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Read an excerpt from Denne Michele Norris debut novel.
Davis journey to true, lasting queer love has been a fraught one.
Everett walking Bam-Bam, Davis running after a Frisbee he was never going to catch and falling into him.
I know you, Everett had said as he pulled Davis to his feet.
I dont go to the gym, Davis said.
Gym Bar, then.
Davis shook his head.
The Chamber Music Society?
Everett snorted his laughter.
Lets get food, Everett said.
They werent far from Daviss apartment, he learned as he was wrapping up with the check.
Youre a college senior who has your own apartment?
Everett had been impressed as they sauntered up close to Lincoln Center.
Trust me, its nothing impressive.
Its one of those old Upper West Side tenement buildings.
Im incredibly lucky to have my own bathroom.
Davis, contemplative, had looked away then, across the street at a bar.
Stop for a drink?
Come home with me.
I have booze; you like gin martinis?
Hed never been with someone who seemed so singsong, so childlike, and yet so precocious.
Davis pulled him into a kiss then.
A few feet away, a group of teenage girls sharing fast food started whooping and whistling.
Come on, he said, pulling Everett along.
Everett placed his right hand on the small of Daviss back.
Like that, they walked.
Id never have been able to rent my own apartment when I was a college senior.
You wouldve if youd had to.
Davis had kept his eyes straight ahead, as if he was unsure of where they were going.
They walked for 20 minutes.
The room was shockingly bright, yellow sunlight pouring in through a crack in the blue linen curtains.
Feel free to turn on the AC.
Theres a remote on the bedside table!
Everett kicked off his shoes, tucking them close to the bedroom door.
He turned on the AC, then considered taking off his shirt.
He didnt want to be aggressive.
Davis seemed delicate; better to let him take the lead.
Standing on his tiptoes, he pulled him into a soft, gentle kiss.
Youre a good guy, Everett.
Everett felt a bit miscast; his most recent ex had screamed at him that he was a scoundrel.
How can you tell?
He lowered his hands and cupped Daviss ass: denim booty shorts, fringe lining the bottom.
He knew exactly who this was.
I figured it out.
We met a year ago, right?
Pieces, they said in unison.
Some guy had me cornered.
I believe you came to my rescue.
Everett smiled, kissing Davis back, and guided him toward the bed.
I believe I did.
Davis winked, ever the flirt.
A girl likes that from time to time, you know.
I aim to kindly.
He continued to kiss Davis, gently pushing him back onto his bed.
A diagonal beam of light fluttered against his skin.
I want you naked.
He pulled Daviss shirt up and over his head, his hair, tossing it to the floor.
Everywhere he put his hands, he found skin soft as butter and smelling of honey.
When he commented, Davis nodded and said, Smells good?
Everett was perched above him, his hands flat against the mattress next to Daviss shoulders.
Everett stared at him.
Youre nervous, he said after a moment.
No, Davis said, though he nodded, his head bobbing up and down.
When Everett said nothing, Davis looked toward the window before turning back to him.
He mumbled a confession.
I wasnt going to say anything, but this is .
kind of my first time.
They stared at each other.
Everett heard, twice, the second hand of the wall clock.
No, Davis said.
Afterward Everett leaned upright, his back against the headboard, his arm around Daviss shoulders.
With his middle finger Everett traced hundreds of tiny circles in the smooth skin of Daviss shoulder.
Davis slept against him now, a relaxed and satisfied smile newly visible.
An hour later they woke, moving with the quiet intimacy of two already living as one.
Davis, who had opened the curtains, stood on the other side by the window.
Everett pulled his undershirt over his head.
Davis moved toward him, then behind him, slipping his feet into a pair of mud brown flip-flops.
Without waiting for an answer, he turned and walked out of the room.
The smacking of his sandals against the soles of his feet echoed as he walked to the kitchen.
Everett followed, shaking his head.
I have to go, Everett said.
He stood in the entrance, leaning with his forearm against the top of the doorframe.
The kitchen was microscopic.
There was no counter space to speak of.
There were three transparent plastic placemats, decorated with images of sunflowers.
No you dont, Davis said.
He remained stooped, his head practically in the refrigerator.
I do, Everett stepped into the kitchen, feeling like a giant.
He put his finger to his chin, thinking, then gently put his hands around Daviss waist.
Davis stood, then turned toward Everett.
I have to go home to feed and walk my dog.
Oh, Davis said.
He stood up and closed the refrigerator.
You named your dog Bam-Bam?
He wrinkled his brow.
Hey, I think its cute!
Everett laughed, then glanced down at his feet.
Davis gestured toward the table.
At least let me send you home with some cheese.
Everett smiled, then took a step closer to Davis.
He shook his head.
When Davis started to protest, Everett quietly shushed him.
If you send me home with cheese my dog will almost definitely get into it.
You wouldnt want poor Bam-Bam to sh*t all over my apartment, would you?
He kissed the top of Daviss head.
Davis turned around, opened the refrigerator again, and returned the cheese, meat, and olives.
Come back to my place.
Everett found it charming.
Excerpted fromWhen the Harvest Comesby Denne Michele Norris.
Copyright 2025 by Denne Michele Norris.
No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
