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Gargoyle
James Matson - Mattie to his friends - has a hot college crush. But it's 1973, and his college is in Mobile, Alabama, where being gay is the last thing anyone wants to admit to.
Randy Paxton likes guys - when they are on their knees giving him a little relief. Otherwise he has no use for queers.
And Daniel O'Malley has his own crush - on James. But James hardly even notices he's alive. What does a guy have to do to get a little attention?
One Halloween night under a full moon, it all comes crashing together, and none of their lives will be the same.
A very abbreviated version of this short short story originally appeared on the WROTE Halloween Podcast in 2015. This version has been extended.
Word Count: 1700.
Randy Paxton likes guys - when they are on their knees giving him a little relief. Otherwise he has no use for queers.
And Daniel O'Malley has his own crush - on James. But James hardly even notices he's alive. What does a guy have to do to get a little attention?
One Halloween night under a full moon, it all comes crashing together, and none of their lives will be the same.
A very abbreviated version of this short short story originally appeared on the WROTE Halloween Podcast in 2015. This version has been extended.
Word Count: 1700.
ebook
First published October 17, 2018
5 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
J. Scott Coatsworth
90 books188 followersScott lives with his husband in a leafy Sacramento, California suburb, in a cute yellow house with a pair of pink flamingoes in the front yard.
He has always been in the place between the here and now and the what could be. He started reading science fiction and fantasy at the tender age of nine, encouraged by his mother. But as he read the golden age classics and more modern works too, he started to wonder where all the queer people were.
When Scott came out at 23, he decided he wanted to create the kinds of stories he couldn't find at the bookstore. If there weren't gay characters in his favorite genres, he would reimagine them, filling them with a diverse universe of characters. He'd remake them to his own ends, and if he was lucky enough, someone would even want to read them.
Scott's brain works a little differently from most folks - he sees connections where others don't. Born an introvert, he learned how to reach outside himself and connect with other queer folks.
Scott's fiction defies expectations, transforming traditional science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary worlds into something fresh and surprising. He also created both Queer Sci Fi and QueeRomance Ink with his husband Mark, and is an associate member of the Science Fiction Writer's Association (SFWA).
His writing, both romance and genre fiction, brings a queer energy to his work, infusing them with love, beauty and strength and making them fly. He imagines how the world could be, and maybe changes the world that is, just a little.
Scott was recognized as one of the top new gay authors in the 2017 Rainbow Awards, and his debut novel "Skythane" received two awards and an honorable mention.
He has always been in the place between the here and now and the what could be. He started reading science fiction and fantasy at the tender age of nine, encouraged by his mother. But as he read the golden age classics and more modern works too, he started to wonder where all the queer people were.
When Scott came out at 23, he decided he wanted to create the kinds of stories he couldn't find at the bookstore. If there weren't gay characters in his favorite genres, he would reimagine them, filling them with a diverse universe of characters. He'd remake them to his own ends, and if he was lucky enough, someone would even want to read them.
Scott's brain works a little differently from most folks - he sees connections where others don't. Born an introvert, he learned how to reach outside himself and connect with other queer folks.
Scott's fiction defies expectations, transforming traditional science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary worlds into something fresh and surprising. He also created both Queer Sci Fi and QueeRomance Ink with his husband Mark, and is an associate member of the Science Fiction Writer's Association (SFWA).
His writing, both romance and genre fiction, brings a queer energy to his work, infusing them with love, beauty and strength and making them fly. He imagines how the world could be, and maybe changes the world that is, just a little.
Scott was recognized as one of the top new gay authors in the 2017 Rainbow Awards, and his debut novel "Skythane" received two awards and an honorable mention.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 3, 2019
A short little story. There was a warning at the beginning for homophobic attitudes and language and boy howdy was that true. The oft-repeated slurs made me pretty uncomfortable. The premise was interesting though.
