Tom Foster has his life planned out, and he's systematically pursuing his goals. At twenty-two, he's been organist and choirmaster at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd for three years, he's working on his doctoral thesis, and he's beginning a secondary career performing in concert. There is no room in his schedule for romance ... until Noah Webster, a gorgeous green-eyed blond, walks into the church one evening to audition for the choir.<br><br>What starts as an arrangement of convenience -- Tom's usual page turner is unavailable, and Noah agrees to do the job-soon turns into a fast friendship. Then Noah, who is saddled with an obnoxious roommate, rents the spare bedroom in Tom's house, and ultimately the two men become lovers and partners in life.<br><br>But before they can ride off into the sunset together, they must face one major obstacle: Noah's violent, homophobic Southern Baptist father.

Love Turns the Page

“No. I can’t afford to eat out unless it’s the Golden Arches.”


“The struggling college student. Been there, done that.”


In the restaurant, they were seated at a banquette along the rear wall, but not until they’d passed several tables occupied by some very gay men and a few gay women. “This isn’t my favorite restaurant,” Tom said. “It’s just a little too gay for my taste, but the food is good, the service is adequate, and the prices are reasonable.”


“What do you mean when you say ‘too gay’?”


“Did you ever see the movie Mannequin?”


“Sure, it’s one of my favorites.”


“Then you surely remember the black guy named Hollywood in the movie. I’m referring to people like that.”


They ordered sandwiches and Cokes, and he began to quiz Noah. “So where exactly are you from?”


“Wow. That’s over halfway to Tallahassee from here.”


“You forgot to mention that it’s very small and very redneck.”


Chapter 5