Hot Weather by Matthew Haldeman-Time is a homoerotic short story.

John is so hot he can’t think of anything else. His college town is all but deserted in the oppressive daytime heat of the summer. All he can think of is to find somewhere to cool down for lunch. He spies a diner and not only does he find a cool atmosphere, but the hottest guy he has ever seen. In the diner John meets Keith, a college student a few years younger than John with a very perky and quirky personality. The two get to talking, and John finds he wants to get to know Keith more. John can’t stop thinking about Keith anymore than he can stop dwelling about his lost summer. The idea of working when he should be playing is the same complaint that Keith had. John decides to go back to the diner to find out if his first impression or Keith was over blown, and he realizes that his interest is even stronger and that the feelings are mutual. Will John and Keith find a way to get together to create a little of their own heat?

Mr. Haldeman-Time has created a very interesting play on words using the title of the story to drive the actual plot. There is heat in more than one way as we watch John and Keith deal with the summer oppressively hot weather and the mutual attraction that is heating up between them. Keith may be younger, but he is looking for more than just a one night stand. John learns that the best things are worth waiting for and growing up opens new possibilities. The characters of John and Keith are opposites, but their differences work well to add spice to the story line.Thanks go to Mr. Haldeman-Time for an interesting read.

Reviewed by: Teresa