Naptown Tales

Introduction

Although modern day “Naptown” is very different from Indianapolis in 1972, it's still in the Bible Belt and gay teens face challenges even today. Let me explain what I faced that led me deeply into the closet.

Broad Ripple Blues

A torridly hot day, an ice cream cone, a freak thunderstorm, a power outage and a couple of friends about to enter high school mix to create a little magic, a little romance and a little love.

Back to School Jitters

David and Jeremy are back in a light-hearted adventure as they do a little back-to-school shoping. Faced with homophobia, not only do they come out, but they make new friends and end up finding acceptance.

A Dance to Remember

David and Jeremy aren't about to let tradition keep them for dancing together at Homecoming. Trouble is, it's never been done. GSA president Paul has a plan, but it seems to run into a snag at first.

Educating My Parents

Trevor slipped up and is now out at school, but how will he tell his Evangelical Christian parents? He has a plan, but will it work?

Halloween Hero

When Barry finds his older brother in bed with a football player, he has to make a potentially deadly choice - his brother, or his parents.

My First Thanksgiving

Fleeing a fatwa back home, young Altaf and his ammi immigrate to America. Befriended by a Jewish boy, will there be fireworks at the Thanksgiving dinner table?

The Un-Christmas

Two boys, a Jew and a Muslim, learn to find faith in their own religions as the world around them celebrates Christmas.

A New Year Resolution

When the pastor at Trevor's church tries to make an example of him by getting the GSA disbanded, help comes from a most unlikely source.

All My Heart

Carry is head over heels for Barry, but things aren't as they seem. When Barry discovers the truth, rather than get angry, he helps Carry without giving away her secret.

Class Election

Is the next year's incoming sophomore class ready to elect a gay class presedent? Is David up to the challenge? Will Jeremy join him on the student council next year?

The Gym Incident

Readers were given the opportunity to play a role in writing a chapter of Naptown Tales history - What was the infamous gym incident that resulted in Jeremy being outed?
 

Chronicles of a Lonsome Teenager

David of Hope's First Place Prize-Winning Entry:
What could go wrong during a game of shirts versus skins?
 

The Spare Jockstrap

Cole Parker's Second Place Prize-Winning Entry:
This kid forgot his jockstrap, and you happen to have a spare?

July Fireworks

When his boss asks Harold to do a 6 month follow-up to his article on gay youth, he doesn't know what to expect. Along the way he finds triumph and tragedy . . . and some surprises, a rarity for this newspaper veteran.

Summer Camp

Kurt and Trevor thought they had the perfect summer planned together helping disadvantaged youth at a church-run camp, but then the allegations started that Trevor was sexually abusing some of the kids.

You Can Go Home Again, but Should You?

When Altaf’s sister calls to tell him is father in Pakistan is dying, ghosts from the past return and he must face the prospect that honoring his father's last wish could very well cost him his own life.

Positive

Sammy thought surviving years of abuse was bad enough, until he was repeatedly raped, but even that didn't prepare him to deal with the knowledge that he was now HIV-positive.

So Close, and
Yet So Far

Debbie and Cathy have been in the closet for more than four years, and have less than one more to go to be free of their fundamentalist parents, but a year is still a very long time.

Home is Where
the Heart Is

Brad and David Reynolds have perfect lives, but then their parents decide to move to a McMansion in Carmel, which means changing schools, losing friends, and a tough separation for David and Jeremy.

Spring Break -
A 5-Part Novella

Trevor, Kurt, David, Jeremy, their brothers and a friend take off for a week in the nation's capitol, and end up getting more of an education than they’d bargained for.

The Future Starts Now

Graduation is a bitter sweet time as some prepare to leave for college, but excitement reigns as everyone plans to attend Randy & Altaf’s wedding.

Summer Internship -
A 12-Part Novel

David and Jeremy experience the chance of a lifetime, interning at the White House, while Trevor and Kurt serve as Pages in the Senate, but scandal follows close behind. Leave it to Brad to save the day.

Fagball

As the new quarterback of the freshman team, Billy faces pressure to quit when his teamates learn he's gay, but when his Ricky comes under attack, the outcome is quite unexpected.

Halloween Redemption

Shunned since he came out, Zach finds a way to get even with the one behind his misery, helping the other gay freshmen of Carmel in the process.

A Blizzard in Iowa

When Will thinks Brian wants to get married this Thanksgiving rather than next, his mother isn’t about pass up the challenge of planning a wedding in only 3 weeks, but will the weather cooperate?

Winter Holiday

Lindsey & Rob thought it would be fun to take the boys to New York for Christmas Vacation, so how did they end up supervising ten teenage boys in Times Square on New Year’s Eve?

A New Beginning

Debbie and Cathy juggle married life, raising an infant and classes as they start life anew. A fortuitous find in housing must be balanced when they confront demons from the past. (Coming in February)

Scouts’ Honor

Lyle is excited about the prospects of a state basketball championship and the near certainty of college scouts offereing a scholarship, until he and Carrie are outed. (Coming for 2010 Spring Anthology)

’Til Death Do Us Part -
7-Part Series Finale

Following a high school graduation that's early for some and a double wedding, Jeremy, David, Trevor and Kurt honeymoon in Europe, only to be joined by Brad, Cliff, Sam and Paul. Upon their return, the younger teens start high school, but then tragedy strikes, bringing all Naptown Tales characters home for a final farewell. (Coming in Summer, 2010)
 
 
 
 

Short Stories

The New Job

This fictional story is a semi-autobiographic account of the author's decision to come out to his wife.

The Parallax Effect

What if you could make a choice between the life you lived, or an alternative life you might have lived? Could you make that choice knowing someone you loved would have to die, either way? If you could flip a coin to choose one reality or the other, would you?

Wishful Linking

The past comes alive as 2 boys, linked through their 22nd century implants, dream of a brutal gay bashing. But is the past really the past, or was it the future that was the dream? If they find their way back, might they then save what little is left of gay culture?

Double Trouble

When Jason discovers his father is gay and leading a double life, he comes up with a risky plan to end the deception without compromising the life he has with his own boyfriend.