Like a million other young gay men, Bryan keeps his sexuality hidden because it’s safer that way. Yet other guys know he’s different -- they sense it, and make Bryan’s life pure hell. At home, things aren’t much better. He barely acknowledges his alcoholic father, and his mother has little time to spend with her family. So Bryan is alone, with no support, no shoulder to cry on.<br><br>Years of torture and torment, of name calling and humiliation, have taken their toll. Bryan does what he can to make new friends, but in trying to be something he’s not, he makes a huge mistake. Unable to cope with the repercussions, Bryan spends more and more time in a fantasy world he has created for himself. In this private world he is handsome, an object of desire. He is loved.<br><br>Is the hiding place as perfect as it seems? Or will Bryan go too deep and not be able to come out again?

The Hiding Place

“Hi,” he said, planting a kiss on Ben’s cheek and handing him the beer.


Ben laughed. “What’s all this in aid of?”


Ben nodded. “Let me go and have a leak.” He passed the can back to Bryan.


“Did you have a good day at work?” he called out.


“Same as usual, I guess,” Ben replied.


Bryan nodded. He took a mouthful of wine, swallowed and then took another. He snuck a sip of Ben’s beer and then took another mouthful of wine. As the tap in the bathroom basin came on, Bryan ran to the fridge and refilled his glass.


“That feels better,” said Ben stepping back into the kitchen. “Much better.”


Bryan passed Ben his beer and then followed Ben into the lounge room.


Chapter 28