Andrew Grey's Blog, page 43

Legal Artistry - Sneak Peek

On Friday, September 23, Dreamspinner Press will release Legal Artistry and I wanted to give you a sneak peek.



Blurb:

Years ago, Dieter Krumpf’s grandmother died and left him everything, including a photo album containing pictures of the art collection she left behind when her family fled the Nazis. Now, Dieter is calling on the services of a lawyer, Gerald Young, to determine whether his family’s legacy might be returned to him.

Gerald doesn’t hold out much hope that the paintings will be returned, but Dieter’s earnestness speaks to him and he agrees to help. At first he concludes that while Dieter has a case, suing in Austria isn’t practical. But Gerald is a good lawyer, and as his feelings for Dieter develop, so does his determination to win the case. Together, Gerald and Dieter navigate research, hearings, and a dysfunctional family in the pursuit of fine art—and discover the art of love along the way.


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Excerpt:

“Dieter,” Mark started to say as he pulled a stool up to a rudimentary table that lined the side wall, “I know we were a bit mysterious when we talked earlier, but I thought this was something we should talk about privately.” Tyler pulled up a chair as well, and Mark set Dieter’s grandmother’s photo album in front of him. “I have a few questions for you that I hope will confirm my suspicions.”

“What is this about?” Dieter asked, placing his hand on the album. “And what does this have to do with Gram’s pictures?”

“I’ll explain everything I suspect, I promise,” Mark told him, and Dieter nodded, his eyes focused on Mark.

“Did your grandmother ever tell you the names of her parents?” Mark asked him, and Dieter could tell he was quite excited.

Dieter opened the cover of the photo album, turning to the page that had the picture he wanted. “Gram said their last name was Meinauer. This is Gram’s dad, Joseph, and this is her mother, Anna. That’s Gram sitting between them.”

Mark’s excitement seemed to ramp up, and Dieter saw him glance toward Tyler. “Did she ever tell you what happened to them?”

“Gram said her mother died after she’d been sick for a while. After that she said her father wasn’t the same. She told me that when she was about twelve, her dad came to her after she had already gone to bed and told her to be very quiet. She said he led her through the house and out the servants’ door. They got into a car and made their way through the streets. She told me her father took her out of Austria just ahead of the Germans. Gram told me stories of how they survived in Switzerland during most of the war. She said they were lucky because her father managed to take some of his wealth with him, at least enough that they were able to live during the war. Her father died still in Switzerland after the war, and she came to the US where she met Gramps.”

Mark appeared to listen intently. “Do you know who this is in this painting?” Mark pointed to the one hanging on the wall above them in the picture.

“Yes. That’s Gram’s mother. Gram said she was a real socialite and spent a lot of time with artists and writers. Gram said her mother had commissioned that painting for her father. But it was lost in the war,” Dieter explained, remembering how Gram had said that everything from her family was gone except these pictures. “She told me that these photos were in the bags her father packed when they left Vienna. Why?”

Mark seemed to get more excited and pulled out a heavy book from the stack on the table. “Does this look familiar?” Mark turned to a page with a piece of paper in it, letting the book fall open.

“That’s…,” Dieter stammered as he looked at the full color plate and then back at the photograph in Gram’s album. “That’s her. That’s Gram’s mother.” Dieter could hardly believe it. “But Gram said it was gone.”

Maybe gone to her, but the painting survived,” Mark explained. “This painting is entitled Portrait of Anna and is by a very famous Austrian artist named August Pirktl. I looked through your photo album, and I was able to identify four other paintings by Pirktl in the backgrounds. All of these paintings are in the Belvedere Museum in Vienna.” Mark closed the book. “Dieter, you need to know that Portrait of Anna is also known as The Lady in Blue and is world famous. This painting,” he said, pointing to the photograph in Gram’s album, “is one of the most important paintings of the early twentieth century and is considered an Austrian national treasure. I had a poster of the painting on my dorm room wall when I was at art school.”

“Oh.” Dieter didn’t know what else to say.

“I did some more research online, and there are a number of sources that say that the painting was confiscated during the war and that it was given by the Nazis to the Belvedere. These other four paintings I was able to identify by Pirktl are also hanging in the Belvedere.”

“What are you saying?” Dieter asked, as Mark looked like he was about to bounce off the chair.

“I’m saying that these paintings may not belong to the Belvedere. If the Nazis confiscated them and gave them to the museum, then the museum may not own them.”

“Then who does?” Dieter asked.

“You.”

New Interview and Giveaway

I recently did an interview for Queentutt's World of Escapism and we're giving away two ebooks, so stop by, check it out, and leave a comment to enter.

http://wwwqueentuttsworldofescapism.blogspot.com/2011/09/interview-and-giveaway-with.html

    

Work Me Out Anthology Available At Midnight

Dreamspinner Press is releasing the anthology of my gym stories at midnight tonight..  If you're a print reader, or just want all the stories in one place, here's your chance to get a copy of these six stories.  Dreamspinner will also have signed copies available.  Simply request one when ordering.


