Guess Who's Coming to Karamu

By Cy Blanca

Grant Cary, a twenty-eight-year-old grad student, has let his Kwanzaa shopping go to the very last minute. In his rush to get home, he quite literally bumps into Will Sheritan, a fortysomething software developer, in the elevator. But luck favors (or curses) the adventurous, because their elevator shuts down due to a blackout. Grant and Will learn about each other’s pasts and find more than just a casual interest.

Will has never celebrated Kwanzaa, and he’s reluctant to enter into a relationship, but exploring a new tradition—with a new friend—might brighten his lonely holiday. And if Will accepts Grant’s invitation to join his family for the Karamu feast, Grant might get his Imani gift early.

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2018 Advent Calendar "Warmest Wishes."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
• Release date: Dec 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781644050491

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By Cy Blanca

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Guess Who’s Coming to Karamu

By Cy Blanca

Grant Cary, a twenty-eight-year-old grad student, has let his Kwanzaa shopping go to the very last minute. In his rush to get home, he quite literally bumps into Will Sheritan, a fortysomething software developer, in the elevator. But luck favors (or curses) the adventurous, because their elevator shuts down due to a blackout. Grant and Will learn about each other’s pasts and find more than just a casual interest.

Will has never celebrated Kwanzaa, and he’s reluctant to enter into a relationship, but exploring a new tradition—with a new friend—might brighten his lonely holiday. And if Will accepts Grant’s invitation to join his family for the Karamu feast, Grant might get his Imani gift early.

Dedicated to all my LGBTQAI brothers and sisters who may not have a place to go for fellowship. Who may have a family that doesn’t understand (or want to understand) their struggle or their pain. Who refuse to accept them as they are to the point of never wanting to see them, even for a meal.

Most importantly, this is dedicated to my cousin, Lee, who came out as transgender last year and has been making his transition from female to male. I love you dearly with all my soul. You’re always invited to my dinner table.

Bring a dish, or you’re sitting at the kid’s table.

I’m serious. *insert serious face*

WHY DO I always do this? I told myself back in July I’d be ready, but here we are. Last shopping day before Christmas, and I’m standing in line sandwiched between Wailing Baby number 473 and what I can only assume is a deli master. (The sour stink of cold cuts is seeping through his pores.) Oh, and here’s the best part. I didn’t even get all the gifts I need for the seventh day. Which means my happy ass will be in my brother-in-law’s store some time before January 1 so the family doesn’t think I’m shirking my responsibilities.

Happy Kwanzaa to me.

Number twenty-six!

Looking down at my number—lucky number forty-two—I repeat the mantra I’ve been mumbling to myself for the past three hours. Gotta do better, Grant.

"Okay, so I want these three baskets wrapped in cling film, these two gifts

Reviews for Guess Who's Coming to Karamu

[richardderus · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Publisher Says: A Story from the Warmest Wishes: Dreamspinner Press 2018 Advent CalendarGrant Cary, a twenty-eight-year-old grad student, has let his Kwanzaa shopping go to the very last minute. In his rush to get home, he quite literally bumps into Will Sheritan, a fortysomething software developer, in the elevator. But luck favors (or curses) the adventurous, because their elevator shuts down due to a blackout. Grant and Will learn about each other’s pasts and find more than just a casual interest.Will has never celebrated Kwanzaa, and he’s reluctant to enter into a relationship, but exploring a new tradition—with a new friend—might brighten his lonely holiday. And if Will accepts Grant’s invitation to join his family for the Karamu feast, Grant might get his Imani gift early.I GOT THIS DELIGHT FOR YULE FROM MY FRIEND RONI. *SMOOCH*My Review: Cute low-steam teaser...straight-people safe. Be sure to bring your sense of humor.Add to that one of the sexiest men I’ve ever seen—who’s probably as straight as the straightest arrow ever conceived—just so happens to be the sole occupant of this malfunctioning upright coffin. Ladies and gentlemen, the greatest day of my twenty-eight years of life. Hold your applause. There’s bound to be more in store for y’all.Whatever you're expecting, white people, put it down. Just go for the ride with Will Sheridan & Grant Cary. Trapped in an elevator on Christmas Eve, these men get awkward, flustered, sad, mad, and together in a half hour.Not to sound too stalkerish, but his {hands} are some of the softest I’ve ever felt. Seriously? What kind of moisturizer does this guy use?“Grant,” I say. Will sort of scrunches his brow. There’s something on his mind. I’m pretty sure I know what it is before he even says anything.“You have a last name to go with the first?” Here we go. Well, may as well get this over with. I let out a harsh sigh, then say, “Cary. Grant Cary.”“There now. That wasn’t so hard, right?” Really, that’s it? No sense in pushing the matter.Better for being funny as heck. Best for being unwilling to overexplain, to clue you in...you get no info dumps here. What you do get is a happy story about sad people making each other feel better than they felt before they met. An act of Kuumba, an act of Imani, a start not a stop.“How does anyone expect to get respect if they don’t intend to give it themselves?”“I know, right?” I say. (Let’s just ignore the fact that the pitch in my voice went from a respectable tenor to animated chipmunk.)Say it louder, for them still in the back.