It is when their paths cross that the boys realize they could have a reason to celebrate Christmas after so many years. Both of them have lost their partners, their love, their family and they are left behind to walk the difficult path alone. Not in the world, not in their own lives. They are trying to survive through the phase where the world around them is going to ruins. Hope for the better should never die Christmas and holidays give us that eternal hope for happiness, even at hard times.

But after having lost everything, are they willing to believe in the possibility of something beyond basic survival? When the chess game is over and they’re in each other’s arms, they realize how good it feels… and how right. Through tree decoration, dinner, and a chess game, Daniel and Jake discover a connection between them that hints at a possibility both had long declared impossible. But he finds himself helping Daniel with his Christmas tree and listening to him describe all the things to be thankful for. As far as he’s concerned, there’s nothing to celebrate. Jake has been wandering aimlessly since the world went to hell and he lost his partner.

ANTHOLOGY: 2013 DSP Advent Calender – “Heartwarming”īLURB: With the world’s population down to almost nothing and his husband dead, Daniel is sure he’ll spend Christmas alone with his dog, cats, and goats.

Celebrating You by Grace R. Duncan