When Dennis Irvine finally arrives at the pearly gates, St. Peter tells him he's late. This is nothing new for Dennis, who's always had a poor sense of timekeeping. On being admitted into Heaven, Dennis is assigned to Brett, a handsome college football player, who will be his guide. Heaven is not what Dennis expects. It's a college campus, Dennis sleeps in a dorm room with Brett, it's always football season, and why are there so many corners? Dennis and Brett forge a close platonic father and son friendship as they both wait for their lovers to pass over. Each time the Archangel Gabriel comes to tell them of new arrivals, Dennis hopes he'll have news of Colton, his beloved firefighter. But the wait is a long one.

Waiting for Colton

“Good,‘cause we’re really gonna be late if we keep on stopping.”


Late for what?Dennis wondered,but didn’t ask.


They entered a large building,went up a flight of stairs,walked along hallways—some lit,others not.They turned corners,then more corners.


“Here we are,home sweet home,”Brett said,stopping at a door and opening it.It hadn’t been locked.


Dennis entered.It was a typical dorm room,not too dissimilar from the one he’d had in college.He noticed the closets on one wall.“Yours is the far one.”Brett told him.


“But I didn’t bring any luggage or anything.”


Brett gave him that look again.Dennis realized he’d made another stupid comment.“Take a look inside.”


Dennis strolled over to the white-painted door and pulled it open.It squeaked,just like the one in his old dorm room had.Inside,the racks and shelves were full of new clothes.Everything looked new,stylish…expensive.


Chapter 3