Wayne Gray

She has such a fantastic attitude, in spite of what happened to her. She still believes in a better path forward, and she knows that path has to include the acknowledgement of some uncomfortable history. My country is no stranger to uncomfortable history. Though, there seems to be a distinct lack of those willing to face it, and to learn from it. I hope for more people in our nation like Aziza. People who have pride in what their nation could become, but who are willing to face the scorched foundation upon which it has been built. Good entry, tim.

I was happy to read the story. I liked the sweet way Henry stepped up, and the way the guys are just living their lives. Henry was nice to help, and that took courage. But it takes more to live our lives the way they're meant to be lived, even when it might not be easy. Good story, tim. 🙂

They're pretty good words, eh? Along with Joe and Jake, I do think it'd be fun to explore Pete and Russell. In imagining who could possibly convince Pete to settle down, I have mentally formed quite the character in Russell. I mean ... what would it take to get a pistol like him to stand still long enough to put a ring on him? Hehe. It's fun to consider. Thanks for reading and for the comments, Danilo.

Thank you. I like the journey Harry took with Gus. And the fact that his sweet parents provided the needed support for him to take that first step. 🙂

Haha. I'm glad you liked the crazy ending. Mamma G is something else, eh? 😛 You're right; people can't keep residing permanently at the camp. And you're also right about the name/mission of the place. People come, get what they need, and they go. The "Camp Refuge Shorts" show that off, and I hope you enjoy those too. Harlan did what he always does; he got involved where he saw fit, and then he stepped out once he'd put the ball into motion. As for a spin off with Mamma G ... we'll have to see about that. 🙂 Thanks for the comments and for reading!

Thanks, molly! Aww. I’m glad your friend had you and Phil in her life. It makes things more tolerable for us, to be supported. It’s true - younger folks are moving away from the damaging attitudes of the past. I can’t wait until that BS is just a memory.

Thanks for the comments. 🙂 Poor Joseph! lol. But at least his partner cares for and values him. Avery is a teenage boy. So ... yes. He's revved up to 10 when it comes to craving touch and sex. And finally - don't knock the savory/sweet combo of bacon and jam till you've tried it!

Thanks, Danilo. Yeah, this was a fun way to do a few things with the old characters. First, we got to check in and see how things are going with them. But ... more important to me ... we got to really get to know Greg. He stops being this sorta vanilla guy who is always there in the background, and who we think we know so well we can predict his every move. This story is easily as much about him as it is about Lee and Avery. You'll see what I mean. And I hope you enjoy the ride.

Hahaha. Thanks for reading and commenting. Don't worry, I'll refrain from additional comparisons of food to peeing. 😛

Huh! Look at that! A kettle heckling me!

Oh, you've not found this one yet? Ah, great. And unlike most others, you won't have to teeter on any cliffs that show up for a full week between updates. 😛 Lee's life with Eddie was so rough. It's hard watching that, I know. Getting collared by Joseph might be the best thing to have ever happened to Lee. But really, that depends on if Lee is able to see the campground as more than yet another prison. I guess we'll see. Thanks for reading and commenting, Danilo!

He proved that he would walk the walk. A friend like that is hard to find, and Jace realized just how lucky he was as soon as he saw Myles in the hallway. Thanks for the comment and for the read, Danilo! 🙂

Good morning/afternoon/evening! I'm working from home, and looking out of my kitchen window, I see little, barely-fledged sparrows inexpertly flying around, and flopping about in the yard. They're hilarious. Their tail feathers are oversized for their bodies, and they are just having a time of it. Super cute and entertaining to watch. Have a great day, all!

