Monday, December 17, 2012

G St. Chapter Four: "In The Morning" Pt 2.


When the gang arrived I was giddy with delight and couldn’t wait to rehash my morning with AJ. “Let’s raise a glass” I said, “to lovely mornings and the future, whatever it may hold.” I added that last part just in case the fates were listening and not to jinx it. In all honesty, it didn’t matter what the future held for me, my friends or AJ, I was living in the moment and happy to be here for once instead of my head watching from the inside. We raised our glasses and another pang of happiness went through my body as I heard them clink together.
“Well, I for one am happy to see you happy. I haven’t seen a smile like that on your face since you were happy with your first eyebrow waxing.” Patrick said. Well, they were that at that subtle line between masculine and “Yeah, that guy gets his eyebrows done.”
“I’m so proud of you, Freddy” Lila added with a certain sparkle in her eye, “Even more so, I’m proud of me! If I hadn’t pressed the issue with you you might have never had the nerve to call him.” I had to do a double take to make sure I heard her correctly. I turned to Leo to hear what he had to say about all of it but he was sitting quietly waiting to hear more about my morning. I stared at him for a few moments as he kept fidgeting in his chair looking like he had to use the bathroom. Finally, frustrated with the silent treatment I opened the floor for his opinion and it was then he opened the flood gates.
“I’m head over heels in love with this coupling!” he finally let out. “I mean, he’s cute, talented and he can cook! What more could you ask for in a man.” I toasted to that and then it hit me. “Wait, how did you know he cooked?” He looked at all of us in guilty silence before speaking. “Um, I could smell food being cooked and I knew you didn’t cook so I figured it had to be AJ.”
“But you don’t smell anything but coffee. I tried cooking once and burned it to a crisp! You didn’t even smell the smoke!”
“I heard you two talking.”
“You don’t get up before noon and you’ve never met AJ.”
His eyes darted back in forth and he bit his lip. He only did that when he couldn’t think of anything to say off the top of his head. Looking like he lost the war he threw his hands in the air and said, “You can take the interrogation lamp off me, officer, I admit it! I was spying! There, are you happy?” he then put his head on the table and began sobbing. I sipped the last of my drink as I let him throw his tantrum.
“Are you done?” I asked finally as I swished the ice in my glass kind of amused by his dramatic display. It was like a switch as went from Blanche back to fun loving Leo. “Yes” he replied with a perky smile on his face.
“So what’s he like?” Patrick asked totally ignoring me and instead asking Leo. “Oh, he’s an absolute doll! He’s great conversation, has eyes to die for and a complete gentleman.” Leo gushed.
“Alright, if you’re done making a fool of yourself, I believe I was the one who had the date with him.” I protested.
“My, my, aren’t we defensive, but you’re being so coy with your feelings. Someone’s got to gush for you.” He said tossing his napkin at me. Truth is, something like this doesn’t happen too often, I have to ration. “Well, I think it’s nice.” Lila added quickly somehow picking up on my train of thought. I intertwined my arm with hers and put my head on her shoulder. My head started to feel funny and I found myself staring at the picture of Alex’s parents that he kept on the bar mantle. They stood side by side with their hands laced with each other’s and stood proudly in front of the bar they just opened. They looked so proud and happy and there was little Alex inside his mother’s belly waiting to be born. I got up from the table and walked to where Alex was serving drinks to customers. I picked a seat at the end of the bar and waited till he came my way.
            “What’ll it be, Freddy?” Alex asked ready to take my order. I put my hand on his and said, “I’d like a story please.” I said.
           
            “My parents have always believed that people are going to love who they want and society can go fuck themselves if they didn’t like it.”After some pestering, Alex finally decided to feed my curiosity about his life. I have known the guy for a few years, but never actually knew anything about him. “When they first met, they both had grown up with siblings who were gay and saw firsthand just how hard it was trying to be accepted for it. They wanted to create an environment for people to feel comfortable and to be who they are no matter where they came from. And hey, why not toss back a few, too.” He said laughing. “When I actually came out to them my dad walked up to me and said, ‘You are my son and I love you no matter who you decide love.’ And my mom called the rest of the family that night. They were trying to show me just how proud they were of me because they believed that’s what a parent is supposed to do.” I hung on to every word of Alex’s story.
            “Where are your parents now?” I asked feeling completely engulfed wanting to know more. But before he could continue I felt the presence of someone’s hands over my eyes. “Guess who.” The voice asked in a low whisper in my ear. I turned in my bar stool and saw AJ standing behind me. He gave me a hug that seemed to linger a bit. I was pressed lightly against him by his strong arms holding me there for a moment. Thankfully, he was holding me or I might have just melted in his arms right there.
            “Hey!” I said giving him a warm smile, “Fancy running into you here.”
            “Well, I’ve heard so much about this place I decided to finally check it out. I’m here with some friends actually.” He said pointing to a group of people in a corner table. They waived and I waived back. “You remember Alex, right? He was with me that night at the gallery.” They both shook hands before Alex turned and walked away. It was almost sad seeing him leave his story unfinished.
            “So what are you doing here?” AJ asked.
            “Are you kidding? I come here more than a normal person should!” I replied almost wincing after wanting to retract that statement. Now he probably thinks I’m some alcoholic. “What I meant to say was this place is sort of like an oasis in a desert of chaos. I left my home when I was nineteen and it wasn't exactly home sweet home to begin with. Besides living with my roommate, I haven’t been able to find another place that is as warm and welcoming like The Bluestone.” I think he understood where I was coming from. I could see it in his eyes. They had this special way of communicating without even using words. They even kind of looked like their own oasis even in the soft light of the bar.
I felt my phone vibrate and it was a text from Leo: “You two kids have fun” with a winking face at the end of it. I turned around and saw the table was empty.
“Something wrong?” AJ asked. “No, nothing, I think my friends decided to head home.” I told him. “Hey, that’s alright, I think my friends had the same idea.” I peeked over his shoulder and saw the table that his friends were sitting at were was empty too. “And then there were two.” I said.
            The bar started clearing out of as it got later into the night. AJ had moved his bar stool as close to mine putting his arm around my shoulder creating a world outside of reality. His subtle kisses on my cheek or the moments of comfortable silence proved to be nothing short of pure bliss.
            “Closing time” I heard a voice say. Alex was standing behind the bar tapping his fingers looking exhausted and ready to throw us out. AJ excused himself to hit the restroom. “Sorry, Alex, I guess we just lost track of time.” I told him whipping out the Bambi eyes again. Sadly, they had a zero effect. “Ok, ok, we’re going. Just hand me the bill and we’ll be on our way.” But before I could open my wallet, AJ was already shelling out the cash for our bill. “It’s ok, I got you.” He said smiling at me.
            When we got ready AJ offered me his arm and I linked it with his. I waved goodbye to Alex and expressed how I couldn't wait to see him tomorrow night. A smirk spread across his face, “Be careful getting home, Fred” he said waving back.
            From day to night and with the stroke of midnight the first date that seemed utterly perfect had come to a close. We walked in a comfortable silence all the way back to G St where, at my doorstep, before I could put my key into the lock he put his hands on my shoulders, turned me around and our lips met in a perfect kiss. Well, I might sound totally biased being on the receiving end of this kiss, but if this was what perfection was I wouldn't mind staying here a while. 



On deck: Chapter Five "One Wish" Stay Tuned. 

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