Published in Hinged·Jul 16Member-onlyThe Cat Who Thought He Was a CowboyHold yer horses, kitty — “Martha, the cat’s in front of the TV again.” The huge marmalade cat’s tail gave an eloquent swish. One ear flicked back. He knew I wasn’t going to do anything. Cat, also known as J.P. Cat (for Just Plain Cat), was a keen student of human behavior. Martha’s voice floated…Pets6 min readPets6 min read
Published in Hinged·Jul 9Member-onlyThe Cat Who Thought He Could FlyAy caramba, Martha, get that cat a parachute — “Martha — the cat’s in my sweater drawer again.” The huge marmalade cat named “Cat” opened one eye. He regarded me for a moment, as only a cat could who knew he was master of all he surveyed. He’d wandered in one rainy afternoon almost twelve years ago. A soggy…Humor5 min readHumor5 min read
Published in Prism & Pen·Jul 6Member-onlyDrugs Won’t “Cure” Gay. There Ain’t No Cure For Love: A Gilead StoryStumbling Towards Gilead — Chapter Ten — Luc jerked awake. His bed-chamber was dark and cool. He raised a hand to his forehead. Why am I sweating? Whatever’d startled him from sleep was gone. He tried to hold onto it. But, it faded, leaving behind a snatch of song. Where do I begin To tell the story of…Love7 min readLove7 min read
Published in Lit Up·Jul 3Member-onlyNobody’s Idea of a HeroLit Up Summer Holiday Prompt — What the hell was I doing, standing in the middle of the weed-filled, over-grown, fair-grounds? The carnival folk had faded into the night ten years ago. Left everything — burnt-out trailers, broken rides, flattened concessions… I stared at my reflection in the grimy, fly-specked glass of the Fortune Teller’s booth…Humor5 min readHumor5 min read
Published in Hinged·Jul 2Member-onlyThe Dreadful Addiction of Atticus LeeA cautionary tale — The dreadful addiction of Atticus Lee was driving his parents apart; His poor mother moaned, but his father condoned What brought joy to his only son’s heart; The dreadful addiction, bad habit? affliction? …Humor3 min readHumor3 min read
Published in Prism & Pen·Jul 2Member-onlyWhat Does The Rainbow Stand For? Can You Say Gay? A Gilead StoryStumbling Towards Gilead — Chapter Nine — The little boy skipped towards the central plaza. One of hundreds of school-age boys. Hair slicked down, shoes mirror-bright. All with identical brown leather knapsacks over identical blue-blazers. The only thing to set this boy apart, aside from his singular gait, was the awkward bulge in his knapsack. …LGBTQ8 min readLGBTQ8 min read
Published in Prism & Pen·Jun 28Member-onlyCloset Gay by Day, Rescuer by Night. My Double Life: A Gilead StoryStumbling Towards Gilead — Chapter Eight — As revolutions go, ours was pretty quiet. I resigned my committee post and retired to our family cottage beside Lake Michigan. My sister and I raise organic vegetables. We have a dozen fruit trees. A berry patch. Fugitives hiding in the root cellar. The usual… The tunnels under the city-domes…Love7 min readLove7 min read
Published in Plain Brown Wrapper·Jun 27Member-onlyThe Un-Holy Terrors of Holy Martyrs Academy‘Coming of Age’ in parochial school — Humor1 min readHumor1 min readPhoto by DDP on UnsplashThe Un-Holy Terrors of Holy Martyrs Academy‘Coming of Age’ in parochial school----
Published in Hinged·Jun 25Member-onlyA True Friend Will Always Keep Yer SecretsThrough thick an’ thin, friends fer life — I guess ya could say one broken window’s pretty much like any other. If you’ve seen one, you’ve seen ’em all. ‘Specially if yer any good at knockin’ a long fly-ball down the third base-line. Which I happen ta be. ‘Cept this one wasn’t just any broken window. It was…Fiction7 min readFiction7 min read
Published in Prism & Pen·Jun 25Member-onlyStoned for Being Gay. Submit, Conform, or Die: A Gilead StoryStumbling Towards Gilead — Chapter Seven — “She’s beautiful.” “Oh, my dear, she looks like your mother.” “You must be so pleased. And after such a long wait.” “A little girl to follow in mama’s footsteps.” “Has Aaron seen her yet?” “She’s absolutely perfect.” Perfect— yes. Another sweet little girl to cook and clean. Another pair of…Fiction5 min readFiction5 min read
