Bill W

Mike and Ben are gay roommates and decided to spend the two weeks around Christmas and the New Year in Belize. Shortly after they arrived there, they stopped at a restaurant for lunch, and while they were eating, the men saw two boys panhandling across the street. The guys decided to do a good deed and bought the boys a meal and took it over them. They expected a positive response from the boys, but they received an unexpected and cautious response to their generous offer. The boys took the meals and started eating but they appeared leery about what would be expected in return. This is a decent read and it has a happy ending, but it comes with a warning: this story describes prior child abuse effecting multiple boys and some of it is quite graphic. If this doesn't bother you, then give this tale a try, because overall it's uplifting.

First of all, this story could have used a good editor to catch the misspellings, typos, the use of incorrect homonyms, and wrong tenses. Now as for the story, it was a good storyline, considering the author was delving into difficult subject matter. As mentioned by someone in the previous comments, it was a little disjointed, but overall it was an interesting short story with a happy ending.

An absorbing, yet sad, short story about young love, but the crucial part of the story takes place in a blizzard. I would have given it five-stars except for one problem. There were time shifts without any warning, such as a line of dashes or a string of asterisks to let the reader know that something was changing, but other that that it was a very moving and emotional tale. Hopefully this warning will let you know when something seems different it's probably just a time shift.

This isn't your usual Halloween story, but there are many Halloween activities involved. This is an interesting tale filled with teenage angst, character quirks, humor, and surprises. If you want a little different Halloween story, then try this one out. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

It was a cute story with intricate characters and an intriguing storyline. It was a nice ending, but I kind of felt like you could have carried it a little farther to let us know if it was going to work out. Would they be a couple? Would they be out as a couple? And how were their families, friends, and even the school in general going to react to them. It was still a good story and I truly enjoyed it.

This isn't a scary Halloween story, but it is a sweet Halloween story. It's about a young teenage couple taking a younger boy out trick-or-treating and think of it as if they're taking their son out on this adventure.

This was a sweet Halloween story, I just found using two "J" names for two of the three main characters a bit confusing at times. Otherwise, it was an enjoyable story.

This isn't a scary Halloween story, but it is creepy. It's also interesting on several levels and the various characters are unique from one another, which is brought out nicely by the author. I would have given the story a five-star rating except for the fact that there were a few misspellings/typos that threw me off momentarily and caused me to have to gave back and reread the section to understand it. Otherwise, it was an enjoyable and interesting read.

The story wasn't scary, but it was creepy, and I think Kyle and Ritchie really need to talk, because I think they DO have something in common, even though Kyle doesn't realize it. My guess is that Ritchie is bi. You should have used an editor though, because there were a few misspellings or typos that threw me off momentarily.

A resolution is the final part of a story where the main conflict ends, questions get answered, and characters adjust to a new normal. It matters because it gives readers emotional closure, reveals the deeper meaning of the plot, and turns a random sequence of events into a memorable experience. Why Resolution Matters: Emotional Payoff: Rewards the audience for caring about the characters and following their struggles. Ties Up Loose Ends: Answers lingering questions and finishes minor subplots. Shows Growth: Highlights how much the main character changed during their journey. Delivers the Theme: Clarifies the core message or lesson the author wants to share. Types of Endings: Closed: All questions answered, leaving a clear and complete picture. Open: Some details left blank so the audience can think and wonder. Bittersweet: The goal is met, but at a high or painful cost.

The word resolution comes from the Latin resolutio, meaning "a lossening or releasing" derived from the Latin verb resolvere (to unbind, loosen, or dissolve). It entered Middle English in the 1400s it originally meaning the reduction of things into simpler parts or the dissolving of a solid. in the 1500s it shifted to mean "untangling" or solving a difficult question, conflict, or mathematical problem. In the 1600s it evolved to mean a settled mental state or firmness of purpose (being "resolute"). In the 1780s it was first recorded use of making a firm personal promise or goal for the new year. In the 1800s it began to be applied to lenses and images, representing how clearly an optical system can separate fine details into distinct points. According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the noun resolution was first used in English during the Middle English Period (1150-1500). The earliest recorded evidence of the word dates from before 1398, found in a translation by the writer and translator John Trevisa. The adjective resolute was first used in English during the Middle English period as an adjective, with the earliest recorded evidence dating from before 1425 in a translation of Guy de Chauliac’s medical text Grande Chirurgie. The earliest known use of the adverb resolutely is from 1540 in the writings of the poet and ambassador Thomas Wyatt.

The small snippets at the front of the story was to set the premise for the story without making it too long. I'm glad you enjoyed the part about Aunt Millie and did you guess that I wrote it?

I know this comment and the review on my own story may sound vain, but I couldn't comment and review all of the other stories and not done my own or everyone would have known what story I wrote.

Thanks, Lee, for the response and for you touching review.

Thank you, @centexhairysub. and I'm glad that this story touched you. I appreciate your feedback and your wonderful review of this story.

Thank you, Carybr, and did you truly recognize my style and know I was the author. I hope so.

Thank you, @Summerabbacat. and I'm glad you found this story delightful and interesting. And thank you for the wonderful review as well.

Were you right, Cane. Did you recognize that I wrote this story. I hope you enjoyed it.

Thanks for your feedback. Have your read any of my other stories. Was I on the tip of your tongue or was it a false alarm. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Thanks, Gary, and I hope your surprise was a pleasant one. I appreciate your comment.

Well, I got two correct - mine and the story by Cassie Q, but other than that, I bombed badly. Thanks, Cia, for putting this together for us.

The concept of being "strengthened" in storytelling refers to how characters, themes, or narrative structures grow more resilient, powerful, or profound through conflict. This progression drives character arcs, validates core themes, and transforms passive plots into deep emotional experiences that resonate with audiences. Character Growth and Resilience: Overcoming trials: Characters face tests that break old habits and build inner power. Earning change: True strength comes from struggle, making victories feel real and satisfying. Proving themes: The protagonist's internal strengthening proves the main message of the story. Narrative and Structural Integrity: Raising stakes: Each hurdle makes the ultimate goal harder and the narrative tighter. Deepening conflict: Stronger opposition forces characters to adapt or fail completely. Enhancing payoff: The final resolution packs a bigger emotional punch when the build-up is robust.

The word strengthen comes from Middle English, formed by combining strength with the verbal suffix -en (meaning "to make"). The root noun strength traces back to Old English strengþu, rooted in Proto-Germanic and ultimately the prehistoric Indo-European root *strenk- ("tight, narrow"). According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the earliest known use of strengthened as an adjective is from 1578, found in the writings of the surgeon John Banister. The verb strengthen was first used in English during the Middle English period (1150-1500), with the earliest recorded evidence dating back to 1450. The word strengthening as a noun dates back to 1535 in Miles Coverdale’s translation of the Bible and as an adjective in 1571 in the writings of theologian William Fulke. The noun strength was first used in English during the Old English period, or before 1150.

Damn, has Clue changed that much? I guess I haven't played it in quite a while.

It was a mid-80s song. Maybe you were still tied up with Disco music. 🤪