| Author: | J.J. Bannerman | ISBN: | 9781999513047 |
| Publisher: | J.J. Bannerman | Publication: | May 15, 2019 |
| Imprint: | Language: | English |
| Author: | J.J. Bannerman |
| ISBN: | 9781999513047 |
| Publisher: | J.J. Bannerman |
| Publication: | May 15, 2019 |
| Imprint: | |
| Language: | English |
Every school has one kid who just does not fit in. It has nothing to do with appearance, or odor, or wealth, and nothing else, for that matter, to do with that which might be considered obvious. There is just that intangible something which serves to set that one kid apart from his peers. Some call it awkwardness. Most kids outgrow the awkward stage, yet there are always a few who carry it forward and let it fuse with their adult personality. Some are even better off for having whatever “it” is.
Paul Carson had been an awkward teenager. He wasn’t a jock. He often presented as shy and never seemed to fall into friendships with one of the many groups which sprung up in every school. He didn’t join the band, or science club and never considered trying out for the debate team. He was the forgettable kid. The suspicion that Paul Carson might be gay, meant he was also the kid, the others considered avoidable. Unless, of course, there was fun to be had for those others. Paul’s life changed dramatically that Friday afternoon when he became the focus of the joke and the reason for the laughter.
Despite the emotional upheaval, Paul did manage to overcome the worst of the fallout from that Friday and made a decent life for himself. He hated returning home, but this particular trip was unavoidable. He would arrange matters, so he would never have to return here again. He didn’t want any reminders of his formative years. And as though fate had his number, the first person he recognized from those hated high school years was Ken Redway. Yes, that Ken Redway. Ken Redway, all-star football player; the man who made sure Paul was the butt of the one joke that spiked Paul’s anxiety and sent him into a tailspin. And yet, despite the fact he should hate Ken Redway, the football player managed to be the object of most of Paul’s fantasies.
When the two men are brought together under difficult circumstances, Ken will have to decide if he really wants to explore the feelings he has hidden away these many years and Paul must decide if there is such a thing as true forgiveness. Each man will have to determine if he is to protect himself at all cost, or let his pride take a ride on the wheel of chance. Both will have to learn the price of pride.
Every school has one kid who just does not fit in. It has nothing to do with appearance, or odor, or wealth, and nothing else, for that matter, to do with that which might be considered obvious. There is just that intangible something which serves to set that one kid apart from his peers. Some call it awkwardness. Most kids outgrow the awkward stage, yet there are always a few who carry it forward and let it fuse with their adult personality. Some are even better off for having whatever “it” is.
Paul Carson had been an awkward teenager. He wasn’t a jock. He often presented as shy and never seemed to fall into friendships with one of the many groups which sprung up in every school. He didn’t join the band, or science club and never considered trying out for the debate team. He was the forgettable kid. The suspicion that Paul Carson might be gay, meant he was also the kid, the others considered avoidable. Unless, of course, there was fun to be had for those others. Paul’s life changed dramatically that Friday afternoon when he became the focus of the joke and the reason for the laughter.
Despite the emotional upheaval, Paul did manage to overcome the worst of the fallout from that Friday and made a decent life for himself. He hated returning home, but this particular trip was unavoidable. He would arrange matters, so he would never have to return here again. He didn’t want any reminders of his formative years. And as though fate had his number, the first person he recognized from those hated high school years was Ken Redway. Yes, that Ken Redway. Ken Redway, all-star football player; the man who made sure Paul was the butt of the one joke that spiked Paul’s anxiety and sent him into a tailspin. And yet, despite the fact he should hate Ken Redway, the football player managed to be the object of most of Paul’s fantasies.
When the two men are brought together under difficult circumstances, Ken will have to decide if he really wants to explore the feelings he has hidden away these many years and Paul must decide if there is such a thing as true forgiveness. Each man will have to determine if he is to protect himself at all cost, or let his pride take a ride on the wheel of chance. Both will have to learn the price of pride.
