Ronyx

Neil had a notebook opened, and the others at the cafeteria table were huddled around him. Ned leaned over, peered at the numbers Neil had scribbled on the paper and asked, “How much have you managed to raise?” Neil looked at the others and replied cheerfully, “Over four thousand dollars.” Owen let out a whistle. “Wow, Neil,” he said. “That should be more than enough. How did you get so much?” “Mom’s insurance company donated two thousand,” he replied. “Then when the other busines

Lucas crept through the back door to his grandmother’s house. He arrived late, hoping that she had gone to bed. However, the living room light was still on, which meant she was watching television. He tiptoed quietly down the narrow hallway to his room. He could hear the television booming from down the hall. His grandmother was losing her hearing, so she had the volume up. Once inside, he carefully closed the door. He didn’t turn on the light because he was afraid she might see the glow c

Neil tried to walk beside Gerry on the way to the auditorium, but Gerry seemed like he was trying to ignore him. When two other freshmen started talking to him, he headed off in another direction with them. Neil entered the auditorium and looked around. Since Sammy and Alex would be onstage, he had no one to sit with him. Since he had arrived late, most seats were taken. He made his way down the aisle looking for an empty seat. About halfway down, he found a seat in an empty row. He sat dow

“What do you want, Lucas?” Sammy moved instinctively in front of Gerry. She knew Lucas wouldn’t hurt her, but she wasn’t sure what he might do to Gerry. Lucas looked around behind Sammy. He grinned and asked snidely, “What you got there? A new boyfriend? What’s your mom going to say about you dating a nigger?” Sammy stepped nearer to Lucas and shouted angrily, “Why don’t you shut the fuck up, you moron!” “Why don’t you make me, Samantha,” challenged Lucas. He shoved her aside and

Neil was pacing around his room as Sammy sat on his bed and watched. She asked, “What’s so bad about your mom dating Mr. Collins? He’s a nice guy. Everyone at school likes him.” Neil stopped, put his hands on his hips and replied angrily, “Because she’s my mother!” Sammy rolled her eyes and said, “So what? She’s been cooped up in this house babysitting you, Brett and Emily ever since your father left.” She puffed out her chest and added, “I think it’s wonderful she’s dating.” Neil

Brenda stood inside the living room as she waited on Neil to return from his bedroom. It hadn’t seemed like a week since she dropped him off at Brian’s home. She missed him, as did his little brother, Brett. Every night when she tucked him in bed, he would ask when Neil would come home. “Soon,” she would assure him. She had spent the week accepting Neil’s sexuality. At first, it surprised her. She had noticed little mannerisms as he grew older that Brian exhibited. She would notice, fo

Owen stood in the middle of Ned’s room and yelled, “He did what!” Ned looked up at Owen and responded, “I tell you.” He warned, “Lucas is friggin’ crazy.” Mac and Robbie were sitting on the bed beside him. Ned had called the three boys to his house after Lucas fled with his laptop computer. He thought he should warn them about Lucas’s strange behavior in case he showed up at their house. Ned rose from the bed and paced around the room. “My dad is going to fucking kill me when he f

Neil was lying in a lounge chair on the pool deck. He was resting after returning home from work with Brian. He was used to long days at school, but he usually sat at a desk. His father, however, had him running all over the store doing menial tasks. At first, he complained; but he soon realized that it didn’t bother his father. He was used to hearing employees complaining about his or her job. Besides, he wasn’t even being paid. As usual, Midas was lying beside him. Neil had his eyes close

Brian and Dwight were sitting at the kitchen table taking bites of the cobbler. Two plates had been placed on the table opposite them. Neil pulled back a chair for Sammy to take a seat. Dwight laughed, looked over at Brian and stated sarcastically, “You never pull my chair out for me. At least one of the Michael’s is a gentleman.” Brian cast a quick glance at Sammy before saying, “You’re lucky the kids are around or I would show you a gentleman.” “Oh,” giggled Dwight flirtatiously

Neil sat down on the side of the bed, dug around in his backpack and pulled out a clean tee shirt. As he pulled his shirt over his head, he could feel something wet tickling his leg. He started laughing after he pulled his shirt down. “Midas,” he giggled as he reached down and hugged the large dog. The retriever wagged his tail as he continued to lick Neil in the face. Neil asked the dog, “Ready for dinner?” Midas barked once and headed out the door. Neil trailed behind until they got to th

Brian stood at the closet door, squinted his eyes and peered down at this son. Neil had taken a winter coat, covered his body and was curled up in a corner. Brian sighed deeply, toed off his shoes and sat down beside his son. When their bodies touched, Neil grumbled and scooted away from his father. Brian reached up and closed the closet door. Again, they sat in the darkness listening to their heavy breathing. After about ten minutes of silence, Brian finally decided to speak. “Son,” he whi

“Okay, who is with me?” Lucas stood in Ned’s bedroom and looked down at the boys. Owen and Robbie were beside Ned. Owen replied nervously, “I don’t understand what you expect us to do.” “I don’t give a shit!” barked Lucas. He stepped away and started pacing around the room. “But that fag got me suspended.” Ned remarked meekly, “Well, you were kind of pushing him.” Lucas hollered, “What!” He rushed over to Ned, grabbed his tee shirt by the front, and raised him to his feet. “Y

When Neil entered the kitchen for breakfast, he held his head down and refused to look at his mother. By now, he was certain that Uncle Jack had told her about their conversation. Usually, when they talked, he had his uncle promised that he wouldn’t tell anyone what they had discussed. Last night, however, he didn’t. In fact, he hoped that he would tell his mother. It would make it easier for him. He wasn’t sure he could stand to see the disappointed look on her face when she realized her oldest

“What?” Brenda fell back into a chair. “What do you mean, you’re gay?” Brian knelt before her. “I’m sorry,” he said as tears filled his eyes. “I’ve wanted to tell you for years, but I didn’t know how.” Brenda stared into his eyes and shook her head. She was too shocked to react. “You can’t be,” she insisted. “We’re married.” Brian stood and paced around the room. He ran his hands over his blonde hair. Finally, he stopped, sighed deeply and said, “I should never have gotten married

Brenda Michaels was at her desk in the cramped office she shared with her brother, Jack. After her divorce from Brian, she joined Jack selling insurance. They were one of only two insurance companies in Farmersville. They were well respected in the town, they and insured many of the residents. Brenda looked at the clock. Her ten o’clock appointment was running late. Jack was out of the office looking at Mr. Donovan’s automobile. He had hit a deer on a rural road a few days earlier, and Jack