As September comes to a close, Les’s house is finished. All the special-order tiles and cabinets have arrived and are installed. Thursday night, after a day of moving in, Les and Phoebe just walk across the drive to join the group for dinner. Afterward,...
Mark has jumped over some of the highest hurdles bringing Brian into his world and entering Brian’s a bit too. Letting people know his inclinations and choices eases Mark’s usual stress a lot. The sessions with James are bringing out things from his pas...
Brian, when talking with Abbie on Friday night, quietly thanked her for helping Mark get to this point. And how pleased he is that Mark’s friends are so accepting and welcoming. There are more hoops Mark still has to jump through, and Brian hopes Abbie...
So much has happened since last Friday night and Mark’s outburst. For all who had been there on different levels. Monday afternoon, about the same time Tim, Matt and Peter finish their meeting at Microga; Mark arrives for his appointment with James at Pa...
Tim and Abbie 62: The celebration at Peter and Sarah’s house Oblivious to what is happening elsewhere this evening, on his way home, Peter makes a similar stop but at an off-license instead. Purchasing a top-shelf bottle of Scotch to celebrate his news...
Getting off earlier than usual after the positive ending to their meeting, Matt makes one quick stop on his way home to share the news with Martha. The stop is to get some sparkling grape juice to toast the new job. With Martha unable to drink as now wi...
Monday morning, Matt and Peter speak shortly before work starts about the meeting later that day. They trust Tim and know he will not do anything to jeopardize their jobs. But how much should they tell? Both agree they would see how things go in the me...
Luke and Mary have been together the longest of the four couples, first meeting when six years old when their families moved next door to each other. All through school, they were inseparable, walking to school together, playing in the afternoon, and in...
Matt and Martha spend the weekend with Matt assembling the baby crib as Martha reads the directions. Martha is days away from her due date, so while agreeing to wait for this part until absolutely, completely, and totally sure, it is time to be positive...
Les and Phoebe have no real concerns about Mark and Brian. They know Brian from the Peacock and feel he is a gentleman. Mark, they only know about from what Grace, Tim, and Sam disclose to them Friday night. Grace, Tim, and Sam tell Les and Phoebe abou...
Brian opens the door to Mark standing there with his head down, trying not to cry. “This is for you,” Mark says as he hands Brian the note of apology. “I know you probably don’t want to see me, but I am truly sorry for what I did. I understand how wron...
Brian is a highly intelligent and educated man. His high-level job at the bank requires him to make decisions quickly and decisively. He has a gentle authority which made others accept his requests and decisions without question. His humor is quietly m...
Draining the water from the tub, Mark fills it again with hot water. His tears are still flowing. He is not ready to get out of the bath yet. His life has changed so much being with Brian. Mark knows that at times he acts like a teenage girl having he...
A cab drops Mark off at his apartment. The rain is finally ending, but Mark is still rather wet as he enters his apartment. He hurries to the bathroom and sheds his wet clothes. Drawing a hot bath, Mark grabs his phone in the futile hopes that Brian ha...
The rain begins to let up some, and even Mark’s tears are pretty much cried out. Sitting looking straight ahead, he can see the lights being turned off in the pub. It is after midnight now. How could things change so much in a matter of a few hours? At...
