rural - Stories

Randy Watson had been mostly happy with his life of hopping from one women’s bed to another in his small town of Burney. Things changed when he met a sexy man working in town for the summer. He not only ended up with one boyfriend, but two. On top of that, he found out both men were something called a lycan. His final surprise was being asked if he wanted to become one too.

A runaway orphan boy loses himself in a primeval American forest and, on the brink of death, is saved by the animals living there. As he recovers he finds that the animals have saved him for a reason, a reason that makes his life worth living. It seems like a fable that might have taken place in Africa, or India, a hundred years ago, but although this boy was not raised by apes or wolves, his story in contemporary America is even stranger. Be warned, however, that although this tale has many joyous moments, there is sorrow here as well, sorrow for the boy, and for the many who came to love him.

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.

One summer at their house in the South of France is much like all those previous summers. Except this year is different. Milo turns sixteen, and when his father employs Estevo, to fix things up, attractions and revelations mix with family problems, and a long held secret.

Milo will no longer be able to retreat and hide in the imagined worlds of literature. He will be tested and played with by his cousins and this new arrival. Exactly what is going on between these two families risks erupting into a thunderous climax and a deluge of emotions as heavy as any summer storm!

Through his own initiative, Benji discovers the meaning of Christmas.

In an England without potatoes, Tim is a spudhunter. The best. Really - the very, very best.

Benji takes action to protect his new brother.

A district wrestling camp opportunity arises, and although he is the youngest participant, Benji makes the most of it.

Hunter has plans and reasons. Get the hell out of Park Terrace, power through college to get to New York City where he can be himself - because there is nothing and no one to tie him down, unless you could coming back to visit the parents. New York City would bring the romance he loves so much, maybe even one of those 'hate them at first sight and grudgingly learn to love them' type stories.

No. Those are too much work.

Image used with permission. If you like the model you can see more on Instagram @Chriswalshthestar

Exploring places which exist in my boyhood memory.