“The Passion of Sean Gillain” Full-length Chapter Preview

We’ve been hearing about you spurning Caeleb and Tim again, Sean.”

That was the topic of the dinner table as Uncle Jace brought up the matter after everyone sat down to eat (guest-starring the Merriweather aunt/niece duo). And needless to say, neither of my uncles or even their kids were happy to hear about my second encounter with the athletic jocks.

“That I did,” I admitted as I helped myself to the stir-fry that Uncle Javi helped prepared. “And I know that you guys want me to warm up to them, but I just can’t.”

“You mean, you won’t, just like you won’t even warm up to your brother,” Trevor pointed out, giving me a dirty look. “Dude, everyone’s trying to gibe you the benefit of the doubt with your new life here in Newport. But it’s like you’re intending to be cold or indifferent to everyone who you meet.”

“You just don’t understand,” I began to protest.

“Then help us try to understand,” Alyssa interrupted. “Make us see why you can’t give this new change of scenery a try or at least care more to try something new, never mind being friendly towards mine and Trevor’s friends.”

I sighed, unsure on how to answer that.

“That’s what we all thought,” Steffy stated. “Sean, you know the contract that you signed back in Macon is non-negotiable and it was supposed to help you be better than what you were when you were laid up in the hospital: emotionally unbalanced and mentally exhausted. And it was a better offer than you being with your older siblings or your parents.”

“Exactly,” Uncle Javi said as he motioned for everyone (except me) to resume eating. “And unless you want Jace and I to call up Dr. Patel and your parents as well as your grandparents to let them know that you’re not being fair, you need to do right and put your best efforts into this time here. It doesn’t have to be even big moments. Start small.”

I knew he was right. If everyone back in Georgia got wind of my time here so far and how I wasn’t playing ball, then it would give Daddy Dearest and his brood all the ammunition to get me back into their realm and be surrounded by them. And Lord knows, I do NOT want that to happen. “Fine,” I relented, “but I’m still going to avoid those two jocks.”

“Sean,” Uncle Jace said in warning.

“No, Uncle Jace. If I have to fall in line with this contract, I at least get to have one freedom and that includes steering clear of Trevor and Alyssia’s friends. They may mean well, but…”

I shook my head no, not wanting to finish that sentence and unleash the dark secrets of that particular Pandora’s box.

But Uncle Jace saw otherwise. “Do they remind you of your brother Ra’Keem?”

Damn that man. “More than you know, Uncle Jace. I know the truth about jocks built like tanks and have that swagger that turns people on and off: they may talk a good game and act friendly, but the moment they start showing their dark sides things go downhill. And I’m not taking that chance.”

Alyssia sat down her fork. “Did Ra’Keem or his buddies say or did something to you?” she asked.

“You guys remember when Ra’Keem got drafted to the NFL after graduating from UGA, right? And how Mom and Dad wanted to show him off with some fancy dinner?”

“I remember that day,” Uncle Javi stated. “Eveline and Emmett said that your parents had wanted you there at their place. And you were in tenth grade that day. What exactly happened that day?”

**********

Flashback (The Dinner Party from Hell)…

“Sean, I understand that you’re into some ‘farming club’ that you’re part of,” one of Jessica’s fashion-influencer friends said as we sat down to the catered dinner with me seated in between my older sister and the “man of the hour” himself (as ordered by our parents- mainly Dad). The mandatory celebratory dinner party was mainly for the family (Grandma and Grandpa included), but my siblings were permitted to bring their schoolmates and their families while Mom had some of her friends as did Dad. And while everyone was dressed to impress, I was content on my pastel-colored Sunday best from JCPenney.

“It’s the FFA,” I corrected. “And I’ve been showcasing a few of the cattle and doing public speaking for a couple of competitions,” I replied.

“Showing cattle and speeches are well and fine, but you must admit that you need to branch out and make new friends,” Dad said, his surgical and caustic way of tearing people’s self-esteem apparent in the way he spoke to me or about me. “You should think about playing for football at your school or some other sport. Maybe Ra’Keem could take you under his wing for a summer training session.”

“Thanks, but I’ll be busy with the general store,” I answered.

“Sean, think about the offer and how your presenting yourself as a family,” Mom said, her snake-charmer purr on full speed. “Jamal’s already catching the eye of the basketball coach from Central High and he’s only in the fifth grade. While Monica’s been working with me for a few photoshoots and learning a lot from Jessica. You need to start letting go of being on the farm all the time and stop thinking small.”

“And besides, no real teen worth his salt really wants to stay in a little town like Adams Falls,” one of Ra’Keem’s friends sneered at me. “Look at you, you’re dressing like my tired-as-fuck granddaddy. Thank God he’s in the nursing home.”

