Wayne Gray

Howdy, all. It's an interesting day. I'm trying to ride the line between being a pushy boyfriend and getting my BF to do the things he needs to do (grocery shopping, making meals for himself, etc). He suffers from anxiety and depression, and he's in a bit of a funk right now. He tells me he needs me to push him, but he doesn't want me to in the moment either. So ... we're compromising a little. I'm taking him shopping today, and we're making dinner together again tonight (we did last night too). Also, the weather is cycling between wind and rain, and sunny. I think it's just going to be a "we'll see how it goes" kind of day. But, I'm ready for that.

🥶

Add rain, and that's us here on the northern California coast. Happy Saturday, all!

I really feel for you on that hip. I'm not even fifty and mine doesn't like me much either. 😕 I'm all right. And yes ... I'll try to get myself out of my cave a bit more down the line. 🙂

Happiest of Holidays, Merriest of Christmases, and all the best to everyone. I hope you're fulfilled, happy, safe and healthy. 🎄

I think you’ve forgotten what it was like at that age, or you were a more evolved teen than I ever was. 😝

How's the hip, kbois? Unfortunately, due to mine, I have to request frequent stops on long car trips. 😕

Some scars run very deep. 😕

Wow! Nice job, Chris! Now it's time to rest - you've earned it!

Well, if he was still a cop that might be a problem. And it’s funny what perception does to a person … pass judgment on Avery’s situation when more is revealed. Thanks for reading and commenting!

If you've read the next chapter, you probably know the answer to your last question by now. Avery heard Lee vomiting and got up to check on him. It was early in the morning, 3 or 4 AM. And no - Lee wasn't thinking clearly. He's still in survival mode, living moment to moment without a lot of forethought. Withdraw is absolutely not helping him at all either.

This is the first one; at least, it’s the first like Lee. And it has been about a year since A Silent Song.

Well, he does talk. He just can’t verbalize, so he speaks via ASL.

Elias did initially approach Orson for that reason. And more concerning Danny is coming. You'll see.

It's not a bad idea - to have someone with lived experience tell Orson what to expect about his condition and about what's to come down the line. Unfortunately, they don't have anybody handy with such experience. Greg purchased the guitar Jeremy has in his hands at a pawn shop in town. That's where it'd finally ended up after years of either sitting in the shop gathering dust or passing through various hands in town, only to eventually end up back at the shop Jeremy's father had sold it to.

Great comments! Keep reading!!! lol. 🙂

Oh, they're just flat out lying now. I'd not be able to keep up.

I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter and the new characters, too. Clay and Mason will feature heavily in the upcoming story(ies), so that's good. Thanks for reading and commenting!

Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment. I think it's natural for Western people to expect someone like Shawn to "pay" for his ways. It's part and parcel of the role religion played in our early societies. Even if we're not religious ourselves, we still feel this ... wrongness about those who have a great time with what seems to be no repercussions. But, when it's time for Shawn to want to change, is he allowed to? Or will our judgment of his past demand that he be punished for it, even if the casualties of that past have long healed? But wait, there's Ian. Was Ian hurt by Shawn's approach to life? Maybe. Ian was obviously in love with him to have hung on as long as he did. But if Ian was suffering, didn't he have a responsibility to tell Shawn how he felt? Assuming someone "just knows" is maddening to me (which I remind my husband of periodically), so if Ian was made miserable by Shawn, he really should have said so. Instead, he took the path he took, and ultimately it worked out. As for what Ian got out of it, he got the man he'd been in love with for two decades. To be In Love with someone for that long likely means it will continue until the end. I've come to learn, particularly later in life, that's a huge gift. So. Was Shawn "rewarded for his behavior"? I guess the question I'd ask in return is, "On what basis should he be denied happiness?" Thanks again. 🙂

Yes, I realize that. But self-education is worth the delay. 🙂

If I’ve not snared a reader by chapter 11, then I’m not doing a very good job. 😏 Glad you’re sticking around!

Great to hear. That’s the idea - to grab you. 🙂

Thanks! Corbin is a bit mixed up, that’s certain. Maybe you’ll see why later.

I don’t blame you. Idaho nachos rate pretty high in my book too! 😝 also, sorry I missed this comment!

I hope it holds your interest! Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.