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

The final thought he was left with was the admission that he needed to learn more, especially about how to deal with the sort of person the leader of the attacking group was. Part of him groaned at this. He hatedconflict.


Garner had protected him, saved him. A warm feeling accompanied this realization, and then a challenging thought. Sometimes it was necessary to engage in conflict—to protect what you valued, those you loved. Ineluctable, not happy, but starkly true.


And now Garner felt a new energy pass through him. He had fallen in love, and whether that love came to fruition, he had taken the step of engaging at least the nettle of life. And—he worked this thought through slowly—for all his aversion, all the distaste and fears, on balance—yes—he was up for it. He wanted it.


It was—an entirely new world! Sensitivity and Influence, Vees and Vee-hunters—and who knew what else? And he was a part of it! Whether he liked it or not.


Chapter 59