A Soldier's Guide to Single Parenting - 11. Epilogue

37 minutes ago, Edward said:

Thank you again for the story... now you got the CC

Sooner than you might think @Edward Watch out later tonight for 99 of TCC! It's a little naughty so beware! Thank you for your kind words and interest in the story. Sorry if it was a little difficult in places.

59 minutes ago, soundaddict_nz said:

awesome story. loved every chapter !

Thank you @soundaddict_nz I'm guessing the nz is New Zealand?

15 minutes ago, Headstall said:

Tidy little look into their lives after a tumultuous, gripping, and ultimately satisfying journey. I was surprised, but pleased, that Jeff wasn't in a relationship, and has instead concentrated on repairing himself and his family, with the help of some therapy. Maybe now he's ready, and will feel deserving of any relationship he may develop. I really enjoyed the reveal of Fred's quirkiness. It was amusing, and his role, while small, helped drive the story. As a writer, I place great importance on side characters, and you did a good job with this one. You did a good job with the whole story, making us care immensely about this dysfunctional family. Kudos and cheers, buddy... Gary....

Thanks, Gary. I'm not used to answering this many comments but it's been good. The intention was to use Fred as a kind of distraction so that it wasn't all doom and gloom for the reader. I wanted to add a tiny bit of humour through him to lighten the mood and basically save my skin from the wrath of the mob. Anyway, I'm glad to get this one under my belt and I'm pleased that so many people stuck with the story and enjoyed it. Cheers.

You killed Fred and that put an end to any possibilities that Jeff and Fred would explore their obvious flirty love/hate relationship!  ;–)

Seriously, there were echoes of the religious bigotry in the documentary I was Sunday evening, Believer. The doc focused on Imagine Dragons’ lead singer, Dan Reynolds and his frustration with the attitude of his own church, the Latter Day Saints (Mormon) towards LGBTQs. Dan, who is straight, married, with three daughters and a Mormon, had two close friends. a Lesbian couple, who declined to attend his wedding because it was conducted by Mormons. Initially, he remained quiet about the issue.

But he realized he needed to speak out about how the Mormon leadership’s anti-LGBTQ policies is connected to Utah’s large rise in teen suicides, a rise that shows a clear correlation to various events that made LGBTQ Mormon teens feel isolated and hopeless.

Dan and Tyler Glenn, also Mormon and the Openly Gay lead singer of Neon Trees, collaborated to organize LOVELOUD, now an annual concert in support of LGBTQs. It’s an attempt to initiate a conversation between Mormons and LGBTQs. A conversation focused on educating both sides instead of a confrontation or argument between the two groups.

The LDS church does not murder their LGBTQ children directly as Darcy’s ‘church’ did. But by excommunicating their LGBTQ-friendly members (you just need to be outspoken about your opposition to their LGBTQ policies, you don’t even need to be LGBTQ yourself) thus removing church, community, and sometimes even familial support. Vulnerable LGBTQ teens feel they have no choice but to commit suicide.

There is a group for LGBTQ Mormons. The Trevor Project offers a toll-free hotline specifically for LGBTQ teens. There is support out there if you feel the need to harm yourself. and it does get better. But as the protagonist in 1985 (a narrative movie I also saw Sunday evening) says in a letter to his younger brother (and I’m paraphrasing because my memory isn’t that great), it might get darker before it gets better. Your classmates might make fun of you for being different. You might need to leave where you are. But eventually, you’ll find friends and people like you who will love you for who you are.

2 hours ago, droughtquake said:

Seriously, there were echoes of the religious bigotry in the documentary I was Sunday evening, Believer. The doc focused on Imagine Dragons’ lead singer, Dan Reynolds and his frustration with the attitude of his own church, the Latter Day Saints (Mormon) towards LGBTQs. Dan, who is straight, married, with three daughters and a Mormon, had two close friends. a Lesbian couple, who declined to attend his wedding because it was conducted by Mormons. Initially, he remained quiet about the issue.

 

But he realized he needed to speak out about how the Mormon leadership’s anti-LGBTQ policies is connected to Utah’s large rise in teen suicides, a rise that shows a clear correlation to various events that made LGBTQ Mormon teens feel isolated and hopeless.

 

Dan and Tyler Glenn, also Mormon and the Openly Gay lead singer of Neon Trees, collaborated to organize LOVELOUD, now an annual concert in support of LGBTQs. It’s an attempt to initiate a conversation between Mormons and LGBTQs. A conversation focused on educating both sides instead of a confrontation or argument between the two groups.

 

 

The LDS church does not murder their LGBTQ children directly as Darcy’s ‘church’ did. But by excommunicating their LGBTQ-friendly members (you just need to be outspoken about your opposition to their LGBTQ policies, you don’t even need to be LGBTQ yourself) thus removing church, community, and sometimes even familial support. Vulnerable LGBTQ teens feel they have no choice but to commit suicide.

