There Will Be Cake!

I don't normally write short stories, but I cranked one out for the Love Wins series JMS Books has available to celebrate the recent Supreme Court gay marriage ruling. My story, "There Will Be Cake," centers on nineteen-year-old college student Nick Wattley. Nick is serving as the best man in his father Tim’s wedding to his partner, Craig Pearson. After being closeted for years, Tim is finally out and proud and Nick is happy for his dad. But a weekend that’s supposed to be filled with pre-wedding preparations turns into a nightmare for Nick as he’s forced to deal with one uncomfortable situation after another. A day after witnessing a terrible argument between Tim and Craig, Nick mistakenly walks in on his father and his partner while they’re in flagrante delicto. And, just when he thinks things can’t get any worse, Nick is forced to deal Tim’s anxiety over walking down the aisle again and physically fend off an old friend of Craig’s who tries to make trouble.

There Will Be Cake didn't start out as a story about gay marriage. It actually started as a short story I wrote called "Through the Walls" about the son having an uncomfortable encounter with his father's partner. I shopped that one in some short story contests, but didn't get any prizes, so I tucked it away. I figured I'd be able to revise it someday or work it into something else and that's what you'll see with "There Will Be Cake." Check it out. I think it's one of the better things I've written and I'm quite proud of it.