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

I waited until more than a month into the new year to do something I hoped I wouldn’t later regret. I went to see Carlos. 11


Carlos was looking under the hood of a Pathfinder when I approached him at the garage. There was another mechanic with him, a smaller Hispanic-looking man, and he was explaining something to the guy in Spanish. When he saw me, he immediately switched to English and asked what I wanted.


“I don’t know if you remember me,” I said. “I’m Mark. Darren’s…friend.”


“Can I talk with you privately for a moment? It won’t take long.”


Carlos looked me over and frowned before turning back to the Hispanic guy beside him. He said something in Spanish to the guy and the guy nodded. Then he turned back to me and told me to follow him to his office.


Carlos’s office was a small room at the back of the garage. It was dingy and cluttered and I felt totally claustrophobic when he closed the door behind us.


Chapter 36