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ChromedOutCortex

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  1. ChromedOutCortex
    Unfortunately, blocked in Canada. Nothing that a VPN won't solve. :-)
  2. ChromedOutCortex
    Hi @Phil238 - My story is similar; came out a few years ago, two grown kids (M22, F20) who are still finding their way. My partner is in my age range as well (we are both early 50s) and are mostly set in life (careers, savings, retirement plans). I had fully intended to retire with my (now) ex-wife and enjoy travelling or just doing consulting work! But life had other plans and here I am. LOL! I honestly don't know what I'd do in your situation, that's a tough one to navigate! Wishing you the best, in whatever life brings you.
  3. ChromedOutCortex

    Chapter 21

    ChromedOutCortex commented on ChromedOutCortex's story chapter in Chapter 21

    Hey @dboggs9700 - I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for reading it; your comment means a lot to me. 💕
  4. ChromedOutCortex
    Need to go on a Diet...
  5. ChromedOutCortex
    LOL! You beat me to it!!! 😂
  6. ChromedOutCortex
    The next few weeks and months went by quickly. We consolidated all the accounts, closed anything we didn’t need, and Evan stayed in regular contact with Mr. Keating. Whatever they talked about must have gone well, because one afternoon Evan came back from a meeting with this stunned look on his face. “They… uh… offered me a position,” he’d said. “Once I graduate and get called to the bar. Articling, then maybe associate.” He was thrilled, but I could see the conflict in his eyes.
  7. ChromedOutCortex
    I am just as bad. 😞 I totally get very anxious when I'm shown something that is limited time only, or a special price. A few weeks ago, Costco had these fans you wear around your neck -- really decent price at $19.99 for two. All I really needed was one for me and my partner, and one for my ex and our kids (though I know, they'll probably never use them). So total - three packages (two per package). I ended up buying five. Then regretting the purchase... I should have bought another one or two because it was such a good price. Thankfully my partner returned all of them... I was too embarrassed to go back to Costco and return them myself.
  8. ChromedOutCortex
    Evan was able to find a lawyer who specialized in financial crimes and estate fraud, a calm, middle-aged man named Robert Keating. His office was in a small converted heritage house near City Hall — shelves lined with binders, certificates crowding the walls, the faint smell of coffee and paper everywhere. Evan took the lead as we sat down in one of the offices. Mom kept her purse clutched to her chest, the same folder from the police station resting on her lap. Mr. Keating smiled kindly
  9. ChromedOutCortex
    A few weeks after the funeral, things had quieted down. Mom was settling into a routine again, cooking small meals, going for walks, talking with Elizabeth every few days. Evan and I had been helping her sort through papers, bills, and boxes that Dad had stored in the den. It was meant to be a simple clean-up, something to keep her distracted. But what we found changed everything. “J… you might want to see this,” Evan said, pulling a folder from one of the drawers. It was a man
  10. ChromedOutCortex
    For a second, I expected her to nod politely, maybe thank him and look away. But she didn’t. Instead, she stood up and took his hands in hers. Then, without hesitation, she pulled him into a hug. “Thank you for coming,” she said quietly. “I’m glad James has someone with him. You being here means a lot.” Evan looked surprised but returned the hug, steady and respectful. “He’s my world, ma’am. I wouldn’t be anywhere else.” She nodded, tears welling again. “You’re very kind.”
  11. ChromedOutCortex
    The next morning, sunlight spilled through the blinds in long golden strips. I could feel the weight of Evan’s arm draped across my chest, his steady breathing warm against my shoulder. For a moment, I let myself stay still, just breathing, pretending the world outside didn’t exist. Eventually, I eased out of bed and started getting ready. Evan stirred, stretching. “Are you heading to the hospital?” he asked sleepily. “Yeah. I should be there by nine.” “I’ll come with you
  12. ChromedOutCortex
    Aaaah... doing whatever he can to win them over. Does it work???
  13. ChromedOutCortex
