A NEW NORMAL is a not-so-classic tale of first love found, lost, and then found again.
Charlie craves normalcy, and he knows he cannot get that if he is in a relationship with another man. So, despite his love for Jake, he is drawn away by Jen, whom he marries and spends many contented years with. Charlie and Jake remain friends, but after a fast, one night, sexual reunion with Jake, Charlie is so upset with himself that he break all ties with Jake. Now that Jen has died, Jake wants to try to find his way back into Charlie's life, so he tricks him into playing at a conference that Jake is organizing.
Charlie and Jake's reunion is an emotional roller coaster�sad, angry, heated, happy, confused. Charlie is forced to deal with his sexuality, his repressed feelings for Jake, and some new information about his life with Jen.
My only complaint about this story, as with so many other short stories, is that it felt rushed. The reunion between these two characters could have been more emotional if it had been more slowly developed. I would have enjoyed getting to know the characters separately before they were thrown together. All of the emotions Charlie is forced to deal with happens in the span of a few hours. But the reunion is hot, the emotions are real and honest, and the characters are enjoyable. A great, quick read.
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