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

“I don’t want to burden you.” Mom was caving. She sounded a lot less sure of herself.


“He’s my best friend. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him.”


Mom sighed. “I’m so glad you boys have reconnected. It’s made a huge difference in him.”


“He’s done the same for me,” Jim said quietly.


“Those boys always were better when the other was around,” Grandpa chimed in. “It’s just a shame their fathers have been too set in their ways to see it. No offense, Evelyn.”


Ronnie got the opinion he’d been saying “no offense” to Mom since she arrived.


“It’s probably better this way,” she said. “Bert’s not happy he missed a day off work to get those stitches. He could use some time to cool down before he sees Ronnie again.”


“Did you want me to go wake him up so you can talk to him?” Jim asked.


“No, no, he needs his rest. Just…tell him I was here, will you, please? And tell him I love him. I’ll call tomorrow and talk to him myself after Bert goes to work.”


Chapter 20