Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2002 19:08:26 -0600
From: Daniel Stepnoski <danielstepnoski678@hotmail.com>
Subject: Root Beer Boys Epilogue

Root Beer Boys
Epilogue
October 28, 2002

I'm not sure anyone even remembers this story, but for those who do I feel
I owe an explanation.  Two years ago next month (Nov 2000), shortly after I
published part one of Root Reer Boys, I published another story entitled
Growing Pains. Several youngsters wrote me about those two stories as did
several adults, but one young 16 year old was unique. Peter had been
terribly abused as a small child and desperately needed to know the love of
a Dad.

To make a long story short, Peter became my son. For the past year, hardly
a day has gone by that we haven't spoken by phone at least once and often
twice. Peter lived in Melbourne, Australia. I live in Texas, USA.

Peter died last week of complications incident to his battle with cancer.
My wife and I were to have traveled to Melbourne for his high school
graduation in December, and we were hoping to bring him home with us.

I'm not sure I will ever finish Root Beer Boys or Growing Pains. I had
great plans for both, but the desire to write has left me. Peter's last
letter to me, written just a couple of hours before he died, made reference
to Growing Pains with these words: Never forget, Dad, you gave me that
first bit of hope with the story you wrote. I hope too that it brings the
same hope to others as it has to me. I also hope that my stories have
helped other boys to grow as they perhaps struggle with being gay. Peter
accepted it as a part of who he was, and I am proud to be able to call him
my son.

Micrometer69@hotmail.com is no longer an active mailbox. If you wish to
comment, you may write to me at danielstepnoski678@hotmail.com