Hubert knows he brings shame on himself and on the Lord by being a queer -- his grandad and the pastor of his evangelical church tell him as much all the time. So when he dies in a freak accident, he's as delighted as he is surprised to waltz right through the Pearly Gates, no questions asked. He even gets a beautiful angel named Bartholomew as his very own guide to the Afterlife.<br><br>But when the angel makes brazen overtures, Hubert realizes his soul may have taken a wrong turn. Hubert beseeches Bartholomew to keep his hands to himself and help him find his rightful place in the Heaven he's always heard about. As they set out to explore his options, Bartholomew hopes Hubert will learn a thing or two along the way about the deeply personal definitions of Paradise.

Sin to Get Saved

“Bartholomew,” he panted as he slowly regained what composure was available to him floating naked in a pool of chocolate in the arms of an angel.


“Do you think you could, you know…” Hubert couldn’t believe he was asking this. He couldn’t believe he wanted it, but it was the only thought he presently had room for in his head or in his heart. He stammered and stuttered, but he locked eyes with Bartholomew and he got it out. “I mean, if you want, do you think you could…take me?”


Bartholomew widened his eyes with a smile. “Yes, Hubert.”


With another flick of Bartholomew’s finger, the chocolate was gone. As suddenly as it had changed, now again water was water, rocks were rocks. Hubert and Bartholomew were still slathered in the sweet stuff, but they washed clean under the falls, Hubert wringing out his hair while Bartholomew fluffed his feathers in the stream of cool water.


“You’re in Heaven, Hubert. We can do whatever you want.”


Chapter 21