RevSimon

Sorry I’m so late to the party, only reading these fabulous stories some 4 years after they were written. But good news they are just as fresh as they day you put the last full stop. I love A & Z, who couldn’t? Wholesome as all get out, A is stunning, most people carrying 1/2 his burden would be screaming PTSD and swallowing medication by the bucket, but him, nah, he puts himself through school, forging the documents to do it. Then falls in love with Z, thereby saving the two of them and creating something that is two squared to the power of ten. I loved this little vignette. I could read about them weekly and never tire.

Whatever prompted you to write this is immaterial to me. It stands out as a great example of thee short story. Swiftly hooking in the reader, giving him sense of place with a consummate description of place, flora and fauna. Peaceful existence threatened to create a sense of foreboding with finally real drama and then, in closing, teasing sensuality. As a former pilot, mostly of gliders, I can tell your other commentators that any landing you walk away from is a good landing. This story took off smoothly, cruised exceptionally and did a smooth three pointer at the end!

So, here I am, ecstatic, exhausted, exhilarated after another marathon read. I don’t know how you do it, I wish I could write a 1/4 as well as you, but every story I have read I cannot put down until I have greedily read it all. As I am reading complete works I do not comment until the end and I find it hard to sing loud enough. This morning I walked my dogs our usual early morning round and as I walked a path cut through a sun dappled meadow I pondered on Rick and Gus and hoped to high heaven they would find a way to be together. I had just read the chapter where they went fishing and things were shaping up well. I liked that Rick, who is wonderfully competent in all he does, and loyal, and trustworthy yet insecure because of his domineering swine of a father, was energised by Gus and learning to value himself as other valued him. His father may have owned the business and Rick but it must have been Rick who built it. Mean people make lousy businessmen. People soon see cheapness in materials and don’t trust the firm. His attitude would have made closing sales difficult. Rick on the other hand was a thorough professional, not a cheap fix it and run. His reputation was solid, which was why Rita sought him out. She recognised dad was vain and shallow and as soon as she identified his worth decided to sucker punch him. I’m sure she left a trail of devastation in previous towns, which was more than hinted at. I would love to visit the area that this story lives in. You sold me on it. Maybe sometime next year, when Brits can travel again, this old man can stumble up a College Hill, or be a passenger in a canoe, or listen to fabulous music of all types. By the way, thank you for all the links. I didn’t yet follow them all, too busy reading on, but am now going to go back and spend some quality time reminiscing on the story and listening to the music. Thanks again for another great read. Blessings, Love and Hugs, Rev Simon

Another fabulous book. Started it yesterday afternoon, read till 11.00pm and back reading at 6.00am. 3 hours later with happy, soppy, tears I finished it. I love redemption stories and this is one of the best. The story flows and has enough detail to make everything real without overwhelming you with nautical or scientific jargon. Similarly sufficient to create the pictures of sex, police, and manga! I've really enjoyed this story. I’m off to find more of your work.

A fabulous vignette into these lives. I’ve fallen for Andy and Zander, Kaz & Terry and am now fully intrigued by Twoey and David and their friends. Need to find out more about the Angel. Andy often had the sensation of being hugged, I think his guardian angel must have been there then. This is an intriguing dimension not really explored. Anyway loved this little storey.

So good to see that Uncle Ray got his just deserts. And a cocky corporate lawyer learned that you shouldn’t judge ‘bumfuck county’ by your own low standards! A and Z can sleep easier knowing Ray will never see freedom again. Hopefully his fellow inmates will learn what he did and make him suffer. I have no time for rapists, especially child rapists, even fictional ones. Thank you for tidying this thread up.

Hi, I have just read this entire book from first word to last in just over two days. Last night I read from 10.30pm to 4.00am and had to force myself to stop. I started again at 06.45, took a break at 09.30 and then read on and off all day until finishing in a three hour session. It is a real page turner. I can tell you I cried at many points in the story, mostly at the developing love story and the good people A began to find. But also at the horrors he experienced. Light relief at places provides counterpoint in an excellently crafted story. It is brutally real and it is tragic that kids still suffer like this. Where are the people who should spot the abuse, the educators, the dinner ladies, administrators etc. Where are social services? How can children not have any check up from medics? Every child should be being checked for milestones, vaccinations, dental care. All opportunities to make sure nothing like this is going on. And yet it does go on. A was resourceful, strong minded and his very abuse trained him for his escape. Even so to march on day after day, to find work, especially for Eustace, (my maternal Grandfather’s middle name!) over a number of weeks living in that hay loft, then being inspired to go to school and living in the library closet, man such a strong will. A hero. So too in his way is Z. Anyone, presumably the majority of your readers, who has slowly realised the truth of their sexuality can attest to how hard and painful that can be. Assuming the burden of guilt that we have let down or disappointed our families despite that for us it’s not a choice. No child chooses to be different from their peers, that’s why they adopt their mannerisms, dialects, clothing styles, teams to support. Then to find that despite all that there is one insurmountable difference can be devastating. In some places it’s a lot better but in others bigotry and evil persists. I tried to come out to my mum when I was 18, but she made it clear that this was not going to be possible in our family. The conversation never really got started before she shut it down. I could see she knew what I was trying to say and that she loved me but it was not going to happen. Stay and be in the family, pretend, hide, do not acknowledge my truth, or leave. With nothing. I was not as strong as A. I stayed. I hid, had furtive liaisons, eventually gave into family pressure and married. I was so lucky to find a wonderful woman with whom I was mostly honest and somehow fathered three wonderful sons. We are still together and have a terrific family. But I am unfulfilled, my gay soul is crushed and hurting. I love my wife and sons but still wish it was a man lying in my bed, sharing my life. So thank you for writing this story, for A & Z making it. Blessings, love and hugs.