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Thetis

   (11 reviews)

Tim, an honor student from Los Gatos, grapples with heartbreak and self-reflection after being ghosted by Thet, a closeted blue-collar guy from South St. Louis. As Tim wrestles with anger and confusion, a dinner with his grandmother leads to a powerful coming-out moment. Their heartfelt exchange helps Tim process past trauma with his father and recognize the secrecy and pain others around him carry. When he later spots Thet out with a girl, he sees through the act—and instead of lashing out, reaches out with unexpected compassion, hoping Thet will one day accept who he is.

Please enjoy this story as part of the 2025 Secret Author Story Contest! 
 
Copyright © 2025 Mark Arbour; All Rights Reserved.

Story Recommendations (8 members)

  • Action Packed 3
  • Addictive/Pacing 6
  • Characters 7
  • Chills 1
  • Cliffhanger 2
  • Compelling 6
  • Feel-Good 2
  • Humor 4
  • Smoldering 3
  • Tearjerker 3
  • Unique 6
  • World Building 1


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Daddydavek

   6 of 6 members found this review helpful 6 / 6 members

Transitioning from high school to university is tough, but when your bio dad is horrible, your mom is a self-serving bitch, your bestie lies to you and your step-dad is pussy whipped, life can be tough.  Fortunately, lessons are learned and connections are made.  A truly interesting vignette that could be developed into a continuing story.  

I recommend it, but warning...you will be left wanting more!

  • Love 5
Gary L

   6 of 6 members found this review helpful 6 / 6 members

I began by not liking our “hero” for his egoism and arrogance but over the course of the chapter his real character comes out and by the end he is wiser than his years and than most of the other characters.  
It has an assured hand and flows beautifully. For me, it is easily one of the best of the 2025 SA collection.   
Strongly recommended.  

  • Love 6
Cane23

   4 of 4 members found this review helpful 4 / 4 members

A heartfelt and compelling story about resilience, truth, and the quiet power of unconditional support. JJ’s journey, from surviving abuse and manipulation to finding a safe emotional harbor, is handled with honesty and nuance. Nanna’s fairness, Dave’s steady loyalty despite his own uncertainties, and the raw tension of confronting a parent’s prejudice create a narrative that feels both deeply human and emotionally satisfying. A moving portrayal of how genuine care can heal where family fails.

  • Like 1
  • Love 3
Bill W

   6 of 7 members found this review helpful 6 / 7 members

Life is full of disappointments, some are minor and others more severe.  The minor disappointments are when an acquaintance disappoints you, and it's harder to deal with when a friend, especially a close friend disappoints you, but it can be totally devastating when your parents disappoint you.  How do you handle it when the ones that gave you life disappoint you?  Those can be the most severe blows of all.  It doesn't have to totally devastating or completely ruin your life, though.  It's how you deal with those disappointments that determines if you're a survivor or a loser.  

This is exactly the situation that the main character of this story, Timothy Chowder, has to deal with, so read this emotionally filled short story to discover which category he fits into.  Is Timothy Chowder a survivor or a just another loser? 

  • Love 5
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