When they graduated from high school in 1962, best friends and secret lovers Jim McCutcheon and Ronnie Mayer had high expectations for the rest of their lives. Six years later, both are back in the small Nebraska town they called home, and worse, no longer together.<br><br>Once the golden boy, Jim now works on his grandfather's farm, away from the town's disappointment he didn't end up at NASA. Ronnie lives in his parents' basement, recovering from the blast that sent him home from Vietnam. Neither is where they want to be, but it takes a special request from Ronnie's mom for Jim to swallow his pride and visit.<br><br>Though it doesn't go well, it opens the door for the two young men to start communicating. One question haunts them, though. Have they changed too much to find their way back to each other again?

Silences of Fallen Stars

Jim ventured a few steps closer. “I wasn’t lying about wanting to be friends again, but I get that we can’t just pick up where we left off. A lot’s happened. But I don’t think we’re all that different, not deep down. Nobody ever knew me like you did. I’d like to think nobody knew you like I did, either.”


His shoulders hitched, but still, Ronnie didn’t speak.


“We don’t have to talk,” Jim said. “But I don’t want to leave.”


When Ronnie lifted his head, his eyes were bleak. “I’m not good company.”


“Are you supposed to report to Mom on everything I say and do?”


Jim shook his head. “She just wants to think you’re going to be okay.” He paused. “Are you?”


“Seems like that’s a question I should be asking you.” But a glimmer of humor shone for the briefest of moments in his face before getting snuffed out. “No talking.”


His joke prompted a small snort. He’d take it. “Only if you want me to kick you.”


Chapter 5