“Probably because Grandma Evaline still fetches his clothes for him, dressing him up like a kid,” Jessica snickered. “Bet he gets no play from the kids at his school. Then again, everyone back in Twiggs County dresses up for church all the time.”

That was enough for my grandparents, Grandpa standing to his feet and whirling on his son-in-law. “Are you really permitting this?” he asked hotly.

Dad just shrugged as he cut his steak. “Sean needs to cowboy up and be a real man if he wants to be ahead in the world,” he replied flippantly. “Sean brought it on himself for being a future farmer like you. Thank God that your daughter married a winner like me and we were blessed to have at least four winners.”

Grandma looked livid, facing her daughter. “Josaline, you can’t let him talk like that,” she seethed.

Mom looked unashamed. “It’s for Sean’s own good,” she commented, not looking sorry at all. To me, “You take in what’s been said, Sean, and be more like Ra’Keem and Jessica as well as Jamal and Monica.”

“Sean, we’re leaving,” Grandma stated. “And this is the VERY LAST time that we attend these kind of parties where you’re trashed while your siblings are treasured.”

I stood to my feet. “That sounds like a plan to me,” I stated.

“Sean, you need to stay here until dinner is finished,” Dad admonished me. “Or are you going to disappoint this family by being too much of a Holy Roller like your grandparents?”

It was my turn to have the last word. “I’ve been disappointing this family the moment you placed me in the care of my grandparents while you and Mom were too busy with Jamal and Monica,” I said. “Why should it change now? I won’t be back for any more events until you guys start showing me the same kind of love that you showed everyone else.”

Without another word, I followed my grandparents and we stormed out of the McMansion as the dinner went on without us…

**********

“Damn,” Trevor hissed, shaking his head. “We never really thought about how you must’ve felt with our relatives, your parents and siblings, dogging you to make themselves feel better.”

“That’s how it was even after that dinner party,” I stated. “People with that kind of swagger turn me off, hence me not wanting to speak to my family or even Caleb and Tim. I may be petty for it, but that’s how it is.”

“Sean, you have to admit that you need to at least try something to find healing for yourself and keep healthy,” Uncle Jace said. “All of this amniosity is not good for you and you know it. Now, you WILL apologize to Caeleb and Tim by the end of the week if you don’t want me to call Emmett and Evaline. And as for your mental health and your family, you need to see the therapist and talk to her about those feelings regarding your family.”

“Uncle Jace-“

“No buts, Sean. You either fall in line, or we’re sending you back to Georgia and you stay with your parents or even either Ra’Keem or Jessica so they can talk some sense into you,” Uncle Javi cut me off with a glare that softened. “We want to help you, but you gotta help yourself.”

I bit back a groan, knowing that this was non-negotiable. “Fine,” I relented. “But I’m not ready to talk to my family yet.”

“Fair enough,” Uncle Jace said before finally allowing me to eat. “But you need to tal to them sooner or later, you know.”

I prefer later, if I could be brutally honest. Like “when Hawaii is caught in a blizzard” kind of later. But I wasn’t going to say that out loud.

You’ll never forget the first time! “The Passion of Sean Gillain” is available to read EXCLUSIVELY on Wattpad!

Hope everyone has a great new week.

#NewWeek

📜 Weekly Verse

In this week; the hand of the Lord will cause you to reap where you have not sown. The Lord will bless you with favor (IJPN!). Key_In 📌

#Faithverse

#verseoftheweek

Something Exciting is Coming on my Birthday!

Raw.

Real.

Unfiltered.

Authentic.

Unapologetically Unscripted.

A new era arrives on my 35th birthday. And after a failed stint from my first attempt back in 2019, I am giving this a second run and am going to go all-in with this spinoff blog post.

From sharing my journey as an indie author to my opinions about the world’s version of events to what’s on my heart; I am holding nothing back and being openly and thoroughly honest.

The new site itself is set to launch on August 29th, 2026 (my 35th birthday) as I’m still working on the final details for the site’s layout and all. But everything is going to be cemented before the launch date. I’ve been imagining for this day to arrive when I can share my most intimate and candid thoughts.

Spread the word and get excited for the late summer! “Unscripted Jarrick Exum” is going online on August 29th! I hope y’all are ready because I am holding nothing back. As for this weblog and future updates, they will resume this week (this Tuesday, to be precise). Have a great weekend, and I’ll chat with you guys soon!

#newweek #Monday #MondayMarvel #music #newmusic #spring #summer #start #hot #heat

Kick off the new week with a bit of #Dubbercrapple !

https://open.spotify.com/track/0ZoGL172bbJNGC8pCEEFhA?si=lJkxM6tAQgynNvQOB8iE6w%0A

“The Passion of Sean Gillain” Returns: Sean Gillain in His Own Words

After several months of radio silence, the story returns with a new voice and a new flavor!

