Stories

Last spring, Jeff was reunited with his long lost love, whom he last saw nearly fifty years ago, when they were both in their teens. Abandoning a life in California and moving in with Paul in New York City, merging two lifetimes into a 3-bedroom prewar apartment proved to be more difficult than either of them imagined. Things come to a head when they can’t agree on how to renovate the kitchen. Leave it to Paul’s grandson, Seth, to come to the rescue with a surprise plan, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

It was a very restless time for the boys in New York City. Forced indoors by the pandemic, the school year was coming to a close in name only, as much felt left undone in the paradigm of remote learning. Then on Memorial Day, a black man in Minneapolis was lynched by a white police officer who strangled the man with his knee, touching off a firestorm of pent-up rage. Naturally the boys had to get involved in the protests. They had to, but then one of their own fell victim to police use of excessive force

Asher White was everything Clarke hated. He was half-black and half-Asian, and out and proud. But when Asher actually managed to beat Clarke in wrestling, he just snapped and punched Asher out. Clarke knew this was it. He'd worked so hard to get into New York's elite Stuyvesant High School and now it would be for naught. Grasping at straws, he tells the vice-principle the one secret not even he knows he has. With the help of a new friend, he is forced to confront years of abuse he has suffered at home. After all, bullying starts in the home, and it must end in the home.

Jessica Greenly is worried about her reclusive teenage son, but then he announces he has something to tell his parents. She correctly guesses that Jake is about to come out to them, but her husband, Troy, doesn't take it well. When Troy suddenly leaves, Jake concludes he was responsible for his parents' breakup and in a colossal misunderstanding, he runs away. Little does he know that he wasn't the only one hiding in the closet. Jessica sets out to find her son, but she has a major decision to make, whether to try to put her family back together or to set off in a new direction with her son.

How different might Stephen's life have been had he admitted his love for Pete 20 years before. Perhaps it wasn’t too late. (December, 2010)

Kurt and Trevor thought they had the perfect summer planned together helping disadvantaged youth at a church-run camp, but then the allegations started that Trevor was sexually abusing some of the kids. (August, 2008)

This is the 14th story in the Naptown Tales series, which can also be found at Awesome Dude and Nifty. Please see the Introduction for important background on the series.

When my wife died, I decided to move back to Indiana, to spend more time with my grandson. Noticing that Cliff seemed despondent, I decided that a fall hike in Clifty Falls State Park was just what he needed. Suspecting that he was gay, it turned out he was, but his affect was related to something else entirely. We learned a lot about each other and the path we took turned out to be metaphorical as well.

When Jason discovers his father is gay and leading a double life, he comes up with a risky plan to end the deception without compromising the life he has with his own boyfriend. (2009 Winter Anthology - Deceptions)

David and Jeremy face homophobia as they do a little back-to-school shoping. Not only do they come out, but they make new friends and find acceptance. (August, 2007)

This 2007 Back to School Story Collection entry is the 2nd in the Naptown Tales series, which can also be found at Awesome Dude and Nifty. A slightly modified version more suitable for younger teens can also be found at Codey’s World. Please see the Introduction for important background.

Nearly a century before this story begins, a race known as the Cereneans conquered and subjugated the people of Loran. Seeking to expand their empire, they set their sights on Earth, unaware that a refugee from Loran was already there. Although young Lansley was unable to prevent the attack, the knowledge he brought with him allowed the humans to fight back and ultimately rebuild. Little did he and his boyfriend, Steve, realize they were about to play an even bigger role.