By Tom Beckwith

Rodney Lofton's "No More Tomorrows" is a well crafted story that makes a profound statement about love. The two gay men within this story managed to place there differences aside for perpetual love. Over the years, I have heard people say "Live everyday like there is no tomorrow," but this statement seemed irrelevant to me until I read this book. Mark Jones and Kevin Williams' journey displays growth, love, pleasure, and sadness within "No More Tomorrows."

 

No More Tomorrows:
Two Lives, Two Stories, One Love

By Rodney Lofton
Simon & Schuster

Growth is significant in this story, but acceptance is what helps this story unfold and flourish. Mark is a HIV Positive man that meets Kevin at his celebration party, which was for him surviving another year with HIV. Both of them captured the attention of each other at the party, but they didn't really interact with each other with the exception of their brief introduction by friends to each other. However, their lives would drastically change because of one phone call. Kevin ended up calling Mark the day after the party, and he was constantly thinking about Mark's appearance and demeanor during the party. Kevin's constant yearn for more knowledge can be inferred as his motivation to make the phone call to Mark, but he also wondered how this gentleman was infected with HIV. Kevin's phone call to Mark led to them dating, and they begin to grow on each other with each date.

In spite of the growth of their friendship, these men still had deep feelings enclosed in their hearts for each other; they failed to discuss them because of fear. Kevin and Mark's uncertainty about each other led to a big argument between them. This argument led to a strong foundation and their unconditional love for one another. Kevin and Mark's friends saw the change in their demeanors, and they even shared the intimacy of pleasure sexually; despite Mark begin HIV positive. Kevin had gotten over his fear of Mark being infected with fear, and he was happy to finally be in a monogamous relationship.

Rodney Lofton

Mark was finally able to love again, and he was happier than he had ever been. With happiness, sometimes sadness is not to far behind, but they still displayed their affection. Although, Kevin and Mark would have a civil union marriage; Mark would eventually die from HIV. Kevin managed to stay by Mark's side the entire time until he had to say goodbye to his life partner. Sadness is usually always there when death takes a love one, but the precious memories that you shared with them can be engraved in your heart forever.

Rodney Lofton's " No More Tomorrows" is a book that every black gay male should take the opportunity to read, or for that matter "every gay male should read." The HIV/AIDS is an epidemic that changes the lives of individuals in society, but this shouldn't constitute discrimination or prevent people who are infected with this disease from being loved. "No More Tomorrows" presents growth, love, happiness, pleasure, and sadness, but this book can also help to open the minds of people who have conservative views about HIV/AIDS.