Add to your Dreamspinner Wish List

Spot Me: Breaking a sweat takes on a whole new

meaning when Dan sees Gene, a professional bodybuilder, in the mirror. Does he
allow Gene to elbow his way into his life, or will he give up on the idea of a
new relationship before it even starts?

Pump Me Up: Maddoc meets Ivan, a hunky, silver-haired
ex-Marine who gives him a ride home from the fitness center, and finds himself
with a new friend, a workout partner, a protector... and maybe something more.

Core Training: Hugh Douglas isn’t thrilled about his
birthday but gets an unexpected present when the much younger Max Pierce flirts
hard with him at the gym. Starting a romance won’t be easy, but they might make
a life together work.

Crunch Time: George Higgins agrees to help
soon-to-be-former professional football player Darren White when the first
rehearsal for Talking Sports is looming, and they’ll have to work together if
they want Darren’s guest appearance—and their budding relationship—to turn into
a full-time gig.

Positive Resistance: Lane spent high school
tormenting Stephen to the point of tears. Imagine Stephen’s surprise when years
later Lane turns out to have changed to a persistent, attentive suitor who
supports him during a family trial.

Personal Training: Holton’s quest to improve his
health drives him to the gym, where he meets Marcus, a trainer with the body of
a demigod, who to Holton’s surprise, asks him out. Despite several common
interests, they’ll have to prove that what really matters is the man inside.

Legal Artistry Releasing September 23, 2011

I just received the cover for Legal Artistry, the next Bottled Up story, releasing September 23, 2011 from Dreamspinner Press.



Blurb: Years ago, Dieter Krumpf’s grandmother died and left him everything,  including a photo album containing pictures of the art collection she left behind when her family fled the Nazis. Now, Dieter is calling on the services of a lawyer, Gerald Young, to determine whether his family’s legacy might be returned to him.   

Gerald doesn’t hold out much hope that the paintings will be returned, but Dieter’s earnestness speaks to him and he agrees to help. At first he concludes that while Dieter has a case, suing in Austria isn’t practical. But Gerald is a good lawyer, and as his feelings for Dieter develop, so does his determination to win the case. Together, Gerald and
Dieter navigate research, hearings, and a dysfunctional family in the pursuit of fine art—and discover the art of love along the way.

Author of the Month

For September, I've been named Author of the Month at Queer Magazine Online. They did a great interview so stop by and take a look and leave a comment or two.

http://www.queermagazineonline.com/?p...

Excerpt - An Unexpected Vintage

To celebrate the release of the next Bottled Up story in less than three weeks, I'm publishing excerpts of the other stories in the series and I promise that soon I'll provide you a sneak peek of Legal Artistry as well as unveil the portrait of The Woman in Blue. In the mean time, enjoy this exceprt of An Unexpected Vintage.

Blurb:
Gary Keller is enjoying a cruise with new friends when he meets Scott Haworth, and unexpected attraction flares between them. But Scott has a past he's trying to leave behind; nine months earlier he was released from prison after almost a decade. The Innocence Project and DNA evidence exonerated of the crime, but the victim's brother still holds him responsible.

Gary finds himself drawn to Scott for many reasons, not least of which is that the big, physically strong exterior hides a vulnerable, unsure man trying to restart his life. But it's only a seven-day cruise, and when it ends, they both have to go back to their lives in different parts of the country. Is a week long enough to build a relationship that will stand the strain of separation? Or will the cruise just fade to a happy vacation memory?



A spin-off of Bottled Up and Uncorked.

Purchase from Dreamspinner Press http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=1775


Excerpt:

Gary got out of his babied, older car and stepped onto the curb, reaching back inside to retrieve the bottle of wine from the passenger seat. Shutting the door, he checked the address on the mailbox and confirmed that he'd found the right house before letting his eyes wander to the front door. His mouth dropped open, and he looked again. This was the right place, wasn't it?

He looked up and down the sidewalk and almost got back into his car and drove away. He shouldn't have come. The house was a beautiful Victorian with a turret and meticulously maintained yard. Where he'd been happy a few minutes earlier just to have been invited to a party, his first one in years, now he felt self-conscious about his clothes, which were old, but the nicest he had, and the grocery store bottle of wine he'd brought. Maybe he should just leave and go back to his tiny apartment and drink the entire bottle himself. Life had done a good job of beating him down: a series of jobs that always seemed to evaporate just when he'd get comfortable, and a few boyfriends who turned out to be frogs rather than princes. Unlucky and unremarkable, that was him. As he stood on the sidewalk, he saw the front door open, and he knew it was too late. He'd been seen.

"Gary, come on in." Tyler smiled and waved. "I see you found the place."

Gary forced his feet to move forward and gave himself a quick "what the hell" pep talk. Tyler was a client, a very good client, and he'd invited him to a party at his home. So screwing up his courage, Gary smiled and walked toward the front door.

