ChromedOutCortex
-
Posts
511 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Forums
Stories
- Stories
- Story Series
- Story Worlds
- Story Collections
- Story Chapters
- Chapter Comments
- Story Reviews
- Story Comments
- Stories Edited
- Stories Beta'd
Blogs
Store
Help Center
Writing
Gallery
Events
Everything posted by ChromedOutCortex
-
Nobody likes Keith!? Seriously, he is a jerk... BUT people can change, they can come around. But will Keith? Only time will tell. 😉
-
Two weeks passed in a blur, and I was grateful Jon had thought of everything. I split my time between my place and home, planning and cooking with Jon. We had dropped off the breakfast wraps and pre‑made lunches. Jon was right, it helped immensely. Cammie was buried in logistics, and the food freed her to focus. In that same stretch she told the rest of the family, which caused a predictable uproar and only hardened Keith’s conviction that he could handle things himself. Cammie, however, wa
- 9 comments
-
- 27
-
-
-
-
-
The ride down in the elevator and to my car felt strange, like I was in a fog. As I drove to Cammie’s place, my mind raced. I kept playing the conversation over and over in my head. If Keith said this, I’d counter with that. But if he said something else, I’d have to reply in a different way. Aaaagh! This was crazy. I could manage multi-million-dollar contracts, but something as simple as a conversation with Keith turned into mental gymnastics or a game of chess. Before I even realized it,
- 5 comments
-
- 29
-
-
-
-
-
With Alex now aware of Jon and I, I didn’t feel as stressed out meeting Jon. Dropping him off at home or going out together became more enjoyable. I didn’t have to look over my shoulder, or keep any distance from Jon when we were out. We didn’t show a lot of public displays of affection, but there were times when we’d hold hands, or he’d rest his shoulder on mine, or put his arm around me when we walked by a jewelry store and he’d look at rings. I definitely didn’t need to be hit by a freig
- 8 comments
-
- 28
-
-
-
-
Agree with you! Jim overthinks everything - past traumas? Not wanting to face reality? Regardless, overthinking everything in life doesn't help you move forward.
-
The next few weeks and months went by without a hitch. On weekends when I didn’t have Alex, I’d work with Jon at the clinic, hosting the running clinics. What started as an unpaid gig turned into a paid one. It would never replace my full-time job, but I didn’t really need the money, though it felt good being recognized for my skills and knowledge. Plus, it meant I could spend more time with Jon, and he was very much my partner, even if I hadn’t fully acknowledged it yet. Jon and I spent as
- 5 comments
-
- 29
-
-
-
YES!!! Enough of Jim second-guessing everything.
-
Seriously, looking back at my own history kids are much stronger and resilient than we give them credit. And Jim... being Jim. Sigh.
-
Ummm.... hmmm. 🤔
-
Relationships come in all shapes, sizes and ethnicities. I like exploring what makes us, us. 🙂
-
Doubt is so difficult to try and make sense of. Totally understand taking those first steps can be scary, but in the end you have to live the cards you've been dealt.
-
Go Alex! His head is in the right spot as is his heart. Jim just need to relax a bit, before his world comes crashing down around him again!
-
You are so right! Classic case of overthinking. Just like someone I know. 🫣
-
Jim panics too much - I get life didn't turn out how he expected it to; but he has to move forward. He panics to much and overthinks everything. Need to give his kid more credit. They may be young, but sometimes they are much wise than we think.
-
After dropping Alex at home, I glanced at my phone before driving off. Hey Jim… hope the hike went well. Hey Jim… I’m guessing you had burgers, fries, and milkshakes - good for you! You need to live it up! Hey Jim… if you’re up for it, meet me at the bar. If not, no worries, just let me know. Jon wasn’t making this easy. But I had decided that this couldn’t go on. I wasn’t going to hurt Alex any more than I already have, but I couldn’t do it tonight either, not right now. Sho
- 11 comments
-
- 29
-
-
-
-
-
Life moves in mysterious ways. 😁
-
Isn't that always the case? There are some parallels to Alex, and my own kid. But you didn't hear that from me. 😅
-
It's almost like he'll go through the whole trauma of losing Cammie and his family if Alex finds out about Jon. Not enough faith in himself and making too many assumptions. :)
-
I don’t know what time it was when Alex came into my room and shook me gently awake. “Dad… Dad,” he whispered. “It’s 2:30 a.m. Time to get up if we wanna leave by three.” I jolted upright, still halfway between dreaming and daylight. Out of instinct, my right arm reached across the bed expecting to feel Jon there beside me. But of course, the space was empty. I blinked, trying to push through the haze. Alex was standing over me, fully dressed, backpack slung over one shoulder and
- 9 comments
-
- 30
-
-
-
I woke to the soft sound of birds outside and the warm weight of Jon's arm draped across my chest. For a few seconds, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, trying to decide whether this was real or some beautifully vivid dream. The faint scent of Jon’s shampoo still lingered on the pillow, and the subtle rise and fall of his breathing told me he was still asleep. It had been a long time since I’d woken up beside someone like this, without regret, without shame. Just… stillness. Comfort.
- 10 comments
-
- 32
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
We finished our lunch, dropped off our trays at the cleaning station, and headed out. I was eager to set up the coffee machine and finally retire the Keurig. I was hoping Jon would stick around to help, but I knew it was getting late, and we had left his car parked at the clinic. He probably had plans to head home soon. “Hey, Jon,” I said, hesitating for a moment as we walked out. “I know I’ve kept you for the day. If you need to get going, just let me know. I don’t want to impose.” Jo
- 7 comments
-
- 35
-
-
-
Yeah - I am very sorry about that. I've been paying closer attention to the POV in my newer stories. I swear, I probably read each chapter before I post it a dozen times and usually catch these things. Obviously I did not this time. ☹️
-
Oh does he ever! I totally agree. I think things change for the better. Soon. ☺️💕
-
Chapter 7 - Glowing Up
ChromedOutCortex commented on ChromedOutCortex's story chapter in Chapter 7 - Glowing Up
I know religion can be a contentious issue regardless of orientation, but it can also help ground us and perhaps give us more meaning. -
Chapter 11 - Ties that Bind
ChromedOutCortex commented on ChromedOutCortex's story chapter in Chapter 11 - Ties that Bind
I cannot understand hatred; you may not agree but why harbor that much hate towards them -- especially family?
