[David McLeod] Initiation at St. Anselm by David McLeod

[Graeme]

Initiation at St. Anselm by David McLeod

 

An initiation at a British boys

[Graeme]

I recognised both the name Plantagenet and the House of York, so I was half expecting a ghost story. The extra items, like the ethereal beauty and the anger about offending the dead confirmed my suspicions.

 

So, naturally, I was surprised by the unexpected ending, though I shouldn't have been. It was very, very British

 

Thanks, David! I loved it!

[Rubilacxe]

Like Graeme, I recognized Plantagenet and York. Similarly, I thought for sure this was a ghost story. In a way, I guess it is one, but I loved the O'Henry ending and its wry, wistful tone.

 

Kudos, David.

[kitten]

Yeah, I thought it was a ghost story too!

It was very well written and I really liked the ending.

 

Just one thing though...

 

as a new boy at the school, I wonder if he'd be old enough to get into a pub, much less get a pint?

 

 

Kit

[Dolores Esteban]

When Edward and Brian met, I instantly thought that Edward was a ghost. Then the name on the gravestone was revealed and I thought: Oh, this story was easy to see through. So, the last sentence was a true surprise!

[Nephylim]

Snaky... very sneaky but what a fab story

[David McLeod]

Wow, thank you all so much for your thoughts! Not only was this fun to write, it's given me an idea for a much longer story. And, no, he probably couldn't get into the pub, but it just had to end that way.

[Ashi]

I like the story. There was a little of back and forth in my mind whether Edward was a ghost or not. Actually it kinda made me wonder whether he was gay or not.

[gardentuber]

Oh David,

 

I was getting all pins and needles with the tension as it built (and it did build!). Though I thought it strange that Edward was carrying a torch (flashlight) in the final scene... After the denouement, I was chuckling heartily. Well done! What fun. Thank you!

[David McLeod]

I like the story. There was a little of back and forth in my mind whether Edward was a ghost or not. Actually it kinda made me wonder whether he was gay or not.

 

Ashi, I do like a happy ending. Edward is gay, and the boys will live happily ever after.

 

Oh David,

 

I was getting all pins and needles with the tension as it built (and it did build!). Though I thought it strange that Edward was carrying a torch (flashlight) in the final scene... After the denouement, I was chuckling heartily. Well done! What fun. Thank you!

 

Thank you so much! The "torch" notion came from an early boyhood reading of a series of British books, of which "Swallows and Amazons" was the first. It took me a long time to understand that a torch was a flashlight, and it's something I've never forgotten.

[gardentuber]

The "torch" notion came from an early boyhood reading of a series of British books, of which "Swallows and Amazons" was the first.

 

"Swallows and Amazons" -- now that was a wonderful book. There was a copy at my grandmother's house which my mother read to us when we were young. My mother had gone to school in England and then spent the war years in London, so we kids always felt at home with "things British". What a roller coaster ride was "Swallows and Amazons" and what a children's classic it's become. I knew you came from a superb literary lineage, David!

[David McLeod]

"Swallows and Amazons" -- now that was a wonderful book. There was a copy at my grandmother's house which my mother read to us when we were young. My mother had gone to school in England and then spent the war years in London, so we kids always felt at home with "things British". What a roller coaster ride was "Swallows and Amazons" and what a children's classic it's become. I knew you came from a superb literary lineage, David!

 

I was recently able to get a copy through interlibrary loan, and enjoyed it again nearly as much as before.

[Camy]

A thoroughly enjoyable read, and I loved the twist at the end!

 

Cheers,

 

Camy

[David McLeod]

A thoroughly enjoyable read, and I loved the twist at the end!

 

Cheers,

 

Camy

 

Hey, Camy, Thanks very much for reading and for your comment. By the way...good disguise!

David