Nick Poff
"Ed couldn’t help it. In the days that followed, he couldn’t get the new mailman out of his mind. From the time he had broken up with Cathy Carroll after high school graduation and had devoted himself exclusively to the pursuit of those whose body parts matched his own, Ed had had an image in his mind, a full-blown mental picture of the perfect guy. That first day, when the new mailman dropped a handful of bills into Ed’s mailbox, Ed knew he had found him."
Told with warmth, humor, and optimism, The Handyman’s Dream is a story for everyone who has ever had a fantasy about the perfect mate.
Ed Stephens is a small town handyman. He also happens to be gay and lonely. Ed is practical enough to realize that finding a man in Porterfield, Indiana -- population nine thousand -- is unlikely, so he’s shocked and amazed when the man of his dreams suddenly begins delivering his mail each day. Suspecting Fate has lent him a helping hand, Ed schemes to meet the mailman, Rick Benton -- hard-working and responsible -- who has moved to Porterfield to lend a helping hand to his sister, a single parent. Rick, it turns out, is gay and lonely as well.
When Ed and Rick meet the attraction is spontaneous and mutual, and soon loneliness is forgotten in the joy of falling in love. As their relationship grows and deepens, they find themselves dealing with the same situations every couple faces: the reactions of friends and families, job responsibilities, and whether their love is a strong enough foundation for a long-term relationship. Ed and Rick, though, have another problem to cope with as well -- whether a small, Indiana town is the best place for two men to build a life together in the early 1980’s.
With a soundtrack of timeless pop classics, the story of Ed and Rick is a heart-warming journey from that special first kiss to the golden moment when one couple realizes their love is strong enough to endure any and all hardships. Gay or straight, you’ll enjoy the ride with these two ordinary men with an extraordinary devotion, and come away with an enduring belief in the power of love.
Nick Poff is a life-long Hoosier. After a long career in radio broadcasting he decided to pursue his first love: writing stories. To be on the safe side, though, he still does on-air work and writes the occasional radio spot to pay the bills. He currently lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Handyman’s Dream is his first novel. To learn more about the book, the book''s soundtrack, and the author visit www.nickpoff.com. or www.writermen.com.
Ed moped around the house all day Saturday, feeling as though he were facing an execution. He knew his mother well enough to know that she was suspicious about his sudden friendship with Rick, and this dinner was her way of getting to the bottom of whatever was going on between them. He honestly didn’t know if she suspected the truth, but he was well aware of the fact that her badgering might force him to admit it. After that, he simply had no idea what she might say or do.
He thought of the movie the night before, and the things Harold’s mother had said when he told her he planned to marry Maude.
“I wonder if Mom would be happier if I showed up for dinner with an eighty-year-old woman instead of Rick?” he said to himself, shuffling through his old records, looking for something to give him courage. He turned over “Give Us Your Blessings” by the Shangri-Las. His hand moved toward the turntable, then he remembered the song ended with the teenage couple dead in a car wreck after they ran off to get married against their parents’ wishes. “That’s not quite what I had in mind.” He shoved it back in the cabinet.
Rick arrived, appropriately dressed for the occasion, and soon they were back in Ed’s truck, heading to his childhood home on East Walnut Street.
“I’ve been dealing with cranky postal customers for almost ten years,” Rick said, turning the radio volume down. “And there’s no reason for her to think there’s anything weird about our friendship. We’re just a couple of guys hanging out together. What’s wrong with that?”
Ed was pretty sure Norma would come up with something. He turned the volume back up. Stephanie Mills was singing “Never Knew Love Like This Before.”
“Don’t turn this one down. It reminds me of us.”
Rick reached for Ed’s hand, shaking his head. “Oh, baby, you’re so queer. And I truly do love you for it.”
They both laughed, and Ed was pleased to relieve some of his tension. “Did you wear your bulletproof vest?”
“Oh, Ed,” Rick scolded him. “If your old lady was really the battle-ax you make her out to be, I don’t think you’d have turned out so good. Calm down already.”
Ed pulled up in front of the house and parked. Rick looked at the comfortable, old two-story house with interest.
“Now remember,” Ed told him. “Don’t mention the election. She’s still pissed as hell that Reagan won. And if it does come up, for God’s sake, don’t tell her you decided to vote for John Anderson instead of Jimmy Carter.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Rick said as they made their way up the front walk. “You gonna show me your room? Maybe we can sneak upstairs and make out while she’s washing the dishes. Just kidding,” he said, seeing the look on Ed’s face. “Shit! I’ll behave, I promise.”
Ed pulled open the storm door and reached for the knob on the inside door. “Mom?”
“Oh, come on in,” she hollered from the kitchen. “Don’t just stand there, letting all the heat out.”
Ed rolled his eyes at Rick, who smirked at him. They walked to the kitchen, toward the sound of her voice. Ed noticed, as they passed through the dining room, that the table was laid with the good china.
Norma was at the stove, stirring a steaming pot. Her Merle Norman makeup was perfectly applied, and she was wearing her company apron. Ed’s eyebrows rose, surprised that she seemed to be turning the meal into an occasion.
She looked up. “Well! This must the Rick I keep hearing about.” She slammed a pot lid and turned to face them.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Stephens.” Rick smiled at her.
“Oh, just plain Norma will do. Don’t even try any of that Eddie Haskell nonsense on me. I always hated that kid. ‘How lovely you look today, Mrs. Cleaver.’ June didn’t fall for it and neither do I.” She narrowed her eyes, looking Rick over. “So. Ed tells me you’re a mailman. Probably been on your feet all day. Go sit down. This’ll be a while. Ed, get him something to drink. I’m too busy.” She looked at Ed’s empty hands. “Didn’t you bring anything? What did I tell you? Well, that’s that. You’re stuck with water. Ed, get the man a glass of water. Pour yourself one, too. Honestly.”
Rick retreated to the living room. Ed moved over to the refrigerator.
“Edward,” Norma whispered, catching his arm. “He has a beard.”
Ed sighed. It was going to be a long night.
