Nicole McCormick

Assumptions can be anyone’s worst enemy, because they can be wrong and do those involved a great injustice. Assuming what your own children’s sexuality might be is amongst the worst minefields a parent can face, and one of the toughest battles to fight for a teenager. In a heteronormative society the standard expectation is for boys to date girls and girls to date boys. This is understandable coming from heterosexual parents (not right, but sort of explainable). But for homosexual parents to make the same “mistake” is a shocking revelation. This story looks at the impact of such a mistaken assumption and what happens when things come to a head.

Kito and Chester are a mixed race couple and have raised their daughter Vasha together. Both believe they are pretty open-minded and have always take care to include all their heritages into how they do things. Chester, especially, is very attached to Vasha and has a hard time accepting that she is going on her first date. At seventeen that should not be a surprise, but some parents have a harder time letting go than others. When Sam turns out to be a girl, Kito and Chester are shocked and Vasha is angry about their reaction. Both of them are angry at Vasha for not telling them. The potential for a huge mess is considerable, but reason prevails – barely.

If you like stories that challenge “accepted wisdom” and what might be considered normal, if explosive family situations around teenagers are your thing, and if you’re looking for a read that will make you think, then you might like this short story.


NOTE: The anthology this story was published in has been provided by Torquere Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
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Finding out new things about yourself at any age can be disconcerting, but when Douglas has to reassess his sexuality just before he turns fifty, it throws him for a loop. In a story that is full of revelations, scary thoughts, and newfound humor, Nicole McCormick showed me a glimpse of the man Douglas is and how meeting Anthony changes his life. Definitely a very upbeat tale with a message of hope for “older” men everywhere—it really never is too late for love!

Douglas, I guess, is very set in his ways. He likes to get his coffee in the same café every day, he dates women because that is what he has always done, and he is not looking forward to his daughter leaving for college because that will change his life. One day he runs into Anthony, who spills coffee on him, and he is intrigued. But Douglas tends to overthink things, and Anthony has a very hard time convincing him to go on a date with him. Douglas knows he likes men as well as women, but so far, he “only experimented” with a few guys when he was in college, and has never seriously considered dating one. The thought unsettles him, and Douglas struggles with the idea.

Anthony is a great guy. Filled with humor, not afraid to ask questions, and as a kindergarten teacher he is not looking to go clubbing every night. In a word, he is a perfect fit for what Douglas wants and needs in a man. Best of all, Anthony is stubborn, and not easily deterred even when Douglas does his best to scare him off. Kudos to Anthony for holding on!

If you like May/December romances, if two men who seem very different but actually fit very well sound interesting, and if you’re looking for a read that is entertaining, fun, and carries a message of hope, then you might like this short story.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
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