Read the Disclaimer
Ryan is new in town. He never wanted to move to Tucson. His lack of desire to be there changes when a boy named Mike befriends him. So as not to risk ruining his newfound friendship, Ryan hides his feelings for Mike. Mike disapproves and throws a very emotional display to win Ryan's heart. With nothing to lose, the boys explore this relationship throughout the story.
Jem and Ben have been friends since they were small children and lovers since they were twelve. Despite their feelings for eachother, they are both a bit insecure and this story relates the sometimes comical twists in their relationship as they come to terms with who they are.
In the small, closed town that Kyle is growing up in, new children are instantly rejected. Six years earlier, when Jesse moved in across the street, he was no different. For six years, Jesse has walked to school with Kyle and for six years, Kyle has ignored him. That all changes when Kyle begins to notice Jesse for what he is: a handsome young boy. But can Kyle, a sarcastic fourteen-year-old, ever learn to love?
Tyler realized he was gay at a rather young age. Towards the end of his middle school career, even the boy he had a crush on ignored him. A friend, Scott, hit on him now and then, but Tyler only wanted Wil. Will he get him? Help comes in unexpected places and Tyler discovers more than just a new speed on his bicycle.
Several months earlier, Jem's life is shaken when his father attacks him out of sheer homophobia. Rather than dealing with the pain both of having a gay son and of having forced his son to leave the house, Jem's father commits suicide. Again, Jem's life has been torn, but he perseveres. He remains at his best friend's house and begins to pull things together as his mother recovers from the same shock. Things seem fit as a Christmas party is planned, but things become mischevious the punch is suddenly tainted with vodka. An unexpected twist develops from little more than a kiss. The problem: It's not Jem that Ben is kissing.
Update: Jem'n'I II: Aftermath, Part II
The teenage years are the most confusing parts of a child's life. If Ben has always been so close to Jem, why is he excited by someone else so easily? To make matters worse, Jem is out of town and while the cat is away, the mice may play. Does Ben have the sense not to cheat? Only time shall tell.
Possibility: Yet Another Spinoff Series
Today, 9/5/98, a friend confronted me with an odd proposal: He wants to write a "Jem'n'I" spinoff series. He had the sense to request permission first, so I asked him what he had in mind. You kids ain't gonna believe this: He wants to write a story based around Erin, Ryan's sister. I've only ever written her in as a joking character who only manages to date gay guys. My friend thinks it would be interesting to see something from Erin's point of view so we'll see what he tries to do with it. If he should complete a story told from Erin's point of view, I'll hook it to this page for those readers who are interested in females. Presumably, the time frame would be around the current events in "Aftermath." We'll see. Please WRITE with opinions on this.