Stories

Debbie and Cathy have been in the closet for more than four years, and have less than one more to go to be free of their fundamentalist parents, but a year is still a very long time. (January, 2009)

This is the 17th 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.

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.

As the new quarterback of the freshman team, Billy faces pressure to quit when his teamates learn he's gay, but when his Ricky comes under attack, the outcome is quite unexpected. (Fall 2009 Anthology - Something Unexpected)This is the 22nd story in the Naptown Tales series, which can also be found at Awesome Dude and Nifty. Please see the Introduction for important background info.

The past comes to life as two boys, linked through their 22nd century implants, dream of a brutal gay bashing. But is the past really the past, or was it the future that was just a dream? If find their way back, might they then save what little is left of gay culture? (2008 Winter Anthology - It's Just a Game, Right?)

Sammy thought surviving years of abuse was bad enough, until he was repeatedly raped, but even that didn't prepare him to deal with the knowledge that he was now HIV-positive. (November, 2008) This is the 16th story 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 be found at Codey’s World. Please see the Introduction for important background info.

Larry was the son of a famous opera singer and a well-known conductor, but his passion in life was to be a medical scientist. However, when the pandemic waylaid his plans to go to the Bronx High School of Science, instead he applied to LaGuardia, New York's premier public high school of the arts. Just as an intermezzo is a short musical bridge, Intermezzo brings together characters from other stories in the New York Stories series while filling in some gaps. Told from the point of view of Larry's girlfriend, Robin, he learns that sometimes the shortest path to one's goals isn't the straightest one.

Lyle is excited about the prospects of a state basketball championship and the near certainty of college scouts offereing a scholarship, until he and Carrie are outed. (Spring 2010 Anthology - I'd Never Do That) This is the 27th story in the Naptown Tales Series, which can also be found at AwesomeDude and Nifty. Please see the Introduction for important background on the series.

Four boys who attend one of New York City's elite specialty public high schools face a unique set of challenges as the year draws to a close. Faced with a lost bet, Asher and Seth have agreed to spend a New Year's Eve together that neither will ever forget, and they've talked their friend, Freck, into hosting a party for the special occasion. In the meantime, Kyle's father makes a surprise offer that will help solidify his burgeoning relationship with Freck. As they count down the final seconds and sing Auld Lang Syne, the four boys will find that their lives have been changed forever.

Graduation is a bitter sweet time as some prepare to leave for college, but excitement reigns as everyone plans to attend Randy & Altaf’s wedding. (2009 Summer Anthology - Carpe Diem)This is the 20th 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.

Asher and Seth are on a mission to save two younger boys with a troubled past. Kyle is not quite 10 and a genius. He knows he's gay, but has very troubling thoughts about the future. Freck is a freckle-faced boy, not quite 12, a gay high school sophomore with a history of drug use and a suicide attempt. Can Asher and Seth help both boys and give Kyle the greatest gift of all for Chanukah, the gift of love?