Growing up is hard enough, but it’s worse as a pacifist whose country is at war. Jim and Brian are neighbors, best friends, and high school graduates heading for college. In 1970 the Vietnam War raged, and Brian and Jim, both pacifists, worry about being drafted. To make matters worse, both men are gay and far from out. When Brian finally admits his feelings for his friend, he’s surprised and pleased Jim feels the same. Brian’s father teaches jujitsu, and the two men learn the ancient art, though neither believes in fighting. They struggle to overcome their pacifist tendencies amid racial tension and homophobia that threatens to tear their lives -- and their love -- apart. Can Brian and Jim turn fear into courage and learn to defend themselves, and each other, to create a life of love?

Fear and Courage

The next morning, just before Brian left for work, he met Jim in the kitchen. “You didn’t have to get up.”


Dad walked in. “Brian, have a good day. I’ll keep an eye on Jim. Michelle is in town and will take my runs for the day. She’ll be here tonight and stay for a few days. She cried when I told her what happened.”


Jim walked Brian to the car. “We still need to go to the store in the mall and pay for the panties. We’ll do it after you get home. We need to clean the slate.”


Brian arrived at work early. He and Rico had become a team, and he enjoyed working alongside the man, handling close to half the work. Rico handed him a recipe and pointed to an array of vegetables on the counter.


Rico let out a belly laugh. “Every chef should know about borscht. It’s a wonderful soup made with beets and cabbage. I make it a few times a year. Customers love it.”


Chapter 67