J.M. Snyder

CJ is a skateboarder who would rather spend his days boarding or customizing his deck and can't seem to hold onto a job now that he's officially "grown up" and graduated from high school. He lives with his lover, Richard, who wears a suit and tie to the office every day. Together they make an unlikely pair.<br><br>This story is a snapshot look at their relationship, how they come together and how they stay together despite society's negative attitude towards CJ's skating. Sort of a "day in the life" type of story, it follows CJ from a good dream through to convincing Richard to stop working long enough to meet for lunch.

Skaterboy

He propels CJ over to the sidewalk and still


won’t let go. CJ knows better than to argue—he’s scared his guy,


it’s in the tremble of his hands, the way Richard’s fingers claw


into CJ’s skin. He tries to hide it behind harsh words but CJ still


hears the tremor in his voice. “I’m sorry,” he murmurs.


Richard isn’t listening. “Cross-stitching


maybe,” he suggests, “or cooking. Or stick to drawing, why don’t


you? Save the daredevil stunts for the video games.” Now he


releases CJ, who shakes his jacket into place again and still feels


Richard’s hands on his body. Frowning at Mick and Brendan, Richard


“Some guys I met,” CJ says. He notices


Mick’s board by the curb and stoops to pick it up. “They shut down


the pipe, babe. Police tape everywhere. Some kids with


Noticing Mick’s skateboard, Richard says,


“I know.” CJ dusts it off, not that it


helps any, but he surely hopes Mick doesn’t try to pin the broken


Chapter 12