Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are based on the authors' lives and experiences and may be changed to protect personal information. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
Headstall's Reflections - 38. Chapter 38 Merry Christmas, My Love
A lot of us grew up in a different time. Life was difficult and often dangerous for a gay man or woman. Some of us took what we could get, and held on tight, accepting the cruelty life would often thrust upon us. We made the best of who we were in whatever way we could. There are many stories... too many... and this story salutes those who came before our bravely-fought-for freedom. Merry Christmas!
Headstall’s Reflections
Chapter 38 Merry Christmas, My Love
He shuffles along with a painful gait
Perfect example of the ravage of years
A stoplight reddens to make him wait
While stinging snow evokes nervous tears
Another Christmas day spent all alone
Home and family now only memories
Past sins exist for which he'd atone
But fate has already collected its fees
A jacket too thin catches brutal wind
And sends a chill down inside his bones
As he waits all of his hopes are pinned
On reaching the bank of outside phones
A flash of green tells him he can go
On a race to cross before it reverts
Doubly hard through the slushy snow
But only one thing can soothe his hurts
Love undying through a sad life’s haze
For forty-eight years a secret call made
A promise that harkens to younger days
And a need that time has failed to fade
Numb digits force coins into the small slot
Dialing a number while swallowing doubt
Praying that one more year has been bought
Terrified of hearing their time has run out
The ringing stops and that voice fills his ear
Happy whisper of waiting on his call all morn
Tremulous heart soars as he lets go of fear
And with Ken’s next words he becomes reborn
“Merry Christmas, my love.”
- 12
Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are based on the authors' lives and experiences and may be changed to protect personal information. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
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