Disclaimer: The story is fictional. All characters were made up and any similarities are just coincidental. One character is based a little off my life. You can contact me at zarek@roadrunner.com mailto:zarek@roadrunner.com with suggestions or concerns. Thoughts and suggestion are always welcomed and may or may not be implemented. I will at the least respond to let you know that I have read your e-mail. Concerns will be considered and addressed as much as possible.
I hope you're enjoying Another Chance so far and that the story draws you in wanting more. Some people have noticed that this story was "inspired" by another story, a great story, here on Nifty, "Riding Lessons" by Andrew Todd. I hope I don't step on anyone's toes and you give this story a chance. While there may be some similarities, I believe there will be enough differences as well. Mr. Todd was given my rough draft before I made my first submission. He was flattered by the fact I like his story and wanted to refer to it. He's also flattered by those who wrote him to "warn" him about this one. All I can say is, I'm glad you are loyal to him and I hope any references I use do his story justice. If you feel that I let his story down in any way, shape or form, please call my attention to where I did.
AND, if you enjoy the stories on Nifty.org, please give a donation to help cover their expenses. While the site is currently free, only donations from loyal fans can help keep it that way. Any amount will help.
Another Chance - Cast of Characters
This is a list of the characters mentioned in Another Chance. The list does not include those that visit from Riding Lesson's Second Chance, so it is incomplete, but you can reference this list when trying to figure out who is who. As the author, I feel a need to look at my list so I remember who belongs where, and I know some readers have commented on wanting a list. You are welcome to print this for your own personal use.
Recurring Characters:
James "Jim" Patrick Bolt
This is the main character. When the story began, he was fifteen and extremely depressed. His dad had died and his mom sold off the ranch a little at a time until she had no choice but to sell the last plot. Jim had to sell his horse and put his beloved dog down. At the end of the school year, he was yanked from his friends. Now he's in love with Zac Schoen, has his horse back and loves two dogs. He is working at the ranch where his horse is kept. For those that like more detail, Jim has dark brown hair and blue eyes. His date of birth was eleventh of May in 1998.
Heather Bolt
Jim's mother, she's a widow. Her husband was killed by a drunk driver. After trying to run the ranch, she ended up selling it piece by piece. She works as a paralegal in a law firm in Cody.
Zac Schoen
Lives across the street from Jim. They live at the end of a cul-de-sac and their properties actually touch. His mom "conned" him into meeting Heather and Jim. Jim felt an immediate attraction for Zac but hesitated on acting. Zac felt the same way. It wasn't until Jim let Zac know that he was bi before either made a move. Now they are boyfriends. Zac has jet black hair and hazel eyes. His date of birth was the sixteenth of August in 1997.
Joseph "Joe" Charles Walker
Adopted brother of Jim. His dad kicked him out of the house when he found out Joe was gay. Jim instantly took a liking to Joe and has treated him like a brother from day one. Joe has the utmost respect for Jim and feels like Jim is his protector. Joe has blonde hair and emerald green eyes. His birthday is the thirteenth of March in 1998.
Marilyn Schoen Abrams
Marilyn is Zac's mom. Jim kind of adopted her as a second mom. Zac did the same with Heather. Marilyn is a realtor. Later in the story she meets Vince "Vinnie" Abrams and falls in love. When he proposes, she says that she needs to check with Zac first. Unknown to her, he did ask Zac for permission. They got married in September of 2014.
Jackson Sprayberry
Ranch owner. He hired Jim on the spot when he saw his new stallion go right up to the boy. He learned that this stallion used to be owned by Jim and that Jim was the only one who could ride him. Jackson has a boyfriend named Ryan. They fell in love with each other while volunteering at a horse rescue. After Wyoming approved same-sex marriage, they were wed. Unaware to him, Jackson was a twin. His twin was put up for adoption as his parents could barely afford to raise one child. He finally met his twin and became an instant loving brother. The twins were born opposite sides of Midnight so they don't share the same birthdays. Jackson was born the seventh of July in 1991.
Dusty Little Bear
Jim's best friend. When Jim was at his worst, Dusty was the one who refused to give up on him and helped him cope with his loss. Dusty has proven to be a friend from the moment Jim met him. He and Jim take martial art class together.
Cheyenne Haiwe
Dusty's girlfriend. She also shares classes with Jim. A few weeks before Christmas, she was beat up and sexually assaulted. Dusty has always shown her love but at that time it shined more than ever.
Principal Duncan
Principal of Cody High School
Josh
Was second in charge at the ranch before Jackson had the Rescue built. Now Josh manages the Rescue and helps Zac when Jackson takes off.
Jake Shadetree
Owner of the Tack shop where Jackson does business. Jake is a Shoshoni Indian. He is twenty and can guess your clothing size from looking at you.