    I stepped out into the hallway, grateful for the excuse to breathe. I walked over to the nurses’ station, where the same nurse from yesterday was typing something into a chart. “Hi,” I said quietly. “I’m James, Mr. Carter’s son. Just wanted to check in and see what’s planned for today.” She looked up and smiled politely, her tone calm but practiced, the kind nurses use when they’ve seen every kind of family dynamic imaginable. “Morning, James. Not much scheduled today. He’s resti
  14. ChromedOutCortex
    Def - a push into reality is absolutely needed.
  15. ChromedOutCortex
    I'm not sure what to think... But yes, James needs to stand-up for himself. Evan wouldn't put up with it, and it's probably driving him absolutely nuts that James will. It is painful to see the one you love being hurt so often, but still putting up with it.
  16. ChromedOutCortex
    Honestly - I agree. There comes a point in time, that you have to stand up for yourself. It doesn't have to be done in a disrespectful manner - but firmly, and with authority. Usually that will "shock" others into realizing that you've been walked over, and won't deal with it any longer.
  17. ChromedOutCortex
    This is it, isn't it? He was family until he came out, then he's not - but up until that time he was the dutiful son and that has stuck with him. We all want to be loved, and even more by our parents since that should be unconditional from them. Unfortunately, sometimes that love never comes even though we spend a lifetime trying. 😞
  18. ChromedOutCortex
    Now, I have to look him up. 😁
  19. ChromedOutCortex
    The next morning, Evan must have woken up early. I could hear the faint clatter of dishes from the kitchen, followed by the soft crackle of something cooking. The smell of eggs or maybe pancakes drifted down the hall. I turned over, glanced at the clock: 6:02 a.m. I didn’t want to get out of bed. I didn’t want to face Mom or Sam or whatever fresh hell the day had waiting. Evan was right about standing up for myself. But every time I walked into that house, it was like all the strength
  20. ChromedOutCortex
    Hey @dboggs9700 - So happy you enjoyed it! Looking forward to reading your thoughts on my other stories.
  21. ChromedOutCortex
    It is going to take a lot for J to trust Evan; but he's giving him a second chance. Will he do better this time?
  22. ChromedOutCortex
    I left my place and drove over to Mom’s. When I got to the door, I knocked but there was no answer. I rang the doorbell a few times — still nothing. I tried to open the door, but it was locked. Where could she have gone? She knew I was coming. “James? Is that you?” I turned toward the voice. “Yeah… oh, Mrs. Wong! I almost didn’t recognize you,” I said, walking toward her. Mrs. Wong had lived in this neighborhood for as long as I could remember. She and her husband
  23. ChromedOutCortex
    Months went by, and during that time Evan and I got closer. We were already spending a lot of time together, and my work was keeping me busy. As my boss promised, I was travelling regularly now, and Evan was always there, stepping up. He was also spending more time at my apartment… or should I call it our apartment? He was still worried about moving in, so I left it up to him to decide when he was ready for that step. It was on a trip to Saskatchewan that my mom called me. Dad had
  24. ChromedOutCortex
    Four months passed faster than I would have believed. Somewhere between morning check-ins, late nights at the site, and endless calls with the client, time slipped away. Toronto became routine. Evan was part of that routine. I gave him a set of keys to my place in Vancouver so he could check in when I wasn’t around. Every few weeks, he’d fly out to see me in Toronto. We didn’t rush anything, no ultimatums, no expectations. Just weekends together, dinners, long walks, conversations tha
  25. ChromedOutCortex
    The client’s offices were sleek and intimidating—glass, steel, and a boardroom table that looked like it could seat twenty. I sat at one end, laptop ready, notes stacked neatly. Jeremy was beside me, but this time, the spotlight was squarely on me. The client entered– two executives and a lawyer, all business. They didn’t waste time with pleasantries. “All right, let’s get started,” the senior executive said, flipping open a folder. “We’ve reviewed the outline you sent. And to be
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