Years have gone by since the death of Noah his special needs son, and Wiley Cantrell realizes it’s time to move on. He and his husband Jackson try to adopt little Tony Gorzola, a deaf boy with HIV who is emotionally traumatized.<br><br>Difficulties quickly set in. Tony is a sweet boy but very damaged by abuse and neglect. And Tony’s mother, in prison, is unwilling to relinquish her parental rights. No sooner do they get the go ahead to foster Tony when another child they had considered becomes available -- the daughter Jackson always wanted.<br><br>With two children on their hands, life is complicated -- wonderfully so. But just as things begin to settle down, Tony, his immune system compromised, falls ill with pneumonia ... and Wiley and Jackson find their little family faced with crisis once again.

Go Tell It on the Mountains

“We know what you’re saying,” Jackson said. “There are all kinds of hurdles to jump through, and for a gay couple, there’s just that many more. We understand that.”


“I just wanted to be clear and very upfront.”


“We appreciate it,” Jackson said, the voice of reason and patience.


“I would urge you to be careful. Don’t get too attached, not just yet. If the mother is dead set against it, it could be hard to get that past a judge. You never know, of course. A lot depends on which judge we’re talking about, and what kind of mood he might be in on the day when he makes his decision. If you want to legally adopt, the mother’s rights have to be terminated. I don’t mean to burst any bubbles, but I’ve found this process is easier when we all understand the forces at play. And fostering is still an option, of course, although I’m thinking Tony would be a long-term placement.”


“So has she answered your call?” I asked.


Chapter 38