Reviewed by Stephen K
TITLE: Give it Away
AUTHOR: Gordon Phillips
PUBLISHER: JMS Books
LENGTH: 74 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 27 , 2021
BLURB:
Businessman Kyle is about to run for the bus when he is solicited by Robbie, a street prostitute. Momentarily distracted, Kyle stumbles and misses the bus, and when Robbie repeats his proposition, Kyle decides to take him up on the offer, mostly because he’s struck by Robbie’s beauty and directness.
In his vague desire to do something for Robbie, Kyle ends up hosting him when he arrives one evening at Kyle’s condo. Is Robbie just using him? Or is he out for something more?
REVIEW:
This short tale of “businessman meets working boy” is noteworthy for its uncommon combination of fantasy fulfillment and verisimilitude. Kyle is the thirty-something conventional character that is entirely believable. I’ve never been as fond of classical music as Kyle is here, I’ve known plenty boys like Robbie. But I’ve never been so trusting as to leave one in my apartment while I went to work.
Ever since first encountering them back in the “bad ole days” (read that as the early 80s), I’ve been fascinated by “working boys”, though I’ve never had one accost me on my way into work. I could easily see myself doing exactly what Kyle does in this story, except that I’d never be as trusting as he is here.
Kyle’s attitude in the chapter “Betrayal” is one that I could completely identify with. Being used in some way is part of the equation in relationships of this sort, and while I’ve been used a time or two, I’ve never let myself be as vulnerable to it as Kyle was here. That Robbie was as sincere as he was her is part of what makes this a fantasy. Though to be honest I’ve encountered similar levels of momentary sincerity in lads like this.
Currently I’m reading another set of short novellas about working boys that just doesn’t ring as “true.” I’m wondering if part of the difference is that this one was penned by a male writer whilst the less believable set is penned by a woman.
The title of this comes from the Red Hot Chili Peppers song. In “Give it Away” there is a lyric that goes “Love is Free, love. Me say Hell yes!” Vinyl loving, Bach enamored, Kyle is introduced to the song thanks to younger, hipper, Robbie after inviting the young lad into his home. The song mentions kingpins and paupers and while I’d not consider Kyle any kind of kingpin, from the perspective of street-living Robbie, he might as well be. That and many other parallels may be found if one is familiar with the song.
At only 74 pages, this is a lightning quick read and is certainly worth the reading time.
RATING: 
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