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Here are my thumbnail sketches of the last stories to come in. Nothing random this time; these are the 15 stories I hadn't already reviewed!
MagicShoppe's marriage counselor, Carlos, has a unique tool for getting couples to understand their spouse's perspective — a charm that allows them to swap bodies. Susanna and Tyler give it a shot, then visit their friends Jody and Stuart to see if they will notice. But Tyler, disguised as Susanna, has an ulterior motive . . . . A story with lots of twists!
Leah's friend Jasmine, helping to support her transition, tells her that "2020 will be the year of Leah" — but instead, it's the year of the pandemic. Easier for Leah to transition, but harder for her to build friendships and find romance. Coming out of the pandemic, her life begins to blossom, but many more surprises lie in store for her. Marissa Lynn compresses four years of life and love in — exactly! — 5000 words!
How I Decided It Was Time to Come Out to the World
Kristine Read shares a moving story of a transwoman who has been open with her wife, son, and daughter-in-law, as she takes her first steps to connect her true self to the wider world. At every step, she is compelled by a need to help other members of the trans community and those who support them, though she recognizes that being out to the world is risky — and growing more risky by the day. Kristine's is a story of love, honor and integrity.
Who is the strange employer who goes by "Mr. Tumnus," who gives lavish bonuses and perks? And why doesn't he explain his business, even to his closest associates? In Maeryn Lamonte's story, the mystery man reveals himself and his purpose — but only after getting his employees to reveal a whole lot more!
Maeryn Lamonte presents a beautifully lyrical story of Gillian, an elderly transwoman ready to come out of the closet to connect to a troubled soul. Virtually the entire story is told through Gillian's internal thoughts as she takes her daily walks and works through the puzzle of a shy and skittish woman she repeatedly encounters. The story is striking for both its imagery and its distinctive mood.
What should a guy do for a New Year's resolution, when he's terribly short of vices? In Suzie Dalkin's first story for BC, Rob gets advice from the most knowledgeable source — his former girlfriend! A tight story that explores the damage that secrets can do to a relationship, as well as the potential benefits of trust.
The identical twins were inseparable— Bry'n'Eddy. When "Eddy" becomes Wendy, though, Bryan suffers a debilitating identity crisis which costs him his job, his boyfriend and his family. MagicShoppe's intriguing tale explores whether he can find his way back.
Trust Machines - New Year's Revolution
In dkfenger's inaugural story for BC, the future holds some interesting surprises— like machines that can change your shape that are as ubiquitous as photo booths once were. Gary and Leah decide to become somewhat idealized versions of each other for a month. Their journey makes them far closer, and leads them to some interesting conclusions!
Bourne and River begin dating in college, where they break up an attack on a trans girl by some drunken students. They educate themselves about trans issues and resolve to raise any children as gender fluid. When they have twins — a boy and a girl — that's just what they do. In Jennifer Sue's tale, all goes well, but puberty, as always, brings unique problems.
This coming out story is grounded in a family that looks and acts real — Allison, who everyone in the family but her sister Gina knows as Alex; Gina, lesbian but only out to Allison; Connor, an athlete with "layers," and their parents, Sally and Bruce. Marissa Lynn explores Allison's emergence from the treehouse that has always served as her "fortress of solitude."
Dora Jo Webster gives us an intriguing look at a future where trans people acquire special powers. While this leads, as one might expect, to even more prejudice and persecution, it also opens up new ways to overcome them. Three transwomen fight for a world where there are no more trans deaths.
Parnessal the Imp is, well, impish. She likes to change people into different things. Animals, for instance. But in the case of bad-boy Wendell, who would dearly like to be called Doug, she has a more appropriate alteration in mind. KymmieLorain shows just how far Parnessal will go to rock Doug's world!
Labrys’s Egg: An Electrical Fairy Tale Under Ground
If you are looking for something completely different, Malady has just the story for you! A fairy tale of magic and dragons, of electricity, fate and fortune. Buckle up, Dorothy, 'cuz y'all ain't in Kansas no more!
Erin Halfelven demonstrates, as few can, just how much you can do with just 2,520 words — if you pick the right story to tell. Dave Margolis, old, terminally ill, and feeling useless, goes off to the mountains to die. What he finds instead changes his mind — and his life. Vivid descriptions and a very authentic main character are captivating.
Alex is sitting in a car, getting up the nerve to walk into her fiftieth reuinion and finally show herself as Lexi. She reflects back on her journey -- her friendships, her marriage that ended after the kids grew up, her work -- before finally opening the door and owning her identity as a woman. In Dee Sylvan's story, we see a woman who comes into her own after a lifetime of accomplishments, ready to make a new start.
Rasufelle's last-minute contest entry has the great characters and dialogue that fans of her many stories have come to expect: Mikey, the guy who is also an "honorary girl;" Sara, the lascivious lush who goes through boyfriends like a sick girl goes through tissues; Davey, the (momentary) object of Sara's desire for an MRS degree, and more. Friendship, love and gentle humor mix and mingle in this tightly-written gem.
