Meet Stephanie Ridgeman:)

Currently Reading:  Finished Just One Victory and enjoyed it!  A good account of a girl's dream of being popular and her slide into alcoholism.  I'm also on Chapter 2 of Right Name, Wrong Man by Mona Risk.

A special HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my nephew David, who turns 10 years old today!!!!  You're the best nephew north of the border, sweetheart!

Now, On With The Interview:

Hi Stephanie!  How are you?

It's about time you got around to interviewing me.  I'm good.

How's your friendship with Caitlyn?

It's pretty much been reduced to only Christmas cards, though she's friendly when we do see each other.  But it will never be the closeness we had before I came out.  And Keri's the same way.  As long as we stay off the subject of sex or our love lives, she's cool.

That must be frustrating, knowing you can't confide in your friends.

It's okay.  Gretchen's always willing to listen and offer advice, and of course, I've made other friends now, Molly.  People grow and change.

Do you still drink Mountain Dew?

(sputters)  I still can't believe you put that scene in there!  How do you remember that?  It's not like you had your camera on and took pictures!

No, but it was funny at the time.  You know me; I remember the strangest things.
How about your relationship with your parents?  Did it ever heal?

Before Mom died a few years ago, she told me she'd finally accepted me again.  Dad and my brothers, well, as long as I don't bring it up in mixed or polite company, they're fine with having me around.  But Jo could never go with me, so we pretty much spent the holidays with her parents.

Are you still teaching PE and coaching?

Sometimes.  I discovered I was actually a good hospice worker, and I help out at the local YMCA with the kids in basketball, volleyball, and soccer.  Sometimes I umpire for the softball teams, even though I can't hit the ball to save my life.

What attracted you to Jodie?

No drama going on, other than with her friend Laura and her on-again/off-again girlfriend Daphne.  I could hang out with her and be, well, normal.  Not listening to anyone obsess over whether or not they should tell so-and-so they danced with this guy or not, or how to tell the parents they've broken up with Person X and now want to be with Person Y, or even if Susan's not eating enough.  Jo and I watched TV, went out to eat or to a bar, and as long as Curtis had enough chips and dip at Jo's house, he was fine.

Yeah, what's the story on Curtis and Brandon, anyway?

How the hell should I know?  They came out of YOUR imagination.

Point taken.  Thanks for sitting down with me today, Steph.

Any time.  Who's story is next?

Susan's is slated to be released in August.

Okay; I look forward to seeing that one.

Here's another excerpt from Searching For Love:


“So how long have you known...known you were gay?” She lowered her voice.

“Ever since the eighth grade.” Jodie sounded matter-of-factly. “I got turned on by models and the female stars, instead of the male ones. Guys, I really have no use for, other than for comedy.”

“No kidding?” Stephanie choked on her Mountain Dew. “Have you ever...ah...done it with a guy?”

“Oh, hell yes.” Jodie leaned forward. “But, you know, it just didn’t feel right. For me, I mean. I was totally turned off by him, the feeling wasn’t there. Do you know what I mean?”

“Kind of.” Stephanie frowned, trying to understand. “It’s like having a one-night-stand, waking up the next day with the oh-my-god, what-have-I-done, and how-the-hell-did-I-let-this happen sort of feeling, and then putting as much distance as you can between yourself and that person?”

Jodie smiled. “I suppose you could say that. You know, that’s what I like about you, you have the darnedest way of cheering a person up.”

“That’s me, class clown Steffie. I was voted ‘Most Likely To Join the Circus’ or become the next Paula Poundstone.” She swallowed and shoved her salad bowl away. “Like that’s ever going to happen. I have stage fright in speech class.”

“All you have to do is picture everyone in their underwear.” Jodie’s eyes sparkled. “Haven’t you ever heard that?”

“Every time.” Steph wadded up her napkin. “Then I end up with a bad case of the giggles.”

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Breaking News:  SFL is now on KINDLE!