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

Thank you.” She hugged Ben, then hugged Jason, and then selected a strawberry and took a bite. “So juicy. Thank you again.”


“Here.” She chose another strawberry and offered it to him. “And one for you, too, Jason.”


“All right, Benjie. Why don’t you show Jason around the house while I make some iced tea? Then we’ll enjoy more of these lovely strawberries.” She hugged him, then gave his butt a swat. “Go.”


“Okay, Ma. It’s this way, Jason.” Ben caught his friend’s hand and led him up the stairs.


“The inside is in much better shape than the outside.”


“Now that things are okay between you and your parents, maybe you can help out? I’d…I’d come with you if you wouldn’t mind. I’m not too good with a hammer and nails, but I’m a wizard with a dry mop and a dustcloth.”


Chapter 40