March 25, 2020
I have to start by saying that I am a fan of Scott’s writing, he has a way of making you feel like you are part of the action and draws you in with the little things such as sounds, smells, atmosphere. Of course, I suppose that is part of any good writer’s toolbox but there is something different about his writing that appeals to me. Scott is definitely a writer for the LGBTQ+ community and his sensibility when dealing with those characters is not heavy handed but more of a matter of fact way of telling us about those lives in an honest way.
Gargoyle is a short story written originally as a Halloween entry and he says in the forward that it sprang into his mind fully formed and later expanded on it. It takes place in 1974 Alabama (not the most hospitable climate for a young gay man) on Halloween. A young gay man is watching the college football team practice and basically has the hots for the “straight” quarterback. One thing leads to another and I won’t go into the rest of the story or I will tell it all. And it is a short story.
What is interesting about this story is the way Scott is able to take me back to that time period in my life where I was trying to find myself and remind me of the many heart aches I experienced at the hands of others and if I am being honest my own hands. Yet, this story has a cathartic message for those of us who lived through tough times as well as a karmic message for those not so well-intentioned people who would make us feel less than.
The story has some pretty coarse language and is not for those who are easily offended by LGBTQ+ narratives. It is however, for those who have ever lusted and lost and come out on the other side a better person. I really enjoyed reading Gargoyle as a diversion from our self quarantine.
Gargoyle is a short story written originally as a Halloween entry and he says in the forward that it sprang into his mind fully formed and later expanded on it. It takes place in 1974 Alabama (not the most hospitable climate for a young gay man) on Halloween. A young gay man is watching the college football team practice and basically has the hots for the “straight” quarterback. One thing leads to another and I won’t go into the rest of the story or I will tell it all. And it is a short story.
What is interesting about this story is the way Scott is able to take me back to that time period in my life where I was trying to find myself and remind me of the many heart aches I experienced at the hands of others and if I am being honest my own hands. Yet, this story has a cathartic message for those of us who lived through tough times as well as a karmic message for those not so well-intentioned people who would make us feel less than.
The story has some pretty coarse language and is not for those who are easily offended by LGBTQ+ narratives. It is however, for those who have ever lusted and lost and come out on the other side a better person. I really enjoyed reading Gargoyle as a diversion from our self quarantine.
December 3, 2018
James Mason is definitely naive and tries to keep that he’s gay a secret. He has his eye on Randy Paxton. He knows Randy is straight and will probably just use him but James thinks he needs to be used.
Randy Paxton considers himself the big man on campus. He just knows everyone want’s him male or female. He’s crude, obnoxious, a bully and homophobic. He’s targeted James as his next victim.
Daniel O’Malley knows what it’s like being gay on the campus in Alabama. As he watches James interact with Randy, he decides to try his best to warn James before he get’s hurt. Can Daniel show James that even though they both made the same mistake life can still be good?
On Halloween night, outside the girl’s dorm, Randy leads James to what’s known as the “black hole” behind the dorm. After James leaves humiliated and hurt, Randy has his mind on only one thing; a gargoyle that sits at the top of the dorm.
For being a short story, I thought the author gave a good portrayal of the characters. Daniel and James both had a certain chemistry that brings them together nicely. The author uses some harsh wording to create Randy’s character as very unlikeable and deserves what he get’s.
This creepy tale, is an easy quick read and leaves us with a lesson to be learned.
Randy Paxton considers himself the big man on campus. He just knows everyone want’s him male or female. He’s crude, obnoxious, a bully and homophobic. He’s targeted James as his next victim.
Daniel O’Malley knows what it’s like being gay on the campus in Alabama. As he watches James interact with Randy, he decides to try his best to warn James before he get’s hurt. Can Daniel show James that even though they both made the same mistake life can still be good?
On Halloween night, outside the girl’s dorm, Randy leads James to what’s known as the “black hole” behind the dorm. After James leaves humiliated and hurt, Randy has his mind on only one thing; a gargoyle that sits at the top of the dorm.
