The Start Of The Journey - Part Four of The Great Dane Saga by Alp Mortal
Categories: Contemporary Romance | Gay
Word Count: 23,841 Heat Rating: 3 Price: $ .99 Available here:
 |
Meet Dane Danois - the most fabulous gay man in the Universe ... in his own, never humble opinion. A man driven to live life to the full, and if there's a chance that he can help a friend along the way, he will. A sharp-suited, sharp-witted, sometimes reckless, sometimes dangerous, always intoxicating agent of change ... and loyal to a T.
In The Start Of The Journey, Dane is seventeen. He has just left home as a consequence of being rejected by his parents for being gay. Leaving behind Gran, Clarissa, and everything he knows, Dane begins his journey - arguably, one that never truly ends. He meets people along the way with whom he forges lifelong friendships; people like Luke, Sam, Etienne, Jake and Viv. But the events in Freiburg, and the encounter with Richard have the most profound effect on Dane; it is, in effect when Dane Danois is born. The Great Dane Saga charts the life of Dane Danois, and his many and varied friendships and relationships over the course of a 40 year period. The six parts of the story do not run in strict chronological order. That is because the story was never going to be a saga, but after I finished part one, it was clear that Dane was not going to shut up until I had written down everything he wanted to say - he was a poor narrator. Dane is neither wholly good nor wholly bad - he is just Dane - perfect in his imperfections. The six parts of The Great Dane Saga originally appeared in 2013, in single volumes, and then in the compendium titled All The World. All volumes were removed from the shelf in 2014 for re-editing. The six individual volumes, and the compendium, will re-appear during the course of 2016. I am always very happy to receive your feedback. If you wish to contact me directly, please email me at: [email protected]. Visit the website, www.alpmortal.weebly.com, for updates on the next gay romantic story or crime thriller which I am working on. Thank you, Alp Mortal |
Chapter One – The all-important conversation
“I’m gay …”
Chapter Two – Ejected from the nest
Well; that didn’t go so well.
I had to seek out Gran to ask her why my parents had reacted so badly to the news.
“Oh, darling; I’m so sorry. If I’d realised that you were going to tell them today, I would have advised caution, and recommended that you waited until they come back from the next tantric massage retreat; they’re always so much more liberal-minded after a three-month orgasm. Still; what’s done is done, and if they have said you have to leave then leave you will - treat it as a kind of adventure …”
“But, Gran; I don’t have any money.”
“I don’t have much; this place bleeds me dry. I can give you enough to get off the island, but after that, you’re on your own. You speak beautiful English and French; you’re attractive and charming - the world is your oyster. Please do not become a prostitute; I would never forgive you for that. Make friends and see a little of the outside world. Come back when you’re done and tell me all about it …”
“Couldn’t I stay here with you?”
“You could but it wouldn’t be such a good life. This is a gift and, as with all gifts, we must receive them graciously and honour them. So; pack your bag and come back here later for dinner; stay over and leave in the morning.”
“Okay, Gran. I suppose it is always possible that they will change their minds.”
“Not until after your father has been poking around in your mother’s timeless space for the next three months and she in his. Don’t worry about them and don’t worry about me. Clarissa’s mother can come and help from time to time, and Clarissa is a sweet child; I doubt she’ll look as good in my clothes as you or apply her makeup with such artistry, but there is time to teach her a thing or two. Hurry along, child; be back for dinner ...”
Why did this feel like the great conspiracy? But if Gran said this is a gift then it is a gift; to be honest, I was bored anyway. So; what to pack? I guess everything but I can’t carry everything; something nice to wear in all seasons and something to work in, in all seasons. Thank God it’s the beginning of Spring. Where to first? Paris!
“Dane; why are you packing; you’re not coming with us to California.”
“I’m packing, Mother, because you said I had to leave; whether that was said in the heat of the moment or not, I’m leaving and I very much doubt that I will ever set foot in this house again. I’m staying with Gran tonight so I can say goodbye properly, and tomorrow, I am heading off. I should probably thank you for this gift.”
“What will you do and where will you go?” Mother asked with a slight tremor in her voice, but that could have been my imagination.
“Anything and everywhere!”
“But you don’t know anyone off the island; you don’t know anything.”
“I’ll learn.”
“Let me discuss things again with your father.”
“Go reason with the Devil! And let the Devil ram his fingers up your twat for the next three months. Gran said I should have waited until you got back but it wouldn’t have made any difference, and it certainly doesn’t now. I’m leaving … Goodbye, Mother!”
“Oh, Dane!”
I left and headed back to Gran’s for my farewell dinner, and she’d thoughtfully invited Clarissa with whom I have a wonderful friendship.
“Oh; Dane; I’m so sorry,” she said.
“I’m only sorry that I won’t see you for a while, but I’ll write when I can. Please keep an eye on Gran for me.”
“Of course, silly; she’s mine too. Do you have any money?”
“Gran’s going to give me enough to get off the island, then I’m on my own. I think I’ll head to Paris; there has to be work in Paris …”
“Doing the makeup for the girls who dance at The Crazy Horse or at The Moulin Rouge!”
“Probably sweeping up after everyone has gone home but at least I’ll have the stage to myself.”
“It sounds exciting and scary.”
“It is; it’s going to be so much fun!”
“I have a little money I can give you; you can pay me back when you’re rich and famous.”
“If you can lend me the train fare to Paris, I swear, I’ll pay you back a hundredfold.”
Dinner was an exuberant affair with a fresh sole and a dill sauce. Gran dressed up and put the gramophone on and we listened to Josephine Baker. After Clarissa had gone home, she made me a cup of coffee and, despite the chill, we donned our outer coats and sat on the veranda to drink it with a very slim cigar.
“Be wary of anyone with scuffed heels, Dane ... except for the tramps, who one might expect to have scuffed heels. You’ll know when something is right, and when you do, put your heart and soul into it - don’t hold back. Live life and make love like the world is about to end …”
“Yes, Gran,” I replied, “Will you be okay?”
“I shall be fine; don’t worry, my darling. Go to my bedroom and you’ll find something there for you …”
I went to her bedroom and fetched the smartly wrapped package. When I returned to the veranda, she demanded, “Open it!”
I did, and inside the paper, there were two small black leather bound photograph albums.
“Thank you! But why two?”
“One is for your photographs and one is for your postcards that I would like you to send me from all the beautiful and interesting places that you see. Write properly to Clarissa - that girl idolises you - and send me your thoughts from time to time.”
I hugged her very tenderly because she was the single most important person in my life and I would miss her so very much.
“I’m gay …”
Chapter Two – Ejected from the nest
Well; that didn’t go so well.
I had to seek out Gran to ask her why my parents had reacted so badly to the news.
“Oh, darling; I’m so sorry. If I’d realised that you were going to tell them today, I would have advised caution, and recommended that you waited until they come back from the next tantric massage retreat; they’re always so much more liberal-minded after a three-month orgasm. Still; what’s done is done, and if they have said you have to leave then leave you will - treat it as a kind of adventure …”
“But, Gran; I don’t have any money.”
“I don’t have much; this place bleeds me dry. I can give you enough to get off the island, but after that, you’re on your own. You speak beautiful English and French; you’re attractive and charming - the world is your oyster. Please do not become a prostitute; I would never forgive you for that. Make friends and see a little of the outside world. Come back when you’re done and tell me all about it …”
“Couldn’t I stay here with you?”
“You could but it wouldn’t be such a good life. This is a gift and, as with all gifts, we must receive them graciously and honour them. So; pack your bag and come back here later for dinner; stay over and leave in the morning.”
“Okay, Gran. I suppose it is always possible that they will change their minds.”
“Not until after your father has been poking around in your mother’s timeless space for the next three months and she in his. Don’t worry about them and don’t worry about me. Clarissa’s mother can come and help from time to time, and Clarissa is a sweet child; I doubt she’ll look as good in my clothes as you or apply her makeup with such artistry, but there is time to teach her a thing or two. Hurry along, child; be back for dinner ...”
Why did this feel like the great conspiracy? But if Gran said this is a gift then it is a gift; to be honest, I was bored anyway. So; what to pack? I guess everything but I can’t carry everything; something nice to wear in all seasons and something to work in, in all seasons. Thank God it’s the beginning of Spring. Where to first? Paris!
“Dane; why are you packing; you’re not coming with us to California.”
“I’m packing, Mother, because you said I had to leave; whether that was said in the heat of the moment or not, I’m leaving and I very much doubt that I will ever set foot in this house again. I’m staying with Gran tonight so I can say goodbye properly, and tomorrow, I am heading off. I should probably thank you for this gift.”
“What will you do and where will you go?” Mother asked with a slight tremor in her voice, but that could have been my imagination.
“Anything and everywhere!”
“But you don’t know anyone off the island; you don’t know anything.”
“I’ll learn.”
“Let me discuss things again with your father.”
“Go reason with the Devil! And let the Devil ram his fingers up your twat for the next three months. Gran said I should have waited until you got back but it wouldn’t have made any difference, and it certainly doesn’t now. I’m leaving … Goodbye, Mother!”
“Oh, Dane!”
I left and headed back to Gran’s for my farewell dinner, and she’d thoughtfully invited Clarissa with whom I have a wonderful friendship.
“Oh; Dane; I’m so sorry,” she said.
“I’m only sorry that I won’t see you for a while, but I’ll write when I can. Please keep an eye on Gran for me.”
“Of course, silly; she’s mine too. Do you have any money?”
“Gran’s going to give me enough to get off the island, then I’m on my own. I think I’ll head to Paris; there has to be work in Paris …”
“Doing the makeup for the girls who dance at The Crazy Horse or at The Moulin Rouge!”
“Probably sweeping up after everyone has gone home but at least I’ll have the stage to myself.”
“It sounds exciting and scary.”
“It is; it’s going to be so much fun!”
“I have a little money I can give you; you can pay me back when you’re rich and famous.”
“If you can lend me the train fare to Paris, I swear, I’ll pay you back a hundredfold.”
Dinner was an exuberant affair with a fresh sole and a dill sauce. Gran dressed up and put the gramophone on and we listened to Josephine Baker. After Clarissa had gone home, she made me a cup of coffee and, despite the chill, we donned our outer coats and sat on the veranda to drink it with a very slim cigar.
“Be wary of anyone with scuffed heels, Dane ... except for the tramps, who one might expect to have scuffed heels. You’ll know when something is right, and when you do, put your heart and soul into it - don’t hold back. Live life and make love like the world is about to end …”
“Yes, Gran,” I replied, “Will you be okay?”
“I shall be fine; don’t worry, my darling. Go to my bedroom and you’ll find something there for you …”
I went to her bedroom and fetched the smartly wrapped package. When I returned to the veranda, she demanded, “Open it!”
I did, and inside the paper, there were two small black leather bound photograph albums.
“Thank you! But why two?”
“One is for your photographs and one is for your postcards that I would like you to send me from all the beautiful and interesting places that you see. Write properly to Clarissa - that girl idolises you - and send me your thoughts from time to time.”
I hugged her very tenderly because she was the single most important person in my life and I would miss her so very much.
