Lou is married, in the closet, and facing bankruptcy in Carmel, California. It’s Christmas Eve and he must sell his house to pay his debts while he tries to cope with the mysterious voice in his head telling him it's time to go home. He has no idea what that means, but he's pretty sure the voice is a symptom of stress. His wife has left him for her longtime lover and when he goes to his favorite bar on Christmas Eve, all he’s hoping for is a friendly face to help him forget his problems.<br><br>When George joins him at the bar, claiming to be an old college buddy, Lou doesn’t remember him, but he can’t deny the instant attraction that springs up between them. George knows about the voice in Lou’s head, and claims to be from another world where he and Lou were bonded partners. He’s come back to help Lou remember who he is so they can be reunited.<br><br>Lou doesn’t believe a word of George’s story, but takes him home for the night to ease his own pain. The sex is so good he decides to go along with George’s delusions even though he suspects the guy is crazy. On the Carmel beach on Christmas day at sunset, George insists that the way home is within their grasp if Lou will just trust him. Lou wants to believe this strange man, but to do that he has to let go of everything he knows about how the world works.

About Time

George released Lou’s hand. Lou turned to face him, just in time to catch the wavering of George’s form. For a few moments, the big man was not entirely solid, but rolling like an ocean wave. Lou stared through him to the rock jetty in the distance.


George realized Lou was watching him. His form solidified. “Listen…”


“Okay, that’s it.” Lou turned and sprinted up the beach. He had to get away from this guy. No telling what he could do. He didn’t stop until he had topped the first dune. Struggling to keep his footing in the deep sand, he slipped and rolled down a slope, landing against a clump of dune grass. He didn’t have time to regain his feet before George was on him, pinning his arms above his head, straddling him with his weight on Lou’s legs.


“What are you going to do? Scream?”


Chapter 12