Bill W

You never know what might happen when you deal with aliens that maybe be millions, possibly even billions, of years more advanced than you. That is the risk every astronaut took, since they had no idea what they might encounter as they ventured to the moon, and that risk only increases as they go to Mars or beyond. Thanks for this interesting tale, Carl.

There are two extremes when it comes to relationships - those that fail horribly and those that end up better than you could ever expect. Jay explores both types of relationships in this story and leaves you feeling good when the story ends. Treat yourself and take the time to read this little gem for yourself.

I'm just catching up reading anthologies that I didn't get to before, and I enjoyed this story immensely. The characters were believable and interesting, it was well-written, and the pacing was good. Kudos of a great job!

A wonderfully poignant tale about what happens in a relationship when trust is lost and anger and hurt takes its place. This story is painfully realistic in its portrayal of what the main characters are going through and how sometimes they might even suffer from momentary lapses when they set their differences aside and things almost seem normal again. It would be well worth your time and effort to give this short story a read.

I'm just getting to read some of the anthologies I didn't read before and came across your story. Love and hate are two sides of the same coin, and when love falters or fades, hate often steps in to take its place. A very realistic portray of that concept. Well done.

Even though the outcome was inevitable in domestic abuse cases, I hope it doesn't end tragically, as so many often do.

Another hobby for people that don't have a life.

This is a well-written short story with great characters, including a dragon, and a little magic. If you enjoy a good fantasy story, even though this one is short, this would be well worth your time and effort.

Tim, I'm going back and reading the anthologies I didn't get to when they were first published, and I wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed this story. I loved the choices you made, from having the Prince reject his birthright and running off, to his calm and collected manner when confronted by the dragon, and to taking care of Gil. It was short and sweet and left the readers clamoring for more, and if you have written a follow-up, I'd be happy if you'd send me the link. Kudos on a job well done.

We all sometimes get caught up in our hectic lives and miss opportunities. Sometimes they're an opportunity for advancement, or an opportunity to improve a part of your life through physical fitness or a hobby, and then there's the missed opportunities when it comes to romance. This is a well-written and enjoyable story about how one man gets to overcome the feeling of loss after missing out on one of these opportunities. I hope you read this short story and enjoy it as much as I did.

I'm going back and reading the anthologies I missed when they were first posted. I can't say I smiled through the entire story, because I felt bad for Bas when Liam didn't show up for their date, as well as when we were finding out about the bastard Troy, but I did smile through most of it, especially over how it ended. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story and I truly enjoyed it.

A charming short story about when a gay man's busy life meets up with family commitments that he'd rather skip, but once he gives in, he finds more than a boring family event. This story is well-written with interesting characters, and I believe you'll enjoy reading it.

An interesting and enjoyable read about finding out what life is like for a non-binary individual, and I learned a lot from this story. The characters are unique and interesting, the story is well-written, and the premise and dialogue are realistic. I think all LGBTQ+ individuals should read this short story for a glimpse of what it means to be non-binary. Thank you, Valkyrie, for this wonderful tale.

Carl, I'm going back and checking out the anthologies that I didn't get to when they first came out. I enjoyed this story and can empathize with Philippe, since I know what it's like growing older and your friends either start dying or move away, often to be near other family members. I'm not sure if Gerald's sister consulted him first before making him guardian of her children, but if she did, it's possible that Gerald agreed thinking that both his sister and her husband wouldn't die before the children were grown and living on their own. I half expected Franco to contact Philippe and Gerald after his twinkie left him, so maybe that didn't happen. Gerald isn't off the hook either, after leaving Philippe in the lurch in Paris, without warning I might add, so when he called, Philippe should have told him to fuck off and get lost. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed your story, and it so vividly points out some of the problems about being gay and growing older.

This is an adorable and charming story about first dates, friendship, and the awkward of being a teenager. The characters are very realistic and relatable, the writing is first-class, and the storyline timeless. Trust me, you won't regret reading this fantastic short story!

Cassie, this is a great story about young love, friendship, awkwardness. I'll bet when Kade gets a little older he'll start singing - "I wish that I knew what I know now, when I was younger". Great story. It was cute and charming and I'll give it 5 stars.

Lassitude comes from the Latin words lassus and lassitudo, meaning “weary.” Our English spelling comes from the French word that developed directly from Latin, borrowed in the 15th century. The word "lassitude" was first used in the English language in the mid-1500s. The earliest known use of the word is in the writing of Thomas Elyot, a humanist and diplomat, in 1541. Here are some examples of lassitude in a sentence: "In the lead-up to a big race, such lassitude can be compounded by a sudden severe case of germophobia". "Heavy lassitude settled upon me as I walked away from Peter Kanarjian". "Shareholders are blaming the company's problems on the lassitude of the CEO".

Can you suffer from exhaustion by reading too many stories on this site? 🤪

Exhaustion comes from the verb exhaust, "a drawing off," specifically of strength. from the Latin exhaurire, "draw off" or "take away." The first mention of exhaustion in the Bible is in Genesis 25:29, where it describes Esau coming in from the field "exhausted" after hunting. The earliest known use of the noun exhaustion is in the mid 1600s. OED's earliest evidence for exhaustion is from before 1639, in a letter by Henry Wotton, diplomat and writer.

A powerful story addressing the churches stance on gay love, which is more than likely not God's stance, but the decision of a limited and powerful number of the congregation. It's a story about love and how that love is more powerful than those trying to prevent it. This is not a preachy sermon, but an eloquent story about how love can conquer all! Just have a box of tissue nearby when you read this.

Gary, I apologize for not getting to this story sooner. You did a great job with this top. Bravo. There isn't much else that I can add to what's already been said, but while I was growing up, I was taught that "God is love." And if God is love, I can't see him condemning anyone for being in love or for whom they love, as you so eloquently put it here. Unfortunately, it's not God who does the condemning. It's people who attempt to use God's name and think they can speak for God who become the problem. I find the hypocrisy in those who attempt to use a few verses in the Bible to condemn gay love, yet are willing to overlook one of the ten commandments - God's given laws! The seventh that states "Thou shalt not commit adultery", and whether they do it themselves or are willing to overlook it in others that do it, such as a political figure, a celebrity, or a sport's star, yet at the are willing to virulently condemn a homosexual individual or couple. Anyway, enough of my sermon and kudos for this story.

This story is a quasi-biblical story that is set in a small rural village in biblical times. It is actually a love story between a human mortal and a heavenly being, and the story is intense with many twists and turns. Although I had my doubts when I first started reading it, I was soon hooked and couldn't put it down until I finished reading all three chapters. I found it a truly enjoyable read and highly recommend it.

What a wonderful and intense ending to this fantastic story. I had a feeling you were going to let Jair become an angel, although I didn't envision what a powerful angel he would become. It's great that you let Epheriel and Eshiel express their love and remain together. It was truly an angelic romance. Well done and a pure pleasure to read.

A love story between an angel and a human. I think that's what is bothering Enoch. He was unable to have that type of relationship when he was human and now it isn't the same, even if he had a relationship with another angel. BTW, Enoch was Noah's grandfather. Thank you for another great chapter.

Thorn, thank you for this intriguing, imaginative, and innovative take on a semi-biblical story. I like Jair and am impressed with his maturity and how he dealt with Joseph, and I'm curious about Epheriel and this phantom 'evil' that seem to have it out for Jair. Great start and I'm glad that I'm backtracking to read the anthology stories I missed when the were first published.