As soon as he reached the front porch, his hand was clasped in a firm handshake, and he was greeted with a warm smile. "I'm so glad you could make it." Tyler ushered him into the imposing entrance hall with its rich woodwork and impressive furnishings. If Gary hadn't known already, it would be quite obvious from the furnishings that Tyler was a very successful antiques dealer. "Can I take your coat?"

"Thank you." Gary handed Tyler the bottle of wine and then slipped off his fall jacket and handed it to Tyler as well. "I wasn't sure what to bring," he said softly, a little embarrassed at his meager offering.

Tyler smiled brightly, taking the bottle. "You didn't need to bring anything, but thank you." Tyler turned the bottle in his hand looking at the label. "You got one, huh?"

Gary had no idea what Tyler was talking about, and it must have showed on his face.

"Sommelier Wines had already sold out before I could get a bottle," Tyler explained.

"One of what?" Gary asked as he suppressed a smile. He'd obviously gotten lucky with the wine.

"According to Sean, this is one of those unexpected vintages where the bottle costs ten or fifteen bucks and tastes like a hundred dollar bottle of wine. I've been hoping to try this since he sold out." The smile stayed in place as Tyler went on to explain, "Drinks are in the kitchen, food's in the dining room. Please make yourself comfortable."

Gary followed Tyler through to the kitchen where a large assortment of wine, liquor, and mixers were set out. A small crowd was standing near the bar, and a handsome older man was mixing drinks. "What would you like?" he asked as he looked at Gary.

"I'm not sure." He never knew what to order. Most people thought what he liked was too fruity. "What seems to be popular?"

"I have a pitcher of daiquiris if you'd like one, white and red wine, or I can mix you a cocktail. Just name your poison." The man smiled, and Gary realized that for an older man, he was a real hunk. Gary watched as another older hunk approached and slipped his arm around the bartender's waist.

"A daiquiri would be nice, thank you." Gary watched as his drink was poured and handed to him.

"By the way, I'm Bill Janssens, and this is my partner, Tom Carter." He held out his hand.

"Gary Keller." He shook both men's hands and smiled nervously.

"How do you know Tyler and Mark, Gary?" Bill poured himself a drink and stepped from behind the counter-slash-bar, Tom's arm still around his waist.

"I'm the Milwaukee representative for Gregory Martin Fabrics, and Tyler uses a lot of my fabrics when he reupholsters the antiques for the store." He took a sip of his drink, pulling his eyes momentarily away from the attractive men.

"Do you sell to individuals?" Tom asked, as Bill kissed him softly and then moved away.

"No, I'm a wholesaler, but anything you need could be gotten through Tyler." Gary took another sip and felt the alcohol start to warm his stomach. God, this was strong stuff.

"I need new curtains for the house. I made the last ones years ago, but I just don't have the time anymore."

Gary reached into his back pocket and pulled out a business card. "Give me a call, and I could meet you at Tyler's if he's willing. I've got a car full of books, and we make all different styles of curtains and draperies."

Tom raised his glass a little. "Gary, you're a lifesaver. I'll call you next week and set something up. I'm sure Tyler won't have a problem." Gary saw Bill motioning for Tom, and Gary expected him to move away, but Tom seemed to pull Gary along with him as he joined his partner, entering a circle of people who obviously knew each other.

"Gary, this is Sean and Sam, and their son Bobby and his partner Kenny." Gary shook hands with each of them.

"Haven't I seen you at Tyler's?" Bobby smiled as he took a gulp of his beer.

"I've seen you a few times. You're usually working with Mark. You're an artist, right?"

"Yeah. Mark and I are working on a project together." Bobby was obviously proud and pleased to be working with Mark.

"Tom, we were just talking about the cruise next month, and Sean told me that Phillip needs a roommate. He had one but the guy backed out because of a family issue, and now he's stuck." Bill looked truly disappointed for his friend.

"A cruise, wow. Where are you going?" Gary let his excitement overrule his usual reticence.

"We leave out of Puerto Rico and stop in Barbados, Antigua, St. Croix, St. Maarten, and St. Lucia. It should be a lot of fun," Tom said, with a little excitement of his own.

Gary looked at Bobby and Kenny. "Are you going too?" He sipped the strong drink, careful not to overdo it on an empty stomach.

Kenny answered for the two of them. "Bobby's watching the antique store for Tyler and I'm watching the wine store for Sean."

Tom set his empty glass on a coaster. "Is Phillip going to be here tonight?"

"Tyler told me he'd been invited." Sean looked around the room. "Speak of the devil." A tall, handsome, blond man in his early thirties approached the group. Hugs were exchanged and introductions made.

"I understand you don't have a roommate for the cruise," Tom commented.

"Yeah, Craig backed out at the last minute. I can't blame him, though. His mother's having health issues, and he can't be away for too long. Cost him enough, anyway. He'd already paid for half the cruise and they won't refund it. So he's out that, but if I still want to go, I have to pay for my passage plus the other half of his."

"When's the deadline?" Tyler asked as he joined the group.

"The travel agent said I have to let her know by Monday. I figure I'll go and pay the extra, but I'd be able to do more on the islands if a roommate freed up the extra cash, you know?"

