INTRO:
If children learn what they live, then a child who lives with diversity within the home will learn acceptance of others as he or she experiences life outside the home.  As snowflakes and raindrops are unique, so, too, are humans.  In “Along Came Two”, the passionate love of two men provides the perfect foundation for two very special children to realize their own uniqueness while appreciating the diversity which surrounds them.
 

EXCERPT:
So many emotions were coursing through David right now that he couldn’t speak, but words were not important now. Being with Trey on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure was what was important now. From their home just outside of Denver, it had been a relatively short drive to the airport, but they were in for a long flight to Atlanta where they would board their connecting flight to Miami, and from there they would begin their cruise. “Look, Daddy,” Trey would say at every new site he viewed from his coveted window seat. David would smile and look, but he was mostly looking at Trey. Trey was his life. Trey was his son, and having a son or daughter was the one part of his life he had almost convinced himself would remain unfilled. David had been told by many that adoption was not an option for a gay man, that no agency would ever approve him. He was just glad that he hadn’t listened to all the negative comments, but had persevered in spite of them. Trey had needed a home and someone to love and care for him. David felt that he was the one who had truly been blessed, however. It had been Trey who had transformed David’s house into a home filled with love. After this past year with Trey, David could barely remember his life without him.

******

As the ship reached the open water, Trey, still holding tightly to David’s hand, looked up and gasped.  “Daddy,” he exclaimed, as he pointed.  David looked up to see what had claimed Trey’s attention.  David could not believe his eyes.  There above them was the water coaster David had seen pictures of in the brochure.  Trey and David both loved the water.  David had an indoor pool installed in the sunroom of his house when he adopted Trey.  “Look,” Trey exclaimed again, as he continued to point and watch one of the water tubes as it carried two passengers along their amazing journey through the enclosed slide.  One of the crew members noticed the excited look on Trey’s face, and stopped to tell them about this magnificent adventure ride.  He stooped down until he was at Trey’s eye level, and began to describe the ride as if he were telling him a story.  “This elevated water coaster is the first of its kind at sea and travels seven hundred sixty-five feet, with a four deck drop.  Its name is the AquaDuck, and it is an extraordinary elevated coaster that circles the entirety of the ship.”  Trey was so engrossed in this man’s story and watching the two travelers making their way through it that he didn’t notice that David was impressed with this man also.  The man, about David’s age, had his arm loosely around Trey’s waist.  David thought that the man’s legs must be killing him, but he still continued to remain at eye level of Trey to tell him the rest of the story.  “The guests enter this amazing journey on Deck 12, Aft from where they are propelled at high speeds through an acrylic tube, journeying up, down, around, and at one point they circle off the side of the ship over the ocean.”  The man pointed to where the half circle was at the other end of the ship.  “Wow,” was Trey’s response.  “Then this fantastic journey through this amazing ride takes the guests through the Forward Funnel, then makes a four deck drop into a lazy river.”  The man placed extra emphasis on just the right words so that Trey could almost feel the ride even though he wasn’t on it, yet.  “When you’re way up there, you can see the ocean, and also the ship right here where we’re standing, but it will be below you.  Does that sound like fun?”  “Oh, yes.  Daddy, can we go?”  “You bet, buddy, let’s go right now,” David replied, looking forward to the ride himself.  When the man stood up, David said, “Thank you for that.  I’m David.”  The man shook David’s hand and introduced himself.  “I’m Kurt.” 

For a moment the two men stared at each other, neither wanting the moment to end.  David wondered if he saw something in Kurt’s eyes, other than kindness.  David felt a tingle that he hadn’t felt in a long time.  Very impressed with his taking the time to tell Trey this amazing story, David wanted to know more about Kurt.  “Would you like to go on the ride with my daughter and me?”  Kurt asked.  Neither man saw a ring on the other’s finger, and each more than a little curious about the other.  “Can you get away from your work, Kurt?”  “Oh, I’m not a crew member, just a passenger.  I’m here with my daughter, Cheyenne.”  David felt embarrassed, and even more impressed that a fellow passenger would take the time to share as much as he had with a boy he didn’t know.  “Oh, I’m sorry.  I thought you were a crew member because you took the time to describe this fabulous ride so vividly.”  “Well, thank you very much.  I’ve learned to tell stories because of Cheyenne.  She loves to hear them.” 

David and Kurt were still holding the other’s hand, not feeling uncomfortable at all.  When they finally let go of the other’s hand, they continued to look into each other’s eyes.  To Kurt, David’s eyes looked like small replicas of the ocean that was all around them.  To David, Kurt’s eyes reminded him of the beauty of the wheat at the time of the summer harvest on the farm in eastern Colorado where he had grown up.  These eyes were a medium shade of brown, not too light, not too dark, but just right.  They complemented Kurt’s dark brown skin color, just as David’s eyes complemented the paleness of his skin.  “Come with me.  I’ll get Cheyenne.  She’s with her nanny.” 

******

Neither Kurt nor David said anything for awhile, but each was thinking much the same thing. They had so much in common, and each was definitely attracted to the other. It was David who asked the first question. “Are you involved with anyone, Kurt?” David wished he had said “woman”, “any woman.” “No, I, um, haven’t really had the time, with work and Cheyenne. How about you?” David thought for a minute. He had to know. “I haven’t really thought about investing in a relationship for a couple of years. This past year with Trey has gone by so quickly, and before that it was touch and go before the adoption was final.” Very intuitive, Kurt wondered if David was trying to tell him something. “Is it difficult to adopt, as a single man, I mean? It was a little different with Cheyenne, you know.” David stood up and looked out across the verandah at the ocean. It stretched as far as he could see, an open entity, hiding no secrets. Was this a living photograph of the way he should be, and wanted to be, open, with no secrets? Lost in his own thoughts, David hadn’t heard Kurt’s voice. Kurt hoped he hadn’t offended David. Kurt stood up and walked toward David. David’s arms were folded. Kurt surprised him when he stood in front of him and placed his arms on David’s arms. He looked David directly in the eyes, and asked, “Or is it difficult to adopt as a gay man?”

******

Their two days together at the cabin were spent telling each other of their past loves, their past loves lost, and their hopes for the future. Their maturity provided the perfect foundation for their love. They had played the games, had won and lost, and now were ready to experience a mature love, a love that went far beyond the physical, a higher love, a love that included children, a love between two dads.