Ryan Grayson
Boyfriend to Jackson. He works in a law firm but will be giving that up to be a judge. Ryan is five years older than Jackson.
Michael
One of Jim's classmates. He becomes a friend and helps Jim out. Cheyenne likes to call him Mike, but he doesn't like that. He prefers Michael. He has a problem with going into a store and not buying something.
Coach Jenkins
Football coach and PE Instructor.
Matt
Classmate of Zac. He was friends with Zac when Zac's father left. He became almost like a brother and thinks of Zac as his best friend. After Zac's mom, he was the first person to whom Zac came out. Matt is straight and calls Zac Homo in fun. Zac turns around and calls him Straight boy. Matt has money and is generous with it, but he doesn't flaunt it. He believes that his friends are worth more than any amount of money. His girlfriend is Gina and they plan to wed shortly after graduation. Matt says that if he had to choose between his inheritance and Gina, she would win every time.
Gina
Not much to be really said about Gina. She's Matt's girlfriend and she loves horses. Matt grew to like horseback riding just because she did.
Dr. Bear
He is Dusty's father and a psychiatrist. He is the counselor that Jim opted to see.
Llewellyn Jones
Cornelius "Buster" Jones' dad. Was in county lock-up with Mr. Walker and smacked him for beating on Joe. Heather's law firm was able to get him a reduced sentence and he was eventually released for good behavior and over-crowding. He has jet black hair and piercing blue eyes.
Vince "Vinnie" Abrams
He is former retired military and now head of Security for the ranch. While in the military, Vince didn't want to marry. Upon meeting Marilyn Schoen, he fell in love immediately and they eventually married.
Cornelius "Buster" Jones
Llewellyn's son. He fell in love with Joe from the moment he saw him. This gave him the courage to do what he knew was right and tell about the attack on Cheyenne. He started slipping love notes into Joe's locker and revealed himself to Joe on Valentine's Day. He gave Joe a humongous teddy bear. Like his father, Buster has jet black hair and Blue eyes.
Uncle Darry
This is Dusty's uncle from his mom's side of the family. Uncle Darry lives in California but visits his favorite nephew often. He does genealogy for a living and apparently makes good money at it.
Colton "Colt" Ulysses Browning
Was verbally, emotionally and mentally abused by his mother. He went into the foster care system and stayed with Zarek Bolt until going to court. After the judge relinquished Mrs. Browning's parental rights, Jackson filed for adoption of Colt.
Zarek "Dragon" Bolt
Second Cousin to Jim. He works as a writer and a computer consultant. He was foster father to Colt until the court approved Jackson adopting him.
Jeff Sprayberry
This is Jackson's brother. He just graduated from high school and moved to Cody to go to school and be closer to his brother. Jeff started dating Zarek Bolt but decided to just be friends. Now he is pursuing the new ranch hand, Caleb.
Brock Allen Radcliffe VIII
Spoiled rich kid who tried to buy Gold and threw a fit when he couldn't. Realizing that he was only hurting himself, he came around. Upon seeing Jared Dylan, he fell in love.
Brock Allen Radcliffe VII
Brock's father, a very rich man. When he found out that Brock was gay, he told him that he loved him. His wife, not so much. They divorced and she chose to be penniless over having a "faggot" son. Brock set his dad up on a date with the lady who cooks and cleans for them. At first, Mr. Radcliffe was reluctant thinking Tonya only acted like she loved Brock because she was paid. When he discovered that she really did think of him like her son, Mr. Radcliffe proposed.
Jacob Malcolm Dylan
Twin to Jackson, but he was put up for adoption because his mother and father were barely able to support one child. They couldn't afford a second. Upon meeting Jackson, they talked with their mother and confirmed that they are twins. They became best friends almost immediately. While Jackson was born before midnight of the seventh of July, Jacob was born just after midnight on the eighth in the year 1991.
Elizabeth Dylan
Wife of Jacob Dylan. Like Jacob, she was adopted as a child. They wanted to adopt their first child and hoped to eventually have a child of their own. Jacob discovered a pregnancy test stating that someone is pregnant while they were moving. Since it was in his and Elizabeth's bathroom, he believes that it is hers.
Jared Michael Dylan
Adopted son of Jacob and Elizabeth Dylan. He had been rejected by foster parents as soon as they found out he was gay, so he told Jacob and Elizabeth right away. Jacob told him that it didn't matter and Elizabeth took a few days to accept it, but she did. When he went to the ranch for riding lessons, he spotted Brock and walked into a pole.
Tonya Winslow
She cooks and cleans most of the Radcliffe home. She has often told Brock that she loves him like a son. Brock set her up on a date with his dad and they became engaged.
Kensi
Student who goes to class with Colt. She took riding lessons just to get closer to Colt. Will they date?