"Gary, why don't you go?" Tyler asked, and all heads in the group turned to him.

Gary didn't know what to say or how to react. He'd love to go on a cruise—he hadn't had a vacation in at least two years, but he wasn't sure he had the money to spare, and he'd be rooming with a complete stranger. "I don't know if I can afford it," he said softly, regretting the words as soon as they crossed his lips.

"It's not very expensive," Phillip supplied, looking a little excited. And Gary had to admit, as he looked into those deep blue eyes, he wouldn't mind sharing a room for a week with a guy like that. He could feel heat settle in his groin, and he had to force his mind back to the topic at hand and off his starved libido. "Craig already paid for half the fare. So you'd just need to pay the other half and the airfare. The food's included on the ship."

Gary thought about it. It sounded like a lot of fun and maybe it wouldn't cost too much. He'd been working hard for years, making ends meet and making do. He deserved a little excitement and some fun. November was a slow month for him anyway, and so far October had been pretty good. "Can I think about it?"

Phillip beamed back at him, and he almost said he'd go just to see that smile again. "Sure, would you like to meet for lunch tomorrow? We could get to know each other, and I could go over things with you." Gary found himself agreeing before he could think twice about it.

Gary saw Tyler smile as he stepped away from the group. He followed, looking at all the incredible works of art as Tyler wandered through the house making sure his guests were happy. Gary noticed that Tyler kept checking his watch. "Where are you, Mark?" he heard Tyler whisper as he peeked out the front window from the office. Gary was about to go to him, until he saw Bill coming over.

"Is something wrong?"

Startled, Tyler jumped a little as Bill approached.

"No. I'm just wondering what's keeping Mark." He'd been doing that a lot lately. Tyler turned away from the window and faced his close friend.

"Is there something wrong?" Bill asked, obviously concerned for his friend.

"I don't want to think there is, but I'm really starting to wonder." The patter of scampering feet on the wood interrupted them as a miniature dachshund began jumping around Tyler's leg. He picked her up and she kissed him before settling in his arms. "We used to go into the store together most mornings, and when the store closed, we'd ride home together. Now Mark sleeps in, gets to his studio at noon, and doesn't leave till late. He never says what he's doing, and when I ask, he's evasive."

"You think Mark's having an affair?" Bill's tone said that he didn't believe it. "Mark loves you more than life itself. You know that. There's no way he'd have an affair."

"Then what other explanation is there?"

"Lots. Thousands. Maybe he's just working."

Tyler set down the dog down, and she scampered around the room, doing a doggie vacuum cleaner routine. Then she jumped around Gary's legs looking for attention. Sitting in one of the hall chairs, he picked her up and set her on his lap. Tyler's voice carried to where he was sitting, but he didn't mean to overhear. "I've checked his studio a few times, and I can't see anything that would take up that kind of time."

"There's an explanation Tyler. You just have to trust him."

"I do trust him; that's what's beginning to hurt. I hate this feeling of helplessness and doubt. Mark's my whole world, and if anything ever happened to him, to us, I don't know what I'd do. I just don't know how to deal with this." Gary saw the front door open, and the dog jumped down from his lap, running across the hall, jumping around Mark's legs.

"Jolie, how's my girl?" Mark looked so happy to be home.

"Talk to him, Tyler. Tell him how you feel." The words drifted from the office, and Bill walked out of the office door, Gary watching him head toward the back of the house. Mark walked into the office, carrying Jolie.

"I'm sorry, Ty. I got caught up and lost track of time." Gary got up from the chair and walked in front of the open office door. He saw Mark kiss Tyler and then put Jolie down before kissing Tyler again, hard. Tyler almost backed away in surprise, but returned the kiss, his passion for this man evident.

"I'm sorry I've been so tired lately," Mark said softly.

Gary turned away to leave them alone. It sounded like they needed the privacy. He hoped there wasn't something going on. Gary really liked Tyler, and he'd seen him and Mark together for as long as Tyler had been a client. They were an inspiration to him. Whatever was wrong, he hoped they worked it out.

"We should join our guests." Tyler began to walk toward the door, but he felt Mark's tug at his arm.

"They'll wait a few minutes."

Gary couldn't help turning around. The two of them were so loving to each other. He watched Mark pull Tyler to him and kiss him again as Jolie bounded around their feet. "Once this is over, I intend to take you upstairs and make up for all the time I haven't been around lately. I love you, Ty."

Gary turned away and left the room, not wanting to tempt himself to watch any more. It wasn't right, but what he'd seen warmed his heart. He wanted that so badly: someone to love who would love him back, someone who actually saw him. And Gary thought, not for the first time, that maybe that was the problem. Gary walked through the magnificent house and wandered into what he guessed was the family room, where he saw Bill and Sean talking together in the corner.

"I hope things are okay with them." The concern on Bill's face was plainly evident. "I did notice as I left that Mark gave Tyler quite a lip-lock. I hope he's mistaken."

"I'm sure he is," Sean said, as Gary made his way to them, hoping they'd welcome him into their conversation.

