duncan ryder

Here's to all the "michaels" and Jeffreys of this world, to their strength and their sensitivity and their generosity. And may we all hae the strength and the courage and the generosity to pass on the gift when we have the opportunity. Duncan.

Thanks all. It's been a long time since I tried a short story... this one seems to be hitting a few chords. There are so many stories about the pain that comes from the exploitation of innocence, and that is one way that we learn... but I really wanted to take a look at the other side of that, at the man who is strong and kind and generous enough to recognize and honour it. That too is a way to learn... Duncan.

I'm glad people enjoyed the story. The title is from First we take Manhattan... but I never made a point of it because really all I used was those two words; unlike How the Light Gets In, the theme of the song has nothing to do with the theme of the story. (And sorry, but no apologies for the lab tests on the night table! It may not have been what you or I would have done or wanted a lover to do, but it was in character for Josh. He would not want to influence Scott's choices, he would simply point them out and let it be. And it had to be dealt with because it was a big issue for Scott from the very first time he was with Josh...)

EW is now complete. I just wanted you to know that, for those of you who want to know what happens to ******* (just in case you're reading this, I don't want to spoil it), there will be a follow up story, called How the Light Gets In. Also from a Leonard Cohen song: The birds they sang at the break of day Start again, I heard them say Don't dwell on what has passed away Or what has yet to be... Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack in everything That's how the light gets in Leonard Cohen, Anthem.

Um. Hello. I'm not sure it's correct for me to post in here... but I just wanted to say how glad I am that people are enjoying the story, and that it is going to be serialized on awesomedude. I'm especially grateful to AJ who invited me to consider it. For those of you who have been following EW on Nifty, I am editing the version that goes up here just for this site... especially some things that were annoying me in the first five chapters. Some of the changes may be subtle, but I think they make the story and characterization stronger. Once awesomedude catches up with where I am, I will then send it here first, so you'll have an exclusive read for a few days. Some of you have emailed me, and I'm grateful for your support and generosity and encouragement. I'm a writer who stopped writing fiction for a few years... it feels right to be doing it again. Duncan