Schoolteacher Julian Reynolds is disillusioned with the seedier side of gay life in New York City with its self-absorption, vanity, and preoccupation with sex. When his long-time relationship with his high school sweetheart ends, he returns to his hometown and vows to live a simple life free of the extremes of the gay lifestyle and romantic entanglements. With that end in mind, he rents the carriage house next door to a large Tudor-style home.<br><br>Tate Butler, a former student of Julian’s, lives in the big house with his mother. Tate is bitter and withdrawn after losing a leg while serving in the Marine Corps during the war in Afghanistan. Fearing rejection from his mother and blaming himself for his father’s death, Tate stays firmly in the closet and punishes himself by refusing to learn how to walk again.<br><br>Can Tate and Julian help heal each other’s pasts and forge a real and lasting future together? Or will the driveway that separates their houses prove too wide a gulf to cross?

The Marine Next Door

Julian then noticed the man’s crutches and wheelchair near the side of the pool. Remembering Tate’s outburst of earlier that morning, and his embarrassment at knowing Julian had witnessed it, Julian wasn’t sure what to do. Not wanting to embarrass Tate further, Julian decided to leave. However, just as he was about to turn away, he saw Tate look up and spot him. Feeling that if he left now, it would be a worse embarrassment for Tate, Julian laid his towel on a lounge chair, walked to the side of the pool, and squatted down.


“How’s the water?” Julian asked as Tate swam toward him.


“Same as it always is, eighty degrees—it’s heated after all, so what else would it be?” Tate asked, then quickly added, “I’m sorry. It just hasn’t been a good day for me.”


Tate then moved to where his crutches were lying near the edge. He began to haul himself out of the water. Julian was tempted to help, but Tate had been out here swimming alone. Tate obviously didn’t feel he needed help.


Chapter 11