The First Meeting

Some of my readers have identified with Lance, sharing with me some issues with drinking they have dealt with. I am moved by their willingness to be open and share those challenges. I'm inspired by their courage and, likewise, encourage those debating on dealing with these obstacles to take that step.

Lance goes to his first meeting in Chapter 31.

Read Chapter 31 here.

Obviously, there are two sides to this discussion as well. It isn't always about the person who is drinking too much, but the partner who is living with it.

The friendship between Trent and Lance is still strong, but Lance's circle of friends is about to enlarge in new ways.

What are your thoughts on Lance? Do you think he has changed? If he was someone you knew, would you enjoy his company? Share your thoughts. Email or comment below.

It Begins

This is the chapter I have been really anticipating posting. Not because it is something joyous, but it is a huge catalyst for what happens next.

Many of you have strong feelings about Lance. This is his chapter. You have loved him, hated him, wanted to strangle him ... but with Chapter 30, the inevitable changes arrive. It begins.

Read Chapter 30 here.

Although I started all these Jackson Bend characters with Mike and Trent in Extracurricular, as the writing progressed, I found developing Lance's character was deeply satisfying. I wanted to figure out who he was. He seemed artificial on the surface, but what was he really like inside? He slowly opened up to Trent in If It Weren't For the Two of Us. But as he let his guard down, his friendship with Trent grew into something special. Alas, problems grew. Although I am currently working on a fifth book, the third one will begin in a couple of weeks. It is Lance's book. In their own way, they form a trilogy of sorts.

After you read this chapter, remember, it is only the beginning. Lance is about to become an adult. I hope you follow along and experience the evolution with him. He has taken a first step.

What do you think? I hope you will share how you feel about this chapter. It's a harder one, but I hope it moves you.

Comment below.

Your Own Place

Things are changing rapidly. A lot happens in this chapter.

Read Chapter 29 here.

The strain on Lance's and Trent's friendship is getting resolved, but it also flares up in different ways. In real life, that isn't necessarily uncommon. When there is an emotional wound, it doesn't just completely go away. 

A big turning point is Trent's own place. Being on your own is an unusual feeling. I didn't get to have an actual place of my own until I was in my mid-30s. I always shared an apartment or a house with someone. I was fine with that. But having my own place — and being able to live my true life — that was a real signpost. Whether I was with family or with friends, it was always sharing a place with someone straight.

With summers off (as a teacher), I spent several weeks with a new love — long distance. That was huge. It was tricky to explain to a conservative family — to whom I was not "out." Eventually, it led to a place of my own. Financially, it is a real trick to pull off the first time, not to mention scary.

I loved it.

For a gay person, there is probably an additional layer of freedom that many people don't experience.

The end of the chapter scares Trent, and rightfully so. This is just the beginning. Stay tuned for the next chapter — everything changes.

Friendships

My friends are quite possibly the most important thing in my life. Each Thanksgiving, when I reflect on what I am appreciative of, friends are top of the list (aside from my other half). They are closer to me than family.

Alas, following Chapter 27, Lance and Trent have suffered a strain on their friendship. Chapter 28 feels those effects.

Read Chapter 28 here.

Lance and Trent are close enough that, like most friendships, they can weather this storm. However, Lance will need to make changes. Stay tuned on that.

What's scary about this chapter is it can prompt me to go back and realize I used to talk to certain friends (usually long distance) all the time but now hardly ever see them — or call. That is probably just a natural progression of life, but it can still be sad when you think about it.

Can you think of someone you used to do a lot with and now hardly ever do? You should drop them a text, an email or, better yet, just grab a phone and check on them. A global pandemic is a perfect time to let someone know you are thinking about them.

Friendships are one of life's greatest gifts.

Secrets

The bad thing about secrets is they quite often have a way of coming out. The reasons for keeping secrets are usually anything but positive. Typically, someone gets hurt. There is that rare reason of trying to spare a person's feelings, but more times than not, it is a matter of hiding something you've done wrong or something bad has happened.

Trent's secret about the night with Detrell has haunted him for some time. While he had his reasons for not telling Mike — I'll leave it up to you as to whether you think they were good reasons or not — he seemed more motivated by fear.

Read Chapter 27 here.

I'm not a person big on secrets. I try to tell my other half what bothers me. I'm sure all of us try to hide something that we find embarrassing. That's human nature. When you can bare your soul to someone and they can accept you and your shortcomings, that's a sign of true love. I hope all you out there have that — or find that — kind of love that you can open your heart.

When writing this chapter, I had no temptation to write it any other way than how Mike reacted. It is how I envision his character.

Feel free to offer your thoughts.

Dad

Well, it had to eventually happen. Trent's dad is now well aware. There is no one left for Trent to come out to.

Read Chapter 26 here.

If you had a room full of 20 gay men and asked what coming out to one's parents is like, you'd most likely get 20 different experiences. I'm sure in many cases, some parents already know. Mine did not. Unlike Trent, I told both my parents together.

My father was a preacher. Ironically, he accepted it much better than my mother. So many years later, she still feels it is just a "switch" I can flip and be straight. Visits with her can be exasperating. But she has accepted my world to a point. Religion will always prevent her for fully accepting me.

I cannot fathom living 70 or 80 years ago in my grandparents' times. It would require a life of almost certain secrecy. I suppose it was possible that men still found each other. We were certainly there, but how sad that it had to be so clandestine that you were never free to live your true life. Gay men have come so far. We shouldn't forget that.

I'm sure many of the readers of these stories have their own experiences to tell of coming out to their own parents. Who took it better? The mother or father? Did they know? Each of us really has our own story.

Thankfully, as divisive as today's world can be, it has become easier to be your true self. We are visible, we have more rights, it is more accepted. Still, we have a long road yet to travel.

The Lake House

I've been eager to see this chapter posted.

Read Chapter 24 here.

Chapter 24 is the first of two chapters that take place at the lake house. In some ways, the chapters are "laid back." But I like the opportunity for Mike and Lance to get to know each other more fully.

I'm hoping these chapters will resonate with you, the readers.

Once Mike and Trent eventually head out, I can offer this tidbit of foreshadowing — it won't be the last we see of the lake house.

Halfway

 Hi friends,

If you have followed the posts, you know If It Weren't For the Two of Us is the second in a series of "books." Trent's story is definitely the longest.

With Chapter 23 we have passed the halfway point.

Read Chapter 23 here.

If you are enjoying following the journey of Trent, Mike and Lance, I hope you are excited that there is still much to come. Hopefully you aren't screaming "Halfway!?" in disgust.

When I started posting this book, Trent was still in college, and I debated about having it post in the "college" category on Nifty. But the story really is Trent's introduction to adulthood and being on his own, so "Adult Friends," particularly with Mike in his 30s, seemed the better fit for the entire story as a whole.

I'm so eager to get the following chapters posted. Book 3 begins in early fall, so I hope you look forward to that as well.

I know feedback to the authors is all we have to go on. If you have favorite Nifty authors, be sure to let them know you enjoy their stories. It's all we have. I know it means the world to me to see a comment on here or an email in the Inbox.