Tristan used to be top salesman at his firm, but when his friends suffered a tragedy, he stepped in to support them. Their ordeal over, Tristan turned to partying to ease his new solitude. Now his job is at risk and he stands to lose his home. Rain spent years putting up with his husband Milo's bad behavior before moving out. Single again and insecure, Rain dreams of creating a marionette show to celebrate kids on the autism spectrum in honor of his son. When Rain meets his neighbor Tristan, he's drawn to Tristan's sex-appeal and protective nature. But Milo keeps pulling on Rain's strings and messing with his head. Tristan loves everything about Rain, including the strange sandwiches, mismatched socks, crazy marionettes, glitter makeup, and messy apartment. And Rain wants to give Tristan everything, but can he cut lose from Milo's hold?

A Touch of Rain

Version addressed the children. Softly, he asked them to help him dance. Music started again and the taped voices of the chorus cried louder over it, still refusing to listen. Version danced, and the kids clapped, and as the music swelled, the light show began again. This time, the black walls lit up as well, and Tristan saw that Rain had made tiny holes in the walls, allowing light to pour through.


As lights zoomed across the room, Version danced and fell into the sheet. The lights went off and the kids yelped.


When the lights were turned back on, Version stood with the chorus of marionettes, warming his hands to the glow stick bonfire.


The chorus rubbed their eyes and spoke all at once, their taped voices resounding through the auditorium. They couldn’t see anything. But with time, Version assured them, they would, and they did.


Chapter 82