empath

Suicide, homelessness, and mental health are all major issues for LGBTQIA+ youth largely because of people with extreme dogmatic (no offense Small Fry) views like Hosea's and Julian’s. Right now, many people proliferating those views have found themselves in incredibly powerful positions across the globe. I find that terrifying and unacceptable. Like Marcus, I am learning how to explain why articulately and unapologetically, despite the guilt, shame, and anger I’ve been limited by for so long.

What’s a throwaway line? In all seriousness, this one was tough. Thanks all, for getting through it with me. ❤️

4:51 pm “He’s from Chicago, dad, and he's my fiancé. You WILL eat with him, or you won’t be eating with me!” Marcus felt Joshua tense up before attempting to pull away, but he refused to let him fall back into the internalized homophobia he was only now beginning to overcome. “Marriage is a divine and holy institution between one man and one woman. You cannot marry another man! Pretending to do so is an affront and an abomination!” The man’s pasty white face was red with indignant

Love the quote! And yes, the ability to do harm “in faith,” and in the name of the divine is… well, it’s something else.

Cicero!

2:13 pm “Mr. Ortiz.” Marcus took several deep breaths as he stood. He had been waiting for his turn before Professor Radcliffe and his assembled panel of fellow professors for over an hour as they worked their way alphabetically through the class roster. He nodded to his remaining peers as he moved towards the classroom door and what, assuming he passed, would be the final test of his long college career. “How are you doing, son?” The familiarity and fondness ran deeper than in the

This story has been challenging and provoking for me personally, as I assumed it would be for others, regardless of background and worldview. It is first a story, but it is also an exploration of the culture I grew up on the fringes of through the lens of one looking back, eyes open, from the outside. I’ve tried to be fair and avoid melodrama. I’ve tried to remain neutral as the narrator. I find it strange, feeling like I should defend Hosea’s zealotry and hypocrisy as sadly believable, because they are so unbelievable. There is so much I want to say, but I’ve tried to say most of it in the next few chapters through the words, thoughts, and actions of the assembled cast. I love the comments, critiques, and reactions. Please, keep reading and keep them coming! ❤️

You, wise sir, are a true prophet.

Yes @Summerabbacat and @Mattyboy, Joshua has made his own way and wealth, although University and some seed money came from his grandfather, Peter Motts, through a trust. There is much still to tell about Peter Motts and John Renkin, but as much as Joshua would like to believe he is “self-made,” he isn’t. Both for better and for worse.

It’s the good Doctor! Sending me through another wormhole of obsession. hehehe… I haven’t read or studied Jefferson much - I thought he was okay in Hamilton. But you have planted a seed which is already sprouting.

10:41 am The energy around him seemed completely different than it had every school day prior. It was generated by the same students, faculty, and staff doing the same things they always did, but Elisha felt as though he was seeing and feeling the frenetic and chaotic dance of high school for the first time. It was at once more vibrant and more alien. He found himself viewing the world around him with neutral eyes rather than categorizing everything by which of his mental constructs

Indeed! There are Eastern Orthodox churches here as well, and no real thing as a singular American Christianity. Denominations and beliefs (both theologically and practically) differ widely and almost all would, at least officially, find varying degrees of fault with the faith Elisha has built on the actions and beliefs of his family and tribe. Yet, you don’t have to look further than the front page headlines any given day to see his ideas about god and morality aren’t unique.

Thanks @Cane23! I have no issue with religion in general. There are many potential positives as people look for meaning and connection. Even in my experience with conservative evangelical American Christianity, there are things I will always cherish. Namely love of others. There are two main storylines playing out in this story. Marcus' and Elisha's. Without giving too much away, this story is about finding yourself apart from the identity you inherit form family and tribe. It isn't meant to be an argument against religion in general, but it also can't ignore the characters' reality nor their understanding of it.

