sat up on his elbow and looked down at Corbin. The fireman was still a little irritated with him, and he thought about waking him to ask his questions. But he forced himself to let it be for now. Instead, he got up. After his bathroom routine, he went to the kitchen, then Paul pulled a frozen log of biscuit dough out of his freezer. He sliced six rounds off the dough, then back into the freezer it went. He began preheating his oven and dug out a baking

The husband is out back with the grill. I can smell steak grilling, and I feel that I should go assist in some small way (in other words, I need to make sure he doesn't overcook our steak).

They were pretty happy. Until it was time to come inside. One came sullenly but willingly, and the other had to be chased — the little beast. 😋

Taking the cats outside for a supervised romping in the yard. Will be back on later.

Be well, tim. Rest, relax, and let @MichaelS36 take care of you.

Fuck yes! I'm so happy to hear he's home. Take care of your boy. Thank you for letting us know.

Good luck to you both. You've got my best wishes.

I too am eager to hear the theories swirling around Luca. 🙂

That's an excellent question indeed.

We just want him to feel better, and you too, @MichaelS36 .

God, man. I'm sorry. I really am. I wish the best for both of you guys.

@Mikiesboyit's a hell of a trick to make me feel anything if your spark for it is gone. This is good. Sad, but good.

Night night, Thorn.

Not glass, a paper heart, cutting all the same. It can stay whole yet free blood from helpless vein. I either bleed or cut, must I always choose? Already so much pain, Only blood to lose. Pain is what I choose. EDIT: Holy crap this sounds angsty. I'm all right. LOL

See, Phil? We can be clever, damn it!

This made me laugh sooooo hard. Which, I really needed.

We're three-day weekenders, molly! Congratulations on yours. 🙂

Holy crap! Stay warm, @MacGreg ! https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bomb-cyclone-monster-blizzard-wreaks-havoc-in-denver/

This gave me good, satisfying chills. If that makes sense.

Holy crap. I've gotten more phone calls in the last ten minutes. Apparently, friends notice when "the eternally cheerful one" is down. My boss gave me the rest of the day and tomorrow off. I know I'm lucky. I'll be able to appreciate it later when I'm less mired in this bullshit. Thanks again, folks. I know I'll be fine, eventually.

Thanks for the kind words.

I burned through what is posted so far, eating into my sleep, forcing me to feel everything the characters do. I love the descriptions. That's a place I need to do better in my own work, and reading this makes me want to improve that aspect of my writing. But, this isn't about me. I love this work. I love how flawed both men and the people around them are. They're deep, complex, at odds with themselves and with one another as well. The tender moments are so pronounced because they're held up against the rawness of the rest. It makes them special in a way I'm not sure I can really explain. I am hopeful that you'll come back to this, @MacGreg. The story is worth reading and consequently, it's worth telling. Thank you for writing.

I've always been the helper - the strong one. I'm the one people go to, to be heard. I'm the one people know can handle more. I carry my load, and then yours, and theirs, and the world's too. But today, I didn't want to get out of bed. I feel like there's a band of iron around my chest like the world is crushing me. There's no reason, and if there's no reason then there's no fix. There's nobody in my life who I can lean on, simply because I've never asked that of anyone. Fuck, I'm the one they all lean on. Nobody expects to have to do that for me. Why would they? I'm the strong one.

That’s the thing about a book @Mikiesboy, we can always pick them back up again. And freeverse about not being inspired is proof something is still there. I wish better days for you.

Carlos would say this is a cop out, but, time will tell. 😉