Mac Rountree

We were seated at the breakfast table that we had claimed as our favorite place in the house…other than our bed. The table overlooked the Nansemond River at its confluence with the James River. Just beyond our view was the Chesapeake Bay. It was magical for me to look at the rivers as my only view of water growing up on the farm was the hog pond. Of course, there was Lake Gaston where Camp Falls was located but that was just for the summers and it didn’t compare to the rivers. The house sat on a

I leaned back in the restaurant chair, took a sip of my coffee and realized that the music was really fine. I smiled, turned to Jube and said, “Listen to that woman sing. Oh my God, I love that song.” We were at Dogwood’s in Norfolk. It had recently opened in Ghent and we were there for Sunday brunch. The restaurant had very few customers which is the way I preferred a restaurant. The word had not gotten out about the wonderful food and ambiance. It wouldn’t take long before this would be an

Brokenbind, It is a lot happening in a very short time frame. The compressed time and cumulative effect of years of abuse have tipped Jimbo over the edge. Things will get better. Much better, but it will take a little more time. Thanks for reading and responding. Mac

Fae Briona, Bingo. The cumulative effect of those years of abuse are being lived out in a compressed time frame for Jimbo. The combination of physical, emotional, and verbal abuse has reached the apogee and introducing Mason has caused the dad to go over the top. This also tips Jimbo over the edge. Things will get better for Jimbo and thus for Mason. Thanks for reading. Mac

We finished our meal and I pulled out my wallet to pay. Ayal interrupted and said that he was paying. I tried to override him until he said the law firm provided reimbursement when staff took clients out for a meal. I realized that the firm paid but ultimately the client was billed. But who was the client? As we rode back to get the truck, Ayal said that he would be thirty minutes behind to pick us up and then take us to the Jenner’s house in Suffolk. “It is important that the two of you sti

Thanks for reading the story. I can promise that Pate will never cook a bundt cake. He would think such a cake would be too plebeian. He would however love a Victorian sponge. He easily slips into the pretentious however he thinks he is just being natural to who he is. Sometimes he lacks a certain self awareness. I love Viognier. There is a wonderful vineyard and winery about three hours north that makes an excellent Viognier and a wonderful Claret. I think it is time for another trip to fill the wine cellar. If my story helps you get out more I consider it a success. 😎 Enjoy your glass of Viognier!!🤩

To badly paraphrase Einstein, when a new energy force field is created then there is an equal amount of resistance. The new way of being will settle in after a period of time, but there are still challenges ahead for the guys.

Another great chapter. I am enjoying this story very much. Two thumbs up!

Flesco, Imagine how Jimbo felt sitting there having to make life decisions for himself and for Matan without all of the information. It must have been terrifying. It was like driving 90 mph down a highway and encountering a left hand turn without time to brake. They need their seat belts because the ride is not over. More will be revealed to the guys shortly; however it comes in drips and drabs, or so it seems to them. They want a full reveal. That is not going to happen. They are on a life journey that will test their mettle. Mac

Dr. John, You are right to withhold judgement about Cohen. He had a job to do and did it. It may have lacked a certain finesse but he had to deliver the goods to his boss. Mission accomplished. Cohen didn't believe that a 16 year old has the maturity to have received the message. Hmmm, he didn't know Matan. He didn't know Jimbo either except through his secondary sources. Cavafy, in his poem 'Ithaca', would say it was the journey that was important. The destination may be known but the journey to get there is what gives meaning to life. Thanks for reading the story. Mac

Flesco, Mason has proved that he can be a force of nature. The immediate future looks bleak and there are troubles ahead but they follow their Whitman and are a force to be reckoned with. Thanks for reading and commenting. Mac

“So you’re a preacher’s kid,” I said. “Don’t say it like that.” “Like what?” “Like I have a disease or something. There are lots of men who have fathers who are preachers.” “That may be but they aren’t gay and in my bed.” “I didn’t say I was gay.” We glared at each other. “I need to take a shower. When I finish you are welcome to take one before going to your grandmother’s birthday service or whatever the hell you call it.” He looked devastated and I felt like a

Fly, They thought that their lives were complex at camp and then............................... Who knew that these young Boy Scouts from southeast Virginia would be involved in international intrigue? Hmmm, I think international relations might be a better term than international intrigue even though there is a lot of intrigue happening in their lives right now. Look for the next chapter the first of next week. Thanks for the compliment. Mac

Broken, Strings are being pulled. Who is the puppeteer? And why are those strings being pulled? Mac

Cohen certainly can be condescending and superior. He did remove Jimbo and Mason of agency. He questions Jimbo's diplomatic skills and his are suspect also. He is a lawyer but who is his client? Is it the Jenners or someone else? BTW, my ex is a lawyer and I had to work hard not to channel too many of his traits into Cohen.

“Jimbo, you had a phone call and this man is expecting you to call him back.” Mother handed me a slip of paper with a name and telephone number. “What time did he call?” “I guess it was right after ya’ll went back into the fields after lunch. Ya’ll were working and I decided this could wait.” I looked at the paper in my hand. A Mr. Cohen had called me. I did not recognize the telephone area code. I figured it had been about four hours since he called. “It is dinner time, youn

JeffreyL, More will be coming this week. There should be a new chapter every week. Mac

Summer at the beach always provides a time for wild things to happen. Pate and ET are in for an interesting time.

Brokenbind, Thank you for remembering the other version. I have rewritten a lot of the story though the arc of the story remains the same. In addition, I have written most of the chapters which cover the fall and winter. Those are new and have not published before. I am so happy that you love the story and are willing to go on the journey with these characters again. You may have noticed that the protagonist has a different name than in the earlier version. Writers love feedback and readers, for the most part, were very generous with their comments. I, unfortunately, had a period of health problems which prevented me from being able to write. Those problems are now in abeyance and I decided to bring the story out, review it to see if there was anything salvageable, and to rewrite and finish it. Happy reading. Mac

I was heading south. The moon illuminated a pathway down the highway for me to find my way back to the beach. It was late at night as I drove home from a major sales presentation for a new real estate development we were pitching to prospective out of town buyers and investors. I had used my usual introduction all night: “Hi, my name is Pate Ruffin, I am pleased to be here tonight and to meet ya’ll.” I am one of the principles in the firm of Fitzhugh and Ruffin. My daddy, Big Rob, was the fo

Timmy rides back to Nags Head with Pate after a real estate development meeting in Richmond. The two partnered in presenting the housing concepts to the audience and found that they had a natural chemistry. Timmy’s boss is adamant that his staff not socialize with clients, such as Pate, however fate has interceded and the fellows decide they must follow their hearts. They become the boys of summer but will it last into the fall when Timmy’s boss finds out about the relationship?

Thanks, Starboardtack. They have another major surprise coming their way but in the meantime they are learning about each other and figuring out if their love for each other can sustain them through these challenges.

Jimbo's father certainly carries a lot of prejudices against people of other religions. Unfortunately, he is not alone in his way of thinking.

Buckle up. Troubles multiply for Jimbo and Mason. They remember their Whitman and that helps them through the impending challenges. Thanks for reading.

Wednesday night dinner was fairly quiet in the dining hall. Many of the boys had their families arriving with picnic suppers. My gut was in turmoil. I knew that the evening program was a test but I didn’t know the parameters and what was actually being tested. Mr. Fish told me that I was in charge of the entire program and that he would be sitting with the Executive Board for the Council. When I asked him the reasoning, he became uncomfortable and said I would find out later but to do him proud.