Bitter and depressed after his boyfriend walks out on him, Garth Morgan cancels Christmas. Garth’s mom has other ideas however. She reminds him there’s still Adam, Garth’s eight-year-old son to consider. So Garth braves the Christmas Eve crowds at the shopping mall to buy gifts. Despite aching feet and arms that feel like they’re being pulled out of their sockets, Garth agrees to wait in line so Adam can see Santa. Adam asks for a new boyfriend for his daddy because the last one made Daddy cry. When the Santa lectures both Garth and Adam about the sins of homosexuality, Adam objects, swivels around on the man’s knee, and kicks him in the nuts. Before Adam and Garth can make their escape, they’re stopped by Tony Luciano, a former Marine who now works as a security guard. One look at the man’s wide chest, broad shoulders, and model-handsome face has Garth hoping Adam’s wish is about to come true.

The Nutcracker

Tony forced down a growl. “I’m not Uncle Jerry.” Remembering the Legos, he said, “If your dad says it’s okay for you to have these now, then—”


“Oh, cool!” Adam exclaimed, spotting the box. “Dad?”


Tony knew, and probably Garth knew, too, that Garth would say ‘yes.’


Tony was offered coffee but declined, saying they needed to make tracks. As Garth slipped into the heavy jacket that his mom held open for him, Tony noticed the man’s sweater. It was identical to the one Tony was wearing.


Main Street in Ann Arbor was crowded, but then it was Christmas Eve. Garth and Tony had walked through Kerrytown looking in the shop windows and checking out the menus at the various bistros. Garth saw several other same sex couples doing the same thing but they were invariably holding hands. He and Tony weren’t at that stage yet…might never get to that stage. 


Chapter 6