Garner working as a waiter at an upscale restaurant with a growing attraction to a man named Alonzo, who always asks to be put in his section for dinner. One night after work, the man is assaulted while trailing Garner. Garner goes to his aid, but is shot for his trouble.<br><br>Taking time off from work to recover, Garner is resting on a park bench when Alonzo suddenly appears at the other end of the bench. Garner never saw him approach. He asks why Alonzo is trailing him.<br><br>After some hesitation, Alonzo explains he wants to recruit Garner to help fight against others who systematically hunt people like himself. Garner isn’t inclined to get involved in anything dangerous, but he does finds Alonzo more and more attractive, so he agrees to consider the idea. As he learns more about Alonzo’s bizarre and dangerous subculture, what Garner really wants to know is whether Alonzo is romantically interested in him at all.

Call to Love

When he had, while the scent was still there, the magic was gone, ruptured by the dual senses of guilt and annoyance.


Why did people have to do that sort of thing? Why couldn’t they just live and let live?Garner had to admit that he just didn’t understand people. He sighed and went back to the sidewalk, for the space was sullied now. It was with resignation that he resumed his walk home. Slowly, by deliberately focusing on the feel of the still night, something of the sense of peace he’d experienced before began to return.


He arrived at his apartment building and only upon removing his jacket became aware his hair was sopping wet. He decided to take a hot bath.


Chapter 12