"Does Tom know?" Sean asked, obviously being cagey.

Bill turned, staring into Sean's eyes. "No, he has no idea at all." Bill smiled conspiratorially. "Can we meet this week? I really need to make sure everything is absolutely perfect."

"It will be, don't worry. Tom will never see this coming." Sean sipped his wine and returned Bill's look as Gary stood next to them.

"See what coming?" Tom asked.

Gary saw Tom's arms slip around Bill's waist as he nuzzled Bill's neck and ear. He loved that they weren't afraid to demonstrate their love for one another.

"Nothing." Bill looked momentarily flustered and then recovered, like he'd been caught doing something he shouldn't. "We were just trying to decide which excursions we might like to take during the cruise. There's a snorkeling package on Barbados with a catamaran that includes the chance to snorkel in Turtle Bay. The guide says we may even see some sea turtles. Sean was telling me that without your glasses, one could come up right behind you and you'd never see it coming."

Gary knew that wasn't at all what they'd been saying. It had sounded to him like they were planning some sort of surprise for Tom, and he didn't want to spoil it. Tom didn't look like he was buying it, but then Bill began pressing back against Tom, and Gary almost laughed at the far-away, lustful look that passed over Tom's face. Gary noticed that the subject died, just like Bill was probably hoping it would.

"If you'll excuse me, I need to see what Sam is up to." Sean made a hasty retreat, and Gary retrieved his drink from the table, intending to follow.

"Bill, what are you up to?" Gary saw Tom's hand graze over Bill's pants. "Plenty, I guess."

Gary hastened his retreat. He was starting to feel like a voyeur, and it was making him a little uncomfortable. Bill turned in Tom's embrace. "We're at a party, remember?" The rest of what was said faded away as Gary left them alone in the room and headed to the dining room, where Phillip was filling a plate. Gary joined him and Phillip smiled and began talking. Gary made up a plate and followed Phillip into the living room, where they sat down and talked… and talked. It had been a long time since he'd sat down and really talked to someone, and it felt good.

As the evening wore on, people began getting their coats and leaving. Gary got up from the chair he'd occupied for the last few hours. "I should get going as well."

Phillip stood up and, to Gary's surprise, gave him a hug. "I'll see you for lunch tomorrow. I hope you decide to go on the cruise. We'll have so much fun." Phillip hugged him again, and Gary found he was really looking forward to that lunch.

Story of the Week Contest Ends Tonight

The Whipped Cream Story of the Week contest ends tonight.  I'd really appreciate your vote. 

http://www.longandshortreviews.com/WC/index.htm

If you already voted, I thank you so much.

Dutch Treat Up For Story of the Week

Dutch Treat is up for Story of the Week at Whipped Cream Reviews.  I'd appreciate your vote if you're so inclined.

Here's a link:  http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/2011/08/dutch-treat-by-andrew-grey.html?zx=3ea35a85a42fd6b9

Myrtle said in her review:  The emotional pull was strong and the story was great It was definitely worth reading, and will become a permanent addition to my library for sure. Truly a beautiful love story but not without a “homophobic weasel”, plus fear, tears, heartaches, and laughter that kept me reading late into the night.

Uncorked Excerpt

The next Bottled Up story, Legal Artistry is releasing in less than a month. In celebration I've been publishing excerpts of the current stories. So he's a but of Uncorked. I hope you enjoy!!!


Blurb:
Bobby Bielecki is heading home from art school to help run the
family wine store so his adopted father and partner can take a vacation. While
filling in, Bobby will have to deal with his once-best friend and lost love,
Kenny, who pushed him away from their burgeoning relationship, encouraging him
follow his dreams and realize his artistic talents. Despite the tension between
them, Bobby and Kenny decide to put their differences aside and work together to
figure out what happened to a case of expensive wine. Their investigation leads
them to a young runaway and people from Bobby's past, and dealing with them
reminds Bobby and Kenny of how close they once were. But despite their growing
feelings, Bobby is afraid Kenny will do what he’s done before and push Bobby
away for his own good.

Purchase from Dreamspinner Press
Excerpt:
“COME on in,” the professor said. Bobby Bielecki walked into the familiar
office and closed the door behind him. Gregory Hansen sat behind his desk,
framed by mounds of papers and books, the shelves above him filled with pots,
clay models, bronzes, and even glass, a collection from his thirty years as a
professor of fine art. “What can I help you with today?” he asked.

“I
need to make sure I have everything set so I can graduate after next term,”
Bobby said, opening his messenger bag and locating the paper he needed. “Here’s
my expected schedule.”

The handsome, older man took the paper and
studied it carefully before pulling out a drawer and fishing in his files.
“Let’s run through the requirements.” Pulling out the degree checklist, he began
clicking keys on his computer and adding grades beside the classes. “This is
easy. If I ever forgot how to write an A, you’d be in trouble.”

Bobby
smiled as the man continued working. He wasn’t a straight-A student, mainly
because of the general education requirements, but he was a very good student.
He smiled to himself as he thought of all those evenings spent with Kenny around
the kitchen table, Sean helping them with their homework when they couldn’t help
each other.

Professor Hansen finished with the computer and began filling
in classes from Bobby’s expected schedule for next semester. “It looks like
you’ve got all the classes covered. Have you thought about your senior project?”
he asked, handing Bobby the completed check sheet for his
reference.

“I’ve tried, but nothing really comes to mind.”

The
professor sat back in his chair. “You’ve got a few months before it’s due, but
you should start thinking about it.”

“I know. I just haven’t been very
inspired lately. Is there such a thing as artist’s block?” Bobby tried to smile,
but he’d been feeling this way for a while, and he hated it. Everything was a
struggle. “I’ve tried wandering the city, experiencing different things.” The
professor looked down his nose, a very concerned look on his face. “I haven’t
tried anything stupid,” Bobby said as he rolled his eyes, but after some of the
things he’d seen the last few years, he understood the professor’s
reaction.

“Inspiration can sometimes be fickle and fleeting, and at other
times, a bounty of riches so fruitful you can’t work fast enough to capture it
all.”

“I know. There was a time when I could pick up my sketchbook, and
my hands would draw on their own. I didn’t need to think. It would just happen.
Now, I sit for hours sometimes and nothing comes.”

“Let me ask you a
question,” the professor said, leaning forward. “When was the last time you felt
like that? When things came to you easily and freely.”

“It’s hard to
remember.” Bobby sighed. “It’s been a while.” Quite a while, if I were being
honest.

“That seems to fit with what I’ve been hearing from your
professors. They all say you’re very talented, bordering on greatness, but
there’s something lacking.” Hansen leaned forward again. “As artists, we have to
put ourselves into our art; give it everything we have. I think you may be
holding back some part of you. What are you afraid of? What is it you’re holding
back?”

“I wish I knew. There are times when I can really feel something,
but then it fades. I know this has to come from me, and what you’re telling me
isn’t a surprise. I just can’t figure it out.”

Professor Hansen smiled a
broad smile that lit his entire face. “I think you’re looking in the wrong
place, using the wrong method.” Bobby sat forward, listening intently. “The
answer isn’t in your mind—it’s in your emotions. You’re trying to figure your
way down a path where you need to feel your way. Let your emotions guide you.
Find out what makes you feel strongly and then follow it.”

“Thank you.”
Bobby got up to leave. He could see another student outside the frosted glass
door.

“I’ll tell you one thing,” Professor Hansen said. “When you do find
what unlocks the emotional well inside, hold onto it for dear life and don’t let
go, no matter what.”

“I won’t, professor. Thank you.” Bobby opened the
door and walked into the hallway and down to the elevators, passing a number of
students who either said hello or waved. It seemed a number of students were
doing the same thing he was. Taking the elevator to the first floor, he walked
across the polished tile floor toward the exit, slipping on his coat before
stepping outside. The cold wind right off Lake Michigan easily cut through to
his skin, and he hurried along the sidewalk to the residence hall.

He was
chilled to the bone in the ten minutes he was outside—thank God it wasn’t
snowing yet. He made a quick stop to get his mail and then called for the
elevator, riding it to the top floor.

When he opened the door to his
room, he heard, “How’d it go?” Raphael—his real name, poor boy—sat at Bobby’s
drafting table, working on an assignment for class. Their room was the epitome
of what an art student’s dorm room should look like: a drafting table in one
corner, an easel in another. At one time, there had even been a potter’s wheel
in there, and before that, an antique printing press Tyler had found for Bobby
to use on a project.

“Just as I expected. I have all the classes I need,
and my advisor urged me to start thinking about my senior project.” Bobby
flopped down on the small sofa, picking up his sketchpad and doodling a drawing
of Raphael before dropping the pad on the table.

“Still feeling blocked?”
Raphael asked.

“I guess. He suggested I’m looking in the wrong
place.”

Raphael put down his pencils and stepped from behind the table,
sitting next to him on the sofa. “Maybe he’s right and maybe you’re just feeling
unsettled and nervous for some reason. I know a good cure for that.” Raphael
smirked as he ran his hand up Bobby’s leg and then quickly dashed across the
room as a pillow came flying at his head.

“Tease!” Bobby shouted. He
began laughing as his roommate picked up the pillow and heaved it back at him.


“Slut!” The pillow flew back across the room, hitting Raphael’s hip.


“Ballgazer!” Bobby called, as Raphael’s throw caught him square in the
chest.

“Cum-dumpster!” Bobby was laughing too hard to throw the pillow
back, and Raphael lifted his arms in triumph. “I won. It took three years, but I
won!” Bobby thought he was going to do a Snoopy dance right there in the middle
of the room.

He and Raphael had met when Sean and Sam first dropped Bobby
off. When they walked in the room, Raphael’s eyes had bugged as Bobby introduced
himself and his two dads. As soon as Sam and Sean left, the questioning began.
“Are you gay? Was it way cool to have two dads?” Bobby had answered the
questions, firing back some of his own, and they were immediately friends.