Jon Robert Bolt
Distant relative of Jim's. He worked on the police force in Roberts, Montana until his father needed constant care preceding his death. On his way to Cody, his brakes failed and he ran into Heather's car. At present he is working security at Another Chance and upon seeing Gold started talking about another horse with a similar coat. This horse ended up being Gold's mother, Aurixi.
Caleb
Worked as a grocery cashier but Jackson felt like he was looking for a change and offered him a job. Caleb is a new riding instructor. He kidded Jeff about stalking him and may end up dating Jeff.
Briefly Mentioned Characters:
Dylan Jenkins - Son of Coach Jenkins and classmate to Jim
Shawn - Classmate of Jim
Lucas - Josh's nine year old son
Mr. Cobblestone - Shoe repair shop owner
Conner - Gun shop owner
Mr. Blair - Homeroom and Health teacher.
Alejandro - Bully who attacked Cheyenne and started fire at ranch
Jerome - Bully who assisted Alejandro
Mrs. Browning - Mother who verbally, emotionally and mentally abused and degraded Colt.
Nick - Blonde haired, brown-eyed teen working in his father's Music Store
Tonya - Zarek's ex-girlfriend in Laramie
Noah Tucker - Zarek's ex-boyfriend in Laramie
Jason Bolt - Zarek's father and cousin to Jim's dad. He eventually bought the ranch that Jim's family had owned.
Charlotte Bolt - Jason's wife and Zarek's mother.
Deputy Archer - Deputy Sheriff who had wanted to arrest Mrs. Browning for a long time.
Deputy Wallace - Deputy Sheriff partnered with Archer.
Mr. Walker - Joe's biological father who beat him for being gay
Mrs. Walker - Joe's biological mother
Samantha Williams - CPS Case Worker
Judge Dillon - Resided over Joe's adoption issue where Mrs. Walker tried to take him back.
Dorothy Wilcox - Attorney for Mrs. Walker. She also caused problems for Joe.
Dr. Bashir - The Bolt's family doctor.
Julian Bashir - Only mentioned by his father Dr. Bashir. He may come into the story later.
Ben Andrews - Tow Truck Driver works for his brother.
John Andrews - Owner of Andrews' Towing.
Officer Jenkins - Officer handling Joe's vandalism case.
Mr. Speedwell - Attorney handing the Walker's will. He was partnered with Miss Wilcox
Ray E Hooker - Detective in charge of Horse Thief case in Roberts, Montana.
Mike Werdna - Owner of the slaughter house
Yet to be Introduced:
Ben Brodie
This is a character in the works. Research is being conducted and he has yet to come into the story. When he does, he will be talking to Jackson about doing a semi-annual Junior Rodeo, and working with students interested to prepare them for it during the "off season".
Others may be added to the story, but at this time, no others are planned.
Animal Characters:
Shadow
Jim's beloved dog that he had to put down before they moved. This story is dedicated to my Shadow who I had to put down. I started writing this story on the one year anniversary of her death as my way of coping with it.
Gold
Horse Jim owned in Montana. As they sold the ranch, Jim had to sell his horse. When he went to Another Chance with Zac, he was reunited with his beloved Stallion. Until Jim got injured, Gold only let Jim on his back.
Kunoichi
Female black Lab. Her name means "female ninja." She resembles Shadow a lot and made Jim feel like Shadow was saying, "be happy." This is one of the two pups that Dusty took Jim to get.
Colby
The other pup, Colby is a male yellow Lab. Jim named him Colby after the cheese. He likes pulling on shoe laces and has become drawn to Joe.
Silver
White quarter horse. His original owner was a Lone Ranger fan but he was killed serving our country. Jackson bought the horse and sold it to Zac. Zac feels honored and rides Silver to memorialize the fallen soldier.
Caesar
Jackson's first stud horse, he's a palomino but his coat is dull compared to Gold's.
Bootsie
Brown quarter horse with a single white boot. Reminds Heather of the first horse she and Jon bought together.
Sunshine
Colt sired by Gold. He was born on Jim's birthday and given to Joe.
Midnight
Zarek Bolt's horse.
Midnight Star
Mare Colt adopted from the Rescue. When Colt first rode her, he was told that she was deaf and may never regain her hearing. When she sensed danger, she took off. Upon stopping, Colt went flying and fell into a well. She rescued him.
Father's Dream
A horse at the ranch.
Aurixi
Dame of Gold. She went missing shortly after Gold was born and turned up almost four years later when a group of horse thieves were captured.
Fareyr
Black stallion quarter horse w/ white face patch that Jackson bought for Matt. Name means "god of marriage."
Kearis
Black mare quarter horse w/ white face patch that Jackson bought for Matt. Name means "goddess of beauty."
I have created a mailing list. If you would like to be added to it to be informed of new submission, please contact me at zarek@roadrunner.com mailto:zarek@roadrunner.com .