It's amazing what people can make the Bible (or any out of context quote say). Lol

I hope you never lose this passion! It’s why I can believe the best of humanity. When I say I oppose bigotry, I also abhor bigots; abuse and abusers; greed and the greedy. My youthful belief that people can change is rooted in selfishness. For years I was the monster who needed to change. Of course, all that needed to change was my worldview and religion, but…. 😁 And believing people can change cannot be the same as believing they will. A desire for change cannot overlook crimes against humanity or the world in which we live. The possibility of change can never lead to acceptance or enablement of the abuse of others. And actual change doesn’t erase the harm caused to others or the consequences. I’m anti-hate and pro-victim every time (moral anger/hate is something very different than immoral anger/hate). Nothing makes me more angry than a narcissist, their gaslighting, abuse, or the false-victim games they play. I’m just now learning how to say that out loud, and writing fiction is a big part of that. Hating true evil isn’t bigotry, it’s love! But the definition of “true evil” is the challenge (Natural Law?). Perhaps the biggest thing I wrestle with is that people are often both victim and victimizer, abused and abuser, wronged and wrong. I often root for who they could or should be, even as I loathe who they are and may always be. Thanks for reading and responding!

Glad to have you along for the ride @Modified Cub. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and insights along the way. ❤️

I have spent a lot of time unpacking religious abuse and control in my own story. It’s still a complicated topic for me. Elisha’s view of the world will seem extreme to some, but to others, it will sadly seem all too believable, relatable, or even triggering. I’ve flirted with conservative Christian themes in other stories, but I wanted - needed - to explore it more directly. My intent, as with most of my stories, is to tell a story in the third person with neutral narration, allowing each worldview and viewpoint to come to life as it will and be judged on it’s own merit or flaws. Ultimately, I believe in humanity’s ability to create a better world and in the individual’s ability to change, grow, and evolve. I find abuse and bigotry in any form offensive, but some manifestations of each are naturally far more personal.

@andy cannon, @chris191070 & @Modified Cub, thanks for dropping notes about the developing characters and interweaving plot lines. It’s my favorite way to tell a story!

Hey @Mattyboy! I’ve got a lot of writing to do, but yes, this is about a month after the Land of Lincoln Thanksgiving story. Marcus and Joshua have been focused on work/school and their new engagement, but Liberty isn’t forgotten. As for John Renkin, he is freshly retired and very much wrestling with life. He just took delivery of a very special ’62 Impala that came with a letter from the long lost (but not forgotten) lover we all met in the prompt challenge last year! His life will collide with Joshua’s again soon!

6:18 am “Get!” The dog jumped back as the large, angry man swung the broom again before lowering his voice to an almost indiscernible growl. “Tomorrow there will be a nice treat of d-CON and antifreeze next to the cans. I’m done cleaning up your mess, you lousy mutt!” Tail between his legs and black ear uncharacteristically as flat as the white one, the shaking dog bolted from the alley and away from the diner that usually offered a veritable cornucopia of tasty and nutri

The format was loosely inspired by Souris, but rather than a coming of age story focusing on the same day over many years, I decided to look at a single day in detail. The themes explored are relevant to the culture I grew up in, and the story loosely ties in to 11-month-old current events in the US (and everywhere else, by extension, I suppose). It is another story of contrasts and intersections happening in real time. Like you @andy cannon, I hope people make their own connections and observations as the story unfolds. @Summerabbacat, your connections to other Land of Lincoln characters and storylines highlight deeper parallels running through most of the other stories I’ve posted. @chris191070, you highlighted a driving contrast as well, in your worry for Elisha and the hope found in Marcus' and Joshua’s deepening relationship. I’m excited to have you all along for the ride!

They’ve started showing up on the shelves occasionally here in the States. Why does the world hate me? 😉 I love the growing family! I’d even go as far as to say Noel and Nathan have joined the family as much as they are professionally able at the moment. Daniel’s reaction makes sense, sadly, as he has been given the chance to breathe, safely and honestly. For the first time since his trauma, he’s not hiding. Joshua has actually been in that place longer than his big bro, but time and trauma pass differently for everyone. Daniel made the phone call, and the family came. I love both of those things so much! (Even more than Tim Tams!). ❤️

Hey @VBlew! You won’t have to wait long. I finished it a month late, but it is finished! Seven chapters over seven days!

Good to hear from you @HARRYWALTER! I wish it were more challenging and less harrowing to do so. Hey @CincyKris! I always enjoy diving back into Marcus and Joshua’s life. I too, worry about Elisha, and can relate to his situation far more than I care to remember.

Champaign, Illinois Thursday, December 19th, 2024 4:43 am The door, which the wind had blown almost completely shut during the night, groaned in protest as it was nudged several inches back out into the cold, Illinois winter air. After years of disuse and neglect, the rusty and dry iron hinges now protested each time they were forced to perform their intended function. A black nose preceded a dirty white muzzle littered with fuzzy black spots. Two eyes, both deep pools o