Just my luck!

My family is known to pull low-blows on me, but them selling the family farm (with Grandpa and Grandma’s blessing) is the lowest of the low. Even for their standards. Not only that, they went and filed a college application behind my back, and in Newport, Rhode Island, of all places yet! The sad fact of it all was that it was all done even as I was recovering from a health scare that landed me in the hospital right after my high-school graduation.

If I had any real say, I’d fight everyone to get the farm and family home back. Unfortunately, I didn’t. The worse part of it all, however, is that I’ll be moving in with my gay uncle and his family who will make sure that I focus on having fun and enjoy the city life as a college kid while monitoring my health. So, what’s a brother to do at this point? Well, I can only make the most of this situation and go with the flow. But one thing will be mandatory: passions will not be on my agenda since I viewed them to be distracting and unnecessary. What I need is routine and order, not pointless fantasies or falling for my cousins’ friends. I have my standards, after all. Just sayin’.

“The Passion of Sean Gillain” has returned to Wattpad as I get things back on track. But this time, I am going to give the story a more dramatic yet flavorful storyline. The first 7 chapters are available EXCLUSIVELY on Wattpad right now, but chapters 8 and 9 will be republished tomorrow afternoon. After that, new chapters return beginning this Saturday.

You’ll never forget the first time! TPSG is back for the Summer Wattpad Games, and you’re going to want more and more! Don’t miss it!

Cute Monday Wishes to Warm Your Heart #shorts
- Starting the week with a grateful heart & a new video for you. Happy Monday everyone! May your new week be filled with love, joy, and beautiful moments. With Love, Jeanne
See link in profile for more healing messages.
🤍
#NewWeek #MondayMotivation #GoodVibes #PositiveEnergy #peace
#family #friends #community

(made with ai tools)

“The Guardian of Couture” Inaugural Sneak Preview

Eleven in the morning hit like an after-school alarm as Emilia came to my office and said, “Two-hour lunch. You, me, Francis, the assistants you met today. Moreno’s Bistro. Don’t worry, it’s part of your internship. All interns are paid to eat lavish.”


I knew it wasn’t polite to say no to paid-for meals, especially when my stomach was craving for something more than fruit. So I followed the Briton assistant as we joined the others for a three-minute trek to the restaurant in question. Once we arrived (apparently, the owners of the restaurant knew of the magazine), we were sitting down in a private dining room of the restaurant as I grabbed a menu that boasted no prices. Knowing better than to refuse or go hungry, I settled for a bruschetta-themed pasta dish and a side salad.


“So, Alcide,” Gianna said after the blonde and perky waitress took everyone’s orders. “Feeling the pressure yet? You can tell that this is far from what you’re used to.”


“It’s fast-paced and full of high energy, but I’m understanding the lay of the land,” I replied, pausing to take a sip of iced tea. “Plus, staying on my feet at a job like waiting tables at Bennigan’s or busing tables at Zum-Zum gave me practice.”


“So we’ve heard,” Derrick said. “And what of your family?”


That made the air drop ten degrees at the mention of the people who had me exiled. Might as well, I said to myself. Out loud, “Well, my family isn’t the type of being used to the idea of working at a fashion magazine. They expected me to go to Liberty University or at least stay local and marry the church pastor’s daughter, who had the personality of cold spaghetti.”


“But surely you might’ve wanted some sort of reconciliation,” Mariah suggested.


I shook my head no. “My father was a proud and overly masculine man, just like my older brother Tyler. The latter was a jock with the typical asshole vibes yet is also a state trooper for the Lone-Star State and one of the teen-designated pastors,” I said. “Paige, meanwhile, could light up a room and make everyone feel more at ease. She was also as demure and deferring as my mother. They were fitted for each other. Then you have me, the middle child with dark humor like his late grandparents- both sets- and was never taken seriously. I was actually glad for being exiled because the expectations set before me changed more than Tyler changed his underpants.


“When they told me that I couldn’t return to Texas under the penalty of being shot down, I knew that they meant every word. Tyler and his buddies were good with guns and never missed a shot. They called me up every time that there was something going on back home and I was barred from attending. I was even barred from missing Paige’s graduation from middle school while I was a freshman in college. ‘Just stay where you are if you value your life,’ Tyler had slurred the day before. ‘Don’t make me regret not shooting you at the Greyhound bus station.’ So, I stayed away and either celebrated in silence when there were happy moments back home or mourned in silence when someone passed away. And even if I don’t get a job at Couture, I know that going back to Texas was, and still is, out of the question,” I finished.

You’ll never forget the first time! ” The Guardian of Couture” is hitting the runways, available EXCLUSIVELY on Wattpad! Don’t miss it!