They’d shared a room for more than three years and a bed for about six
months during sophomore year. Most people would think the affair, or
“affair-ette,” as Raphael referred to it, would have ended their friendship, but
it didn’t. They both realized at about the same time that it wouldn’t work.
Bobby went back to sleeping in his own bed, and that was that. It did have one
side effect that neither of them talked about: they never brought other guys
back to their room. It was just one of those unwritten, unspoken rules they both
understood.

Not that there’d been a parade of men for either of them.
They’d both had brief flings, but no one captured their attention. That is,
until lately. Raphael had been seeing a man a few years older than he was, and
they really seemed to be hitting it off. Bobby wasn’t sure if he liked this guy,
but Raph seemed to be happy, so he didn’t say anything.

“Did Simon
invite you to spend the term break with him?” Bobby asked.

Raphael
beamed. “He did. But my folks would have a fit, so I’m spending a few days with
them and the rest of the time with Simon. He said he’d take me to New York for a
few days.”

“Sounds like fun.” He tried to keep his expression happy, but
he couldn’t help being suspicious. Simon always made these grandiose plans that
either got canceled or changed to something else.

The phone interrupted
their conversation. Raph answered it and then handed it to Bobby. “It’s your
dad.”

“Hey, Dad, what’s up?”

“Are you coming home during the term
break?” His dad sounded so excited.

“Absolutely. I’m looking forward to
spending some time with you and Sam. Why?” His inquiry was met by silence, which
meant that something was definitely up, and Sean was feeling guilty for some
reason.

“Well, Sam got one of those weeks off, and I was hoping you’d
agree to work in the store for me.”

Shit, Bobby hated it when Sean
sounded guilty for asking something simple. He had always put Bobby and Kenny
first. “Of course. Are you guys going away?” Bobby replied hopefully. He
couldn’t remember them ever going on a real vacation together.

“Sam’s
been looking into booking a week in the Caribbean, and I was
hoping….”

Bobby felt his smile deep down. “Tell Sam to book it. I’ll work
in the store while you’re gone. No sweat.” Then a thought occurred to him.
“When’s Kenny’s break?”

“I think it’s the same week. I’ll call and see if
he can help too.” Sean sounded so happy.

Manning the store for a week
was the least Bobby could do. Part of him really wanted to see Kenny—the secret
part that still hoped—and part of him was nervous about the reception he’d get.
Over the last few years, their relationship had grown cooler and more distant.
They saw each other only occasionally, and Bobby knew that it was as much his
fault as Kenny’s. Even during the summer, Bobby had internships and Kenny often
stayed in school or went to summer programs with police departments. Bobby
focused his attention back on his dad and they talked a little longer before
hanging up.

“Going home?” Raphael asked, sitting back behind the drafting
table, hard at work again.

“Yup.” This time Bobby had a huge smile on his
face. Maybe going home would give him the inspiration he needed. There was a
part of him that still hoped he’d win the struggle for Kenny’s heart.



KENNY hung up the phone, a smile on his face. “What’s
got you so happy?” his roommate asked, barely looking up from cleaning his gun.
It was one of his favorite pastimes—he did it daily. When he’d first met Zach a
few years earlier, his first thought was that the guy was the human incarnation
of Tackleberry from the Police Academy movies that Sean loved. Once he got to
know him, Kenny realized that his first impression was right on. The man was a
gun fanatic. Even though he’d never seen it, Kenny swore the man slept with a
gun under his pillow.

“That was my dad. He asked if I was going home for
break. It seems they want me to help in the wine store while they’re on
vacation.”

“Bummer.” Zach dragged the word out into a sigh. “Weren’t you
and Clay planning to go to one of those water hotels in the Dells that
week?”

Shit! In his happiness for Sean and Sam, Kenny had completely
forgotten. “I’ll have to call and cancel. Sean and Sam are going on their first
vacation alone that I can remember, and I’m going to help them.”

“Will
your faggy brother be there?” He never looked up from his gun cleaning. Kenny
thanked God that Zach had agreed that all ammunition be kept in a locked box. 
After all, the man cleaned his gun right there in their room. At least Kenny
knew it wasn’t loaded.

“I’m gay too, Zach, and I don’t appreciate that
type of language.” He turned to stare at his roommate, who actually looked up
from his cleaning.

“But you’re cool—he’s so femmy.” He said it without
malice, like he was just stating a fact.

Kenny walked over to the sofa
and pulled the gun out of Zach’s hand, setting it on the table. “I’ll say this
once and only once.” He leaned forward putting his face in Zach’s. “Bobby was
abandoned by his mother, spent months in foster homes, and lived on the streets,
all before he was fifteen. That femmy man has been through hell and saw me
through the hell of my father’s death.” He moved his face close enough to smell
Zach’s bad breath. “He’s seen things that would curl your butch machismo
hair.”

Zach raised his hand in surrender. “Okay, dude, I give. You hardly
ever talk about him, so I thought you didn’t really like him. Is Bobby going to
be there?”

