The sun shone hot and bright over the flat valley. The mountains provided comfortable shadows during most of the day, but at noon, there were no shadows, and the heat was unbearable. Few would dare to venture out into the inferno.
Except for Morstern. When he made his mind set on something, he did it. No one could persuade him to abandon his plans or his friends. Certainly not Amos, his husband. When survival depended on how strong of a worker you were, a little thing like homosexuality was ignored and forgiven by the normally old-fashioned townsfolk. And so the two young newly-weds were loved and respected, mostly for their contributions.
Morstern was making his contribution now. Someone's well pump was broken, and it needed fixing. Armed with a supply of tools, he made his way down the scorched road to a small wooden shack just outside of town. He wasn't entirely sure who lived here, but he never turned anyone down for anything. He eagerly jumped into the shadow of the porch, taking a deep breath of the slightly cooler air, and knocked on the door.
Except for Morstern. When he made his mind set on something, he did it. No one could persuade him to abandon his plans or his friends. Certainly not Amos, his husband. When survival depended on how strong of a worker you were, a little thing like homosexuality was ignored and forgiven by the normally old-fashioned townsfolk. And so the two young newly-weds were loved and respected, mostly for their contributions.
Morstern was making his contribution now. Someone's well pump was broken, and it needed fixing. Armed with a supply of tools, he made his way down the scorched road to a small wooden shack just outside of town. He wasn't entirely sure who lived here, but he never turned anyone down for anything. He eagerly jumped into the shadow of the porch, taking a deep breath of the slightly cooler air, and knocked on the door.