Not everyone is lucky to be who they are. Especially in a closed-minded community.
Eighteen-year-old Joshua Redgrave, although popular, has never been in a relationship. But when Michael Pendergrass, the new teacher in town, ignites feelings that Joshua’s been suppressing for years, he can no longer deny who he is and decides to pursue him.
Unfortunately, Michael refuses to return his affection. And now, Joshua must adjust to the realities of being gay in a toxically conservative town.
While Joshua reels from rejection, Michael becomes the target of unwanted affection from someone else. But this person will not take no for an answer.
The town is dangerous for both men. And the next time they cross paths, someone will have met their darkest day.
Will they escape the brutal hands of this bigoted town --
Or will the forces of repression smother them?
Everyone who drives by Parkwood Hills cannot help being mesmerized by its beauty. It is a quaint, friendly little town, offering a tranquil escape from city life and a gateway to exhilarating adventures. Nestled on the shore of Arrow Lake and surrounded by the breathtaking Selkirk and Monashee Mountain ranges, the townspeople were proud of their little community. Although hardly anything ever happened there in the off-season, tourists and vacationers brought life and excitement in the summertime.
Parkwood Hills was home to Joshua Redgrave, an ambitious eighteen-year-old who couldn’t wait to explore life outside his small town. Dark-haired like his father, Joshua possessed a toned body from working at the wood mill since he was sixteen, but his natural good looks came from his mother’s side of the family. By looking at him, you’d think he spent all his time in a tanning booth, but his skin was naturally that colour – to the chagrin of his sister, who unfortunately didn’t inherit that trait. His piercing blue eyes captivated anybody who stared into them.
The rich timberland in the area gave growth to the local sawmill, Hillside Mills, and the logging industry, where KRISTIAN DANIELS 2 Joshua’s father worked as a logging truck driver, just like his father before him.
Jack Redgrave was a man who, despite living in the twenty-first century, was still a stereotypical lumberjack, sporting an unkempt beard, plaid shirt, and work boots. Susan, Joshua’s mother, was a typical small-town girl. She grew up in Parkwood Hills and was taught from a young age the ins and outs of hard work – a quality she passed down to her children. Family, above all else, was the most important thing to her, and she would go to any length to defend and protect her own.
Some of Joshua’s school friends had set their sights on a life in forestry, just like their fathers before them. But despite his father’s persistence, Joshua was set on studying medicine at the University of British Columbia. After witnessing his grandmother ravaged by cancer, and the pain it caused his family, Joshua vowed to dedicate his life to providing care and help to people suffering. He was aware his family wouldn’t have the means to support him, much less fund his tuition, which prompted him to save every cent he made from his summer jobs.
His final year of grade school was just around the corner, and he couldn’t wait to cast off the shackles of the local mill. Tonight, he and his close friend Jim Carroll planned to join two other friends, Charlie Brampton, and Dennis Frampton, at Arrow Lake Park for the annual Parkwood Hills summer festival.
“Hey, guys,” Joshua said, patting Charlie’s shoulder as he sat on the grass.
“Josh, how’s it going, man?” Dennis said, slapping Joshua’s hand.
“How long have you guys been here?” Jim asked.
“We just got here. Hey, Jim, my dad’s car needs a tune-up. Can I bring it to you next week?” Charlie asked.
“I’ll let you know tomorrow. I have to check how busy we are,” Jim replied.
“If you don’t hear from me, it’s because I forgot, so have your dad call the garage.”
“Okay, cool. Where’s Julia, Josh?” Charlie said.
“I thought she’d be here.”
“I think she was busy with Mom tonight,” Joshua said with a half-shrug.
“Why? Didn’t you talk to her today?”
“No. I had to work up in the forest, loading logs onto trucks,” Charlie said with a grimace.
“I can’t wait for this shit to be over. My dad expects me to follow in his footsteps––I don’t think so!” “Ah! It’s not so bad,” Dennis said.
“It’s good work and take a look at the muscles you get.” He flexed his arms while everyone looked at him dismissively.
“I hear that people with big arms have a small dick…” Charlie said, giggling. Dennis got up and was about to undo his fly.
“Woah! Woah! Keep that thing in your pants!” Charlie exclaimed as everyone laughed.
“I hear we’ll get a new teacher this year,” Joshua said.
“Where did you hear that?” Charlie asked.
“Katie Benson told my mom last week. I guess Mrs. Dunkirk must have told her she was leaving,” Joshua said.
“Sexy Katie,” Charlie and Dennis said in unison, making a gesture suggesting big breasts.
“Down, boys,” Joshua said, chuckling.
Katie Benson, a single thirty-year-old with one thing on her mind, worked at Parkwood Hills High School as an assistant to the director and his executive assistant. She was an attractive brunette with a soft spot for young, muscular guys–especially those new to the community. Her goal in life seemed to be to sample Parkwood Hills’ male population. Single or married, it didn’t matter to her.
The oldest teacher at the school, Mrs. Dunkirk, decided it was time to take a bow and retire after thirty-five years of service. This announcement left the school without a philosophy teacher for the upcoming school year. Mr. James Anderson, the school’s director, a few months before the start of the new school year, requested the British Columbia school districts to advertise the teaching position, hoping someone would be interested in moving to their small community.
“Guess who?” a voice said, covering Charlie’s eyes with their hands.
“Hey, sis,” Joshua said. “Josh, for fuck’s sake,” Julia said, removing her hands. "Hey babe,” Charlie said, craning his neck to kiss her.
“Glad you could make it tonight.”
“Hey, this might be our last summer event. I heard it might not come back next year,” Julia said as she sat between Charlie’s legs.
“This would explain why everyone in town is here tonight,” Dennis said, looking around.
Every summer, Parkwood Hills hosted a music festival, and over the years, what used to be a popular summer weekend retreat had begun to lose steam, and the organization started losing money. This year’s event would seal the festival’s fate once and for all.