[In Chapter 12, Mike took Dan to Cleveland to celebrate Thanksgiving with Mike's family. The family members accepted Dan as one of their own.]
"I'm glad we visited your family in Cleveland," Dan said as they drove to Akron.
"Glad you like them." Mike laughed. "They've accepted my gayness without question or comment."
"You're lucky," Dan said. "Now, tell me, what are we going to do for Christmas?"
"If you've been good, Santa may come to see you. If you've not been good, you're in big trouble," Mike laughed. "But, I'll tell Santa that when you're good, you're very, very good and when you're bad, you're spectacular."
"When have I been bad?" Dan snapped.
"Don't be so serious. I was teasing," said Mike.
"I get concerned . . . especially, at this time of year," Dan said, "You know -- sin, guilt. Should gay people have sex? The religious thing. I had an uncle who died a few years ago. He was gay. Toward the end of his life, he knew he was dying, he said he knew where he'd go when he died. He meant Hell. . . . I don't believe that. But, still, I wonder."
"I tell you what, let's plan to go to church on Christmas eve. People's Liberation Church in Cleveland has a good service, I hear. We'll go. Maybe you'll find some answers."
Dan laughed, "You know what Gertrude Stein said, when she was dying. 'What's the answer?' No one said anything. So, she asked, 'What's the question?'"
At home, Mike made a phone call, slowly, he dialed 216-781-5822 and asked about the Christmas eve service and how to get to People's Liberation Church. He wrote the directions on a note pad, thanked the person on the other end of the line, and turned to Dan. "There, I have Christmas eve service planned for us. Now, do you know what I've always wanted to do?"
"No," said Dan. "What have you always wanted to do?"
"Make love under the Christmas tree."
"Not tonight," Dan said with mock seriousness.
"Why?"
"We don't have a tree. We don't have decorations."
"Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow..." Mike sang. "Tomorrow, we'll get a Christmas tree, bring the decorations from the attic, and decorate for Christmas."
Dan joined in the singing, "Your son will come out, tomorrow. You can bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, your son will come out...out... out of the closet."
"Before that I'll make your dream come true," Dan said.
"We'll make love under the Christmas tree, with only the tree lights on?"
"You've got a date. I'll meet you under the tree."
"But, tonight. How about making love -- if not under the tree -- how about under a blanket in the bedroom with the window open enough to make the room cold and you'll have to be close to me to keep me warm."
"You're into immediate gratification," said Mike.
"Yes. I want you now. Last one in bed . . . ."
The two men raced up the steps and undressed. Mike opened the window and let a cold, Akron breeze blow across the room. They held each other and laughed while they pulled the blankets over them. Then, they heard the doorbell ring. They jumped out of bed and looked out the window. There in the driveway was a police car.
"Oh, no," said Dan.
"What's the matter?" said Mike.
"Oh, no, no, no..."
[This policeman probably isn't selling tickets to the Police Department Christmas party. Will anyone make love under the Christmas tree? Has Dan's summer hunting trip caught up with him? For the answer to these and other questions, read the next exciting chapter of Tales of Akron,]
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