"Hesed"
by
Mayt
Okay, my uniform fetish is a well-known fact. How well-known? Well, let’s just say that every new female graduate from one of the Boston law-enforcement agencies (I really don’t discriminate – State Cops, Municipal Cops, hell, Park Rangers – I like ‘em all) is given my description and warned to ignore me if they should ever have the pleasure of crossing paths with me in the street. They’re also specifically warned *not* to frisk or cuff me, no matter how much I might deserve (or beg for) it.
Sigh. I’m thinking about moving to Los Angeles. Aren’t they known for unprovoked police brutality?
But, not to get off track. You might ask yourselves if this is a lead-in for another cop-story recommendation. Of course not.
What I was going to say is – even with my known… obsession, shall we say, with uniforms of all kinds (nurses, flight attendants, Catholic schoolgirls – even Dunkin’ Donuts employees), I never could really see the appeal of a clergy(wo)man’s habit. At all. Don’t know – maybe the scratchy wool, maybe the unflattering cut, maybe the fact that in my parochial school the nuns were all too nice and never, ever took a ruler to my palm – but there is *nothing* even remotely erotic about the clergy for me. At all.
Ok, so after that subtle point I tried to impress upon you, what is the deal with recommending a story about an Episcopalian priest and a lesbian woman extraordinare? Well, it sure as hell isn’t because of all the wild sex it in, let me tell you that right off the bat. Could it be because I’m such a devout Christian and am excited to see the soul of heathen Gabrielle reincarnated in the form of a Reverend in modern-day Chicago?
Pfft!
I just like the damn story. It’s that simple. Nicole (U-X) is a woman defined by (yeah, yeah) demons from her past, but with a very clear knowledge of what she wants the future to bring. She’s also somewhat alergic to the constraints of formal religions, instead embracing a more unorthodox pantheist belief. Beth (U-G) is the new priest in the neighborhood, a woman whose faith is the overarching force keeping all of her tenuous hopes and stifling fears alive. When they meet and an improbable friendship develops, basic beliefs are put to test and new definitions of grace have to be found.
Now, I’m not a great fan of religion.
Strike that.
I, personally, think that organized (major) religions are a bane to society at large. As such, I could not personally sympathize with or fully understand the character of Beth, a devout Christian, but I could, through the language and feelings brought out in the story, *feel* her fear and bewilderment at the choice she must make. That, my dear friends, should tell you something about the quality of the story.
Supporting characters are very well fleshed out and do contribute to the story immensely. I, as a big, bad lesbo atheist/pagan/heathen was actually able to learn a few things from the story. And truly enjoyed what in the end is a very nice ‘love against all odds’ tale. And I do mean *all* odds – I mean – we have a brain tumor, homophobic-induced arson and a major shake-up of the pillars of faith here. And some sex, all the way at the end (cause it wouldn’t do if I forgot the most important part, now would it?).
Please drop a line or seven to Mayt after you’re done. Enjoy.