Billy was on his knees praying.
He was in agony. He was praying about last night.
Then he'd been on his knees too. But he hadn't been praying.
But he'd been in ecstasy. Damien hadn't wasted any time approaching Billy when he gave into temptation and went to the club. He'd just gotten his beer (another sin) and was still at bar when the beautiful young man had stepped up next to him and said, "You're Billy Preston."
"I hope you don't spread that news around that I'm in a Gay Bar."
Damien smiled, "Why not? It's the 80s. Freedom. Liberation. Love."
"I'm serious. I really shouldn't be here."
"Yet you are. I'm not going to out you, Billy."
He'd relaxed. It was a risk every time he gave into temptation and went somewhere he could meet a man.
"I'm a Christian."
"I am too. You said it, what God wants from us is to love. I'm Damien Jones. Let's go get a table and get to know each other."
Damien had left early in the morning. Billy had gone to prayer after he left. It was his prayer every time like this. "God, take this away. Make me like everyone else."
He was just starting to feel like the shame and guilt wasn't destroying him when the phone rang.