I like how prickly Jason is, and how Cathy meets him with a calm patience. It's exactly how he needed approaching. Her self-imposed penance is bringing about good, and that's a blessing born from tragedy. Thanks for the story. 🙂

Thanks for the comments! Ah, I'm so glad you had an ally in Bill. Friends like him are hard to find, and it sounds as if you recognize his value. Wow. Georgia in the late 70s. Noooo thank you! Yet, you survived it, maybe thanks, in part to friends like Bill! Myles definitely stepped up for Jace, and he showed himself a real friend. We can all use those in our lives, regardless of their sexuality. I believe you're right on this one. People might have an idea of how it feels, but until they experience it themselves, they just don't know. And good for NYC! It's quite telling, I think, to have no takers in a city of millions for that challenge. People know. Deep down, they know. They may not realize the depth, but the fact that they're not taking on the challenge tells us that on some level, they're aware.

Thanks for reading and for the comment, Valkyrie. I think you're right. I think that's what it takes for some to understand; they can't be told; they have to feel, see, and live it. Myles had little idea what kind of courage it took for Jace to simply be himself. Well, now he knows. And he showed himself unwilling to let Jace walk the path alone. He's a good friend.

You're right about friends. People who will stand up with you when it matters. Myles didn't know - not at first. Once he did, he actively picked a harder path just so he could walk it with Jace. Thanks for reading, and for the great comment. I appreciate the time spent. 🙂

It's a good reminder. Everyone has struggles, but we have our own flavor; we have additional ones, heaped on us. I'm glad Caleb didn't let those struggles poison him. Nice story. 🙂

Thank you, Mike. I too feel Myles is a good guy. I saw something heartening in our little town once about two years ago. Kevin and I walked along "Arts Alive", a monthly event that happened every first Saturday in our city. A big, boisterous group of high-schoolers milled about in front of us ... and we spied this cute pair of girls, pressed together, their clasped hands almost hidden among their friends. But not quite. They got a few looks, and frowns, and then comments from the crowd around them. They dropped hands, and looked upset. Annnnnd that's when their friends, like ten of them, all paired up with same sex friends and held hands. "Here! Look! Ohhhh, two boys holding hands! OMG, what will all these good Christians do?!" And that's how they spent the rest of the evening - like a bulwark around their friends, noisy and unashamed. I gotta admit ... it made me tear up. Being a giant helps, I'm sure. And you're right ... the more people see us out and about the better. We are a part of that when we can be, even if it's uncomfortable for us. We just play the game of risks, and decide moment to moment when we can show our love.

Thank you, Parker. It really didn't take long for him to "get it." And he sorta had a clue, before they'd even begun. The "Not some hood" comment told the story there. So deep down, he knew things were harder for Jace. Nothing like practical experience to drag that knowledge front and center.

Myles started from a place of ignorance - he simply didn't know. His view of Jace's situation changed from "OMG, dramatic gay boy" to "I gotta make sure Jace doesn't get hurt on the way to Pride". He's a good friend. 🙂 Thanks for the read and comment!

Thanks, tim. Maybe if I had another foot of height that'd make a difference. As it is, showing affection to my husband in the open is a gamble - and it's always a calculation we take. I like Myles. He started as someone who liked Jace, but he couldn't empathize. Not really. As soon as he realized what kind of world Jace had to live in, he changed. A real friend, when presented with the trial of someone they value will help bear it. And that's what Myles did.

Hello, all. I hope everyone is doing well. And ... I just wanted to say ... @kbois's pride short is very well done. Seriously. You should all check it out and show it some love, because it genuinely deserves a look. @Mikiesboy told me it was good, but it still impressed me.

Thanks, W_L. My husband and I faced similar situations even when vacationing in Ashland, OR. It's a small place, but it's known for art, social enlightenment, etc. If there was anyplace we should be able to hold hands on the west coast, apart from a "gay" neighborhood, that should have been it. But no. No. For our own safety, we had to stop. The attention and comments we got were just too much.

Thanks, kbois. And yeah, Myles had no idea, because he'd never had to think about it. Once that changed, he quickly realized how right Jace was. But ... once he did, he also showed himself to be a real ally. 🙂