Wayne Gray

Thanks, David. Though "Refuse" doesn't quite describe the camp. 😛 There's a lot of judgment wrapped up in some churches and church leaders in particular. Baptists ... let's just say I'm intimately familiar with that particular brand. It baffles my mind too. You stay safe too. Thanks for reading and for the comment!

I can't recommend these resources more, @kbois. They steered me in my own writings. Mike and Mac are tremendously knowledgeable and experienced here. No one way is the right way, but it's good to follow the trail laid down by others and decide to deviate from there if you feel the need. I particularly find the ways respect flows from Dom to sub interesting, though that's not often the focus.

Great, insightful comment, Clancy. Thanks. You're right about Huck. He believes. Though he's beginning to question how the path set for him by the pastor could possibly be the right way forward when it makes him feel so damn awful. The pastor feels he's right. That if he doesn't "help" Rayne, he'll burn in hell when he dies, simply by virtue of his orientation. And he ignores his own sins, for the most part. I mean, he feels guilt over them ... but not enough to come clean. So Harlan's right. He conveniently picks and chooses which "sin" deserves attention. Harlan isn't about to let that go on. Have no doubt ... if pushed, Harlan would make good on his promise in a spectacularly awful way.

Harlan is blunt, at times. He doesn't waste time with social niceties. He's annoyed by his heart. He has worked hard to rid himself of emotion that doesn't directly contribute to his success at his work, but ... he still finds himself feeling and dealing with it. There are a few moments in Camp Refuge where we see it. At first blush, "kind and honest" are hard descriptors to assign to him. Then you watch him a while ... and little things begin to bleed through. He's a hard man, but he didn't have to help Rayne and Huck. Yet, he did. Thanks for the comments. 🙂

I agree with your first point. 🙂 Now, the second. I also am not surprised, in the slightest, that you came up with a totally unique skeleton in the pastor's closet. Though, he wouldn't think of it that way. So it wouldn't have been something Harlan could have used against him.

You know, this is an exceptional question. It's also one that gets answered ... albeit obliquely. Thanks for your comments, Geemeedee!

Oh, that's a fantastic quote! I love it. If you figure out the name of the book, let me know, Fae. Thanks for the comment!

You’re right. ASL isn’t the only sign language out there. But it’s the most widely used, even “across the pond.“ Thanks for the comment.

Yep. He’s doing well, but he’s a stubborn one too. He won’t let a little thing like being a cancer-survivor get in his way! Thanks, droughtquake.

Thanks, Parker! It is a bit risky to back a man into a corner. Pastor Rogers might try and somehow get past the hurdle of Harlan's interference in his life. We'll simply have to see how that plays out. You can bet the pastor is wondering why Harlan called out Huck specifically. What sort of conclusions can he draw? Somehow, Harlan knew Huck is a man in his flock, and then in the same breath Harlan told Rogers to never preach on homosexuality again. Hrm. Yeah, there are connections to be made there. Will the good pastor risk it? Nice to have unanswered questions at this point in the tale, I think. 😄 And you're welcome. I'm happy you liked it!

Not surprising, but disappointing that trusted institutions do things that need covering up. 😞 Yep. Harlan took advantage of the preacher's character flaw to force him into compliance. Huck felt the wrongness of what he was doing to his son, but he simply trusted the wrong guy to steer his spiritual course. I don't slight Huck for believing-God is important to him. But he was absolutely pulled away from where he was supposed to go by his church leader. Maybe now things will improve for both him and Rayne too. And Harlan. Yes. We'll see. His past is marred by horrible things he was forced to do by his old employer. Instead of being a victim of the system he found himself in, he forged himself into a fearsome entity. He survived by making those who could hurt him afraid. Does that absolve him? Nope. Does he think he deserves absolution? Absolutely not. Thanks for the comments, tim. 🙂

Aw. I'm sorry you had a bad day, kbois. There are a number of different ways to go about the art of getting what you want from those reluctant to see things your way. Some are trained in seduction, and convince others through sweet words and sometimes their bodies. But others ... others are like Harlan. Harlan is an unassuming, nondescript guy - until he decides not to be. Subtle changes to voice, posture, and word choice all combine to build a pretty scary picture. In short, Harlan can be terrifying. Hrm. That description of his voice. Yeah, let's go with that! 😄 Thanks for commenting, kbois!

Thanks, CLJobe! I wondered what it could be ... the thing Harlan would find on him. This just fit so well, without it being so predictable as to be cliche. I like how it worked out!

He has been warned. Will he listen? I guess we'll see about that. Both Huck and Rayne need help. Let's see how that happens. Thanks for the comment, chris!

Thanks, Rupert. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

See, that's the insidious thing about the situation. Pastor Rogers really believes in what he's doing. He's slowly killing both of these guys and he can't even see it. Thanks for the comment, Quixo. 🙂

Thanks, Butcher! Harlan tried. And he's the kind of guy who will absolutely follow up on his promises, so hopefully the pastor takes him seriously. Let's find out how that translates to Huck and Rayne. We'll see. 🙂

Thanks, jaysalmn! Yes, Harlan did a bit of a surgical strike on pastor Rogers. He cleared the way, and now it's up to Huck and Rayne. They are both unhappy, as you said, so something will change one way or another.

I feel the same way, molly! Thanks for reading and for the comment. Ah ... this one feels so satisfying. Maybe that makes me a terrible person, but ... eh. I accept that!

It was Wednesday and the end of the workday for most folks, though pastor David Rogers was just getting started. He had a sermon to preach at the Baptist Church in town. Only the truly dedicated showed up on Wednesday night services, and he tailored his sermons accordingly. He knew that Huck would be there. David had an obligation to help keep Huck on the path. He needed to ensure the man knew that homosexuality was a sin and that what they did now for his son, Rayne, was necessary. The

Harlan might have his hands full with Mr. Bailey. 😄 The scene with Rayne is hard. It's rough watching someone fall apart over something they can't and shouldn't have to help. All of that could have been prevented if a certain spiritual leader wasn't pushing so hard on Rayne's father to do the exact wrong thing for him. Thanks for reading and for the comment, spyke!

You know, when I wrote this I wanted people to understand how badly "good intentions" can go. Pastor Rogers believes in what he is doing. He believes he is doing exactly what is needed to save Rayne's soul. That makes him dangerous. We'll have to see what Harlan does about it. Rayne needs Elias. He's lucky to find someone he can trust and lean on. And Elias is happy to be there for him. He's a good kid. Thanks for the comment, Parker!

Elias senses that Rayne needs help. He's a good boy, and he can't help but gravitate to those who need him. Rayne does. Yet, there's more there too; the boys seem to like one another. Harlan ... oh, so much more is coming for him. You know that, of course ... but yes. I'm looking forward to all of it. Thanks for the comments, chris!

Thanks for the comments! And, nah. You're not too sensitive. You're just right! That means I'll take a bit of the credit as the writer, which makes me feel pretty good. So, thanks. 🙂 Ah, Preacher Rogers! Mmmm. Yes. What could we possibly have planned for him? There's more coming!

All shall be revealed! I see you're reacting to chapters further down the line, so you may have answered your own questions. I hope the answers keep you interested and engaged. 🙂 Thanks for reading!