Wade Kelly

“Russell piped in singing, “Four pounds of back bacon, three French toasts, two turtlenecks, and a beer….” He leaned his body over Ellis. On the last line, Rob joined him. “…in a tree!” They stopped, and Russell asked, “How does the beer stay in the tree? Wouldn’t it fall out?”

“Did Ellis hurt like I did my first time? I hoped not. I tried desperately to prep him as best I could, but there was still no guarantee that today he wouldn’t feel the repercussions, despite my careful planning. To his advantage, and to the detriment of my ego, I was on the low side of average.”

“He couldn’t remember talking to himself like an idiot before he moved in with Cole. Ellis snapped his hands away from his face. Epiphany strikes! “That’s it! Living with Cole has made me batty!”

“I wasn’t in the habit of spewing out personal facts in a church setting. While I was here, I was bound and determined to keep it to myself. If no one was going to stand up and shout, “I’m straight,” then I wasn’t going to wave my Pride flag.”

“My knees shook as they descended upon me like vultures, squeezing the life out of my fragile bones. Never had I witnessed such a loud group of guys who got wound up so high over nothing. All they did was hoot over Ellis’s new apartment and belch the school’s theme song. Joy.”

“Meredith looked at him. “That’s a quote from Airplane. Surely, you’re too young to know that movie.” “Airplane II, actually. I watch a lot of movies and I memorize dialogue easily. It’s a gift.” Cole shrugged casually. “And please, don’t call me Shirley.”

“Someone told me I’m a cynical fatalist but I prefer the term realist.”

“Haven’t you heard of privacy, or were you raised by a tribe of hedonistic Vikings?”

“I don’t think sin is as black and white as people want it to be. I think sin comes in an array of colors and one of them is so bright that it blinds us to our ability to love. And if I don’t think I can love you just because you’re gay, then Satan wins; because without Love, the only color left is Hate.”

“If it isn’t snide or contemptuous, it isn’t worth the time to say it.”

“Because I'm good with me & god, it's the "between me & the parents" part I still have problems with.”

“Yeah, Jame. I don’t have a woman. I am sure as fuck not taking a guy. You can be my date.” Matt answered. “Oh, because I’m not a woman, or a guy.”

“What do you feel?” Curiosity hung in the air.Matt was thankful Darian didn’t walk out except now he had to explain himself. “I feel jittery.” “Oh, then it’s gotta be love.” Darian shook his head and turned away. Matt knew sarcasm when he heard it. He grabbed Darian’s elbow and pulled him into his arms. Darian’s hands were smashed to his chest and his face was very close to Matt’s. “I’m not letting you walk out.” He asserted. “You make me feel sick.”“Oh, that’s so much better.”

“Know that I loved you more than the stars have power to kiss the night sky.”

“Jimmy rolled his eyes. 'What problems do you have? You have the perfect family. Your dad is perfect. Your brother and sister aren’t pestering you all the time. And your mom never screams at you for anything.''That’s only because she doesn’t know anything. 'He lifted an eyebrow and tilted his head toward his friend. 'It’s all in how you play your cards, young Padawan.”

“I don’t know why I have to write down my fucking thoughts. What if I don’t have any thoughts?”