David Platon, after the deaths of both his parents, the suicide of a friend, and the death of a beloved pet, falls in love with a youth he meets at a swimming pool. The relationship, which is consensual, becomes intimate. It comes to the attention of the authorities and although the relationship would not be illegal in most European countries, in the sex-panic, stereotyping atmosphere in the United States, David is sentenced to prison. Upon release, David is forced to register as a sex offender. David, who has been writing books under a pen name since the early 1970s, in an oversight, neglects to list his pen name as an "alias" on the registration form. Seeking to find a spiritual home that would accept him, David begins to attend a church that was recommended as progressive and diverse by a woman he met at a baseball game. Unfortunately, before he has a chance to have a "home visit" with a pastor to explain his past, someone in the congregation checks registration website and discovers David's listing under his real name. David is arrested for using his pen name for a new book of his that was to be released at the time he was attending church. David is again sentenced to prison unjustly. However, his strength of spirit and ability to still love triumphs in the end.