Balls Deep

Here we are at Chapter 16 and graduation nears.

Read Chapter 16

There is a lot for Trent to process in this chapter. He is torn in so many directions. There are highs and lows. Some of them are owed to the person he has become — and accepted — and how far he still has yet to go, even though he has come so far. Others are a result of his judgement calls.

One of the biggest factors of wrapping up college is saying goodbye. Any goodbyes are hard (assuming you care for the people). The college years can be very bonding. But no matter how close you are to someone, saying goodbye to someone and knowing you will never see them again is a heartfelt theme in this chapter.

Tariq

Tariq has been a fairly behind-the-scenes character so far. His involvement with this chapter will be very impactful for Trent a few months from now.

Read Chapter 15 here.

Graduation is not far off. Trent will soon have to step into the real world. Those college days are well behind me now, but I do remember it being such an odd feeling. After four years, it just seemed so strange to leave that life behind. One thing I can't claim is a college relationship (or at least a gay one). I was still buried in a mix of denial and resistance. I sometimes wonder what my life would have been like had I accepted my true self during those years.

Hate Mail

Chapter 14 is now posted.

Read Chapter 14 here.

I'm expecting hate mail. I'll leave it that.

Please stick with me.

Timothy

13

For as long as most of us can remember, the number 13 is considered unlucky.

Chapter 13 is posted.

Read 13 here.

Fortunately for Trent, his life seems to be slowly falling into place — at least for now. Lance, at this moment, seems to be the unlucky one. Is it of his own choosing? Where Lance goes and how he deals with it will soon be seen.

Graduation is only a couple of weeks away.

Any predictions?

Family

Chapter 12 of If It Weren't For the Two of Us has been posted.

Read Chapter 12 here

As his relationship with his parents evolves, he begins to live more of his own truth. Owning up to that with your family has so many directions it can take. I personally know mine has in the past decade. Being yourself is a good thing, even if family has to fit their minds around it.

Reconnecting

 Boy, I hope this is a chapter that really pleases a lot of you. A few may feel differently, but I am always interested. Comment below or send an email.

See Chapter 11 here

Chapter 11 is posted. This chapter is about reconnecting. The temporary pause has gone on for over a month, so there is a lot of emotion pent up here.

Most couples aren't separated for long periods usually. Some people have professions that cause them to travel for long stretches. Certainly, many families are distanced when a member is in the military — and thank you for your service to those that are.

But I think we can all relate to that prolonged yearning for someone. It is felt deeply. Patience and prayer can help, but the tangible feeling of being in someone's arms is irreplaceable.

Heartfelt thanks to all,

Timothy

Forgiveness

Hey friends,

Chapter 10 is posted.

Read Chapter 10 here.

One of the key things about this chapter I like is the subject of forgiveness. While Trent will struggle for a while about his incident at the club [Will he tell Mike or will he not?], he is going to find it hard to forgive himself. But the subject is more relevant to one of the other characters.

So often people tend to hold on to grudges. In many ways, people are as happy as they decide to be. They need to grasp on to that. No matter what challenges we have — and life can throw curve balls — we typically have blessings in life we can be grateful for. While it seems hard, we really can choose to be happy.

Forgiveness can do a world of good. Hanging on to pain sometimes seems counter-productive.

Be well,

Timothy

Aftermath

With just a little over a month left of college, Trent has a lot to contend with. At the forefront is the aftermath of Chapter 8.

Chapter 9 of If It Weren't For the Two of Us picks up right after that.

Read Chapter 9 Here

Trent has a lot to process, but thankfully he has a support system to help him through it. For you, the reader, the question is how long does he keep it secret from Mike?

For young gay men, so often they do not have a support system. Those in high school are particularly vulnerable. Thank heavens the world has changed to where younger people today have greater opportunities to speak honestly and be more accepted.

Have any thoughts on this? Comment below or send a private email to timothylane414@gmail.com

A Dark Chapter

Chapter 8 is going to affect people differently. This one isn't so easy to get through, but it forwards the plot significantly, so bear with me and hang in there. Brighter times are ahead.

Read Chapter 8 Here

As frivolous as these stories we enjoy sometimes are, we should always be aware of what "consensual" means and be responsible. My hopes are that no one among my readers has had to endure such an incident.

As always, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments on this blog.