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    joann414
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Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

The New Neighbor - 1. Chapter 1

The New Neighbor

 

Hunter studied the large neon pink frog that sat in his small flower garden that flanked the left side of the deck he sat on enjoying his first cup of coffee. Although it was almost noon, he had only been up long enough to run through the shower while his coffee brewed. Another long night at his night club had ended with him taking two of his regulars home that lived 20 miles from his club, Hunter’s Paradise.

Shifting in the chair that matched the table he sat at, he thought he heard someone turn into the driveway next door. The cabin there had been vacant over a year and he secretly hoped it would stay that way. He stood up so that he could peer over the fence between the two properties, sighing loudly when he saw the huge moving van sitting in the drive. Shading his eyes with his hand, he saw a truck pull over in front of the house also. Suppressing a groan, he picked up his near empty cup and headed through his back door to get a refill and call his sister who was supposed to pick him up around 2 o’clock to go to the cemetery to put flowers on her late husband’s grave. He picked up his phone and clicked her number.

“I was just going to call you. Sandy has some kind of virus. I guess we’ll go to the cemetery tomorrow if that’s ok. The roses I bought should be fine, don’t you think?”

Hunter waited for his sister to finish before speaking. “Good morning to you too. Sorry about Sandy. Hope she feels better soon. As for the roses, don’t worry because I’ve got plenty in the greenhouse. The cold weather hasn’t bothered them at all this year. By the way, what’s the plan for Thanksgiving?” He knew his sister and she never waited until the last minute to arrange their holidays that they always spent together. Brie acted like he was her child also. Since the accident that claimed their parents and her husband over two years ago, she’d been in overdrive when it came to his well-being.

“I thought we might have it at your cabin if that’s ok with you. I know you like to keep the club open as long as you can for those who have nowhere to go on a holiday. How about I get everything together and cook over there? Sandy and I will spend Wednesday night at your place if that’s ok.” Brie spoke quickly as if she was scared he wouldn’t approve of her plans.

“That’s sounds great. I’ll split the cost of everything with you and it’ll be nice to have you and that hyper 4 year old in the house. It’s been a little lonely here lately. Since Ben left, the silence is unbearable at times and I go out on the deck and freeze to death rather than endure the feelings.” Hunter stopped, hating what he’d told his sister who spent too much time worrying about him as it was. “It’s all good though. Now, I’ll have something to look forward to.”

Brie spoke softly into the phone. “Hunt, you need to start dating again. Ben has been gone since a month after mom and dad’s funeral. He thought you were going to marry him as soon as the will was read. When you didn’t propose, he threw a tantrum like a child. Hell, if I’d known he was in it for the money, I’d paid him long ago to leave so you could find someone that deserves you.”

Hunter smiled at the protectiveness he heard in his sister’s voice. “I love you sis and believe you would’ve paid to get rid of him. It’s best that it happened like it did. Now I know that no matter what, he’ll never be a part of my life again. Between the club and keeping mom’s nursery running, I stay busy enough without worrying about a love life. By the way, Mark wants to buy the nursery. His offer is more than fair. That is, if you agree to sell it. I know you have your hands full with Sandy and your writing.”

“Mother always said she’d like to give Mark a part of the nursery. The timing of the accident prevented that, so I think you should sell it to him. Put the money into the club. You’ve always wanted to enlarge the sports bar side.”

Hunter murmured into the phone. “Sounds like a plan then.” He mentally thought of the nest egg he was putting away for Sandy and thinking that half the price of the nursery would feather that nest nicely. Although their parents had left him and Brie financially stable for the rest of their lives, he just liked the thought of Sandy getting something from him when he got older. After all, the child more or less shared her mom with him and he depended on their love to make it through that day sometimes.

Brie spoke quickly. “Gotta go. I hear Sandy in the bathroom again. Talk later big brother.”

Hunter clicked his phone off, hoping his young niece would get better. Dropping the phone back onto the kitchen counter, he reached for the coffee pot, the moving van next door forgotten. Eggs and bacon crossed his mind, but he didn’t feel like cooking. Taking his coffee into his large den where a roaring fire beckoned, he sat down on the couch and reached for the remote and turned on the big flat screen above the mantle. Flipping to the weather channel, he leaned forward when he heard the words blizzard and ice. That wasn’t good. He had to open the bar tonight because Tony and his boyfriend were going to a concert that they’d had tickets for over 6 months. He listened intently to the forecast, hoping that worst of it would hold off until the next morning.

****

Several hours later, Hunter pulled on his leather jacket over his black polo that had his bar’s logo and black jeans that fit like a glove. Sliding his sock clad feet into the black boots by his front door, he opened the door, and gasping when small pellets of ice blew across the front porch, hitting him in the face. It was going to be a long night. Daylight was fading as he ran toward his truck, but a small voice stopped him dead in his tracks, snow covering his leather jacket as he turned toward the sound.

“Hey mister. Look at my new sneakers that Uncle Dan bought me for my birthday.”

Hunter squinted at the small child standing in the snow, holding a balloon that had ‘Happy Birthday” written on it. He could see the sneakers on the child’s feet blink in the dusk, the little lights getting covered in snow as the white stuff began to come down like a blinding white curtain. Hunter knew he couldn’t leave the child standing in his yard. Obviously, he belonged to his new neighbors. Sighing, he started toward the child and when he reached him scooped him up in his arms and asked, “Are you my new neighbor?”

