Stories

It's been said that suffering builds character. And there are few that know suffering better than young Justin. Only 14 years old, he has found an easy way out. A suicidal tendency that he is hoping will bring an end to his misery. But when he meets a mysterious boy at the end of Navy Pier one dark evening...he is given an alternative. One that will give him purpose, and set in motion the events that will lead to his ultimate destiny....in a world not like our own.

When his boss asks Harold to do a 6 month follow-up to his article on gay youth, he doesn't know what to expect. Along the way he finds triumph and tragedy . . . and some surprises, a rarity for this newspaper veteran. (July, 2008 - Anniversary Anthology) Please note that this entry is the 13th in a series of stories known collectively as Naptown Tales. The series can also be found at Awesome Dude and Nifty. Please see the Introduction for important background on the series.

Running from a World that fears him A young teen learns the truth about the War that looms in the future

All Brandon wants is to help his friend. All Jordan wants is to make Brandon understand. Two very different boys are brought together by an unbelievable gift…the ability to turn dreams into reality. (Formerly known as I Hate Sundays).

When Altaf’s sister calls to tell him is father in Pakistan is dying, ghosts from the past return and he must face the prospect that honoring his father's last wish could very well cost him his own life. (2008 Fall Anthology - Ghosts) This is the 15th 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.

In this follow-up to Sparkling Combustion, Jeremy’s tale is told. In the aftermath of losing the object of his interest to another, Jeremy begins a slow decline. Now it is summer and Jeremy has become a social-recluse. He will have to face the past that haunts him if he is to recover, and if he is to let anyone in to see the person behind the confidence and apparent joy.

Note: This story, while a sequel to Sparkling Combustion, Can be read by itself with ease.

Shane Krendall is 19 years old and has been telling his parents he's been going to college, but he's really been trying to land a role in Hollywood. Will he be Hollywood's next rising star?

Twenty-eight year old baseball star Cal Grainger was living the good life until his girlfriend uttered three fateful words. Now his life has been turned upside down and he’s looking for a sign to show him what to do. Is it the sign he’s waiting for, or the guy holding it?

All Geminy wants to do is paint and surf, but fate has other plans.

2006 Winter Anthology -- needs tags