Kenny stepped back and picked up the gun from the table,
handing it back to Zach. “Yes, he is.” The reason he didn’t talk about Bobby
wasn’t because he didn’t like him, but because talking about him made him
remember the fun they used to have and how strained their relationship was now.
Kenny actually found himself looking forward to seeing him again, especially
since he was going to get to spend an entire week alone with him. When he’d
first left for college, he’d missed Bobby terribly. It took him about three
months before he realized that Bobby was his first love, but by then they were
hundreds of miles and two universities apart.

That first Christmas he’d
been a fool and kicked Bobby away when he’d tried to sleep with him. Kenny was
sure he’d done the right thing, but he knew he’d been way too abrupt and harsh.
Bobby had done what he’d asked, but the next morning, he couldn’t look him in
the eye, and right after New Year’s, Bobby left and went back to school early.


Kenny had regretted that ever since, and Bobby hadn’t attempted to get
close again. Kenny knew he’d hurt their friendship, and he’d hurt the one person
he loved and who loved him. Since then, they’d seen each other, but they’d kept
their mental and emotional distance.

A knock interrupted his thoughts and
he opened the door. Kenny’s current boyfriend Clay breezed into the room. “I
just made the reservations for the Dells.” He leaned in and kissed Kenny softly
before resuming his speech. “It’s going to be so great.” His deep voice
resonated through the room.

Kenny tried to interject, “Clay,” but Clay
barely paused to breathe. “The place I found has huge water slides, and I got us
a whirlpool tub.”

“Clay.” Kenny said it a little louder and more
forcefully. He must have heard him this time because he finally paused in his
recitation. “Sean called, and he needs me at home that week. He and Sam are
going on vacation, and they asked if I could help watch the store while they
were gone.”

“Can’t Bobby do it?” Clay looked so disappointed that Kenny
paused for a second, trying to figure out if there was a way he could do both.
He was a sucker for those eyes and that hurt look.

“He’ll be there
too.”

As soon as the words were out of Kenny’s mouth, he could see a
change come over Clay. His eyes hardened, and the lips that looked so cute a
second ago nearly disappeared. “So that’s the way it is?”

Kenny
squinted. “What are you talking about?”

Clay looked mad enough to spit
nails. “What am I talking about? Jesus, you really don’t know do you?” He shook
his head. “You’re really sick, you know that?” Clay turned to Zach, “You better
be careful, sleeping in the same room with him every night.” To his credit Zach
just waved Clay off, but Kenny was riveted, wondering what Clay was driving at.
“At night when we’re sleeping together—”

Zach put his hands over his ears
and began to recite, “Too much information, too much information.”

Clay
looked at Kenny, ignoring Zach completely, “In the middle of the night, you moan
and whimper Bobby’s name like he’s your lover.”

Kenny was appalled. He
had absolutely no idea his inner thoughts were escaping while he slept. He never
remembered his dreams, but he must have been dreaming about Bobby. “I had no
idea.”

Clay turned and walked to the door. “Don’t worry about the
reservations. I’m sure I can find someone to go with me—someone who’ll call out
for me in his sleep.” With those parting words, he stepped out into the hall,
slamming the door behind him.

“Is he gone?” Zach asked. “Can I put my
hands down?” Kenny nodded and Zach went back to his gun. “Did you just break
up?” Kenny nodded again. “That’s too bad.” Zach put the gun away. “Wanna go to
State Street for dinner? You could probably use a drink, and I could use a
chance to meet some ladies.” He actually bobbed his head slightly, like he was
being really cool.

Kenny felt terrible and hurt. He’d really liked Clay,
and even though they’d only been going out for about six weeks, he was going to
miss him. Clay was fun and a little wild, something Kenny was not. His goal was
to follow in his dad’s footsteps and become a police officer in the Milwaukee
Police Department, and he knew he had to have a spotless record to be
considered. That meant staying away from many of the temptations of college
life, not that he minded too much.

“Yeah, let’s go. I could use an
evening out, and I’d like to look for something for Sam and
Sean.”

“Okay.” They grabbed their coats and left the tiny apartment,
walking toward downtown. “Who knows, maybe you’ll get lucky tonight and meet the
woman who’ll turn you straight.” Zach started laughing as he pulled the door
closed behind them.

Kenny chuckled. “And maybe you’ll get lucky and meet
the man who’ll turn you gay.” Kenny began laughing harder as Zach started to
cough hard, doubling over in shock. He just couldn’t help himself. The
expression on Zach’s face was enough for Kenny to know that Zach would never,
ever try that joke again. “Come on, let’s go.” Patting Zach on the back,
“Breathe, ya big redneck, breathe.” Zach finally stopped coughing and they
continued down the stairs.

New Interview

A few weeks ago I had a chance to sit down with Nathan J. Morissey for an interview. We had a good time and he has a really hot blog. Check it out:

http://nathanjmorissey.blogspot.com/2011/08/interview-with-esteemed-andrew-grey.html?zx=dd0538d0b380b236