Stories

Poem created after a very long walk.

John Renkin has recently retired, but his investment firm in The Land of Lincoln is the only thing he can look back on as a success. His painful life and brighter future are revealed in a series of shorts. Each will stand on its own, but the sum will eventually tell his story. Be sure to follow for periodic updates.

In His Image is a short, introspective story about Ronald, a young man in his mid-20s, struggling with his faith, identity, and feelings for a male co-worker, Chris. Raised in a conservative religious family, Ronald faces confusion and shame as he grapples with his desires and beliefs. As his friendship with Chris deepens, he experiences a pivotal moment of emotional and physical intimacy, marking the start of his self-acceptance. The story ends with Ronald’s breakthrough, leaving the outcome open-ended for readers to imagine.

Roger Cicero is an enigma. Behind the man’s meticulously crafted facade lies an angry and broken boy. When he is pushed into a case that hits close to home, the successful lawyer is forced to draw on his buried past to save another battered boy’s future.

Adam Walsh is a popular small-town Irish boy who gets paired with the new arrival in town. Ross, however, is a city boy, hailing from London. Being total opposites, they somehow manage to cross paths. What starts as nervous giggles and jittery speech turns into a bond that will forever change both teenagers, as they'll experience something more than friendship. How will the boy's parents, friends, and love for each other come together? Will it either work in their favor or wedge them apart forever?

Ben has a problem. Will he resolve it? Will he redeem himself or condemn himself to a lonely old age?

Michael Evans destroyed lives. He shattered trust and never once owned up to his wrongs. Instead, he chose to run, believing that escaping was the solution. But the past doesn’t stay buried, no matter how far you run—it always finds a way to resurface, and when it does, it’s far more unforgiving. This is a continuation of the story, Straightening Affairs from Michael Evans point-of-view.

Ludo has a nice life. A lovely wife and son, an attractive modern house, and a good job, idyllic really. But his wife is restless and spends too much time at work; Ludo finds himself getting too close to Arthur, the father of one of his son’s friends. Then his wife’s job takes a sinister turn, casting everything else into the shade.

When a delayed flight strands two strangers at the airport, Jake Landers and Tony Hess find themselves unexpectedly drawn to one another. What begins as casual conversation over a drink soon deepens into something neither man anticipated. Against the backdrop of airport terminals and fleeting moments, they discover that chance encounters can spark life-changing connections. As the hours pass, their chemistry grows, leading to decisions that could redefine what they thought they wanted—and needed.

Elisa Davis was a somewhat odd child. Her brother tagged her with the nickname Lis, and it stuck for the rest of her life. Her parents figured out her oddness at a fairly young age. They’d be looking for something - a wallet, watch, car keys, whatever - and sometimes Lis would bring them whatever it was they were looking for. Usually though, she just told them where it was.

I know you’re probably confused right now. That confusion gets resolved in a later (but not much) chapter.