Bill, a young gay man living in California, returns to Boston in the summer of 1987 to visit his old college roommate and briefly lover, David. He, David, and their buddy Lou drive to Provincetown for a week's gay vacation, where the old ties of friendship among them deepen. But their good time is threatened by increasingly volatile personalities and a growin AIDS epidemic encircling them in an ever tighter grasp.<br><br>Their emotions explode one evening with the unexpected arrival of George, whose added presence brings to a head the simmering anxieties, fears, and resentments these friends have long harbored but have not openly shared. Will their friendships fall apart? Or will they discover a deeper love that binds them together?

Maid Service

“Nieces! Help Tante with these Chinaman groceries,” Lou shouted as soon as he was inside. “And this six-pack. She’s an old thing and can’t handle these bags alone.”


Lou walked in at his usual revved-up pace, surveyed the assembled company, and sped to the little kitchen without availing himself of the help Bill offered. After he came out, Lou addressed Bill properly.


“Sister woman, you look terrible. I mean, you look like you need a drink. I’ll get you one. I know when these inhospitable nieces of mine hide the real sauce. David can use that working-class beer to clean his silver.” Lou tried to grab the TV remote out of David’s grip to turn off Charlene Hunter-Gault yakking away about apartheid, but David would not let go.


Lou brought Bill a drink and clinked glasses with him. Bill noticed the large gold pinkie ring Lou had worn for years. The liquid in the glass was clear but that was all Bill knew about it until he tasted it. Pure, room-temperature Stoli.


Chapter 3