Growing up is hard enough, but it’s worse as a pacifist whose country is at war. Jim and Brian are neighbors, best friends, and high school graduates heading for college. In 1970 the Vietnam War raged, and Brian and Jim, both pacifists, worry about being drafted. To make matters worse, both men are gay and far from out. When Brian finally admits his feelings for his friend, he’s surprised and pleased Jim feels the same. Brian’s father teaches jujitsu, and the two men learn the ancient art, though neither believes in fighting. They struggle to overcome their pacifist tendencies amid racial tension and homophobia that threatens to tear their lives -- and their love -- apart. Can Brian and Jim turn fear into courage and learn to defend themselves, and each other, to create a life of love?

Fear and Courage

Brian stirred, then stood, a huge boner in his briefs. “I have to whiz so bad.”


“I’m going to be a cook, not an effing English professor.” Brian ran upstairs.


Jim followed, urged on by his need to also take a leak. He stared at Brian’s sexy ass, wishing he could grab a handful, and then he did. In the only bathroom of the two-bedroom home, they stood side-by-side at the toilet like dozens of times before, but never with hard-ons. Jim couldn’t piss even though he took his eyes off his near-naked bud and his thick dick. Brian was nearly hairless, while Jim had average body fur for a teen, meaning not much.


Brian said, “Mine would go down if you sucked me off.”


“Yeah, right, dude. If anyone swallows the sword, it’ll be you. Why don’t you suck me off?”


“Okay.” Brian reached for Jim’s cock and he jumped back. “You said you wanted me to.”


“Grow up. Do I look like a queer?” He closed his eyes. God, he had to piss.


Chapter 15