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

“My father’s family will always have my love, as any good Christian should love his family and, for that matter, his neighbors, but respect has to be earned, and that they have not done. On the day I told my parents I was gay, my father flew into a rage and my mother became hysterical. My maternal grandmother was present on that occasion, and I will always remember and treasure what she said to my mother. She said, ‘Mildred, your son is as God created him. Who are you to question Hishandiwork?’


“Thank you for that, Grandma Walker. You are a very wise and wonderful woman and the epitome of what every Christian should strive to be.”


Noah nodded in the direction of the organ and said, “Dr. Foster, if you please.”


The transposed alto aria from the Elijah was wonderfully effective for a bass/baritone. Tom played the opening bars of the piece, and Noah’s deeply resonant voice filled the room. “Oh rest in the Lord, wait patiently for him….”


Chapter 113