Stories

I'd crushed on other guys before, my cousin Jericho was my first experience with pure, unadulterated love.

Exploring places which exist in my boyhood memory.

A series of poems exploring friendship.

Adam is a 14 year old boy living in a commune in the wilds of Oregon. The story deals with events during the summer as he becomes sexually aware and involved with Gabriel, who is a couple of months older.

Boccaccio's Decameron, a story of renewal and recreation in defiance of a decimating pandemic, relates how ten self-isolated Italians pass the time regaling each other with tall tales during the Black Plague. While Covid19 wasn't nearly as decimating, the opportunity for such entertainment did exist. As a takeoff on that idea, this short story might well be a modern version of one of the tales, recounting events of earlier, less stressful times.

Andy and Donnie have been friends since the beginning, growing up in the same neighborhood, sharing the same friends, and now playing football on the same team in middle school. They’ve been inseparable throughout it all; but now a new line has been inserted in the equation that is their lives, one they have to learn to deal with, or face having their friendship perish:

Love.

Fifteen year old Sammy Day finds acceptance and love on a baseball field.
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A story of what might have been if only I had known then what I know now. . .

Characters:

Dan, 15 years old, confused about his sexuality.
Dad, 40 years old, more understanding and compassionate than most dads of that era.
Joseph, Dan’s friend, same age, perhaps more aware of his sexuality than Dan.

There is so much wishful thinking in this story. I wish every gay/straight/bisexual/confused/questioning young person, male or female, could have this kind of understanding and support.

A young man in reluctant thrall to his burgeoning sexuality. A best friend who doesn't understand why he's been pushed away. Two other young men, who may or may not be related, in the throes of a weird-but-friendly competition. A baseball card and a shell necklace and a reefer before the storm. A ruined shotgun shack. And, lastly, a psychedelic patchwork quilt. What do these things have in common? Free love.

Matt and Jeff have volunteered to help out at the school Fair For Life. As usual with his boyfriend, there's a small catch involved, and Matt has let Jeff talk him into accepting it. That he might regret it is almost certain!

A short story written seven years ago, one of the first I ever posted anywhere.