Bowing to his parents’ homophobic demands, Professor Henry Rodimacher always chose Christmas with his family over spending it with his partner. However, when Jeremy became terminally ill, Henry defied his family and stayed home for Jeremy’s final Christmas. After Jeremy passes, Henry decides it’s time to mend fences, so despite a raging snowstorm, he starts the long drive home. Before he gets very far, though, he’s alarmed to see a hitchhiker out in the weather, Henry offers the man a ride, and is surprised the hitchhiker is Jimmy Wilks, a former student of his. The heavy snow eventually forces Henry and Jimmy to leave the highway and take refuge in an abandoned log cabin. As the two hunker down to wait out the storm, they give into their mutual attraction and celebrate a wonderful Christmas together. Can their newfound love survive once the snow thaws? Will history repeat itself with Henry going back home alone, or will the magic of their best Christmas ever live on into the New Year and beyond?

Best Christmas Ever

Jimmy looked surprised and didn’t answer immediately. He just turned his head and stared into the flames. Finally, he said, “I don’t know. I’ll call them and see if it’d be okay.” He got up, retrieved his phone from his backpack, and went into the bedroom.


Henry bent and put his head in his hands. He could tell Jimmy was hurt by Henry’s question. It was clear Jimmy had been expecting to go home with Henry. But what could Henry do. He couldn’t bring Jimmy home. Yes, he’d told his family Jimmy was a former student and a hitchhiker, but…no he couldn’t—not with the whole family there. Henry knew neither he nor Jimmy would be able to hide their feelings for each other. His family would know immediately.


Jimmy didn’t know the whole story—that his parents were homophobic and judgmental and had not wanted Henry to bring Jeremy home. Of course Jimmy wouldn’t understand why Henry had asked about his plans to go to stay with his friends.


Chapter 20