For being a short story, I thought the author gave a good portrayal of the characters. Daniel and James both had a certain chemistry that brings them together nicely. The author uses some harsh wording to create Randy’s character as very unlikeable and deserves what he get’s.
This creepy tale, is an easy quick read and leaves us with a lesson to be learned.
June 20, 2021
This is the first book by J, Scott Coatsworth I've read and if this is anything to go by, I will be looking for more.
There are triggers, so anyone who realizes Scott is a gay author needs to be aware that his books will very likely contain gay content. If this isn't to your liking - don't get the book then bag it.
I've found most gay books I've read are very descriptive, open, blatantly honest and sometimes raw. I expect this and read these authors knowing this is what I'm going to get.
In this story we meet James, Daniel and Randy. Randy is nothing short of a dick - an abuser who uses his popularity to torment and bully people and he targets James. But the spot on campus he chooses couldn't be better for his downfall. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and as always - Karma's a bitch. Way to go GARGOYLE!!!
Scott has earned a place on my favorite author's list and I recommend his books based on this story.
There are triggers, so anyone who realizes Scott is a gay author needs to be aware that his books will very likely contain gay content. If this isn't to your liking - don't get the book then bag it.
I've found most gay books I've read are very descriptive, open, blatantly honest and sometimes raw. I expect this and read these authors knowing this is what I'm going to get.
In this story we meet James, Daniel and Randy. Randy is nothing short of a dick - an abuser who uses his popularity to torment and bully people and he targets James. But the spot on campus he chooses couldn't be better for his downfall. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and as always - Karma's a bitch. Way to go GARGOYLE!!!
Scott has earned a place on my favorite author's list and I recommend his books based on this story.
November 12, 2022
College life is difficult. Now, add on the extra challenge of being Mattie, a young gay man with a huge crush on a straight quarterback.
Randy, the quarterback, has been well-named. He's so randy that he takes sexual advantage of the frequent crushes gay men have on him. And Mattie is so smitten that he can't see he's about to be used, terribly.
And it's Halloween night... 1974.
You may think you know how this story goes, but you don't. It's a short story, and can be read in just about the same amount of time as it takes to have a furtive encounter in the shadows. But the climax is one you didn't see coming. (yes I went there.)
But there's another angle to the story, if you choose to find it. You may find yourself with more empathy and understanding of what life can be like for a guy like Maddie, who must try to hide who he really is. It's not 1974 any longer, but the need for kindness, understanding and empathy is still with us today.
Randy, the quarterback, has been well-named. He's so randy that he takes sexual advantage of the frequent crushes gay men have on him. And Mattie is so smitten that he can't see he's about to be used, terribly.
And it's Halloween night... 1974.
You may think you know how this story goes, but you don't. It's a short story, and can be read in just about the same amount of time as it takes to have a furtive encounter in the shadows. But the climax is one you didn't see coming. (yes I went there.)
But there's another angle to the story, if you choose to find it. You may find yourself with more empathy and understanding of what life can be like for a guy like Maddie, who must try to hide who he really is. It's not 1974 any longer, but the need for kindness, understanding and empathy is still with us today.
October 28, 2018
A cute short little read where the bad guy gets what he deserves.
November 17, 2018
Wow! Loved it. It was one of the shorts that truly displayed the mastery of writing with compelling plot and a happy awww feeling at the end.
November 2, 2019
Karma is real
Karma is real and in this tale, Mattie is vindicated by an unlikely source. Rally enjoyed this short read by J. Scott.
Karma is real and in this tale, Mattie is vindicated by an unlikely source. Rally enjoyed this short read by J. Scott.
March 6, 2020
No real story just sex and revenge. I read it in less then 5 minutes and at the end wished I hadn't. There was nothing about the holiday except when the gargoyle said it.
March 28, 2021
Nicely constructed and a very satisfying read.
November 23, 2019
4.5 stars. The perfect Halloween short story. The end was great. Not too over the top, but still creepy. I liked that Daniel kept trying with Daniel. Trying to keep him safe from Randy, trying to get him to see that he liked James.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews