The Original Prologue

If you haven’t read Chapter 44:

Click here to read If It Weren’t For the Two of Us, Chapter 44.

Before I jump into the wedding, let me share something about the writing process. Extracurricular was such a personal project at the beginning of the pandemic, I never dared dream I would share it with anyone — at all! But I turned out loving the diversion during the pandemic. Several chapters in, I found the sex became secondary to the characters themselves. I made myself care about them, and I tried to make Mike and Trent realistic. The story was evolving more deeply to me. But then, I thought to myself, “How will I end this?” It wasn’t like anyone would ever read it; it didn’t need to be concrete. The nebulous, hopeful ending of Extracurricular would serve fine. And if I ever did share it with anyone, they could imagine their own conclusion, hopefully that Mike and Trent would get back together.

But staying at home while viruses spread can result in cabin fever. Eventually, I wanted to write again, and I thought, “What if I pick up the story from the perspective of Trent?

Here, I am sharing the original first two pages (which makes this a long post). I had no qualms letting whatever readers (nonexistent ones I imagined at that point) know that Mike and Trent made it. That wasn’t important. It was the journey getting there — THAT was the focus of the book.

Here is the original prologue:

If It Weren’t for the Two of Us

 

Mike went first:

“Sixteen months ago, you walked into my room having no idea you would change my world forever. In the past year I have not only found new places in my heart and in my soul, but you have filled them, expanding my capacity for happiness and love. I promise to spend every day of our lives just trying to attempt making you even close to how happy you have made me. I love you, Trent, and I will love you for all of my life.”

My turn:

“Mike, when I was lost, I turned to you, hoping you would be my lifeline. But that has changed; you are my life itself. Call it God, call it Fate, call it Destiny — whatever it was, it led me to you. Each and every day I feel blessed that we met, that we found that the other made each of us a better person, and that you are able to love me in spite of my flaws. I promise to be there for you, to hold you and take care of you and to love you every day of my life.”

Following that, Zach spoke:

“Love is our best friend, our helper, and the healer of the ills that prevent us from being happy.

“Please face each other and take each other’s hands so that you may see the gift that they are to you. These are the hands of your best friend, strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it, support and encouragement to pursue your dreams and comfort in difficult times. And lastly, these are the hands that even years from now will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just one touch.

Michael Adam Terry, do you take Jeremiah Trent Kyriazi to be your husband, to love and take care of for all the rest of your days?”

“I do,” Mike answered.

“Jeremiah Trent Kyriazi, do you take Michael Adam Terry to be your husband, to love and take care of for all the rest of your days?”

“I do,” I said with an unhindered huge smile on my face.

“By the power invested in me by the state, I now pronounce you officially married. You may kiss your husband.”

Following a long kiss, we heard the crowd erupt. Having lost track of them even sitting there, we turned to face family and friends. The smiles on our faces were mirrored by theirs. We clutched hands and held them above our heads in unity. Following that, we walked down the aisle and made our way outside to the beautifully decorated gazebo. As officiant, Zach was saying final words to the audience. We knew they would be joining us soon.

Lance and Jakob came up to us first. They had been standing to the side, assisting with the ceremony. We hugged.

“Congratulations, you two. I cannot tell you how happy I am for you. It’s hard to believe I have watched you on this entire journey,” Lance told us. “I’m not sure how you did it — how you made it all work — but I’ve never seen two people more perfect for one another.”

“Thanks buddy,” I said. “There were definitely some obstacles in our path, but we both knew what we wanted. One thing that helped us get us through the break and to this point was the journal Mike gave me.

 

1

 

It sat here for four days. I stared at it on my desk. I had spent most of spring break here at my parents’ house. It was delivered on Monday. Mom and Dad thought it was a wonderful gift — a former teacher giving me a journal to encourage me to write. Mike didn’t include anything mushy with it. Just a card that said:

“You are an amazing writer. Find time to put your thoughts down and have them at your fingertips. I hope you develop your talents for years to come.

—      Michael Terry”

The card clearly conveyed nothing overly personal. I’m sure that was intentional in case my parents were the ones to open the package or if they inquired about the card. That was smart on his part. I texted him to say it had been delivered and to thank him for it. I told him it was beautiful. He texted back saying he was glad that it arrived and that he loved me.

But here it was. Fresh and unopened. The virginity of a simple seal still intact. What could I write? What should I write? Should I journal my days? Should I write a play? Poetry? Hate mail to the gods for making me gay? Love letters to fate for letting me find Mike? The magnitude of the blank pages was overwhelming.

 

By this time, I was considering maybe, possibly, probably-not-but-might post it on Nifty. I was wondering if a place for such writing existed. A Google search led me to Nifty. One of the first stories I clicked on is still my favorite to this day: Miles From Home by Roman Jeffries. (If you haven’t read it, do so; he’s a fantastic writer). As he shared a bit about the process of getting started, he conceded he wasn’t a fan of the “flash forward,” yet it seemed to be practical for him to introduce his story that way (for various reasons). I was deep into writing Book Two, and I knew Mike and Trent would make it and I wanted Lance to find someone. So upon reflection, I stared at the prologue. Did it help the writing to start with the wedding? People who read the first book would have no idea who Jakob was (because I didn’t), and frankly, it was just too jarring from our protagonists putting their relationship on hold at the end of Extracurricular to us reciting wedding vows at the beginning of If It Weren’t For the Two of Us. Who was Zach? Would people be intrigued to find out about these people, or was it just a bumbling mess to begin with a flash forward? It made no sense to do that. Plus, it let me develop the sexual tension between Lance and Trent to where readers (once I committed to posting on Nifty) might wonder if those two would finally pair up and fall in love.

[If you want to review how Chapter 1 started, click here.]

So. Back to the wedding. Gay or straight, there are some individuals who just aren’t “wedding people.” If this chapter was just “too sweet” for you, I apologize and thank you for indulging me. Life is too harsh to even consider beginning my conclusion of Trent’s storyline on a sad note. After all, “Love stories for the gay male” is right at the top of the blog. It is my hope that you enjoyed being in attendance.

Growing up, I probably didn’t picture myself getting married. I would sometimes imagine what I might like mine to look like, but year after year of me not being interested in women finally closed any thoughts on that. It’s nice that there are some positive changes in the world that such things are now possible.

When the final chapter posts next time, I hope the journey with these two characters has been an enjoyable one for you.