Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
An hour later, Rod and Wyl finally broke away. Outside, they found Stewy and Matthew. They chatted while they waited for the cable car.
Stewy looked uncertain, like he didn’t exactly know what to say. Finally, he blurted out, “Are you from Blackfield, Rod?”
Rod nodded. “Born and raised, although I was out of high school by the time you two entered.” He motioned to Wyl. “Wyl said your dad and his were golfing buddies.”
Stewy’s turn to nod. “Wyl and I were best friends in high school, but I chose the university route, and he chose the see-the-country route.”
The cable car stopped. Rod hopped on and offered a hand-up to Wyl.
“Stewy, you old son of a gun,” Wyl pushed aside the elephant on the sidewalk and eyed Stewy as he grabbed Rod’s hand and stepped onto the cable car. “You’re gay?”
“What about you, Wyl?” Stewy gave Matthew a hand up as he spoke. “Not only are you gay, but you’re also married. And you and your husband are on the cover of The Advocate. I about fell over when I saw the picture and read the article.”
“Back in high school, did you know you were gay?” Wyl pointed to a seat for Rod while he grabbed a hand strap.
“Actually, yes.” Stewy grabbed the overhead rail.
“Rachael and I had an agreement. We would act like this committed, dating couple, so nobody would know we were both gay.” He pointed to the empty seat next to Rod, and Matthew sat.
“When she came out, I knew it was only a matter of time before someone figured me out.” Stewy sighed. “I thought it best to disappear.”
“So, how long have you and Matthew been together?” Wyl asked, expecting him to be in a long-term relationship.
“Oh, we met a year ago. Ours is an open relationship, which is not what I want, but it works for us. I wish I could find the kind of love I see in you and Rod.” Stewy put a hand on Wyl’s shoulder.
“The article was good but seeing you two in person really told the story. I think everyone in the audience tonight saw the same thing. While we live in a city that is easy for gays, seeing true love between two men is still a delight.”
Wyl nodded toward Matthew. “Have you talked to Matthew about the open relationship thing?”
“No.” Stewy shook his head. “I don’t want to disappoint him.”
“What if he wants the same thing you do?” Wyl asked. “One of you must put on your big boy britches and speak up.”
Stewy studied his shoes. “You’re right, of course.”
“You need to stop trying so hard, Stewy.” Wyl squeezed Stewy’s shoulder. “It sounds like you went through a series of relationships, none of which satisfied you. Am I right?”
“Unfortunately, yes. But I like living in San Francisco. Lots of opportunities to meet guys, and our open relationship allows me to enjoy other sex partners without Matthew getting all bent out of shape.” Stewy glanced at Matthew, and Wyl could see the longing in his expression.
“How many other sex partners have you tried since you and Matthew got together?”
Stewy looked at Wyl. “None.”
The cable car bell sounded, and the four of them stepped off and began their walk to the restaurant. Stewy grabbed Matthew’s hand and walked ahead while Wyl slinked his arm around Rod’s waist and strolled behind, separating the two couples.
“Thanks for keeping Matthew occupied on the cable car,” Wyl whispered. “You always know exactly what to do.”
“I knew you wanted to chat with Stewy and catch up, and I figured it was better if Matthew and I didn’t listen to every word. He’s a nice guy, and from what he says…he thinks Stewy hung the moon.”
“Stewy says they are in an open relationship, but it’s not what he wants.”
“Matthew said he wants a committed relationship like ours but doesn’t think Stewy does.”
“I wonder why they don’t talk to each other about their feelings?” Wyl asked.
“Maybe they aren’t experts at the go-after-your-man game like we are.” Rod chuckled as he snaked his arm around Wyl’s waist.
Wyl huffed out a one-breath laugh. “Yeah. Perhaps we should write a self-help book on pursuing your ideal partner. I bet the bookstore on Castro would carry it.”
They arrived at the restaurant and enjoyed a wonderful dinner, accompanied by light conversation.
Stewy and Matthew discussed their living arrangements, jobs, and life.
Rod and Wyl let them talk. Their life was an open book—or rather an open magazine article.
They finished their meal and left the restaurant.
“Why don’t you guys come for dinner?” Rod asked. “We’re in the penthouse. Seventh and Howard.” He jerked his thumb in the direction of the building. “We’ll fix steaks and open a nice bottle of wine. Are you busy tomorrow night?”
“We can do that.” Matthew nodded. “Right, baby?” He looked at Stewy, who nodded enthusiastically.
“We’ll alert the doorman you are coming,” Wyl said. “Seven o’clock?”
“Perfect, Wyl. We’ll see you two then.” Stewy took Matthew’s hand as they turned to leave.
Rod and Wyl walked back to the cable car stop, caught the car down to Market, and then returned to their building.
“Did you notice that Stewy and Matthew didn’t touch each other much?” Rod asked.
“Not everyone is like us, Rod. Your touch not only grounds me, but it also keeps my furnace going. I don’t think everyone experiences the same sensations.”
“Still, I think Matthew wanted to touch Stewy the same way we touch, only he was afraid.”
“It’s obvious those two don’t talk, Rod. We’ll fix that when they come over.”
“Good. I want them to be a happy couple.”
“Me, too.”
Back in their condo, they took off their coats to relax.
“How about a brandy?” Wyl finished tugging his boots off and scooted the boot jack toward Rod.
“I could go for that.” Rod wedged his boot heel into the jack and tugged.
Wyl poured two cognac snifters, and Rod turned on the music and flipped the switch for the fire.
“Whew…what a day this was.” Rod sighed, collapsing on the couch and accepting a snifter of cognac from Wyl.
“I’m not all that comfortable with crowds, and about the only time we didn’t suffer crowds around us was when we fell asleep on this couch this afternoon.
It was a fun day, but I’m glad it’s over”.
“Me too, baby.” Wyl snuggled up next to Rod and took a sip of his cognac. “And imagine running into Stewy. He’s the last person I expected to see here. Talk about a shock to the system.”
“Actually, the last person I expected to see here was Mitzi. What the fuck? And what was this shit about something back in Blackfield? And Alfonso Ortega? Really?” Rod shook his head. “She must be getting desperate.”
“Whatever it is, we can’t do anything about it here. I’m as pissed as you…maybe even more because of the family history with the bitch. But I won’t let her destroy our vacation.”
“Good point. But back to Stewy, will you encourage him to contact his family?”
“Of course,” Wyl nodded. “His parents won’t care about his orientation, and that may help him settle down with Matthew for a long-term relationship.”
They sipped the cognac and watched the fire, making them drowsy.
Rod set his empty snifter on the coffee table, took Wyl’s snifter, put it next to his, then tugged at Wyl’s hand. “Let’s go to bed.”
They went into the bedroom, stripped, climbed into bed, and fell asleep in each other's arms.