Overview

When Max is asked to be a speaker for the AIDS Day observance at the Sam Mitchell Youth Center, he knows the experience is going to dredge up painful memories of his own diagnosis and all the friends he lost during the AIDS crisis. What he doesn't anticipate is the young man standing at the back of the room, fear and grief evident on his face. Max is sure he's seeing someone who's recently received a positive diagnosis. As a long-term HIV survivor, Max has seen that look too many times to count.

Marcello didn't want to attend the AIDS Day observance, but his friend Ess insisted it would help him deal with his recent test results. As he listens to the speakers talking about learning to live and thrive with HIV, Marcello is captivated by Max. Not only does he find the man's strength compelling, his honesty and openness gives Marcello hope.

A lunch date quickly turns into something more, and the following year, Marcello sits next to Max as they talk to the youth center teens and parents about their experiences as HIV-positive men, their intertwined hands a testiment to living and loving and hope for the future.