 

There is a group for LGBTQ Mormons. The Trevor Project offers a toll-free hotline specifically for LGBTQ teens. There is support out there if you feel the need to harm yourself. and it does get better. But as the protagonist in 1985 (a narrative movie I also saw Sunday evening) says in a letter to his younger brother (and I’m paraphrasing because my memory isn’t that great), it might get darker before it gets better. Your classmates might make fun of you for being different. You might need to leave where you are. But eventually, you’ll find friends and people like you who will love you for who you are.

This is interesting. I have heard of the Trevor Project. Darcy's religion was, of course, fictitious and only loosely based upon LDS or JW beliefs but I suppose there's not a great deal of difference between murder and driving someone to suicide knowing what the likely outcome will be. It's obviously still a problem and unlikely to change from within the organizations anytime soon. Thanks @droughtquake 

Thanks for this story Dodger, I agree with several other people that it was a difficult story to read, like Empress said I also wanted go and shake some sense into Jeff,

 and there are times I thought that I didn’t want to continue reading this story,

but I am glad that I did. I am glad that Jeff got some help. And David was able to recover and move on with his life. 

I am not surprised that the cult closed in on Darcy and stayed by him, they clearly believe in the Old Testament. The sooner people stop having religion as a crutch the better for the world as there is so much hatred and bigotry coming from that lot 

34 minutes ago, Bft said:

Thanks for this story Dodger, I agree with several other people that it was a difficult story to read, like Empress said I also wanted go and shake some sense into Jeff,

 and there are times I thought that I didn’t want to continue reading this story,

but I am glad that I did. I am glad that Jeff got some help. And David was able to recover and move on with his life. 

I am not surprised that the cult closed in on Darcy and stayed by him, they clearly believe in the Old Testament. The sooner people stop having religion as a crutch the better for the world as there is so much hatred and bigotry coming from that lot 

Thanks @Bft I'm glad you stuck with it too. The story was completed before I began posting so I was hoping people would continue reading knowing that the ending would ease the pain. It was difficult and at times I wanted to say 'carry on reading, everything's going to be okay in the end. I couldn't do that, of course, so it's a relief to hear your comments. I'm sure not everyone was prepared to push on and I can't say I blame them either. I know it was difficult to read. Thanks so much for your support and comments.

Lovely, well told story, my friend.

I was a victim of my father, and all the men who were 'customers' ... there will always be users, but i hope that the coming generations will be more accepting.  i see it in my nephew, and his friends .. the acceptance of race and sexuality, they don't dwell on it, to them they are just friends ... let's hope it continues.  Let's hope it spreads like wildfire.

12 hours ago, Mikiesboy said:

Lovely, well told story, my friend.

 

I was a victim of my father, and all the men who were 'customers' ... there will always be users, but i hope that the coming generations will be more accepting.  i see it in my nephew, and his friends .. the acceptance of race and sexuality, they don't dwell on it, to them they are just friends ... let's hope it continues.  Let's hope it spreads like wildfire.

Well said Tim and so true. I've seen it too. We're not born to hate or abuse we're taught to do that. I grew up in a very multi-racial environment and my friends came from all different backgrounds but the colour of their skin meant little more just another physical attribute. I didn't understand about racial divisions until I overheard adults talking.

I put it down to ignorance and fear of the unknown from a generation who had little contact with other races. I realised that even though I loved these adults what they said was wrong. I don't have kids but I have plenty of nieces and nephews and I won't pass on that hatred. If everyone can do the same, we've cracked it.

Thanks for reading the story, Tim.

What a great story. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Realistic, gritty, sad, and heartwarming. 

Great ending. 

Thanks so much for all you do. 

15 minutes ago, Fitzhugh said:

What a great story. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Realistic, gritty, sad, and heartwarming. 

Great ending. 

Thanks so much for all you do. 

Thank you very much for reading. I am so glad you enjoyed it.

This story was hard to read, but the second time I started it I was able to stick in there until the end -- and I am glad I did. I will look forward to reading some of your other works -- I hope not quite so dark. You are a superior author and, even though this story was quite melodramatic the pace and characterizations were impeccable. A big vote of YES for your efforts.

…And this story is proof that you are actually capable of ending a multiple part story! Now you need to get that poor boy out of the hospital and away from that deranged Canadian who has delusions of being an American. Yes, he's American, but he's not from the US, no matter what papers his record company produces! He might be officially ‘touring,’ but he was deported by the US!
;–)

Unfortunately, there are signs that the tide is turning and the USA is sadly in danger of becoming a fundamentalist christian nation.  Yet we still have people who won't vote.  The political right and the religious right are a dangerous combination and a threat to our freedoms if we are not vigilant.