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ChromedOutCortex

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  1. 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
  2. ChromedOutCortex
    Aaaah... doing whatever he can to win them over. Does it work???
  3. 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
  4. ChromedOutCortex
    Def - a push into reality is absolutely needed.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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. 😞
  8. ChromedOutCortex
    Now, I have to look him up. 😁
  9. 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
  10. ChromedOutCortex
    Hey @dboggs9700 - So happy you enjoyed it! Looking forward to reading your thoughts on my other stories.
  11. 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?
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. ChromedOutCortex
    After clearing security, the receptionist led me to a small meeting room. I parked my suitcase in the corner, pulled out my laptop, and tried to shake off the stiffness from the flight. Just as I opened the lid, my phone buzzed. Evan: Hey, how was your flight? Me: Long. In the office now. Just waiting… oh, I hear them. I’ll call you later. Evan: OK. ♥️ I slid the phone away as the project team filed in. Smaller than I expected, maybe a few ducked out early to beat traffi
  17. ChromedOutCortex
    Saturday came and went. We spent most of the day together and I dropped him off just after dinner. Nothing messy: one quick kiss and he was gone. Back at the apartment, the silence felt strange after a day with him. Maybe he could move in sooner? No. Comfortable wasn’t the goal. I wanted him to work for it. I wanted to see that this was what he truly wanted. We’d agreed to do our own thing on Sunday. I didn’t need to meal-prep because I’d be out of town most of the week, so I fi
  18. ChromedOutCortex
    Growing up, I never really enjoyed heavy metal - more into the alternative scene (local bands) or stuff like Slayer but as I got older, I started listening to Ozzy, Black Sabbath and others and actually liked most of their music. Whenever my kids come with me and we're out, and I play something I definitely get the look ... like, WTF are you listening to??? LOL!
  19. ChromedOutCortex
    Wasn't expecting something so polished! But brings back memories.
  20. ChromedOutCortex
    Totally! Every relationship thrives on ground rules - or understanding each other. Both have to be invested, otherwise one is doing all the work which can get exhausting.
  21. ChromedOutCortex
    It's too easy to fall into old habits. You really have to want to change. 🤞
  22. ChromedOutCortex
    Sunday: prep day for the next week. Except I wasn’t in the headspace for anything. If I skipped it, the produce would wilt and the meat would go gray at the edges by midweek, and weeknight prep was a non-starter. Either do it now, or freeze everything and live off delivery. Practicality won. I pulled the meat, chicken and veggies from the fridge and set everything out in rows: fruit to rinse, veg to chop, chicken to portion, beef to trim, salmon for tonight. I lined the counter with two
  23. ChromedOutCortex
    Sorry... 💕
  24. ChromedOutCortex
    @Modified Cub - Thank You and everyone else for reading!
  25. ChromedOutCortex
    I was reading a post here: https://inventingrealityediting.com/2016/01/24/i-dont-need-permission-to-be-called-an-author/ which was really interesting. The first paragraph: Authors who haven’t published often like to think of themselves as an “aspiring author,” an “aspiring novelist,” or an “aspiring writer.” They act as if by not being published they are somehow lesser than someone who actually is. What about you? If you've posted your stories here, or other similar platforms. Do you consider yourself an author or a writer of words? Maybe they are the same thing? Admittedly, I don't consider myself an author. In my mind, Published (traditionally) = Author even though Rob Bigness says otherwise.
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