Ben Haggerty is devastated when he returns home from work to discover his lover of eight years has gone off to complete his master's degree at another college -- and left no forwarding address. Not only has Ben chosen Rick over his beloved family, but he's supported his boyfriend both financially and emotionally the entire time. Unable to remain in their shared apartment, Ben moves and spends a miserable holiday season alone. With the New Year, however, he's determined to make a fresh start, so he manages to obtain Rick's address and sends him a card asking if Rick ever plans to return. Somehow, the card winds up in the wrong mailbox.<br><br>Jason Prescott is a genius, having obtained his first master's degree at twenty-one and now working on his second. When he receives a card in error, he returns both the card and a card of his own to be courteous, expressing his hopes Ben can get in touch with his boyfriend. This begins a correspondence that leads to friendship, and ... the start of something more? Jason introduces Ben to his family and reunites him with his own.<br><br>But will Jason, who's even smarter than Rick, be satisfied with someone as ordinary as blue-collar Ben feels himself to be? Or will Rick, realizing what he's let slip through his fingers, manage to persuade Ben to take him back?

Always, Ben

The card said, “You the man, Ben!” and it was obvious “Ben” had been added. Inside was, “You the old man, but you the man!”


He bit back a laugh and found his gaze wandering to the photo. Was this Jason? How could it be? Jason was just a kid.


Ben turned the photo over. “This is me, Ben.” Was Jason able to read his mind? He smiled at the thought. “It was taken this past Fourth of July at the family barbecue.” Ben’s smile dimmed. It had been a long time since he’d been to any kind of family occasion, and he really missed it, especially with Rick gone. He put the photo down and read the card.


First off, if you knew me, you’d know I’d never send anyone hate mail. And that’s only partly because I’m gay, too.


Second off, I apologize for explaining what LOL meant. However, you owe me an apology for even suggesting that I was wearing diapers the first time you went online. I’m including a picture of me to prove it.


Chapter 19