Wayne Gray

Thanks, spyke. Even as I reply to these comments, more of it crystalizes in my head. And ... I just want to say ... Not everything is as clear, simple, and straight forward as it might seem. But it wouldn't be a story if it was!

Well, looks to me like the cliff already hit, and we're just seeing the aftermath. But I'll still take the title. 😛 Thanks, kbois. Yeah ... I'll likely end up writing this one. It's still buzzing in my head, and that's pretty much a sure bet that it won't go away till I've put it down on "paper".

Thanks, drsawzall. I am working on description, and trying to find the balance between Tolkien and Paulsen (wrote a book targeted to teens called Hatchet, and it's one of the most succinct works I've ever read) when it comes to details. I know I need more of it in my work, and if I write this story, I'll focus on it.

Thanks, Butcher. I'll see what I can do about that. 🙂

Thanks, Chris. We might find out more. 🙂

Thanks, Magrim. I'm trying harder to write more in the moment, and let the reader see the scenes - not tell the reader about the scene. It's a subtle distinction, but I feel it's an important one. I'm glad it felt dramatic to you - it certainly did to me.

Thanks for the nice words. You're right - in that there are many directions to take with this little sliver of life and death. I'm building a plot in my head, using up unoccupied CPU time in the brain when I'm doing other things. So it's probably going to turn into a full story. 🙂

"I'm here," Brad cleared his throat, pushing the waver from his tone. "I'm here." Andy clung to him, face buried against his neck. His friend's body heaved in wracking sobs, and he dragged in breaths in staccato gasps. Brad held him - his oldest friend. The lights of the police cruisers strobed over the scene of the accident, and the odor of gasoline stung his nose. "Guys, you gotta get back." A policeman with a firm, yet understanding tone extended his arms. "Come on, back up a b

Nice! I got that reference immediately! Lol Well, I’m glad you’re taking this one for a drive, even if were-creatures aren’t your usual fare. To be honest though, this isn’t your typical shifter tale … 😉 Thanks for reading and for the comment!

Glad you had a good time, Chris. Everybody needs that. Howdy all. Happy Saturday!

Thanks for the Birthday wishes, all. 🙂 47 is a weird number. It's prime, and when you add the numbers together you make another prime (11). Add those together and you get ANOTHER prime (2)! I don't know why, but my brain just does that - hunts for interesting patterns, particularly around numbers. Anyway, enough number geekery. Don't get me started on 36! 😛

Great job getting vaccinated. Yeah, the variants are infecting folks who've gotten vaccinated, but we're seeing those people have a much easier time of it than those who've not been. Still, take care and allow yourself to recover.

I pushed "like" because I agree with you with all my being.

OMG, I just noticed the screen name of the guy who posted this. LOL ... wow.

Dropping in to share this ...

I saw that. Pretty amazing

I'm glad you enjoyed this one, Bft. Transitioning in 1952? WOW. Well, that's wild. I can't imagine the kind of hell she got for that. But it goes to prove how important living authentically is. If she was willing to walk that path in 1952, then she didn't really have a choice. I wish more understood that. Thanks for the information. I'll look her up.

Thanks, tesao. Yes, it forces some reflection and that’s the goal. I’m glad it worked! 🙂

Thanks, Tom. And yes, it'd have to be an adjustment for everyone involved. That's what I was going for here - showing that struggle for someone close to our transitioning Dane. I'm glad his attempt to deal constructively appealed. 🙂

Thanks, Zeke. It can be scary to write something not directly within my personal experience. Some stuff I can research and get close, and this was one of those. Still, there are undoubtedly little errors and mistakes in the telling. Where I didn't get something quite right. I did my best. I wrote it because I wanted people to think about the process someone has to go through. The leap someone has to take. The trust they'd have to have in their partner, or their willingness to say goodbye if they absolutely had to, just to live authentically. And I wanted to show some of what their partner would have to go through as well. I like how it turned out. I think Dane and Brandon are going to be fine down the road.

Thanks, Story Reader. 🙂 Ultimately we're all just people. We're all trying to find our own paths to happiness, and maybe someone to share that path too. Dane needed to be himself, even if it cost him Brandon. He didn't want it to, but he'd gotten to the point where he had to finally come out to the man he loves. Then you've got Brandon. He's reeling, but he's willing to try life with Dane instead of Dana. I'm glad it made you think and empathize. That's the goal.

Thanks, Jeffrey! Maybe they will show up again in a few months. I like the format of these little stories, in that it doesn't take a huge commitment of time for me to finish one. I just need an idea, and then a few days later I can have a chapter/story done. I expect you're right. I think they'll be okay. Love allows for a lot, and they've got it. 🙂

I really wanted to show that part - the partner dealing with the transition of the person they love. Brandon's dealing with something he'd never anticipated, and you're right about the shock! He certainly was shocked right out of the gate. I don't mean to present this as "everything is fine and it all will be". However, it can be fine, and it can continue to be with work. A lot of communication from both parties, maybe time in couple's counseling, and just good old fashioned time. Yet, Dane's courage to come out, and Brandon's willingness to try are both critical for them to move forward. Thanks, Clancy! 🙂

Thanks, Chris. I do think they'll make it. Sure, they've got lots of work ahead, but that's okay. Anything worth having is worth working for. I'm glad you liked it!

Thanks for the comments, Tony. Concerning the rapid acceptance ... you're right - it takes time to accept. Brandon is in the earliest part of that process. He's trying, and he knows how important it is for Dane to see he's trying. But again, he isn't finished yet. He has a long way to go, but the message here is that he's willing to start the process. That's what Dane needed, and Brandon is going to do everything he can to give Dane what he needs. As for the labels - I spoke to a few trans friends about this. And turns out, it's pretty important to the three I spoke to. Maybe my sample size isn't big enough, but ... yes. It's important, at least to some. That said, Brandon does love Dane the person. And for him, part of that may include accepting the label that reinforces who Dane is.