It's been eleven years since Nick ran off with David for the West Coast. And though his life resembles a blue dream, after more than a decade of bar tending in resorts and cruise ships, Nick is finally thinking of heading home. First, he needs to go see about David in Vancouver ...<br><br>When he arrives, Nick finds a community of young men devastated by AIDS. Part of him wants to flee back to Montreal, but David is dying and Nick knows his place is by his best friend's side. In those four days and nights in David's apartment by the English Bay, Nick learns more about himself than he ever did before. When it's all over, he packs his bag and locks up his grief, determine to honor the promise he made to David of opening up his own restaurant.<br><br>Five years later, Nick is gaining a reputation in the industry as a chef, but has yet to have any meaningful relationships. Until Derek O'Reilly, that redheaded kid with the avocado-green eyes he used to know, walks into his dining room and ignites Nick's passion once more.

Blue Awakenings

My mother knew I was seeing O’Reilly? So…had I just come out without having to say a word? I was grateful to her.


“Business is—” I stopped, not wanting to bullshit myself or her. “I’m breaking even. So yeah, it could be better. Definitely better.”


“Because you’re doing everything on your own. You need help. Help with the administration. But most of all, you need someone in the dining room. You don’t even know how many customers haven’t come back because they received bad service.” She paused, and added, “And you know you’re not good with numbers or reading.”


“I didn’t mean it in a hurtful way,” she said softly, to my great surprise. “You’ve accomplished more than I’d ever dreamed you would. Now, what is it that you want to tell me?”


Chapter 38