After being robbed by a black assailant, white Chicago dentist Mark Cross is hesitant to go out at night, let alone get involved in an interracial relationship, but that’s exactly what happens after he meets Darren Nichols, a black high school teacher and basketball coach. When Mark and Darren are introduced at a party, their attraction to each other is immediate and intense, and they soon begin dating. As their relationship progresses, Mark realizes he loves Darren. But he’s hesitant to ask Darren to move in with him because Darren’s last relationship ended poorly and Darren is scared to get involved with another man so quickly after that experience. Mark also worries he doesn’t live up to Darren’s expectations and fears Darren ultimately longs for a man who isn’t white. And Mark is still haunted by the man who mugged him and harbors fears about black men in general. Despite his worries and insecurities, Mark asks Darren to move in with him and Darren agrees. Though they both bring baggage to their bond, Mark and Darren work hard to build a life together. But when Darren invites over some of the guys he plays basketball with, Mark suspects one of the players, Terrance, is the same man who assaulted him. Mark shares his suspicions with Darren, but Darren isn’t convinced his friend could do something so terrible. Mark is determined to uncover the truth, but will he jeopardize his relationship with Darren in the process?

Pivot

“Well?” Darren asked as he put his Blazer in gear and pulled away from his parents’ house.


“I think your parents are very nice and they love you very much.”


“But nothing. That’s it. What did youthink?”


“I think they liked you. I mean, they’ll never really like any man I’m with, but I’m fairly certain you passed the smell test.”


“Now,” he said with a sigh, “when do I get to meet Dr. and Dr. Cross?”


Both of my parents were dentists and, before their retirement a few years back, they ran a successful practice in the northern suburbs where they lived. I leaned back in my seat and closed my eyes. “You don’t want to meet them.”


Chapter 13