A Shot at Forgiveness Hits Nothing But Net

Selfishness must always be forgiven you know, because there is no hope of a cure. – Jane Austen

A Shot at Forgiveness is part of DSP’s Daily Dose Anthology for June. It is a well-written, sweet short story that leaves you satisfied but still wanting more.

Rafi Steiner and Isaac Jones grew up together. As far back as Rafi can remember Isaac was the ringleader of his own personal torture cabal. Led by Isaac, their fellow students made fun of Rafi’s walk, his appearance, his hair, his freckles and most often, his sexuality. Rafi is gay and everyone knew it.

Rafi left home after graduation and never looked back. He is a successful lawyer and now lives over 2,000 miles from that hometown he hated so much.

Isaac has also made quite a success of himself. He is a professional basketball player and has been named NBA MVP. He is also straight. But maybe not so much.

While in a diner near home, Rafi hears a sexy man’s voice over his shoulder. He turns to see his worst night mare. Isaac Jones, in the flesh. He is rude to Isaac. Tries to get rid of him, but Isaac is insistent that they get together and informs Rafi he will pick him up for dinner the next night. Rafi’s friends are dumbfounded that he knows Isaac Jones and never mentioned it.

Isaac shows up the next night and when Rafi rebuffs him, he returns with dinner in hand. All of Rafi’s favorite foods. Kind of stalkerish, but sweet, too. When Rafi wants to know why he is doing this, Isaac’s answer is so perfect that I have to quote Cardeno C. “We’re having dinner together because I have never once, since the day you walked into Mrs. Kon’s kindergarten class, stopped thinking about you. You are the one person in the world I’ve never been able to resist, and I no longer have any interest in trying.”

Isaac bullied Rafi because he hated himself for liking Rafi, not because he hated Rafi for being gay. Next comes Isaac’s full-court press to convince Rafi he is sincere. It works, Rafi forgives Isaac quickly (maybe a little too quickly). Isaac signs with the NBA team in Rafi’s city and comes out. He is the first NBA player to do so.

A Shot at Forgiveness is a great little story. It could easily have been turned into a novel if muse had dictated it. It is also good enough to stand among the other shorts in DSP’s Daily Dose. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by: Tina

You can buy A Shot at Forgiveness here: