abuse - Stories

This is an odd little story adapted from an idea for a collaboration a long time ago. It changes points of view and goes from first person to third, although not within the same chapter...I think. The name comes from a 'saying' or 'colloquialism' that equates everything being jake; to everything being fine or good, which in the end it is. Or is it?

Control. Discipline. Be Strong. Be Good. My mantra. I can do it. I have done it for years now. I need to do it, it's my job. But damn if those two intriguing lords have me faltering, willing to disobey my Master to help them.

Young Adam, aka Simon, aka J.J. grew up in Southern Indiana, the victim of sexual abuse for as long as he could remember. The one thing he had going for himself was his intelligence, which allowed him to master advanced college-level material online. On his 13th birthday, however, his father left him no choice but to fight back the only way he could. Forced to run away, he began an amazing journey that would lead him to the highest corporate echelons, and more importantly, to love.

All Seth wanted was ramen. A small, androgynous, blond was not on his shopping list. Nor was an outspoken new friend and therapy. He’d obviously turned down a wrong aisle somewhere.

Noah has a great best friend, a great job, an okay car, and an awesome apartment. Things are great. Except he’s watching his life from inside the closet. Also, he has…eclectic tastes. Most of which involve lace and silk. He didn’t mean to take “niche” and run with it.

Will the closet door open? Will everyone accept Noah? Most importantly, will Seth get his ramen?

Tait is a model married to a famous artist. Things were wonderful but things change.

Chandler Drake is in middle school and rides the school bus that Bob Bell drives. They’re also neighbor’s, so when Bob sees that Chandler is being bullied, he wants to help. Bob does what he can, but he would like to do more. When he discovers a second boy, Nick Morenus, who lives nearby and rides a different bus, is going through a similar situation, Bob attempts to offer a solution to help both boys. Chandler has devised his own solution that works even better when combined with Bob’s proposal. Will this strategy solve their problem?

This is my entry for the Fall/Winter 2021 anthology, ‘An Unconventional Gift’.

Sixteen-year-old Brayon came out to his Progressive parents, but they did the one thing he didn't expect. They disowned him and kicked him out. This is his story.

Beyond anything, Ethan wanted peace. A remote town in the woods felt promising, but soon violence came pounding at his door. It always did. Time to run again.

But this time, the things he’d done, the burdens he carried, refused to stay locked in the dark.

Patrick is accused of a heinous crime, which threatens to destroy his career and entire life, whether he's guilty or not.

Avery has been abused by his father since he was eleven, when his mom left them. Because his father is so well respected in the town (and because of Avery's own shame), no one has discovered the family's secret--his father's breakdown and delusions due to his wife leaving that he reaps on his son. When a college student arrives, Avery doesn't want to admit he might like the new guy in town. This story chronicles Avery's torment and how one person finally sees him as worthy