Copyright © 2016 joann414; All Rights Reserved.
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Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 
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  • Site Administrator

Nice start:) I'm glad you decided to expand it into something longer than a prompt. I look forward to what's next. :)

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A good story. In just 1211 words you've given us enough of a background and character information to hook us. Having him "rescue" the child is a sure way to get me to read more. Look forward to the next chapter.

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Jo Ann!!!!!!! You're back!!!!! I missed you!!!

 

I love this new story! The little child is so cute with those sneakers that light up! I remember those types of sneakers.

 

I'm looking forward to meeting Uncle Dan! lol

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On 02/21/2016 05:02 AM, Valkyrie said:

Nice start:) I'm glad you decided to expand it into something longer than a prompt. I look forward to what's next. :)

Thanks hun. One of those things that just keep pushing you.

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On 02/21/2016 05:06 AM, avidreadr said:

A good story. In just 1211 words you've given us enough of a background and character information to hook us. Having him "rescue" the child is a sure way to get me to read more. Look forward to the next chapter.

Thanks Avid

 

One of those times when the prompts keeps on going

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On 02/21/2016 06:07 AM, Zenith said:

Looking forward to Hunter meeting Uncle Dan!

Me too Uncle Dan is evolving in my mind as I write. Thanks for the review

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On 02/21/2016 07:26 AM, Lisa said:

Jo Ann!!!!!!! You're back!!!!! I missed you!!!

 

I love this new story! The little child is so cute with those sneakers that light up! I remember those types of sneakers.

 

I'm looking forward to meeting Uncle Dan! lol

Hi Lisa Glad to be back and I've missed all of you. Yeppy Uncle Dan is going to have to be hot and handsome to be able to get Hunter's attention.

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On 02/21/2016 07:47 AM, fiedlerbob101 said:

Great chapter i so look forward to the next. Thanks for taking the time to write it and sharing it with us

 

Bob

Thank you! I'm looking forward to expanding this story. I've missed writing here and Uncle Dan is going to be quite the surprise for Hunter. :)

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I have a soft spot in my heart for parenting and step parenting stories. I'm really looking forward to where you take this story.

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On 02/21/2016 08:05 AM, Rebelghost85 said:

I have a soft spot in my heart for parenting and step parenting stories. I'm really looking forward to where you take this story.

Thank you. I hope I don't disappoint. I'm trying to put Uncle Dan in my mind. Thanks for reading.

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Cool. I'm a sucker for kids. I remember when all four of mine had to have those flashing light sneakers. Uncle Dan, huh? I want to meet him. Great start, joann... look forward to more... cheers... Gary...

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On 02/21/2016 08:53 AM, Headstall said:

Cool. I'm a sucker for kids. I remember when all four of mine had to have those flashing light sneakers. Uncle Dan, huh? I want to meet him. Great start, joann... look forward to more... cheers... Gary...

Thanks. I remember those shoes so well. Uncle Dan I can tell is going to have to be someone special. Thanks for the review

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On 02/22/2016 01:35 AM, Slytherin said:

Jo Ann ! :hug: A very nice start of the story, I'm hooked and want more :):thumbup::D

And Dang Bear, I hope I can keep you hooked. Hope you are doing well. Thanks and hugs back. :)

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Love the beginning chapter. Hunter sounds about due to meet a great guy. So maybe Uncle Dan and his precocious nephew as a bonus? Looking forward to how it unfolds..
Recently, my not yet 4yr old niece in response to my love of her light up shoes, informed me that had I been good Santa surely would have brought me a Twinkle Toes.. Oh well. These shoes are always cool for kids..

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On 02/22/2016 10:39 AM, Defiance19 said:

Love the beginning chapter. Hunter sounds about due to meet a great guy. So maybe Uncle Dan and his precocious nephew as a bonus? Looking forward to how it unfolds..

Recently, my not yet 4yr old niece in response to my love of her light up shoes, informed me that had I been good Santa surely would have brought me a Twinkle Toes.. Oh well. These shoes are always cool for kids..

What a sweet review. I guess we could all use a few "twinkle toes" at one time or another. They are pretty cool. And yes, Uncle Dan and his little menace are going to be a wake up call for Hunter. thanks for reading!

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Jo Ann, I'm so happy that you're writing again.
I loved this first chapter. It looked like a promising beginning for a nice story. Needless to say I liked Hunter and adored that kid. Now, I'm just waiting to meet Uncle Dan.
Great Start:)

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On 02/25/2016 04:08 PM, sacredlove said:

Jo Ann, I'm so happy that you're writing again.

I loved this first chapter. It looked like a promising beginning for a nice story. Needless to say I liked Hunter and adored that kid. Now, I'm just waiting to meet Uncle Dan.

Great Start:)

HI kiddo. Glad you liked it. I'm out of town for work, but the next chapter is almost done. Will be posted by Monday. Hugs.

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Quite the interesting and engaging exposition, Jo Ann. I am intrigued and can't wait to see where it is going next. Your writing style has changed, expanded and become more dense. The luscious detail you've included is very illustrative while you've maintained the quality of your strong voice. I'm glad it's shining through like that.
Great job! :)

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