| Author: | Bella Stanberry | ISBN: | 9781311854568 |
| Publisher: | Ryan Field | Publication: | October 22, 2013 |
| Imprint: | Smashwords | Language: | English |
| Author: | Bella Stanberry |
| ISBN: | 9781311854568 |
| Publisher: | Ryan Field |
| Publication: | October 22, 2013 |
| Imprint: | Smashwords |
| Language: | English |
Excerpts of each short story:
The College Years
When I came out to my folks the summer after I graduated from high school they took it fairly well. They didn't jump up and down and sing show tunes. They barely even smiled. We were in the kitchen and they remained silent for a long time while they processed the information. But they finally said what most liberal parents of college age kids say when they are faced with a child coming out of the closet: "We're fine with this as long as you're happy. And please practice safe sex at all times."
In other words, they would have preferred it if I were straight, but they could learn to live with me being gay, in time. I've often wondered if they ever told my straight brother to have safe sex at all times. Did they mention to him that straight dudes can get cancer from cunnilingus because of the HPV virus if they aren't careful? I never actually asked them these questions because I thought it might be too confrontational. I was so happy they didn't freak out on me when I told them I was gay I took what I could get and hugged and kissed them both.
Graduation
When I look back now at how innocent we all were in college, it’s hard to even imagine those phone calls I used to have with my mom about meeting gay men. And that’s because I found exactly what I wanted without even trying too hard with Gina and Luke. But it wasn’t always simple, not by any means.
Learning to live in a dedicated, monogamous three-way relationship had its challenges. The first thing Luke insisted on was that I give up the other guys I saw on various occasions, putting a strong emphasis on my frat buddy. Luke wanted complete exclusivity and would not settle for less. This was not a problem for me. I’d been craving structure and romance. I didn't lose sleep over not going back to the frat house ever again or being monogamous, but I had to admit it wasn't always easy in the beginning learning to live with Luke's somewhat possessive, jealous nature.
Sienna Rose
The weekend before we drove out to San Francisco, we all went to my mom and dad's house for a farewell dinner. It was a pleasant evening, and my mom and dad told us they couldn't wait to come out and visit on Thanksgiving. I'd already introduced Luke and Gina to my folks by then. Gina and Luke had been to a few family functions and my folks had taken us all out to dinner for graduation. Luke's folks hadn't come to our graduation because Luke told them to stay home. He didn't want to make a big deal out of it, and he said they could celebrate when we were all living in California.
My mom and dad loved Gina and Luke. They kept telling me that I needed to find a partner of my own to settle down with so I would be just as happy as Gina and Luke. And that's because I still hadn't mentioned to my folks that Gina and Luke were actually my partners, or that we were in a three-way relationship.
Excerpts of each short story:
The College Years
When I came out to my folks the summer after I graduated from high school they took it fairly well. They didn't jump up and down and sing show tunes. They barely even smiled. We were in the kitchen and they remained silent for a long time while they processed the information. But they finally said what most liberal parents of college age kids say when they are faced with a child coming out of the closet: "We're fine with this as long as you're happy. And please practice safe sex at all times."
In other words, they would have preferred it if I were straight, but they could learn to live with me being gay, in time. I've often wondered if they ever told my straight brother to have safe sex at all times. Did they mention to him that straight dudes can get cancer from cunnilingus because of the HPV virus if they aren't careful? I never actually asked them these questions because I thought it might be too confrontational. I was so happy they didn't freak out on me when I told them I was gay I took what I could get and hugged and kissed them both.
Graduation
When I look back now at how innocent we all were in college, it’s hard to even imagine those phone calls I used to have with my mom about meeting gay men. And that’s because I found exactly what I wanted without even trying too hard with Gina and Luke. But it wasn’t always simple, not by any means.
Learning to live in a dedicated, monogamous three-way relationship had its challenges. The first thing Luke insisted on was that I give up the other guys I saw on various occasions, putting a strong emphasis on my frat buddy. Luke wanted complete exclusivity and would not settle for less. This was not a problem for me. I’d been craving structure and romance. I didn't lose sleep over not going back to the frat house ever again or being monogamous, but I had to admit it wasn't always easy in the beginning learning to live with Luke's somewhat possessive, jealous nature.
Sienna Rose
The weekend before we drove out to San Francisco, we all went to my mom and dad's house for a farewell dinner. It was a pleasant evening, and my mom and dad told us they couldn't wait to come out and visit on Thanksgiving. I'd already introduced Luke and Gina to my folks by then. Gina and Luke had been to a few family functions and my folks had taken us all out to dinner for graduation. Luke's folks hadn't come to our graduation because Luke told them to stay home. He didn't want to make a big deal out of it, and he said they could celebrate when we were all living in California.
My mom and dad loved Gina and Luke. They kept telling me that I needed to find a partner of my own to settle down with so I would be just as happy as Gina and Luke. And that's because I still hadn't mentioned to my folks that Gina and Luke were actually my partners, or that we were in a three-way relationship.
