Father's Day — Philip Galanes

At the age of thirty-five, Matthew Vaber's life is so messy it can only be at a turning point. In one direction is the neon glare of his father's recent suicide, and in the other is the tough love of his fluorescent mother. He'd love to find love, but he can't make it twenty minutes into a first date without spotting that fatal flaw. In spite of Matthew's better intentions, he always finds himself back at the same old place: 555-PUMP, “New York's only phone line for men who are serious about their bodies!” Eventually, even Matthew realizes the long odds of making a love connection on a sex line, but then the pound sign connects him to Henry. Much to his dismay, Matthew can't find a single problem with him. In fact, Henry may be just the one to lead Matthew past his recent tragedies and childhood traumas. If Matthew lets himself follow, that is. Philip Galanes's dynamic wit and idiosyncratic charm make Father's Day a compassionate, heart-melting story and a delightful debut.