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From birth, Thomas Beerman was special. A week later, so was Eric Tanner Nolan.
Thomas was born with a birth defect, but was destined to live. Living in a hospital for over four months as a baby, he still saw the beauty in everything. To him, Branwyn Beerman was sunshine. To her, she was one fortunate lady. Although left to raise her child alone, she welcomed this opportunity and never gave a second thought to Thomas dying; instead, she diligently stayed by his side while he lay in his cocoon.
Dr. Minas Nolan was a lonely, widowed heart surgeon. Having a 12-pound, 12-ounce baby boy to care for by himself was not an easy task. Losing his wife during childbirth was hard enough, but it seemed as if this "wonder" child sucked the life out of everything and everybody around him, demanding something from Minas that he just could not give.
The one thing in common for both parents --- their loneliness. They never expected to actually fall in love. Although time waits for no one, it seemingly stood still for these two lovers; one black and one white in a world that wasn't supposed to embrace them, didn't embrace them. Minas loved Branwyn desperately, but she would never marry him --- not while Thomas's father was still alive and had the ability to make her heart race. The years quickly passed, and as the boys turned six, their lives were forever changed.
Although Thomas and Eric grew up as brothers, Eric's family didn't accept Thomas or his mother. But Minas and Eric loved them both dearly. For Eric, Branwyn was the only mother he knew; the only one who could calm him down, cheer him up and tame him. Her sweet, gentle, no non-sense affection gave Eric the love that he so desperately craved.
Unfortunately, life is cruel. Eric became sick, and a few days later so did Branwyn. He made it; she didn't. From that moment on, Thomas's life was turned upside down, as his real father came to retrieve him. Thomas was taken into an unhealthy environment, which resulted in him being thrown into jail, becoming homeless and virtually living on the streets. Tough and resilient, he knew he would make it through and one day vowed to find his family again.
Eric, on the other hand, had everything a young boy could imagine. Everyone succumbed to his commanding presence, but didn't realize that they, too, sucked the very life from him. The only thing lacking in his life was his mother and brother, which affected him deeply. One of his main problems was the notion that he hurt everyone who loved him and he couldn't understand why.
As Eric and Thomas progress through time, years pass and situations change, but one thing remains constant: their love for one another. Walter Mosley does an excellent job of capturing the lives of two young men whose existences are entwined, no matter the time or distance. With true-to-life characters, Mosley paints pictures of stereotypes, true love, devotion and the ability to one day find exactly what you're looking for.
--- Reviewed by Belinda Williams
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