Comfort and Joy

By Selina Brody

Still grieving after losing his lover, Randy Mallory hopes to find comfort in achieving their dream of starting a family. It’s a tough proposition under the best of circumstances, but even more so since he’s adopting a child from a foreign country as a single gay parent. Randy is sure that little Bahdri will bring joy to his life, but he hadn’t bargained on meeting the loving and lovely Ben Ballard at the orphanage in India. Why did the first man to spark his interest in all the months since Jason’s death have to live on the opposite side of the earth?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
• Release date: Dec 1, 2010
• ISBN: 9781615817535

Book preview

Comfort and Joy

I CAN’T believe you are thinking about going through with this.

Randy pulled to a stop at the intersection, turning to look at the man next to him in the car. Why? It was a good idea two years ago, when we decided to do it, and it’s still a good idea, Bentley.

The blond next to him shifted on the leather seat of the luxury sedan, wishing he had taken off his suit coat before getting in the car. Running his fingers through his classically styled hair, he sighed. Two years ago things were different. You had Jason. The two of you made this decision together.

Silence answered his comment. Randy accelerated, taking the on ramp to the GA 400 heading north from Atlanta. It’s a big decision, Randy. Possibly the biggest decision a person can make. I can’t help but think you are doing this as a way to hold onto Jason, Bentley continued.

We’ve already had this conversation, Bentley. I wanted it then. I want the same things now. Nothing has changed, Randy stated.

Everything has changed! Bentley waved a hand around. Randy was scheduled to get on a plane at ten the following morning. It was his last chance to get him to change his mind. Then you were in a committed, long-term relationship. Now you’re alone. Then you were talking about bringing a child into a two-parent home. If you do this, you’ll be a single parent. That’s tough in the best of circumstances, and you’re bringing an adopted child from a foreign country into a family with a single gay parent.

Bentley raised his hand to ward off Randy’s reaction to his statement. And don’t tell me it doesn’t make a difference. You know it does. Especially to kids. You don’t even speak the same language, for fuck’s sake. Couldn’t you have picked a kid from a country that speaks one of the ten languages you know?

Randy took a deep breath. His voice sounded soft but steady as he answered, This was the only adoption agency willing to consider an application from a single man. Even countries that will consider single parents usually restrict them to women. Ironic, isn’t it? I was so frustrated over the fact that Jason and I couldn’t adopt as a couple, but having to be approved as a single parent is what is allowing me to go pick up our son.

Did you hear what you just said? Bentley asked, watching Randy’s face. The farther north they drove, the less light illuminated the interior of the car. Our. Our son. Jason is gone, Randy!

Randy’s hand slammed into the steering wheel of the car, making Bentley jump. His friend was a pacifist and rarely got angry. I know that, damn it! I was there, remember?

Bentley could see the tears running down Randy’s face and felt sorry he’d pushed. More than fifteen months ago, Jason had been in a fatal collision with a drunk driver on this very road, coming home late from work. A group of kids out partying all day on Lake Lanier had crossed over the median and hit him head on. Jason had made it to the hospital but had never regained consciousness. He’d died the next